Duct Tape & Dry Mouth

[Richm]

Since my Respironics ComfortFull mask, with REMstar humidifier set high, did not improve dry mouth, I sealed my mouth with duct tape and tried my other mask. It is a ResMed Ultra Mirage nose mask. Even with the duct tape and the high humidify setting, I still awakened several times with a dry mouth. This caused me to drink water and replace the duct tape. Sprays of Stopper 4 Dry Mouth did not help. I know I am a notorious mouth breather, but if the duct tape prevented that, then what is causing the dry mouth that manifests itself only at night? Incidentally, I take Cardura. Klonopin and Ambien but had dry mouth at night years before I took any meds, or before OSA was ever diagnosed. Any ideas?

[rested gal]

Richm, I'm no doctor, but perhaps you've had different mechanisms causing dry mouth for you at different times in your life. Some possibities, even though they've changed over time:

Before meds and before OSA diagnosis - maybe you've had OSA for many, many years and got into the habit of breathing through your mouth at night in an attempt to get more air.

Before meds and before OSA diagnosis - do you think you could have had any sinus problems or allergy congestion problems, or perhaps one nostril or the other not letting enough air through, causing you to breathe through your mouth, especially at night? Some people can breathe fine through their nose in the daytime, but get congested, especially on one side of the nose or the other, after lying down for awhile.

With cpap - mouth continued to be dry even with heated humidification cranked up high, and wearing a full face mask. Heated humidification certainly helps, but the air flow from a cpap can still cause a lot of drying if the mouth is open...even inside a FF mask.

With cpap - you turned to taping your mouth shut to make sure no air flowed in or out of your mouth, yet still have a dry mouth. The meds you're on may be coming into play now. I looked up side effects of the ones you mentioned using. Dry mouth is a possible side effect listed for each of them.

Good luck figuring out how to alleviate the dry mouth problem. This is going to sound too simplistic, but perhaps start drinking a LOT more water throughout the day. Keep yourself well hydrated and see if that helps any.

[Richm]

Rested Gal, thank you for the thoughtful response; I think it was right on the money! You were right about previous nasal problems and about undiagnosed OSA for may years. My current ENT says to use OTC BreatheRight strips, and they seem to work well. My pharmacist concurred that the meds could be a problem. Most of all I am glad that you reminded me of the necessity of drinking enough water during the day. As a teacher, I have become habituated to going long intervals between daytime hydrations. So now I will remember to drink lots of water.

[Newsgrouper]

richm:
I also tape my mouth, for a different reason, but I hope you are not really using duct tape. There are many gentler taping solutions available. Do a search and you'll find many preferrable tapes.

[neversleeps]

For some suggestions with pictures (and comic relief), click on:

Mouth tape..

[Terry Flower51]

Duct tape? DUCT TAPE?????!!!!!!?????? Bet that would get rid of those stray menopausal lip and chin hairs for the rest of us 50 something ladies too....LOL...ouch! T