Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mike on January 10, 2009 at 11:48am

Dave,

I have been having the same problem recently. What I use and what works for me pretty well is the NeilMed Nasal pot -- it's a totally natural nasal irrigation system -- uses warm water mostly. I don't think you can get "hooked" to it --- unless you get addicted to warm water!

About the mouth dryness i have 2 thoughts: (i) get a humidifier if you don't have one already and (ii) you might be breathing out of your mouth and that's bad for therapy because the therapy leaks out of your mouth -- mouth dryness is a sign. if you have a data capable machine, the leak should show up in the data and tell you one way or another.

just my $0.02. sure others members will have additional perspectives on this.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by sleepycarol on January 10, 2009 at 3:47pm

Which mask do you use?

Have you changed the filters in your machine? How often?

Are you using a humdifier? If so what is the setting on it? Try turning it up a notch or so -- if it is maxed out try turning it down a notch or so.

Are you taking anything for the stuffy nose?

I agree with Mike about the nasal rinses. Give that a try and see if that helps.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by dennis on January 10, 2009 at 5:54pm

use breathe right at night breathe right nasal strips open your nose to help you breathe better

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Steven Y. Park, MD on January 10, 2009 at 8:11pm

First of all, when was the last time you underwent a CPAP titration? Or has your weight changed significantly? If your pressure setting is off, then sub-optimally treated sleep apnea can cause nasal congestion. If you had a titration recently at your current weight, then I agree that nasal saline is one option. Mike is right—if you suddenly developed a mouth leak, then you're being sub-optimally treated. Have this checked out by your sleep doctor.

Breathe-rite strips help only if you have relatively flimsy nostrils, but it's also affected by your degree of nasal congestion. Imagine if you sip through a flimsy straw. If you pinch the middle, the tip will collapse. What you're describing sounds more like a vasomotor rhinitis, meaning that your nasal nervous system is out of balance. When you lay flat, your nose's nervous system should normally constrict blood vessels to mildly shrink the membranes, but in your case, it isn't. This is part of sleep apnea. If the conservative steps don't work, have it checked out by an ENT doctor.

One alternative to Breathe-rite strips if they are not strong enough is a variety of internal nasal dilators. The come in various styles and materials, but essentially, they are placed inside your nostrils, and a spring-like action keeps the nostrils from falling in. The last option is surgery to stiffen the nostrils via various means if the other options don't work.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Dave Willich on January 13, 2009 at 12:00pm

Thank you for the information. I did some more checking on my c pap. Something is wrong with it. I can open my mouth and do not have any problems. There seems like there is alot of air coming thru the mask but it does not effect my mouth breathing like it did some time back I have my old unit which I will hook up to see if there is any difference
Thank you for the input
dewillich@gmail.com

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Leslie Scott on January 14, 2009 at 3:33am

You also might try adjusting your humidifier. It could be with the weather changes that the humidifier is too much right now. Try turning it down. I know for me, I rarely fill mine. My dh fills his regularly, and more time than not he also has to use a nasal spray to keep from being congested.

Just a thought.
Leslie

• ▶ Reply

▶ Reply to Discussion