can't get rid of sore throat

I've been using my CPAP for about two months but just cannot get rid of that sore throat. Often it wakes me several t imes during the night. I've tried cold water, adjusting the mask & checking it for leaks till the cows come home, cleaning everything after use, etc. But nothing works.

Any ideas??

Do you have a humidifier for the device? Try increasing the settings.

Are you mouth breathing?

Post your equipment, ppl can help more then.

Yes, it would help if you would list your specific CPAP machine and mask. If you are using a nasal pillows or nasal mask, my guess is that your sore throat is probably due to mouth-breathing. Is your mouth dry too? Have you been checking the "leak rate" on your machine (if it is a model that's capable of reporting results)?

It's possible that your sore throat may be due to continued snoring also. Any idea if that's the case? If so, you may need the pressure set higher.

Please give us more details regarding your equipment, and we'll be happy to try to help.

You are probably losing air from your mouth. Get leaks under control or try a full face mask?

also I don't think my machine has a leak rate, at least I can find no reference to it in the manuals or by inspecting the machine

Does your machine have a humidifier? I can't imagine using cpap without it. I can't even get through 1 night without it.
I use a nasal mask, but have tried a full face mask, and when I use the full face mask, I do tend to get a sore throat. Have you tried a nasal mask?

I'm wondering where you live?

Is it at all possible that you are suffering from allergies? The extra rain in some parts of the country have caused a huge increase in the pollen count. So many who never experience allergic reactions are suffering this spring. It might just be a coincidence that you started cpap at that time.

Just a thought...

Is it possible your sore throat is not caused by CPAP?

Not everything is the fault of CPAP. You may have an infection, viral or bacterial, that has nothing to do with CPAP.

I am getting over flu (suspected H1N1) complicated with bronchitis. I have had the sorest throat ever. CPAP was not to blame.

Sorry if your sore throat actually is CPAP related, but not all illness that occurs after you start CPAP is DUE to CPAP. I hope you figure out how to relieve your sore throat. Personnally, I think a trip to a primary care doctor might be in order to make sure you don't have an infection.

Maryland. No the sore throat is obviously caused by the cpap. Without wearing the mask I never get sore throats but when I put it on I almost always get them. I saw my primary care doctor three days ago and I have no infections, sinus problems allergies, etc. The cpap is unquestionably the cause of my sore throats. Thanks for trying though

It would help if you posted what mask and CPAP equipment you are using to give us some clues on what might be causing your sore throat, if you are positive it is CPAP-related. How long since you replaced the mask or its replaceable parts? I hope you get rid of your sore throat soon.

OK thanks all -- here's the additional info: My machine is a Sandman Intro HC/Puritan Bennett.

I have a full face mask and a humidifier; I've tried turning it up it makes no difference

The pressure is set at 18, so not much room for a higher setting, but it can go up to 20
(My wife did hear me snoring a few times, but not always)
Yes in addition to the sore throat I wake up with a dry mouth -- VERY dry

The idea of using a nasal mask with a chin strap seems like an idea worth trying; thanks

Also I do not suffer from any allergies -- never have; the cpap is clearly the sole cause of my sore throats (at least according to my pulmonologist and my primary care doc)

Your mask is leaking. I had that happen me. One you get a mask that doesn't leak so much it will be ok. Also turning up humidifier is sometimes worse.

When i have my mask humidity set too low i have sore throat issues. It definitely sounds like that or mask leaks for your situation.

You are obviously mouth breathing. Try a mask like a Hybrid which will funnel most of the air up your nose but also covers the mouth so it deals with mouth breathing also. My ENT suggested that a nasal type mask would be more beneficial for my sinuses but since I am often congested and spent probably 20 years just mouth breathing I need that dealt with also.

Paganini1 wrote:OK thanks all -- here's the additional info: My machine is a Sandman Intro HC/Puritan Bennett.

I have a full face mask and a humidifier; I've tried turning it up it makes no difference

The pressure is set at 18, so not much room for a higher setting, but it can go up to 20
(My wife did hear me snoring a few times, but not always)
Yes in addition to the sore throat I wake up with a dry mouth -- VERY dry

The idea of using a nasal mask with a chin strap seems like an idea worth trying; thanks

Also I do not suffer from any allergies -- never have; the cpap is clearly the sole cause of my sore throats (at least according to my pulmonologist and my primary care doc)

Which full face mask?
Are you using oxygen with your CPAP therapy?
Are you doing nasal rinses/cleansing before bedtime? (if not, do so)

If you can't breathe through your nose, you're going to have to breathe through your mouth......you want to keep your nasal passages clear so you don't mouth-breathe.
Get in the habit of pushing your tongue to the top of your mouth (and behind your teeth). That should also help breathing through your nose.
Too much humidity can often exacerbate mouth-breathing.
See if they can upgrade you to a data-capable machine. The "Intro" model won't tell you how your therapy is working or how to diagnose your problem.
At the pressure you're using, you should be on a Bi-Level/Bi-PAP machine.


Den