UMFF and dry mouth

salmon · Post by **salmon** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 10:34 am

Was wondering if anyones experiences dry mouth using the UMFF from Resmed. I have a setting of 14, and use the ffmask because I can't keep my mouth closed during sleep. My F&P machine is set at 3.5 out of 4 for humidity, if I go to 4, I get alot of water in the hose. I still get extreme dry mouth at 3.5. Does the Quattro help? I have to tape my mouth closed even with the ffmask to prevent the dryness, and want to get away from that.
Any suggestions?

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 10:50 am

Can you breathe through your nose? Do you use any routine to clear out your nasal passages before bedtime?

Even in a full face mask, if your mouth is not shut, it'll get dry from mouth breathing.

Try to make sure your nasal passages are clear and possibly turn down your humidity. Too much warm humid air can actually close off your nasal passages.
I never use heated humidity in my machine......even during the winter.
Also, try to train yourself to keep your tongue to the roof of your mouth at night......that helps to keep it shut.

Den

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 10:56 am

if you are breathing through your mouth even with a FF mask, you will dry things out more than not.

I suggest you get and try some BIOTENE mouthwash before bed, it is sold right next to Listerine on store shelfs, give yourself a squirt before bed and you should see improvement.

Drink plenty of water.

salmon · Post by **salmon** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 2:04 pm

Thanks, will try the roof of the mouth thing. The only reason I have a ff mask is because of jaw dropping down while asleep. I can breathe fine through my nose. Taping my mouth closed has been an answer, but would like to eliminate the tape.

RipVW · Post by **RipVW** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 7:02 pm

Another alternative to taping is Chin-Up Straps (adhesive straps). Here's the website: http://www.chinupstrip.com/
And here's a video demonstrating how they are used:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dy96tt480pE

"You are getting sleepy . . ."

WearyOne · Post by **WearyOne** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 11:32 pm

RipVW, have you used these with a FF mask? Wondered how they would affect the seal of the mask around the mouth. I'm always waking up with my mouth hanging open, although my tongue is planted firmly on the roof of my mouth and I'm breathing through my nose! I catch myself doing this during the day sometimes, too. Again, I'm breathing through my nose. I use the Hybrid most of the time, and the UMFF occasionally.

Thanks!

Pam

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 11:39 pm

I use the ff mask and I can breath through my nose but at night I find myself breathing through my mouth and I get dry mouth plus I find I wake up because I am biting my tonuge..I have bit it so much that I had to go into the Dr. and they put 10 stitches on one side and 5 on the other..now I am having problems with where they stitched it because it has scar tissue now...what kind of tape do you all use that use it? Mitzi

RipVW · Post by **RipVW** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 8:37 am

WearyOne wrote:RipVW, have you used these with a FF mask? Wondered how they would affect the seal of the mask around the mouth. I'm always waking up with my mouth hanging open, although my tongue is planted firmly on the roof of my mouth and I'm breathing through my nose! I catch myself doing this during the day sometimes, too. Again, I'm breathing through my nose. I use the Hybrid most of the time, and the UMFF occasionally.

Thanks!

Pam

Hi Pam,

Yes, I do. They are SO thin, they don't interfere with the seal.

Mitzi · Post by **Mitzi** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 11:40 am

what is a recording Oximeter? thanks. Mitzi

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 12:12 pm

Mitzi wrote:what is a recording Oximeter? thanks. Mitzi

They look something like these:

http://www.nonin.com/productsList.asp?P ... ec=1&sub=2

There are various brands/models/manufacturers, but the ones a person would use to do an overnight test would look like these. There's also a long cable that has a finger clip that attaches to the end of a finger while you sleep and checks/records the blood oxygen saturation while you sleep.
Most doctors can order an overnight oximetry through a local DME supplier that SHOULD be free (with maybe the exception of the doctor's visit). In any case the DME should not bill you for this service. The overnight type of recorders will usually hold about 2 nights of data.

Den

RipVW · Post by **RipVW** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 12:14 pm

The recording oximeter measures blood oxygen saturation, checks it once per second, records the data to upload to a computer program so one may check for any drops in oxygen saturation (the damaging effect of untreated or unresponsive apnea events). It also records pulse rate data. A great device to double-check CPAP therapy efficacy. It has a "thimble" that you wear on your finger overnight. I don't use it nightly, just periodically to check to assure that all's well.

Here's the one I have--worn on the wrist with a cord to the thimble:
http://www.med1online.com/p-40265-spo-m ... 7500f.aspx