End of my rope

well it must be time to give up I have tried all suggestions for the dry mouth and dry throat. I have had two styles of chin straps/ taping/ and now using the last of the chin up strips/ wrapped the hose in a heavy beach towel and raised the number on the humidaire 2. I still have to same complaint and terrible feeling in the mouth when I awaken in the morning but not at 2 or 3 AM. What is left My wife asked last evening if I was going to quit? I am awaiting the call late Monday afternoon (10/10) from my pulmanologist for me to report the above summation
Is there a way to overcome this problem

Barnaby, How long have you been at it? It takes awhile to train yourself from mouth breathing. Also you might try using a flatter pillow or no pillow. Really taping should work. I think you should experiment more here. Don't give up. A dry mouth will not hurt you but giving up cpap will! Hang in there!

Well said, R&R.

Barnaby, you mustn't consider giving up, please. You must be familiar with all the physical, not to mention psychological, ailments that can come from untreated OSA. I hope your doctor doesn't say it's okay to quit or I'd find another doctor.

My first question (I always have a million, sorry) is, does this wake you up or is it causing you any problems other than what you stated, a dry mouth in the morning? Because if the answer is no, it is BY FAR the lesser of the evils if you compare it to stopping therapy because of it. There are people here who awaken with severe pains from aerophagia, that are disturbed all night by their uncomfortable masks that give them irritating pressure sores and many more disturbing/uncomfortable side effects from this treatment. This is what I would consider an inconvenience, yes, but not a reason to quit. Maybe an excuse??? Pardon me for being so bold to say it that way.

Second, have you ever tried Tegaderm patches instead of tape? Tape didn't do it for me, but Tegaderm did. You find then in the bandage section of the drug store. If you buy the larger size, they can be cut in two and used as is. When I used the smaller ones, I found I needed to cut another small one in half and use the two pieces to secure the sides as they just barely passed the corners of my mouth. But they are very secure, easier to peel of, IMHO, than tape and work great.

Last question, what setting is your humidifier on? Maybe you should try turning it up even a bit more.

Oops, one last question. Are you on any other medications that could be causing this dry mouth to occur? Perhaps it doesn't happen at 2 AM because it takes longer for this to occur, so by morning you've given it ample time to take place. Think about what meds. you are on, if any, and find out if they can cause what you're experiencing.

Barnaby, in the short time we've gotten to know you, we love you already. Please do not go and give up on your therapy. It is way too important to do that. Give yourself the best that you deserve, and that is to treat your OSA and live past 100. You must be doing something right up to now to be well into your eighties and in such a great shape, mentally and physically, as you are. Don't stop doing right by yourself now because of a dry mouth in the morning. I shudder to think what can happen to your health if you do.

Ummmm maybe I missed something but have you tried a FF mask? I have one that I use when I have a cold or something where I cant breathe good through my nose because I will mouth breathe. It took a bit to get used to as I am VERY claustrophobic and didn't tolerate the reg nasal mask but I adapted to it and now I have no problems using the FF mask when needed and normally all other nights I use my CC...

Barnaby,
Wish I could help you. I use a chin strap with much success but it took time and rock and roll is right you must train yourself to nose breathe. I still mouth breathe at night after I go to sleep if I don,t use my chin strap though.

Barnaby, if you're willing to give it one more try, get these two things:

1. Fisher and Paykel HC 150 heated humidifier (works much better than the Humidaire 2i, imho.

2. Get the Aussie heated hose from http://www.sleepzone.com.au

Those two items could make a huge difference in the amount of humidity that actually gets to you.

Try the Tegaderm that Lori mentioned for taping your mouth. Sticks much more securely than other types of tape.

Chin straps never worked for me either. I finally used an ace bandage wrapped around my mask (I don't know about pillows, but I would think there would be a way to wrap this around the set-up somehow. I placed it at an angle around the back of my head and then pulled it over my lips. A poster here gave a good analogy....clinch your jaw, and try to breathe out. Easy, isn't it? That's what's happening with chin straps. The lips have to be sealed somehow. Have you tried full face masks? DONT GIVE UPPPP!! The answer is out there, you just have to keep trying...

Some times a mouth breather will use a full face mask thus ending the problem of dry mouth.

I was asked by my DME if I was a mouth breather and the full face mask wqs ordered.

The DIY tongue guide worked for me for mouth leaks when nothing else would. (including full face masks). Do a search under DIY to find the references. I takes a chunk of a weekend to make a DIY tongue guide, but it sure is worth it.

And of course get the Aussie heated hose so you can crank up your humidifier.

Barnaby,

You know what they say.....
"When you're at the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."



Read all of the options that these other "CPAP sages" have advised and keep trying. Your OSA won't get any better by giving up!

Best wishes,

Den

so the Pulmanologist called and listened to my gripes. Then this morning I got a call from his office that they will fax an order to the DME to get me a bi level unit So I am awaiting their call and will see what happens

so the Pulmanologist called and listened to my gripes. Then this morning I got a call from his office that they will fax an order to the DME to get me a bi level unit So I am awaiting their call and will see what happens