dry mouth and full mask with humidifier set to max

space45 wrote:I am still getting dry mouth and I have maxed out my humidifier.
I breath with my mouth as I get stuff up most nights.
any help would be nice

thanks

Wulfman... wrote:

space45 wrote:I am still getting dry mouth and I have maxed out my humidifier.
I breath with my mouth as I get stuff up most nights.
any help would be nice

thanks

That's why. Too much humidity can actually cause or increase nasal congestion.

Do nasal cleansing before bedtime and turn your humidity setting way down or OFF.


Den

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Wulfman... wrote:Well, I was a dedicated mouth-breather most of my life. I do nasal cleansing before bedtime and "passover" (cool) humidification year-round and have no problems nose-breathing while sleeping now.
Don't knock it if you haven't tried it.

djhall wrote:I too thought I couldn't reliably nose breathe and couldn't use a nasal mask. I started trying recently, and at first i had to irrigate nightly, but I am finding that the advice I was given here is proving true. The more I use the nasal mask all night every night, the less plugged my nasal passages are getting between nights. I don't know why, but I am nose breathing better and mouth breathing less, even during the day.

Of course, bipap with 22cm IPAP pressure probably has something to do with the machines ability to blow my nasal passages clear.

Kennerly wrote:Have you tried using your machine with the humidity on a very low setting as mentioned above? That's the place to start.

Following are some other things that you can try. If nasal congestion is an ongoing issue and it inhibits your ability to get full PAP therapy I would encourage you to address the problem aggressively right from the start. (I didn't and my progress suffered as a result.) It's a process of trial and error so keep records of what seems to help and what doesn't.

- Find a full face mask that is effective and stick with it until you get the congestion problem under control. Make sure the FFM doesn't contact your nose in such a way that it physically pushes your nasal passages closed. Expect to start the nights breathing through your mouth and then to gradually switch over to nose breathing.

- Try using strong menthol sugarless cough drops right before masking up.

- Experiment with Breathe Right strips and/or nasal dialators.

- See an allergist and get a specific diagnosis of the problem.

I've was diagnosed with moderate sleep apnea and give a prescription for a Respironics System One with an humidifier. However, I bought an upgrade kit online to transform the unit to one with a heated hose. It's rather a simple process if one purchases the correct kit. In any case, my dry mouth has become unbearable and I have used, with any leakage, two different headgear. One is a ResMed Mirage Quattro and the other is a ResMed Quattro FX. I use Biotene spray and Xylimelts. In both cases, I awake within a few hours with unbearable dry mouth. I have water next to bed and use it. This occurs two to three times nightly so the therapy is causing more sleep disturbances than the apnea. I am quite certain that I'm mouth breathing. Haven't tried any nasal strips, but that is an option. But, I am at the point of exasperation and I don't quit easily. However, in this case, if this goes unresolved, then I'll take my chances with the AutoPAP.

- Try the various prescription nasal sprays that your allergist recommends until you find one that is effective for you. Determine the best time of day to use the spray so that you are clear at bedtime, then add saline rinses as mentioned above. You can probably work in two nasal rinses per day, one about an hour prior to the prescription spray. Also use regular saline sprays during the day to keep things moist.

- If your doc thinks you would benefit from allergy shots pursue them. They can help.

-Try sleeping in a recliner, at various angles, until you find an angle that diverts the drainage away from your nasal passages and into your throat. This can also be accomplished with a bunch of pillows on a couch or bed if you don't have a suitable recliner. Start with a 30° angle.

- Even after you are papping better through your nose there may be some nights that it just won't work and you'll have to fall back on the mouth breathing. This is when you crank up the humidity, use more cough drops, use bio-moist, etc.

There are other things that you can try. Think in terms of kludging together a short term solution, and be willing to try anything and everything. Once you get "over the hump" and are successfully getting therapy there will be plenty of time to "dekludgify" things.