Please Can Anyone Help with Problem

Still having the extremely dry mouth problem, its happening before I even fall asleep with my mask on and there arent any leaks almost like I stop producing saliva I dont have any other ideas, does anyone?

Hi Mikey,
Here are some things that may help -- but do ask a doctor about that as well, just to be on the safe side:

• Try to make sure your nose is not stuffed, use nasal irrigation to do that. I use the squeeze bottle made by http://www.neilmed.com and am very happy with it. There are others.
• Perhaps you need even more humidity - and a heated hose may help keep the air more humid, without condensation. Possible source for a heated hose: http://www.sleepzone.com.au . Bear in mind though that some poeple's noses congest when the humidity is higher -- you'll simply have to try.
• Cpap at 15 is very high pressure -- and if you can't tolerate it, there are machines that give you lower pressure when you exhale -- but insurances often insist that you have have to fail the fixed pressure machines first. So go back to the doc. and start complaining about how bad your mouth feels -- a bi-level machine will drop pressure when you exhale, and therefor dry you out less for each breath. A bi-level may help with your aerophagia (gas and burping) as well.
• The machine they gave you is so simple that neither the doctor or you can tell if the pressure is good for resolving your apneas. For all you know, you may be opening your mouth to breath (or snore) when your airway obstructs.

The fact you're not feeling well means that the machine they gave you, at that pressure is not the right therapy for you. You need a better one.

O.

My question is why haven't you tried a full face mask? It sounds like you must be a mouth breather once asleep (and higher pressures also make it worse). Either that or you've developed Sjogren's ("show-grens") syndrome, an arthritis related problem that's fairly common, though usually goes with dry eyes as well.

How much hydration do you get during the day? Be sure you are giving your body the amount of water it needs to function well. I found, that when I drink enough water during the day, I have less episodes of dry mouth during the night. I also use a humidifier on my machine. I still have times when my mouth will dry out but the episodes are less because I am more aware of drinking plenty of water during the day.

Have you tried a FULL FACE MASK with your humidifier?? I agree that it sounds like you are a mouth breather.

Mikey did try a full face mask:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=47416&p=428170#p428170
Dec. 11

MikeyB wrote:It was my first noght using a full face mask, had a little trouble getting used to it but managed, only thing is even with the humidifier my mouth in the morning has never been so dry. Is that normal?

MikeyB wrote:Still having the extremely dry mouth problem, its happening before I even fall asleep with my mask on and there arent any leaks almost like I stop producing saliva I dont have any other ideas, does anyone?

Do you have diabetes?

What do you drink in the evening and before bedtime?


Den

To the one question no I do not have diabetes, I have tried a FFM but I think the mask is a little small, the problem now is I lost my job and no longer have insurance so my options are some what limited, I have been using cpap since november and now I am starting to have troubles, witch I think is wierd I made it this far no have troubles? any help would be appreciated.

MikeyB wrote:... almost like I stop producing saliva... to the one question no I do not have diabetes ...

Well, a simple trick might be to encourage your body to produce saliva. Try a couple "tic tacs" candies. It's not the best before bed, but is better than a mouth that hurts.

MikeyB wrote:... I have tried a FFM but I think the mask is a little small, the problem now is I lost my job and no longer have insurance so my options are some what limited ...

Obviously funds are an issue, but you might try CPAPauction.com for less expensive full face masks:

http://www.cpapauction.com/browse/cpap- ... -face.html

MikeyB wrote:... I have been using cpap since november and now I am starting to have troubles, which I think is weird ... I made it this far no have troubles? ...

It's not unusual at all. It's a process of learning to adjust as things change. Hopefully you will get some good ideas here that will help.

Sometimes I would get a little tickle in the back of my throat after settling into bed. I found that a product called Biotene mouthwash swished around for a minute helped to keep my mouth moist during the night. I also brush with Biotene toothpaste at night. Articles about the possible causes of dry mouth can be found at http://www.biotene.com

Thanks everyone, I think my seal has worn out on my masks, even the FFM is drying my mouth out even with humidity set to 5

I think you have 2 FF masks in Medium, Comfort Gel and ComfortFull. Have you used the measuring guide on cpap.com to see what size mask would fit you?

yeah when I was measured for my mask at the dme they said i needed medium, but i think my mouth is wide so i think i need a large the medium worked for a few months but now i am having trouble with the masks i have

I am only writing this out of concern. Please forgive me for persisting. Job changes, stress and the foods we eat can effect our sugars. I am Type II Diabetic. My first sign that my sugars are high, is a dry mouth. I can't drink enough water to make it go away.

Where you may not have diabetes, because of all your new stresses, your sugars may be running high. I you have a friend with diabetes, they might be able to check it with you. Most health fairs will do it for free. Dry mouth is the 1st sign of high sugars. Belief it or not the others are very close to OSA's. Be on the safe side and check it if you can.

There I said it. I hope you find the answer and have a great weekend. Spring is coming to SE Michigan. The flowers are starting to pop their heads out and I'm ready. Feel great and love life!

Ok I think I found the problem the seal on my comfort gel nasal leaks unless I place pressure on it, would that cause my mouth to dry?