Need some advice

[SleepyMary21]

I have had my cpap machine for over a month. I fell like I have won some and lost some.

I am back to sleeping about 2 1/2 to 3 hours at a time. So I wake up between 2 and 4 times a night.
1. I use a mouthwash for dry mouth
2. I use a nasal rinse to clear my sinuses
3. I started using Badger Sleep Balm for aromatherapy
4. I am taking an over the counter sleep aid.

I can forego any of these, except for the sleep aid. I take it about 8:00 pm to go to sleep at 10:00 pm. But the longest time I sleep is about 2 1/2 to 3 hours. I wake up because the back of my throat is dry and have to drink something to relieve my throat.

My ENT was not happy with me taking the sleeping pills, because of the effect it might have on my apnea.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Paul56]

Careful with the mouthwash... if it contains alcohol it may aggravate the dry mouth issue.

[harry33]

dryness is common from mouth breathing with a nose only mask, do you have this type of mask?
if not you need to increase your humidifier

[Julie]

I would say instead, that if you have a nasal mask to investigate a full face mask. Increasing humidity often leads to congestion rather than relief and dryness if usually a sign of losing air through your open mouth (happens when you sleep, especially when air is being pumped in through your nose).

[timbalionguy]

If you look at SleepyMary's equipment, she is already using a full face mask.

Turning up your humidity is the first thing to try. Also check in the morning if the water in your humidifier is warm. Maybe your humidifier is not heating properly.

Really excessive leaking might possibly cause this and other problems.

[JohnBFisher]

Your sleep doctor is right. Most sleep aids include Benadryl. It is a central nervoous system depressant. That tends to only make the apnea worse. It also mangles your sleep schedule. If you've been using it for a long time you will also have an unpleasant rebound effect, which will often makes insomnia a lot worse for a while. (Been there, done that!)

You will want try other sleep aids. A herbal tea (no caffeine) can help. Or milk. Or ... But perhaps go with 1/2 a tablet for a while (if tablet format). Then try every other night. Then drop even more. Decrease your use of sleep tablets as smoothly as possible.

Your machine is data capable. Find out if when you awaken it is connected to apnea events. If so, you might need to work with your sleep specialist to see if the pressure is adequate. Do you usually wake on your back when you awaken? If so, perhaps the apneas come when you are on your back. Try something (tennis ball pinned on a t-shirt) to stay off your back.

You get the idea. Time to tinker. Time to experiment. Time to use the data to see if you can gain control of your sleep.

[SleepyMary21]

dryness is common from mouth breathing with a nose only mask, do you have this type of mask?
if not you need to increase your humidifier

I have my humidifier set at 2. Any higher than that I wake up with a horrible sinus headache located at my forehead . That was my trial and error and learned that was were my headaches were coming from.

[DoriC]

Actually Benedryl makes my husband "hyper"(me too). We found that out when we both got the same allergic rash one night(long story ) and took some before bed. The itching stopped but we were up most of the night, felt almost like we drank strong coffee.

[JohnBFisher]

... Actually Benedryl makes my husband "hyper"(me too). ... itching stopped but we were up most of the night, felt almost like we drank strong coffee.

Well, we always knew you were "special".

Glad your husband shares your bent. Though odd that both of you react the same. I wonder what the odds are that you would both have the same symtpom to Benadryl?

[pb5927317]

Man 1 adult benadryl, and I am out for about 12 hrs....but I am allergic to bees so I reserve that drug for that use.

My mouth gets just as dry with a full face mask as a nose mask. I just wear my chin strap losely with my full face mask and that helps me keep my mouth closed more and I dont wake up nearly as dry.

I can use the entire container of water over night, and it still makes no difference for me. I did feel a little more stuffy the next day, but that since has stopped.

Try 1 mg of Melatonin to help sleep. No more then 1mg is needed.

Ambien is very quick to leave my system and the CR version works so well.

[SleepyMary21]

Try 1 mg of Melatonin to help sleep. No more then 1mg is needed.

How effective is the Melatonin, and would a doctor recommend it over takeing a sleeping pill?

[Uncle_Bob]

Try 1 mg of Melatonin to help sleep. No more then 1mg is needed.

How effective is the Melatonin, and would a doctor recommend it over takeing a sleeping pill?

My doc preferred Melatonin as its naturally produced chemical in the brain anyway. By taking it you are just topping up. I take the max strength ones which are 6mg and it does nothing to keep you asleep.

[rosiefrosie]

Actually Benedryl makes my husband "hyper"(me too). We found that out when we both got the same allergic rash one night(long story ) and took some before bed. The itching stopped but we were up most of the night, felt almost like we drank strong coffee.

Benadryl does have that effect on some including me.

SleepyMary Benadryl could be causing your dry mouth problem.

rosie

[Jaylee]

Yeah if I take benedryl I will sleep forever!

I sometimes take Melatonin if I am awake- usually from having too much caffeine during the day. It makes me really sleep pretty fast.

[LSAT]

I use 3mg Melatonin...It lets me fall asleep, but I don't stay asleep...I ususlly wake up after 5-6 hours and then just doze.