Sudden problem with extreme dry back of throat

[grumpygirl]

Hello Everyone- I just recently started having a horrible time with the back of my throat being VERY dry during the night and early in the a.m. after using CPAP machine. I have never had this problem(not to this extreme) since starting CPAP in Nov. '07. What the heck is going on??? My humidifier is on 3 and I do use the warming option on my Elite. Should I maybe try using it without the warmer and up the humidity to maybe 4? I don't want to have too much "rain out". I am going out of town this week for the first time since using CPAP and don't want to deal with "rain out " or other problems while visiting my best friend in Alabama for her daughter's wedding. Also my mouth in general seems dryer than usual-even with taping-could I be still trying to mouth breathe? I am a horrible mouth breather but LOVE my Opus so much I endure the taping anyway. Any suggestions??? THANKS ALL!!!

[valvestem]

[quote="grumpygirl"]Hello Everyone- I just recently started having a horrible time with the back of my throat being VERY dry during the night and early in the a.m. after using CPAP machine. I have never had this problem(not to this extreme) since starting CPAP in Nov. '07. What the heck is going on??? My humidifier is on 3 and I do use the warming option on my Elite. Should I maybe try using it without the warmer and up the humidity to maybe 4? I don't want to have too much "rain out". I am going out of town this week for the first time since using CPAP and don't want to deal with "rain out " or other problems while visiting my best friend in Alabama for her daughter's wedding. Also my mouth in general seems dryer than usual-even with taping-could I be still trying to mouth breathe? I am a horrible mouth breather but LOVE my Opus so much I endure the taping anyway. Any suggestions??? THANKS ALL!!!

You have already named the solutions-increase the humidity and make sure yout mouth is not opening during sleep, more than likely your mouth is opening.

[tohosa]

I've been on CPAP since Oct '06, and I've used it every night but one since then. I have this problem of dry mouth and throat every now and then, and I've had it the last couple of nights again. I use my humidifier every time, and I tape my mouth every time; my pressure is 16, and no way could I keep my mouth shut all night on my own with that blowing through. Even with the humidifier and taping, I *still* sometimes get painfully dry in the mouth, throat, entire pharynx, and I can't tell what's different from time to time. I woke up with horrible dry mouth and throat about six times last night.

[valvestem]

My wife is a registered respiratory therapist and registered polysomnographist tech, (21 years) she suggests getting a chin strap as the tape is dangerous, and to increase your rate of humidity. Suggestions only, you should visit your doctors and tell him about the tape and dry mouth.

[tohosa]

My wife is a registered respiratory therapist and registered polysomnographist tech, (21 years) she suggests getting a chin strap as the tape is dangerous, and to increase your rate of humidity. Suggestions only, you should visit your doctors and tell him about the tape and dry mouth.

Thanks for your concern. Dry mouth isn't a steady problem, but it recurs for a few nights every few months. I'm a responsible person and a very good patient, and I've told my sleep doc, my respiratory therapist, and my PCP that I use tape with my CPAP. Nobody has told me to stop, and nobody has a better idea. I've tried several different masks, chin straps, etc., and they're too big for my face;they slip and leak.

My point was that it's possible to get dried out even when your mouth isn't opening during sleep.

[preemiern]

My wife is a registered respiratory therapist and registered polysomnographist tech, (21 years) she suggests getting a chin strap as the tape is dangerous, and to increase your rate of humidity. Suggestions only, you should visit your doctors and tell him about the tape and dry mouth.

Taping is not as dangerous as suffering apnea spells because one is losing all of their therapy from their mouth because they are mouth breathing!! Chin straps typically do not work unless they are pulled so tight as to choke you under your chin. Usually one still has air leakingfrom their lips.
use common sense when taping...don't tape if you are drunk and don't tape if you go to bed feeling queasy.
Can you show us study's that have been done in regards to mouth taping and vomiting?