Dry mouth problems

[dooger54]

On my 6th night of CPAP and still trying to sort out issues. As my sig shows I am using nasal pillows and having a huge problem with leaks. Have tried chin strap and the last 2 nights have used tape over my mouth. Still leaks. But my big issue last night was waking up with a really dry mouth, even though it was taped shut. Strange. Do I need to take the machine off auto hydrate and try to increase the humidity level manually? I am already using close to a full tank of water now so also think I could run out. What then?

[Julie]

If you're in Arizona, what about using a room humidifier?

[Wulfman...]

On my 6th night of CPAP and still trying to sort out issues. As my sig shows I am using nasal pillows and having a huge problem with leaks. Have tried chin strap and the last 2 nights have used tape over my mouth. Still leaks. But my big issue last night was waking up with a really dry mouth, even though it was taped shut. Strange. Do I need to take the machine off auto hydrate and try to increase the humidity level manually? I am already using close to a full tank of water now so also think I could run out. What then?

If you can totally rule out mouth-breathing (or leaking) then you need to decide which way to go with your humidity.....up or down. Too much warm humid air can cause nasal congestion and consequently mouth-breathing (you have to get air from somewhere).
Also, some medical conditions (like Diabetes) or medications can account for the dry mouth, too.


Den

.

[dooger54]

Right now we are still in Illinois. But as soon as we get to Arizona it will only get dryer

Don't see how I can be mouth breathing since my lips were taped shut completely. That's why I am perplexed.

[OkyDoky]

I don't mouth breathe or have leaks. I verify this with Sleepyhead but I still get dry mouth some nights that wakes me up. When I use Orajel for Dry Mouth I avoid the dry mouth. Just put some on your tongue and then rub it between your gum and cheek.

[dooger54]

I don't mouth breathe or have leaks. I verify this with Sleepyhead but I still get dry mouth some nights that wakes me up. When I use Orajel for Dry Mouth I avoid the dry mouth. Just put some on your tongue and then rub it between your gum and cheek.

Cool. Will give that a try.

[PEF]

I had the same problems when I first started CPAP 3 months ago. I wanted to use a FFM because I thought I would breathe through my mouth during the night. However, the FFM's I tried did not fit the shape of my face. The only way I could go was nasal pillows, but I got massive leaks out the mouth. So I did some research and figured that I could train my brain to stop the leaks. At first, when I was awake, the therapy air went where it was supposed to, but as soon as I started falling asleep, the air would start coming into my mouth. I began taping, but this did not stop the mouth leaks, it only stopped the air from coming out of my mouth. So I used taping just as a reminder to my brain to be aware of what my mouth was doing. I also practiced, and this was the real key, keeping my tongue tight against the roof of my mouth to form a seal against the mouth leaks. For about 5 or 6 nights, the taping did not stop the leaks and I would be awakened as soon as I fell asleep with leaks. My tongue must have been falling down and back. Then I would take the mask off and go to sleep. But I kept trying and I got better at keeping my tongue in the right place. Then one night I fell asleep with the mask on and no mouth leaking. For about a month, I taped and slept pretty good with the pillows. The taping did not stop the leaks, but served as a reminder to my brain to learn to be aware of what my mouth was doing during sleep and to keep my tongue in the right place to block the leakage of air. Last week, I stopped the taping and now I have slept for 2 nights with no leaks. It was quite a struggle, but I seem to be making progress toward teaching my brain to do this. I had read about a lot of others doing it too. You can do it also!!

[chin strap bob]

I am a mouth breather with a high pressure, 17, so my attempts at a full face mask have been fruitless. So I use a chin strap with much success and am trying taping to seal the mouth leaks. In the meantime, I have been using Biotene - Dry Mouth to help my mouth with the dry mouth. Good Luck !!

[otrpu]

dooger54,
I've used FFM's since 2003. Started having trouble keeping mask seal. Found RespCARE Hybrid FFM, a combination mouth seal/nose pillow mask. Has a much smaller area to seal. With humidifier on auto and a sock on my heated ClimateLine I don't experience any dry mouth. It also has a chin flap so no chin strap is required to keep mouth closed. Might be worth a look.
Cheers,
otrpu

[library lady]

I have only used FFMs, and had trouble with both leaks and dry mouth. For leaks, I use mask liners, which completely changed the game for me. My dry mouth has become less with time, but still happens occasionally. My solution was a large double-walled plastic mug with a cover and straw. I took out the straw that came with it and replaced it with bendable plastic straw, which allowed me to drink during the night when it woke me up without taking the mask off... all I do is pop the hose connector off. The bendable straw was important with a FF, because my mouth and the connector are not perfectly in line with each other and I have to bend the straw.