Can I do anything about dry mouth with CPAP machine?

surfingwoman · Post by **surfingwoman** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 2:32 pm

Hi Folks,
I'm hoping someone can help me. I recently (three weeks ago) got a CPAP machine with a humidifier for Hypopnea. The breathing attachment covers just my nose, not my mouth. I've been using it for the past three weeks (air pressure 10), and I'm finding that I keep waking up with an incredibly dry mouth. I wake up about four times a night, and my mouth is so dry it hurts. Is this a normal side effect of the machine? Is there anything I can do about it?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 2:44 pm

Turn the Humidifier on or turn it up. Keep the hose warm and drink a little water before bed.

oldgearhead · Post by **oldgearhead** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 2:59 pm

I suspect you are losing treatment pressure through your mouth. The 'cures'
are:
__Full-Face mask (covers both nose and mouth)
__Tape your mouth closed with paper surgical tape.
__ Stick your mouth shut with Polygrip Strips.
__Dental device to move lower jaw forward a bit.
..any others..Oh yes the chin-strap. However, that works for only a few
people...

..and after you get control of the 'dry mouth' problem, you may meet up with the deadly 'Blowfish and his friend gaaaasss'...LOL

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 3:15 pm

it takes your salavary glands some time to catch up with the change, but you could also be mouth breathing which will make dry mouth worse.

if you are mouth breathing and your using a nasal only mask, you might want to consider a full face mask or possibly taping your mouth with paper medical tape.

mouth breathing can be a problem, not only does it cause dry mouth it allows your cpap therapy air pressure to escape out the open mouth where it then does nothing for your therapy and you will feel as tired as before cpap.

the mouthwash BIOTENE will also help with dry mouth by stimulating the salavary gland if used before bed.

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 3:50 pm

Surfingwoman,

Even though these suggestions sound hilarious, the posts are correct. They are not just joking around.

You are more than likely mouth breathing. Which causes extremely dry mouth and throat. Also, because you are mouth breathing, your machine is not doing its job.

Full face masks can be a dickens to conquer. But it's either that, or the mouth tape, etc. As ridiculous as mouth tape sounds, many on this forum find it preferential to a full face mask.

If you do decide to try a full face mask, do a search here before you simply take one from the DME. Off the top of my head, the UMFF and HC431 are masks that several of our full facers prefer.

Jazzy1 · Post by **Jazzy1** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 4:03 pm

I have experienced this as well, and I have used cpap for 7/8 years. I did find that it really only occurs when I sleep on my left side so I turn if I wake up dry. Also I got some sugar free lozengers which I keep by the bed and I usually put one under my tongue when going to sleep this keeps your mouth moist as well, and I have never choked on it but it may slide out and stick to your bed linens during the night. It works for me!

krousseau · Post by **krousseau** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 4:10 pm

Just repeating the above to reinforce it.

You are losing treatment pressure through a mouth leak. You have to stop the leak. Since I would be almost phobic about taping my mouth-I've worked aout my own chin strap that works for me. Do not get a chin strap that pulls the chin back-they end up making the problem worse. If you want to try one use something that goes under your chin and around the top of your head like the old mumps cartoon scarf. If fact-try a scarf tied that way first-you'll know if it works-and save money if it doesn't. The chin straps probably rarely if ever works for confirmed mouth breathers but if your mouth is just opening slightly when you relax there is a fair chance it will help.

People have already mentioned FF masks. UMll FF and FP HC431 were the only ones I tried on that worked for me. Waiting for a Hybrid for mask replacement in a month-see the Hybrid thread for that mask. Rested Gal posted links to taping if you want to try that route-lots of good suggestions.

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 4:43 pm

oldgearhead wrote:I suspect you are losing treatment pressure through your mouth. The 'cures'
are:
__Full-Face mask (covers both nose and mouth)
__Tape your mouth closed with paper surgical tape.
__ Stick your mouth shut with Polygrip Strips.
__Dental device to move lower jaw forward a bit.
..any others..Oh yes the chin-strap. However, that works for only a few
people...

..and after you get control of the 'dry mouth' problem, you may meet up with the deadly 'Blowfish and his friend gaaaasss'...LOL

Not only have you got the problem covered, but you have it listed in chances for it to work.

Full face mask = 100% effective

Tape, if done correctly = 100 % if done correctly

Stick your mouth shut with Polygrip Strips = works for some

Dental device to move lower jaw forward a bit = Even less success

And at the bottom of the food chain = any others..Oh yes the chin-strap. However, that works for only a few people

If you don't get the mouth breathing stopped, you may be loosing the good of your treatment.

It would be a shame to go through this trouble, without getting the benefits.

Jim

surfingwoman · Post by **surfingwoman** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 4:55 pm

thanks so much to all of you who replied! This is such a great forum, and I appreciate your input so much.

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 5:10 pm

You're welcome. Just come back and let us know what worked or didn't work for you.

jc · Post by jc » Sat Jul 01, 2006 10:23 pm

This works for me most of the time, but it's hard to describe--I have trained myself to make sure my tongue is sealing off on the roof of my mouth before I go to sleep. Then if my mouth falls open a little, the pressure doesn't leak out. After a few nights of practice, my tongue does seem to stay sealed while I sleep.

I read about this on this forum a few months ago, and it really has helped.

vicinsb · Post by **vicinsb** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 11:20 pm

I agree, after only a week on APAP I am doing pretty good at not mouth breathing by keeping my tongue at the roof of my mouth while falling asleep! Good Luck!
Vicky

Can I do anything about dry mouth with CPAP machine?

Can I do anything about dry mouth with CPAP machine?

Dry mouth with cpap

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