I need help

Ok here is what I need. I got my CPAP last Friday. I still an waking up tired, waking up after 4 hrs with an extreme dry mouth, my ffm slides during the night (the leaks are loud). My humidity is set at max and my nasal passage gets stuffy and seems like it always has. I am s mouth breathe because of this which is why I have dry mouth I guess. I am new to this so I have no idea what I am doing. Please ask questions and give ideas

It sounds like your mask may not be properly fit/adjusted. Please see my suggestions in "Taming the Mirage Quattro" below in my signature--even if you have a different mask these suggestions will help.

As far as the dry mouth, yes, mouth breathing is the cause, even in a FF mask. That may also be causing your mask to slip during the night when your jaw relaxes. Some suggestions:
1. Good "nasal hygiene" before bed. Use a netti pot or at least saline nasal spray, blow your nose to clear it out. AVOID decongestants and antihistamines, they cause rebound nasal congestion. Try turning your humidifier DOWN. The excess humidity may be causing nasal congestion which forces you to mouth breathe.
2. During the day practice keeping your tongue on the roof of your mouth, just behind your front teeth. This will help seal the airway and reduce this issue at night when it becomes an ingrained habit.
3. Consider taping. You might be able to get away with just a single piece of vertical tape to keep the mouth shut, you don't necessarily need to seal your mouth altogether. A chin strap might work as an alternative.

What s thoughtful and well put together post. I forgot to state the fact that I have facial hair a well groomed, trimmed, and short cut goatee.
I might follow your tinyurl instruction here in a few seconds but not nearly need time.

Most nights I goto bed at nine, but a few nights a week I have to pick up my fiance from work and we get home at 11:30. During the week I get up at 5.

My fiance has insisted that I still figure this out or get a different mask, because she is sleeping much better with a quieter me.

A lot of people have narrow nasal passages that block during the night, which causes them to mouth breathe, which can affect mask seal. I suggest you see an ENT specialist and have a CT scan to find out if your nasal passages are actually clear or not. If they are blocked then surgery can correct this, and in my case it transformed my CPAP use. Nasal irrigation is a good thing to do, but if there is a structural issue then it will only get you so far.

Please persevere with CPAP and read up on the tips suggested here, because using it will save your health and probably your life in the long term. I know it's challenging at first but the rewards are totally worth it. Good luck and keep us posted.

You may need to let the beard grow a little longer. Make sure you wash it just before you put the mask on - you really want it to be damp rather than wet. You can also try Lansinoh (it's actually cream for nursing Moms, but it's only you and your partner will know about it. A better alternative may be a silicone mask sealer from a dive shop. However, both take time to clean up in the mornings.

I must persevere. My girlfriend has started that much. I fought through a negative home study and a sleep study coupled with a day study, and an insurance mix up (due in part to me and in part to the insurance company) for two months to get tho this point. They are charging me $3000 for this resmed s9. I can't control the price because it is through my over priced insurance.

Adjusting the mask is my first step. Checking out my nasal passage will be a last resort. If anybody hasn't noticed I also have ADD, which I'd unrelated but explains the choppy posts. I am going out of town tomorrow to see my children and grandchild. Glad the machine id some what portable.

Good on you, it sounds like you understand the dangers of not using CPAP. I get that cost is an issue re investigating the nose... irrigation will always help... how much of the time is it blocked, and do you get sinus infections at all?

Your being charged $3000 for a cpap machine. If you got to put out $3000 of your own money just by a good quality Bipap for about $1500 through these online websites that sell machines and supplies. For 2 grand you should have everything and don't worry about insurance. $3000 sounds like a major screw job.

Do over the counter nasal decongestants help at all? I think cold air is easier on the sinuses than warm air. At one time I was given nasonex as trial package. It was slow acting I thought so I didn't use it much. I have the same problem with sinuses and am looking for possible solutions too.

Exceedingly sparse info... I guess you were in a rush. Anyway, it appears most of your questions got addressed, but here's some advice on the mask riding up at night:

Here' is a tip for the Quattro FX and certain other masks sliding up during the night (works with the Wisp too, which is notorious for riding up). I call it the 'Minimal Chinstrap'. It solves the discomfort and bulk of a full head chinstrap and, as second duty, stops a mask riding up. Period. First, go to a bikeshop and ask to look at pant leg straps to keep cuff from getting caught in the bike chain. Select one that is approximately one foot long with lots of velcro for adjustment. I like the elastic soft type that stretch a little (you may have to go online for that variety). Next, when you've got your mask strapped on your face, run the bike strap up under your chin and loop it back so it loops just behind both quick release clips (see photo below, sorry about all that stubble). In other words it will emulate RespCares mask system with built-in chin straps. I guarantee it will never ride up again, even if you keep it pretty loose.

Last night on my own accord, I tried afrin original 12 hour. seemed to work, for most of the night, but my jaw fell back when I tossed to my back and the leaks started I adjusted my mask and back to sleep I went. Woke up with an extreme dry mouth some time later. Machine was on for 8 hrs most yet. 6.8 average. I don't know what they are charging the insurance company actually, but if my insurance falls through and I have to pay for it outta pocket then I will return the machine talk to my sleep doc and get my prescription and buy it online much more affordable. Basically I am having insurance issues because I live outside their network but because I work within their network I should be covered but thats being processed. Because of my unsure insurance status they wanted a credit card with a $3000 availability to secure their money I assume that's what they charge the insurance co.

I wouldn't give them the credit card. Since its a DME and they are charging a fortune for their services then they need to make sure the insurance will pay for it. Don't take nothing from them until you know what is covered. They usually make you sign agreements that you will pay what the insurance does not. Most likely they won't take the machine back but you should ask what the return policy is if they have one.

borgready wrote:Do over the counter nasal decongestants help at all? I think cold air is easier on the sinuses than warm air. At one time I was given nasonex as trial package. It was slow acting I thought so I didn't use it much. I have the same problem with sinuses and am looking for possible solutions too.

Hi borgready,

For me, cold air has been alot easier on my sinuses also.

Regarding Nasonex, you have to use it for several days before it starts working. Unfortunately, for some folks, it can cause insomnia although many doctors don't recognize that as a side effect and act like you are crazy when you say something. But I know a nurse who has verified that this is a legitimate concern.

Best of luck.

49er