Some Tricky Tradeoffs for Newbie [Dry Mouth]

I've just finished my 4th surgery for thyroid cancer, and I'm trying to get started with CPAP. I have a Mirage Quattro & Respironics M Series Plus @ 14 CM. I have little problem with the mask seal, and don't really mind sleeping with it. BUT after 2-3 hours my mouth, tongue & throat are so dry they sometime bleed.
I have an integrated humidifier, cranked up to the max. I live in So AZ so dry is the norm.
I will be starting radiation in a few weeks (That will dry everything out even more). I used to sleep on my stomach, but now I must learn to do back/side for other reasons.

I'd consider a better or 2nd humidifier if that would help. As usual DME is no help, still waiting on referrals to a "real" sleep doc. Your thoughts would be appreciated.

The M series humidifier is not very effective for some reason. Consider adding this HC150 -
https://www.cpap.com/productpage.php?PNum=24&PAID=582

And a room humidifier would prob help alot too.

I use Biotene mouthwash to help with dry mouth. My dentist recommended it and it has really helped. It replenishes some of the enzymes. It took about a week for me to see substantial relief, but I saw some difference on the first day. I don't have any dry mouth problems at night anymore because of it.

We winter in Tucson and I have found that my nose gets dry but not my mouth. I'm wondering if I don't need to buy a different humidifier for the months we're down here. It does just fine when we're in Tacoma.....

You might check with your dentist about other dry mouth solutions, too. Hang in there.

I have the same mask and an M series with the M series humidifier. My room was dry and I had to put a humidifier in the room. You hit it on the head when you stated where you lived and that it is dry. Get yourself a little weather station that tells you the temp and humidity of the room. You can get one for about ten bucks if you look around. Keep it in your room and keep the humidity up in the room. Once I got the humidity up in my room I found I slept better on cpap.

Also try doing a nasal flush. There is all kinds of info on this board about it. A starter kit is around 12-15 bucks and it will help.

Keep us posted as to what you try and how it worked.

Gerry

Lou, you listed that you're using a full-face mask and that you have no real issues with the seal, but I suspect from the rapidity of the drying that you may have some mouth-leakage problems. You want to be breathing through your nose if possible even with a FFM, and if the air then comes out of your mouth it will be incredibly drying even with very high humidity.

CorgiGirl wrote:I use Biotene mouthwash ... We winter in Tucson and I have found that my nose gets dry but not my mouth. I'm wondering if I don't need to buy a different humidifier for the months we're down here. It does just fine when we're in Tacoma.

I'll check on the Biotene, I see the dentist in a week or so.
(BTW You are officially a native here when you pick your nose at every stoplight... )