2 questions re: mask and dry throat

[laurie2025]

Hello,
I am considering getting a nasal mask in addition to my Swift. My thinking, and correct me if I'm wrong, is that the air has a longer journey, so to speak, through the nasal mask through your nose etc. before it hits the back of your throat. Both nights I have used my Swift, by the morning my throat is really REALLY dry. I know I am not mouth breathing because my mouth is firmly taped. Does this make any sense?
2nd question, I have been browsing the nasal masks available, and 2 that are highly rated are the FlexiFit HC407 and the Mirage Activa. Can anyone compare / contrast these masks for me? I am a side sleeper and don't want to have to 'hang' my head off the pillow if possible.
Thank you very much.

[curtcurt46]

I have used both the F&p407 and the activa. The activa is the best for me of the two. The activa does not leak with my movements whereas the F&P 407 seems to be more prone to slight leaks. The F&P 407 is lighter and less expensive. Snoredog has recently tried a nasal mask by Somnotech thta works very well. You might do a search to read about the Somnotech post from Snoredog.
Good Luck

[ColoradoDreamer]

What is your humidity setting? You may need to bump it up. I've set mine to 2 and have no problems with a dry throat.

I haven't been at it for very long so I can't comment on the 407, but I like my activa mask. It is very comfortable, almost like I don't have it on after I got it adjusted. When I sleep on my side I use my pillow to support the mask. This supports the weight of the mask and the hose thus reducing any leaks that may occur.

[Snoredog]

if you are used the the swift, the Activa will be huge by comparison. It is also heavy by comparison.

If you are drying out using a nasal interface, you need to increase the humidity level on your humidifier. The Swift interface has what we call high CO2 washout, meaning that it has a high leak/exhaust rate to flush out more of your exhaled CO2. Sometimes this can be bad as it dries out your nasal passage. Then if you have a humidifier that doesn't deliver much moisture (such as a Resmed S7 or S8 integrated), you can easily dry out from using the Swift.

If you get a nasal mask/interface that doesn't have such a high CO2 washout rate it will "retain" more moisture in the air. It will also be a much quieter interface than the Swift. The Activa has a higher CO2 retention rate and lower leak rate, it also has more dead space.

Some female patients have difficulty fitting the Activa because it doesn't go small enough.

Yet better than the Activa, I would suggest you look at the new Somnotech Soyala nasal mask. It is very light, much smaller than the Activa and seals better in my opinion. It has a higher CO2 retention rate so you will be able to retain more moisture and possibly prevent the dryness and for noise it is silent. It is a very comfortable mask to wear, head gear is actually streatchy so you don't tighten the straps too tight. It has a great hose swivel for freedom of movement. It costs a little more than other nasal masks (less than Activa), but well worth it once you try it. They also make a Extra Small or Petite sized cushion if needed. I wouldn't get the cushion too small, in fact I prefer a larger mask than one smaller, too small and they can put pressure on the outside of your nose and be the cause of congestion, just like squeezing your nose.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/Soyala ... dgear.html

[laurie2025]

Last night I set the humidity at 2, and 1 the night before. I was thinking of turning the heat off altogether, bad idea?

[Snoredog]

Last night I set the humidity at 2, and 1 the night before. I was thinking of turning the heat off altogether, bad idea?

Bad idea. If you are getting dryness at the lower setting of 2, you need to INCREASE the humidifier setting to 3 or increase the temp that will produce more moisture in the air.

During the summer months I leave the humidifier off and only use it in passover mode.

[laurie2025]

I have the 'heat' button that allows me to change it from 1 up to 3, but I don't see an option to turn the humidity level up. Or are they one and the same?

[bdp522]

By warming the water you get more humidity. There was a discussion some months ago about mouthwashes that helped with dry mouth. Sometimes even with the HH set at the max you can get dry mouth. I think the one mentioned most was biotene.

Brenda

[laurie2025]

By warming the water you get more humidity.
Brenda

Thanks, that's what I thought.

[midnight_snorkeler]

re did a sleep study last nite and figured out that i definitely need a chinstrap. you are probably opening your mouth in your sleep.. look into a chinstrap if you dont use one. no more dry mouth and better sleep, more REM!!! good luck
ps. i love both swift and activa! with a good chinstrap of course

[laurie2025]

Thank you very much for replying. I have only started using my CPAP this weekend, but I learned from a lot of great folks on this board about mouth taping, because I did open my mouth during my 2nd sleep study with the mask(s) on. So I think I am going to try turning up my humidity and possibly the mouthwash if necessary.
Thanks again.

[oldgearhead]

by the morning my throat is really REALLY dry.

I get a dry mouth, once in awhile, from either my nasal pillow or the "Simple Cushion" interface. This is a rare occasion, I believe its happens if I don't have my lips taped tight enough together.

With my full-face mask, I also get dry mouth, and if I turn up the HH, my face gets slippery, from perspiration, I think. I experience "dry mouth" more with my full-face mask, than the other two types. Maybe that is because of the very high CO2 "washout" of the Hybrid. I may try to cut the Hybrid's passive flow by 1/6, the next time I use it.

If you are looking for mask suggestions, may I suggest the ComfortLite 2, because it can be purchased with both the "in you nose" nasal pillows, and the "over you nose" Simple Cushion.

[laurie2025]

Thank you for your suggestions. I upped the humidity to 3 and that helped a bit with the dry throat.
As for a new mask, I am trying to decide between the Somnotech Soyala and the ComfortLite 2.
Since I am having issues with the noise coming from my Swift, the fact that the Soyala is so quiet sounds great. But, the flexibility of the CL with both the nasal pillows and the simple cushion sounds good also.
I am so appreciative of all the great information from everyone here !!!!