Dry Mouth?!

Hello everyone,
When I use my CPAP machine I sometimes wake up with a very very dry mouth. I end some having to take the mask off.
Any suggestions?
Thanks

Unless you're already using a 'full face' mask (that lets you breathe with your mouth open but not lose therapy air out of it), it's possible you're sleeping with an open mouth and the Cpap air's going out instead of down. You might want to look into that.

I have heard of the full mask causing scars on people's noses due to skin bleeds.

AnotherMe wrote:I have heard of the full mask causing scars on people's noses due to skin bleeds.

You've heard wrong. With the proper mask and properly sized and adjusted, there should be none of what you've heard.
I've been using the ResMed Ultra Mirage Full Face mask for over nine years and it's never caused any problems......in fact, it's very comfortable and I hardly know it's there.

My brief, 3-night "experiment" with the Respironics Comfortful 2 was a different story.


Den

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I am going to put water with a straw next to my bed where I can get fast access to water.

AnotherMe wrote:I am going to put water with a straw next to my bed where I can get fast access to water.

That is what I did when I started CPAP with very dry mouth. I'd suggest getting a cup with a straw and cover. I got one of those and when I spilled a couple times by missing the edge of the stool I was keeping it on I didn't have as huge a mess as I would have w/o a cover. I'd also suggest not keeping it near your machine in case you do spill .... that could get expensive. I have a little Rubbermaid stool that I keep it on, about 3 feet from my bed.

Oddly, after about 3 months, I was no longer experiencing a dry mouth. Most nights now, I even forget to put the "water jug" on the stool... it's usually by the kitchen sink. I think maybe I got used to it, or I learned to keep my mouth closed.

If indeed you are using a nasal mask or pillows then you need to address the loss of therapy air out of your mouth first... if you are using a full face mask then try my suggestion below.

I like Orajel mouth moisturizer which comes in a tube like toothpaste:
http://www.amazon.com/Special-pack-ORAJ ... rizing+gel

If you were you I'd avoid Biotene's similar product, it's worthless IMO and doesn't even come close to lasting half the night... the Orajel will get the job done all night long.