AHHHHH There has to be a better way

[Flats]

I joined this group in 09 after I found out I had OSA. I have had 2 big issues as I'm sure most of us had. 1) Pressure; 2) Dryness. I went thru about 5 masks before I finally gave up. I've had some depression in the past 2 years and changed my doctor and the first question he asked me was Do I sleep OK? followed up with Do I exercise at all? Both of these answers were of course no so we started into why I wasn't using the mask. I told him I had had the machine for years but my pressure 16.2 is so high, It blows out the sides of any mask I've tried and even when I sleep away from everyone after about 2 hours, my mouth gets so dry it actually locks. My last trip to my pulmonologist he said my only other option was the surgery where they scrape your throat. Let me just explain what I've been thru. A) 5 masks from nasal pillows to my now
Mirage Quattro™ Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear. I've used 2 different headgear belts to try and keep my mouth closed. I've had 2 humidifiers so my bedroom was like a rainforest. I've used a scarf to tighten the mask to my face so it doesn't leak out the sounds all night (this actually helps if I can stay completely still). SInce I saw my new doctor I have been walking about 1 mile a night and have been doing the best I can to use the CPAP. If I can stay really still and drop the pressure down to about 11.6 I can make it about 2.5 to 3 hours before I totally dry out and that's using the xylimelt tablets. IS this really it? Are there no other options out there? I was also told a specially made mouth piece "might" help. Unfortunately I don't have the $3,000 I was told it would cost to hope it might work. I was told that since I have the old ResMed escape 2 with the tank humidifier that there are other units where the whole hose is heated and should give much more moisture. I guess I have to check with my insurance company and see if I'm due for a new one. Anyway, I'm just looking for anything that might help. I want to know how it feels to just wake up happy and feeling refreshed just 1 time.

Thanks for listening to my rant.
Tired in NJ

[Foggy1]

You say you've been walking and using the mask regularly since you saw your new doctor... How long has that been? It does take time to get used to wearing the mask.

So the main problem you are having is the extremely dry mouth? Keeping the mouth closed will help with that. Have you tried one of the chin straps that has a flap that covers your mouth? I use the Ultimate Chin Strap to solve that problem, and there are likely others that fit this way. You also do need to check with your insurance. A machine with more humidity adjustment might help as well. For me though, it was keeping my mouth closed that solved the dryness problem.

[squid13]

Foggy1 he's using a full face mask. You may need more humidity, crank it up and see what happens. I also use Biotene mouth rinse for dry mouth before I go to bed.

[Foggy1]

I missed that squid13. Yep, covering a mouth that is already covered isn't gonna work! You are right, more humidity.

[chunkyfrog]

One of the problems with full face masks is their inability to follow the lower jaw when (and if) it drops as sleep begins.
For this reason I gave up on full face masks (except for the ComfortGel by P-R.)
If you want to go with a nasal mask, have you ever tried Chin-Up Strips? Way better than a chin strap--unless you have a 'stache.
Also, have you ever tried a mask liner? With your higher pressures, a liner might help.
Pad-a-Cheek makes reusable liners.

[kteague]

I am not a mouth breather and still get dry mouth - extremely dry, like having to nearly peel my tongue from the roof of my mouth some mornings. To a degree I've just decided if it isn't compromising my therapy to just deal with it. When it first started happening I was nearly manic about resolving it the moment I got half awake.

Waking up a time or two a night is not a crisis if the sleep in between is good and one can fall back asleep pretty quickly. If that's the case, then taking a few minutes in the middle of the night to refresh your mouth seems a worthwhile effort. But maybe you'll be luckier than I and find an actual solution. Can't say I tried very hard.

[zorki1c]

Is it possible your pressure is too high?

I started with a pressure of 8 and was registering ahi's in the 2-5 range. Not bad but not great. When I went in for a review after the first month the nurse practitioner dropped my pressure to 6 and my ahi is now seldom over 1. Just that little change reduced leaks in my Swift FX, too. Can't imagine how tough it would be with a pressure of 16.

[chunkyfrog]

Not every titration is accurate; it is after all not a typical night of sleep.
My RX'd pressure was 14, but with my Autoset, it rarely hits 12--usually 10.2-11.4;
it's nice to know a lower pressure just might work better.

[Pugsy]

Do you have dry mouth much during the day?
Do you take any meds...even OTC meds? If so, what, dose and when?