newbie

kornazoo · Post by **kornazoo** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 3:46 pm

Hello Everyone!

I feel very lucky to have found this site. I have been using my CPAP for about 2 weeks now, and so far, so good. Last night I woke up only once, and my husband said I didn't move otherwise. I have dry mouth and I am not a mouth breather, so I think it is part of the "getting used to".
Otherwise the pillow is comfortable for a side sleeper such as myself. I definitely have more enery and feel better in the morning.

I didn't get told about any software. Looked up FAQ's, but I guess I should call my doctor. It seems like it's necessary to find out what's happening.

Also, it is worth getting the Phantom of the Night book?

I am usually the kind of person that is well informed, but I feel that I am not on this, so I am on a pretty steep learning curve. I want to be very pro-active on this.

You all seem to be informed and I thank you for you help in advance.

Shelley

snoregirl · Post by **snoregirl** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 3:58 pm

Not a mouth breather you say. Amazing things happen that we don't know about when we fall asleep. Don't discount mouth leakage because you think you don't breath out your mouth. While some here can keep their tongue up all night and prevent leakage, a good number of us need that tape to stop it. A dry mouth is really not that nomal from my experience. It is possible you don't leak out your mouth and just have a dry mouth, all I am just saying experiment with tape and see if it really is just a dry mouth and rule out mouth leakage.

Maryb · Post by **Maryb** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 6:53 pm

Snoregirl is right on this one.
I would have never guessed that I was a mouth breather.
Actually, I think it's more of a mouth leaker.
But as soon as I fall asleep, air starts to bubble out of the corners of my mouth. As a result my mouth gets dried out.

I tried the tape, the poygrip strips neither of which worked for me.
Although alot of people swear by the tape (and I may try it again).

What works for me is the Hybrid mask, a type of full face mask, in which the mouth is covered as well as the nostrils. Of course, now that my mouth is covered, the air may still bubble out of my mouth but it doesn't escape and I find I'm swallowing it and getting aerophagia (but that's a whole different can of worms!).

Just hang in there and experiment around until you find what works for you.
Be patient, search this site, keep and open mind and experiment, experiment, experiment.

Good luck!

Maryb

ColoradoDreamer · Post by **ColoradoDreamer** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 6:58 pm

Welcome Shelley,

Sounds like you are off to a great start.

You’ve come to the right spot to get well informed. Two months ago I did not know what sleep apnea and CPAP were but am now, like you will be, absorbing whatever I can since it affects me. Recommend that you click on the yellow light bulb to look at the new comers list, if you have not already. Great info there.

You will find that many will highly recommend the software so you can monitor yourself. It sounds like you will use it too. I am in the process of getting set up with software since my DME thinks I am not worthy to see the sacred text and hieroglyphics coming off my machine’s data card.

I can’t help you on the book but I did see it mentioned in the new comer’s section.

Snoregirl has pointed out that you may want to consider taping to eliminate air leakage through the mouth as the culprit. This is a good place to start. Several posts on this forum that talk about taping.

Again, welcome and good luck on your new journey!

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 7:22 pm

Yep. Unless you have chronic dry mouth during the day as well ... if you be wak'in up with a dry mouth ... then you be a leak'in too.

Welcome to the family and best of luck on your new lifestyle. Hope you get those leaks under control somehow ... and this is the right place to get on top of the curve as quickly as possible.