Dry-mouthed newbie

houclay · Post by **houclay** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 1:03 am

I've been on my BiPAP for a week now, and find that I wake during the night and in the morning with a really dry mouth -- cheeks and inside of lips stuck to gums, tongue stuck to roof of mouth kind of dry. I'm using a nasal mask, but I know I'm not mouth breathing (any more) because I've been taping and completely sealing my lips Is it possible just the air blowing *around* inside my mouth is doing this, and does anyone know of anything that would prevent it? Maybe this is just normal. I *am* running the heated humidifier, at settings up to 3 so far. I've avoided higher settings until I get a hose cover to keep from getting condensation in the tubing. I know my pressure is kind of high -- IPAP of 23 -- so maybe that's got something to do with it. It's not THAT terrible a problem, but a bit uncomfortable in the middle of the night. Any advice is appreciated!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 3:04 am

if you are a newbie it can take your salivary glands a few days to a week to adjust to the additional moisture needed. try and help that adjustment along by drinking plenty of water so you are not dehydrated and use Biotene mouthwash has been shown to help with this condition. Biotene mouthwash can be found in the same section as Listerine and other mouthwashes. Biotene doesn't contain any alcohol and has a very pleasant flavor.

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 3:11 am

I still wake up once a night to make a bathroom run so I keep a bottle of water handy and take several sips while I am up.

I have a Resmed rather than a Respironics so I don't know the settings on your humidifier. My Humidaire 3i has settings from 0 to 6 and it was suggested I set it at 4 - 4.5. I've not had a problem w/rain out and my equipment sets on a nightstand next to my bed and level w/my head. I do take as much of the hose as possible under the covers w/me. Or I keep most of it under my pillow.

pedroski · Post by **pedroski** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 5:34 am

The reason we use humidifiers is to increase compliance because without them our mouth and sinuses do become very dry. The mucous membranes inside your nose and the saliva in your mouth find it hard to handle all that air roaring through there. Can you try turning your humidifier flat out for a couple of nights to see if that makes a difference. Worry about rainout when you get it.

Good luck

Peter