Sore Throat

[phx1hab]

I've started back up my APAP with a pressure between 9 -12 with nasal pillows. I've noticed that my throat has been very sore in the morning and pretty much all day. I have tried increasing the humidity from 3 to 4 but it didn't help at all. Any ideas on what might be causing the sore throat. Thanks everyone.

[Julie]

If you're mouth breathing while asleep (which you can't know about of course) then you'll not only get very dry but possibly end up with a sore throat and little therapy as it's all being lost to the breeze (even a little opening will do it). Have you tried a full face mask, or even taping?

[phx1hab]

I've tried the Full Face Mask but they are so uncomfortable. UGH. If I sleep with my mouth open wouldn't my leakage be high in my data report? Just asking bc I'm new to this stuff.

[Julie]

You said you tried "the" full face mask... there are very many types, models, sizes, etc. and there should be a few at the least that properly fitted will be comfortable on you. The trick is to try them lying down because your face changes a lot from standing of course, and turning over into a pillow (or actually with a Pap Pillow (Googgle it) it hangs off the edge of the pillow's cutouts so doesn't get dislodged as easily as it would otherwise. You're not getting treated if you lose air with a nasal mask. And if your mouth leaks are large enough they won't register on the machine... it's one of those things.

You can test it out by taping for a few nights and see how you feel and how your numbers look... some people do it all the time and it's more effective than a chinstrap.

[Guest]

You say taping. Do you mean taping the mask or taping (video) during the night to see what happens. Thanks

[Julie]

I mean taking a 2" strip of 1" wide 3M micropore tape from the drugstore, or blue painters' tape and putting it horizontally across your mouth overnight (fold a 1/8" end for easy pull off - those tapes won't hurt), and seeing if it 'works' to keep the Cpap air in. As I said, many do it all the time, or at least some of the time, and it'll give you a cheap way to test if you need a FF mask.

[Goofproof]

I've tried the Full Face Mask but they are so uncomfortable. UGH. If I sleep with my mouth open wouldn't my leakage be high in my data report? Just asking bc I'm new to this stuff.

Yes, but that depends on how you calculate it. I get the real leak rate from Encore Pro, the Dailies pages only!!!

Your mask leak rate is determined by your mask and your treatment pressure.

At "X" cm treatment pressure, your mask is supposed to vent "XX" LPM of XPAP air. Anything over this number is uncessary leakage, you will always have some, the problem comes from it getting so high that it affects your treatment.

The XPAP manufacture sets where that number, but it's in their interest to set the number unrealistically high. I use under 40 LPM as a maximum leak, even that I consider too high. At pressure of 14.5 cm, I use 35 to 38 LPM, as my personal maximum leak goal.

Too high a leak rate wrecks your treatment, period and it also makes your collected data faulty.

Some here will say this in nuts, but this is the facts, Jack! Make up you own minds, but this work's for my treatment, and my treatment has been working for me for 8 years now. I cured myself of mouthbreathing, but as with all cures, I now have some trouble from mouthbreathing, went back to the FF mask. Jim

P.S for Sore Throat caused by infection: At first sign gargle with Listerene, at back of throat, let a little go down the throat, every 30 min at start, then at longer periods. I also live og Vit C 500mg 2 to 6 a day depending on my health. I also take massive amounts of other Vit.

[Jeannh]

I mean taking a 2" strip of 1" wide 3M micropore tape from the drugstore, or blue painters' tape and putting it horizontally across your mouth overnight .....and seeing if it 'works' to keep the Cpap air in.

Although I don't understand how, even when the tape is secure in the AM, I still have Sahara mouth. Where does dry mouth come from if not your mouth when your nares are covered?

[Wulfman...]

I mean taking a 2" strip of 1" wide 3M micropore tape from the drugstore, or blue painters' tape and putting it horizontally across your mouth overnight .....and seeing if it 'works' to keep the Cpap air in.

Although I don't understand how, even when the tape is secure in the AM, I still have Sahara mouth. Where does dry mouth come from if not your mouth when your nares are covered?

If you're REALLY sure that you're not mouth-breathing or mouth-leaking, it's possible that a medical condition (like Diabetes) or medications could be the cause.


Den

.

[Jeannh]

If you're REALLY sure that you're not mouth-breathing or mouth-leaking, it's possible that a medical condition (like Diabetes) or medications could be the cause.

I thought that, too. But, no dry mouth without xPAP. So, I'm stumped. Ideas welcome! Thanks in advance ....