Serious Dry Mouth post open heart surgery 28 days ago

[Larry Hunt]

I cannot sleep with my CPAP longer than 1.5 hours awakened by such serious drymouth often very difficult to even get moisture into mouth for sme time.

[cancun]

I have only been on CPAP just about a month and that has been my biggest complaint, I would pull the mask off because of the dry mouth. I tried several things and Rite Aid brand Oral Care Dry Mouth Spray has helped tremendously. There is another person who swears by Orajel Moisturizing Gel but I haven't been able to find that in the stores, I would have to order that online and I have not done that yet. Give the spray a try it really helped me. I really was feeling like I was choking with the dry mouth before that. Good luck to you.

[avi123]

it's probably b/c of the medications that you been taking. try Biotene spray into the mouth.
check this thread about adding moisture to the CPAP air with humidifiers:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=106199&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

[Julie]

Larry - you can buy Biotene at any drugstore and it should help, but you otherwise have not said what mask you use, what machine, anything for us to go on so we might help... a little info goes a long way! I do think the problem is related to the anesthetic however, but knowing that won't help get rid of it.

[ChicagoGranny]

I cannot sleep with my CPAP longer than 1.5 hours awakened by such serious drymouth often very difficult to even get moisture into mouth for sme time.

Larry, You need to give us more information. Start with how long you have been using CPAP? What type of mask do you use? What machine? It's best to register and fill out the equipment profile, so you don't have to answer these questions more than once. (Suggest using a pseudonym for confidentiality.)

People are jumping in and recommending products for dry mouth. Well, it's possible you are mouth breathing using a nasal interface and these products are nearly useless fixes.

More info please.

[ChicagoGranny]

I have only been on CPAP just about a month and that has been my biggest complaint, I would pull the mask off because of the dry mouth. I tried several things and Rite Aid brand Oral Care Dry Mouth Spray has helped tremendously. There is another person who swears by Orajel Moisturizing Gel but I haven't been able to find that in the stores, I would have to order that online and I have not done that yet. Give the spray a try it really helped me. I really was feeling like I was choking with the dry mouth before that. Good luck to you.

Your profile shows a nasal interface. So it sounds like you are breathing through your mouth. Do you know your CPAP therapy can be ineffective in such a case?

[Vermonter]

I used to have horrible dry mouth with my Phillips Respironics and then my Fisher and Paykel Icon but since I received my ResMed Airsense 10 with the auto room sensing humidity, I haven't had any issue with dryness. I have also heard that if you have either mouth or mask leak, you will wake up with dry mouth.

[cancun]

I have only been on CPAP just about a month and that has been my biggest complaint, I would pull the mask off because of the dry mouth. I tried several things and Rite Aid brand Oral Care Dry Mouth Spray has helped tremendously. There is another person who swears by Orajel Moisturizing Gel but I haven't been able to find that in the stores, I would have to order that online and I have not done that yet. Give the spray a try it really helped me. I really was feeling like I was choking with the dry mouth before that. Good luck to you.

Your profile shows a nasal interface. So it sounds like you are breathing through your mouth. Do you know your CPAP therapy can be ineffective in such a case?

I do not know of a nasal interface? I told the DME I was a mouth breather so they gave me said they would give me a full face mask so I am not sure what you are talking about. I know the mask covers my nose and mouth and I do try to breathe mostly thru my nose because of the dry mouth.

[ChicagoGranny]

I told the DME I was a mouth breather so they gave me said they would give me a full face mask so I am not sure what you are talking about. I know the mask covers my nose and mouth and I do try to breathe mostly thru my nose because of the dry mouth.

Sorry, I meant to address the comments to Avi.

You are doing good, but you might want to know that the OP could be using a nasal interface and mouthbreathing. If so, that would need to be corrected before worrying about mouth moisturizers.

[Larry Hunt]

I am using a full face mask Quattro ...the CPAP is a newer model with a humidifier and heated tubing. I cannot tolerate the setting abouve 3 it goes up to 5...I do not sleep in warm air very well.

[Larry Hunt]

more info please.[/quote] You stated:Larry, You need to give us more information. Start with how long you have been using CPAP? What type of mask do you use? What machine? It's best to register and fill out the equipment profile, so you don't have to answer these questions more than once. (Suggest using a pseudonym for confidentiality.)

I use a year old system one CPAP with a humidifier and heated tubing. I cannot tolerate a setting over 3 just too hot for me to sleep at all. I use a quattro (resmed) full face mask and have for over a year.

I have used the oral gel and ACT lozenges but the taste is awful for me and can't sleep at all?

Yes I am assuming the post surgical meds are the cause, however, i was experiencing some dry mouth before the surgery about two months. Not as serious as now....but there was some starting back in April.

I will try to register and complete the profile.. Thank You.

[JDS74]

Your excessive dry mouth may very well be a residual from anesthetics used in your surgery. It may last a few more weeks before getting better.

In the meantime, contact the medical records office at the hospital and get a copy of both the surgical report and the anesthesiology report. Look them over carefully for indications of medications used and then research those to see if any have a tendency to have the patient experience dry mouth after use. In future surgeries, if any, have a detailed discussion with the anesthesiologist about what they intend to use, tell them about your bad experience with the meds used in this surgery and ask that they find a different set of meds for you. When you fill in your medication list with the hospital and any doctor, for that matter, include the anesthesia meds and describe the reaction of extensive and severe dry mouth. That will help avoid this in the future.

If you can, contact the anesthesiologist and inquire if they can recommend any meds that will help reverse the effects. Your primary care doctor may be of help in this matter.

Over the years, I have collected medical questions that my various doctors have asked related to each of their specialties.
You know the drill: Have your ever ..., and then goes a list of various symptoms. I have it compiled into a Word 2007 document (not filled In of course) that I would be willing to share to anyone sending me a PM with an email address.

Here are part of the Table of Contents Pages:

[Janknitz]

So, JDS, how many of your health care professionals ever take the time to read your document???

[JDS74]

So, JDS, how many of your health care professionals ever take the time to read your document???

Three of them told me they did. I can't speak for the rest. When I went to Mayo's in Rochester, they entered all the data into their system. My local hospital scanned a copy and placed it in my chart.

Occasionally, when a question comes up at my doctor's office visit, I refer to it and share the data.
On a recent visit, my doc wanted to have some labs done and wanted to know if I had recent results and date for the proposed labs. I looked them up on my iPad and he said no need to repeat them.

I carry on my iPad all labs for the last eleven years as well as imagery for all CT, MRI, and other scans for that same time period.

Having all that data at hand makes it much easier to get emergency medical treatment while traveling.

[yaconsult]

I do not know of a nasal interface? I told the DME I was a mouth breather so they gave me said they would give me a full face mask so I am not sure what you are talking about. I know the mask covers my nose and mouth and I do try to breathe mostly thru my nose because of the dry mouth.

There are three main types of masks. The nasal covers only the nose. The full face covers both nose and mouth. The nasal pillow/prong contact only the bottom or inside of the nose.
I did a survey to see how many people used which types of masks here: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=104522&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=poll
So far, the nasal pillows work best for me. Many people who are mouth breathers still use a nasal or nasal pillow mask and supplement it with a chinstrap to keep the mouth closed, if necessary.