New User, saying Hi

Greetings from Cary, NC

I just got my Apap machine last week. Thus far, I cannot fall asleep wearing it. Like many others, I WILL win this fight without drugs.

My primary problem is dry mouth. Even though I am in a humid climate (NC), the constant air pressure dries my mouth out. Ramping up the humidifier to 5 has not helped. I usually give up after 2 to 3 hours and take the mask off to get some sleep.

I know I should not, but if I cannot sleep, I cannot work. On another thread, someone suggested taking a few days off the acclimate to the machine. Presently, that just isn't an option.

For those that may ask, I have the Phillips REMstar Auto A-Flex machine. My pressure can vary between 8 and 12 psi. I am using the ResMed Quattro Air full face mask.

The mask does not seem to bother me. And after 1 week, I have almost fallen asleep twice now with the mask on. But, as soon as my mouth dries out, I wake up.

The nasal pillow things won't work for me as my sinus' suck and I have been breathing through my mouth at night for years.

Personally, I think it is just a conditioning thing. That I WILL adapt over time. Like I said, it has only been a week.

I plan to try some low classical music and a good book tonight with the mask on. Hopefully, I will get better results.

Welcome Steve! I do not agree with others that recommend you take "time off". Do you have a humidifier"? If you do, what setting do you have it? I have dry mouth issues, but I have gotten used to it. KEEP GOING AND KEEP WORKING ON IT!

Please post your equipment on your profile in the control panel. It will help others determine what kind of equipment you have.

Sheriff

Welcome to the forum.

When you have time could you please add your equipment to your profile? It will help us help you better.

Dry mouth from mouth breathing (even with a full face mask) is a common complaint. The humidifier just has trouble adding enough moisture to the oral cavity for some people even when set to maximum setting. Depending on which machine you are using there may be some additional options available that might help though.

Yes, some people simply have trouble falling asleep with the mask and machine. You might try using the machine while awake like watching TV or reading so that your brain gets more accustomed to having this stuff attached to your face and eventually doesn't want to keep you awake and will let you fall asleep.

The PR System One machines without the heated hose come with a default humidity setting that doesn't use as much water as the other setting which is called Classic mode. You could change it to Classc mode to see if it helps. It might and it might not. If you have a heated hose capable 60 series machine you can also increase moisture output with more customizable settings available with the heated hose. Since you are new to this therapy you most likely got a 60 series machine but the heated hose is/was an option so you may not have it. Look on the bottom of the blower unit for a 3 digit number...if it says 560 then your machine is heated hose capable. With the heated hose attached the humidity delivered can be increased up to 90% which might help...no guarantee though.

There are Biotene products on the market designed to help with dry mouth. You might look at those also.

Dry mouth can be caused by meds or simply some people have their mouths dry out easier than others. It is annoying and not good for the gums and teeth either. If you simply cannot breathe through your nose at all then you will have to find a way to deal with the dry mouth the best you can. If you can use your nose some of the time then try to keep your mouth shut as much as possible to help reduce the drying effects of the air moving through the mouth.

Hey I feel your frustration. I'm on my 4th week of cpap and still having issues.
Sore throat, itching beneath mask' overall getting used to it. Dr. Who's not involved in progress.
I've had a few good nights so that tells me I'm on right track. Another week or so should get all the kinks out
I hope. I believe it's important not to take a break, you'll have to start from scratch then.
Good luck