Dry Mouth..

KimberlyinMN · Post by **KimberlyinMN** » Mon Sep 11, 2006 7:07 am

I having a hard time fight dry mouth. I'm using the ComfortFull 2 mask and the RemStar Plus with heated humidifier. When I first got the machine, I had started out at a 4 but the heated moist air was too much when the weather was warmer so I turned it down to maybe 2 and didn't really notice a dry mouth. Starting last week, my dry mouth has come back. I have been trying to figure out what setting I should have the dial at. After a night on setting 4, I had a bloody nose on Sunday (haven't had one of those in maybe 20+ years). So last night I figured I would just "crank it" to 5 and see if that works. Nope. I thought my tongue was going to crack! There was moisture in the mask, so I can't necessarily say the air wasn't humidified. Although the water tank was only about half used after running six hours. I typically drink about 2-3 quarts of water a day, so dehydration shouldn't be player.

I do know that I've been able to breathe through my nose some nights and that might be why I didn't have the dry mouth for awhile. My mask really doesn't let me do "both" because in order to breath through my mouth I have to have the mask a little lower and that seems to push my nostrils together so I can't breathe through my nose. To breathe through my nose, I need to have the mask up higher on my face... and that makes it hard to breathe through my mouth because it can't really be "naturally" open.

Any thoughts??

I'm going to call the Winmar Sleep Center to see what they have to say. I'm also going to see about returning my mask and getting the Hybrid now. I've got a 30-day return policy.... so maybe?? (Although I doubt the mask has anything to do with the dry mouth. I just want the mask.)

Kimberly

oldgearhead · Post by **oldgearhead** » Mon Sep 11, 2006 7:13 am

Although I doubt the mask has anything to do with the dry mouth. I just want the mask.)

I like the Hybrid because I feel like i'M getting enough air with one nostril
congested. However, if both nostrils are congested, I get an 'awful' dry mouth.

kurtchan · Post by **kurtchan** » Mon Sep 11, 2006 7:15 am

Kimberly,

I also suffer from dry mouth, but have been dealing with it since before I began CPAP therapy 3 months ago.

You might try two products from Oral B -- both their dry mouth toothpaste and dry mouth gel. I use both every night before bed and the combination seems to help a great deal.

To prevent more bloody noses, I would suggest a dab of Ayr Saline Nasal Gel in each nostril before bed and again in the morning. Keeps things moist, especially on nights when the heat is on in the house.

Good luck!

Kurtchan

KimberlyinMN · Post by **KimberlyinMN** » Mon Sep 11, 2006 7:19 am

Thanks so much for the advice! I just called the Winmar place and the only suggestion offered was to keep a glass of water by the bed. (That's really not an option since the cat will probably stick her head in it.) I can get it "moist" again on my own, it's just the waking up with the dry mouth is bad. They want me to come in tomorrow to see if the medium mask fits better. (They don't want me on the Hybrid yet.)

I'll have to look for the Oral B products tomorrow as well... I doubt my little town (population 2000) has it. I'm sure I can find it in Fargo.

Thanks!

Kimberly

oldgearhead · Post by **oldgearhead** » Mon Sep 11, 2006 7:26 am

(They don't want me on the Hybrid yet.)

Why? Because it cost them more money?

KimberlyinMN · Post by **KimberlyinMN** » Mon Sep 11, 2006 7:30 am

oldgearhead wrote:Why? Because it cost them more money?

Most likely. She said that they can't do an exchange for a different brand mask. ?? What difference does it make? So in order to get a "new" mask, I have to wait until my insurance allows it. Although I'm guessing that it would cost me more to purchase the Hybrid from them anyhow even after insurance. (Like the huge difference in price between what I could have bought the same stuff for online versus through them. Well, not too much of a difference for me, but to my insurance company, yes.)

Kimberly

roster · Post by **roster** » Mon Sep 11, 2006 7:37 am

[quote="kurtchan"]Kimberly,

You might try two products from Oral B -- both their dry mouth toothpaste and dry mouth gel. I use both every night before bed and the combination seems to help a great deal.

KimberlyinMN · Post by **KimberlyinMN** » Mon Sep 11, 2006 7:40 am

Ah.. that helps Biotene! I was just googling this and couldn't find the Oral B brand.

I agree, dry mouth is a very small price to pay for being alert! (And not waking up with heartburn -- Tums will be going out of business now.)

Kimberly

roster · Post by **roster** » Mon Sep 11, 2006 8:04 am

My local WalMart had the liquid spray but not the gel. Walgreen's had the gel. I prefer the gel.

KimberlyinMN · Post by **KimberlyinMN** » Mon Sep 11, 2006 8:07 am

I'll hit Walgreens first. Maybe I'll stop there first prior to going to the sleep center so that I can show them this.

Thanks!

Kimberly

kurtchan · Post by **kurtchan** » Mon Sep 11, 2006 8:09 am

Kimberly,

You're right about the cat and the glass of water near the bed! I woke up the other morning to a very strange noise and assumed that it was coming from the CPAP. Upon a more complete inspection, I found the cat with her head buried in my water glass lapping away happily! As much as I love her, I'm not ready to share a glass with her, so I've taken to using a very tall glass with a very small amount of water. Try as she may, she hasn't yet figured out how to get at the water!

As to finding the dry mouth products, I misspoke myself earlier. They're from Orajel, not Oral B and are more common than you might think. If you can't find them in a local drugstore, Wal-Mart or Target, they are available online at http://www.drugstore.com by searching "dry mouth".

Kurtchan

KimberlyinMN · Post by **KimberlyinMN** » Mon Sep 11, 2006 8:14 am

I don't think I've mentioned this yet on the board... but my cat is part of the reason I did the sleep study. Apparently I was snoring so loud a couple of times that she actually stuck her foot in my mouth! Trust me... Waking up abruptly with a cat foot in the mouth is NOT a pleasant experience. She's pretty smart because at least I did stop snoring for a few minutes. Then again, I sure hope I never have to have a tracheotomy because I think she'd probably stick her paw on that too.

Kimberly

roster · Post by **roster** » Mon Sep 11, 2006 8:16 am

Stick with the Biotene products. They don't contain glycerin as the OraJel does. Biotene also contains natural xylitol and natural enzymes.

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Mon Sep 11, 2006 8:30 am

Maybe they have you mask size incorrect you should be able to use your nose and mouth without having to move the location of the mask. Jim

You need to make them fit you properly.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Mon Sep 11, 2006 9:15 am

My thoughts run along with what Jim/Goofproof said......wondering if they gave you the right size mask. On the other hand, it would be "ideal" to NOT mouth-breathe. I know, with my mask, that I have to push it up so there is no pressure on the top of my nose or it will feel like it's cutting off my nasal airway. So, I push it up so the bottom seal is up close to my bottom lip which also helps keep my mouth from falling open. Mouth-breathing in a full face mask WILL cause dry mouth, so it's important to try to get your nasal passages open before going to bed.

Best wishes,

Den