Very Dry Mouth

Bear100 · Post by **Bear100** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 8:54 am

From a long time CPAP user, first post. I have been using CPAP for 7 years. I tolerate CPAP well, and have a good fitting mask. My humidifier died 2 years ago, but I found I did not need it. Here are the details of what I use after having tried dozens of alternatives:

- Resperonics BiPaP Pro (but I found I like CPAP mode better, presssure is 13, which has increase by 2 in 7 years.
- Resperonics Premium Chin Strap (I am a mouth breather) with Polident on my lips.
- Repseronics Comfort Gel Mask.
- I sleep on my side, but occassionaly on my back or stomach.
- I also use Xyreme (2 years) with good results.

Question - In the last 3 months, with increasing frequency I find my self awaking with a very, very dry mouth. It is so dry I require a glass of water. This can happen several times in one night, or not at all. It appears to have no relationship with how tired I am, or what I had to eat or what kind of day I had. No change in medicine either. The Polidnet is in place in the morning so I know I am not breathing out of my mouth. I have increased my pressure to 20 with NO change in the dry mouth symptoms.

HELP - this is very disruptive to my desperately needed sleep. What is it, and what do I do?

sleepycarol · Post by **sleepycarol** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 9:14 am

Okay if I understand you correctly you changed your pressure setting from a 13 to a 20? If so changing it to 20 maybe adversely affecting you. Changing pressure upward is not going to help the dry mouth -- at least I would think so. You may have to invest in a new humidifier especially with winter approaching and the air getting drier. I had stopped using my humidifier and didn't have any problems with dry mouth until just here lately. Last night the light bulb went off and tonight I am going to start using my humidifier again to see if that helps.

Others will probably advise you better than I because I am still new at this but wanted to give some input.

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 9:24 am

Some medication cause a dry mouth, and thirst at night may also hint at diabetes.

If you've had medication changed, talk to your doctor.
If you haven't had a general checkup -- ditto.

Cpapwise - I've had my mouth dry out when the air poured out of a corner of my mouteh where the tape I use had become lose.

O.

Bear100 · Post by **Bear100** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 9:26 am

Thanks for the quick reply!

I changed the pressure only to see if it would have impact on dry mouth, it did nothing (I tried it for 2 weeks to make sure).

I did have a humidifier for a few years, and now have not been using it for at least 2 years. The dry mouth is exterme and only now showed up, so I can not make a connection to the humidifier. When I did use the humidifier, it helped with my nasal passages, but I noted nothing with my mouth.

Bear100

Bear100 · Post by **Bear100** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 9:30 am

No change in meds of any kind in over a year. I thought maybe my meds were doing this, and totaly stopped all of them. I also stopped all alcohol, and caffiene. Both of these for a 2 week period - no impact on this dry mouth.

I am using the polident, and it provides a 100% seal on my lips. It is there in the morning so I am sure no mouth leakage.

I had a complete physical 3 months ago, blood work, EKG the works. Nothing abnormal.

What gets me is that the dry mouth is so severe.

Thanks for the ideas! Bear100

sleepycarol · Post by **sleepycarol** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 9:35 am

I agree with ozij about a check-up. It could be other health factors playing a role in it.

Have you tried increasing the humidity in the room to see if that helps? If you don't want to add a cpap humidifier, as they are expensive, to see if that would help - try increasing the humidity in the room. Those humidifiers are cheap at Wal-Mart (you could get one like you use when a child is stuffy with a cold).

My point being is that it MIGHT just be something simple like humidity in your room. I know our bodies are constantly changing with age and from my experience some things I can tolerate yesterday I can't tolerate today.

Bear100 · Post by **Bear100** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 9:44 am

Wow this is great, I am so glad I found this site. I was all alone in this sleep issue, discussing only with my sleep doctor, my tech, my DME. But it is far different with this forum!

You provide real life expereince, you look outside the box to other causes. And you provide support. Thanks so much.

I do have a very strong room humidifier (in addition to our whole house humidifier) I will try that tonight. I am not hopeful, as the symptoms started in the very humid Philly area August.

Thanks Bear100

sleepycarol · Post by **sleepycarol** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 9:49 am

Hopefully others will have solutions as well. Look under the search function (second box at the top) and type in dry mouth. There should be several threads about what others have done to help the dry mouth.

