Mask uncomfortable and dry mouth

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
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Ethanator
Posts: 7
Joined: Thu Oct 01, 2015 11:00 am

Mask uncomfortable and dry mouth

Post by Ethanator » Sat Oct 03, 2015 5:53 pm

Hey guys,

I have been using a cpap the last few days and am experiencing a lot of discomfort after a few hours of sleep. Also dry mouth but I'll get into that in a sec. So usually about 3 hours into my sleep, I'll wake up and just take the mask off. I remember doing it in the morning but it feels like I have no control to keep it on, like I just don't think "keep it on and pull through this". I usually keep the mask pretty tight because my sleepyhead results show many major leak occurrences if I don't. Any suggestions on this? I think this could be solve led if I could just sleep on my back all night but I toss and turn a lot.
Also, my mouth tends to get super dry because I always breathe through my mouth. I keep my humidor on level 6 or less because any higher and my tube gets clogged with water and makes a slurping sound which wakes me up. Should I look into getting a head strap to keep my mouth closed? I think that would just add to the uncomfortableness which is already a problem as stated above.

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LSAT
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Joined: Sun Nov 16, 2008 10:11 am
Location: SE Wisconsin

Re: Mask uncomfortable and dry mouth

Post by LSAT » Sat Oct 03, 2015 6:31 pm

The Quattro is not designed to be tight. The mask needs to fill with air and float on your face. Removing the mask at night is common for new people. Try using pieces of tape to hold it on...a chinstrap might be uncomfortable with the Quattro...Also...Wear the mask while you watch TV in the evening to get your face accostomed to the feel. Once you get it fitted and adjusted properly you will find this mask to be extremely comfortable.

Read this blog by member janknitz.....https://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/tamin ... e-quattro/

_________________
Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
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Too tall
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Re: Mask uncomfortable and dry mouth

Post by Too tall » Sun Oct 04, 2015 7:43 pm

I feel your pain. This is my biggest problem. The chin strap will definitely help but may not work and I found it uncomfortable also. I've been using 3M Durapor cloth surgical tape and simply taping my mouth closed. Seems to work OK but sinus has to be open. Some people cut a small slit in the tape to allow a slight amount of air to enter or exit if needed. It's worth a try. The only downside is it pretty well kills any conversation with your bed partner. Some would say that's a benefit.
System One RemStar Pro with C-Flex+ (460P)

JDS74
Posts: 3397
Joined: Sun Jan 23, 2011 2:57 pm
Location: South Carolina

Re: Mask uncomfortable and dry mouth

Post by JDS74 » Sun Oct 04, 2015 8:12 pm

If water condensation in the cpap hose is a problem, try a hose insulator that wraps around the hose and keeps the temp up more that the heated hose alone.

Second, a chin strap is not a good idea for a FFM as it tends to pull back on the jaw and increase OSA events. A soft cervical collar is a better choice. It needs to be soft, not the stiff ones you can get from a local DME or even Walgreens, for example. You are just trying to support the jaw from below, not keep the head from moving around. I got mine from Amazon. When you fall asleep, the facial muscles relax and sometimes that lets the jaw open either just a little or quite a lot. For a FFM, this means leaks.

The FFM does not require strapping on tightly as a previous responder noted. It should be comfortable and not leak while you are lying down, cpap turned on, and the pressure at the top of your range. If it doesn't leak then, it won't leak at night if your jaw doesn't move.

A hose hanger that suspends the hose above you may help with movement at night. If the hose is just lying on the bed, then turning over will tug at it and cause a leak.

_________________
Mask: Oracle HC452 Oral CPAP Mask
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Oracle 452 Lessons Learned Updated
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