3rd night on the CPAP, need suggestions

lburton · Post by **lburton** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 9:05 am

Hello all,

I am coming off my third night on the CPAP, and last night was... not so good. Every now and again at the corner of my mouth, my lips part a little and either some kind of acid reflux (or just drool) will leak out with a puff of air (accompanied by acidic taste in mouth, hence my belief it might be reflux) and it's driving me nuts. I switched from my Nasal Pillows to my Fisher nasal mask middle of the night, but had the problem with both.

Now I have a sore throat and sores on my lips.

Any suggestions on how to fix this? I am hesistant to start taping my mouth shut, but if it helps, I suppose I will try it.

Thanks.
-Lee

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 9:53 am

You might get a FF Mask, but you need to see a Dr. for the gerd. Raise the head of the bed 3 inches, don't eat 4 houyrs before bed. Jim

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 9:57 am

Definitely see a doctor about possible GERD. If the esophagus is getting bathed with acid most nights, it can make the tissue irritated, swollen and somewhat rigid. CPAP is designed to push aside soft tissue, not a brick wall. Swelling of tissue in the esophagus and upper back of the throat could make it more difficult for a cpap machine (and especially an autopap) to do its job right.

Nov 05, 2005 subject: SUCCESS AT LAST-GERD,420E, PRILOSEC AND BENADRYL loonlvr's saga with runaway pressure and high AHI's

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/516189

http://www.entnet.org/healthinfo/topics/GERD.cfm

http://www.grandtimes.com/GERD.html

lburton · Post by **lburton** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 10:11 am

The thing is, I didnt have this problem before the CPAP. I had horrible drymouth, but that was it. I also have back/shoulder problems that might prevent me from elevating my head like that... perhaps one of those foam triangle wedges.

-Lee