One suggestion was to make sure you brush, floss, and do daily routine mouth care at night and to use something like Biotene (a dry mouth rinse that is suppose to help).

Good Luck!!!

Bear100 · Post by **Bear100** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 9:51 am

I will try the Biotene as well.

Thanks - Bear100

OutaSync · Post by **OutaSync** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 11:36 am

My mouth was so dry BEFORE cpap that I could not unglue my tongue from the roof of my mouth until I got a drink of water. I think the humidifier on the cpap helps a lot, but I still have a dry mouth and have to get up once or twice for a drink. Try the Biotene. Keep a bottle of water by the bed. It's important not to let your mouth dry out as it will cause damage to your teeth.

Gerald · Post by **Gerald** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 1:05 pm

Bear.....

I realize you've said that you're using a chin strap....and Polident....but, I've got a hunch you're "mouth-leaking" and don't know it. As I remember, the "Pro" machines aren't data-capable....so, you may not be using software that'll help you spot leak problems.

I'm using a chin strap....and I'm still mouth-leaking.....still getting dry-mouth....and I've got software that'll let me see it.

In a few minutes, I'm leaving for Harbor Freight and Academy Sporting Goods to get tools and supplies to build a "Boil-n-Bite" mouthpiece. A few minutes ago, I experimented with a temperature-controlled pencil-type soldering iron.....and learned that I can neatly "weld" the Boil-n-Bite material.

This weekend, I'm attacking my mouth-leaks with a vengence.

In addition to the Boil-n-Bite, I'm also going to sew up a mask that will hold my lips shut (using Johnson & Johnson Hurt-Free tape along with Panty Hose Tights).

If necessary, I'm going to combine the Boil-n-Bite with the Hurt-Free tape and Tights to build a complete system.

As soon as I achieve any success, I report back to you.

Gerald

mindy · Post by **mindy** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 1:58 pm

Wow, Gerald! It sounds like you're in attack mode for the nasty mouth leaks

I've always had dry mouth due to meds and use Biotene - it helps a little.

I think you've had some really good suggestions from others so I just want to rag on Gerald a wee little bit. Seriously, though, I'm jealous! Such action sounds like someone who has had a good taste of better rest and is now determined to get *more*

Mindy

Bear100 · Post by **Bear100** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 2:38 pm

Gerald,

Thanks - I suspect a mouth leak as well, although I swear the polident is 100%, thats why I put this up to the forum for new ideas.

My own theory is that there must be a very small area not completely 'glued' if you will. This small area, due to it's nature, will have a small volume but high velocity of air leakage. The high air velocity, can pick up quite a bit of mositure and quickly. I don't know how to test this theory other than better polident seal, and trying to blow air out before putting on the CPAP.

I have my chin strap very tight, but as we know it only takes a 'little' leak between the lips to due the damage. Tightening the straps futher will achieve nothing.

Your build a better device is faschinating to me, give me more details and please keep me posted.

Anything for a restfull night! (and I done just about everything reviewing and adopting pages of usefull stuff in this forum!).

One item, that I still need to do is get a full data recording CPAP to help self diagnose this. The Doc, Tech and DME are good up to a point, but with all health issues - eveyone is differenet and you need to own the issue.

Regards, Bear100

Bear100 · Post by **Bear100** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 2:43 pm

One other point, yes I did try full face mask, in fact my tech let me try 4 different types for a week each. The problem is that the full face mask just has too many leaks for me.

This is especially true as I move at night from side to side or to the back or to my stomach, causing the mask to move around a bit. The leaks then get to be annoying and wake me up.

I do always have water by the bed, I force my self to drink two glasses before going to bed. With my Xyrem I get up anyways in the middle of the night, so can go to the bathroom, get more water.

Great dialogue, thanks to all of you! Bear100.

sleepycarol · Post by **sleepycarol** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 2:43 pm

Good luck Bear!!

I am sure you will get it figured out.

Usually my leak line isn't bad but looking at my report last night it looks more like a roller coaster you would find at World's of Fun or 6 Flags. Unsure what happened but I suspect some of it was mouth leaking as well.