Dry mouth

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
348Win
Posts: 14
Joined: Sun Sep 28, 2014 5:45 pm
Location: Ontario Canada

Dry mouth

Post by 348Win » Wed Nov 26, 2014 5:29 pm

Done my follow up sleepover and my machine was upped to 12cm and then the problems started. My AHIs are very low now which is good but I am waking up during the night and my mouth is drier than a popcorn fart. My Dr. upped the humidity but still it happens. Apparently I opened my mouth during the sleepover near the end of the night and the Tech suggested a chin strap in conjunction with my nose mask but the Dr. said try more humidity (to no avail). Any ideas ? does it sound like I am opening my mouth ?

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Sheriff Buford
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Joined: Mon Aug 09, 2010 8:01 am
Location: Kingwood, Texas

Re: Dry mouth

Post by Sheriff Buford » Wed Nov 26, 2014 6:11 pm

If your mouth is dry, then you can safely say that you are opening your mouth during cpap therapy. You can open your mouth using a full face mask, a hybrid mask or a total mask. You cannot open your mouth with nasal pillows or a nasal mask and receive proper therapy. Upping the humidifier temperature is a start. If you are sold on the nasal or pillow mask(s) then, yes a chinstrap will work. Some folks can use tape on their mouth until they "train" their mouth to stay closed at night.

You didn't say you couldn't stand the pain but using Biotene mouth rinse (or spray) before going to bed helps with dry mouth.

If you are gonna stick around, please add your equipment on your profile so folks can know what equipment you are using.

Sheriff

348Win
Posts: 14
Joined: Sun Sep 28, 2014 5:45 pm
Location: Ontario Canada

Re: Dry mouth

Post by 348Win » Thu Nov 27, 2014 5:21 am

Thanks for the reply Buford T. My info is on my post but you have to look close lol.

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AlabamaAl
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Joined: Mon Sep 08, 2014 4:21 am

Re: Dry mouth

Post by AlabamaAl » Thu Nov 27, 2014 6:18 am

In my experience with dry mouth, things get better with time. I suspect cellular changes much as happen when a young plant is "hardened off". Until then, a heated hose option helped me most with this condition. It allowed more moisture to reach my sinuses and mouth. I also used the Biotin, and would take off the mask to take a sip of water several times a night. I tried chin straps, a mouth guard etc, but none eliminated the problem.

Do what you have to do to help with the condition, dry mouth will lessen with time, or at least it did with me.

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Greg Riddle
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Re: Dry mouth

Post by Greg Riddle » Thu Nov 27, 2014 8:55 am

I had to switch to ffm even with a chin strap I could stop letting air out of my mouth

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OkyDoky
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Joined: Mon Aug 25, 2014 5:18 pm

Re: Dry mouth

Post by OkyDoky » Thu Nov 27, 2014 9:57 am

AlabamaAL wrote: Do what you have to do to help with the condition, dry mouth will lessen with time, or at least it did with me.



I also had dry mouth when I started treatment to the point that it was difficult to swallow during the night. And I don't think I had a lot of mouth breathing. I fiddled with my humidifier settings until one night I woke up with so much drainage in my nasal pillows that it was like sleeping in jello (gross). I turned the humidifier off for a while and I don't know what or when but my dry mouth stopped. Since having to turn the heat in the house I have had to turn the humidifier back on, due to waking with sinus headaches, now everything seems to be balanced out. Sometimes I think our bodies just have to get used to the new environment but to make it easier take all the suggestions others give and with time something will work for you.
ResMed Aircurve 10 VAUTO EPAP 11 IPAP 15 / P10 pillows mask / Sleepyhead Software / Back up & travel machine Respironics 760

gtrrich
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Sep 15, 2014 12:34 pm
Location: USA

Re: Dry mouth

Post by gtrrich » Fri Nov 28, 2014 10:24 am

I'm having a similar situation. Recently I had a new sleep study and up'd the pressure from 6 to 8. Then, I started opening my mouth at night, and getting dry mouth. I've been wondering if it's due to the new pressure setting. I've had the Resmed s9 Escape for about 2 months now, and I'm still tweaking the humidity and temp settings.

Also, I just found the setting called EPR, which eases the pressure when you exhale. It was turned off. I turned it on and I'm gonna try that. Does anyone know, if having that setting (EPR) off would contribute to the mouth opening with the new pressure? It seemed to help last night, but I need to give it some time. Thanks!

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