Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mike on February 3, 2011 at 10:31am

could it be that you're opening your mouth at night and the pressurized air is escaping through your mouth, causing it to feel very dry?  that's happened to me quite a bit and is a common problem.  i use a chin strap to minimize it.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by gordon on February 3, 2011 at 9:47pm

Hi, Adi Mike had good comments, please tell us what mask & humidifier you are using, and if you use chinstrap, so we can comment, G.

Mike said:

could it be that you're opening your mouth at night and the pressurized air is escaping through your mouth, causing it to feel very dry?  that's happened to me quite a bit and is a common problem.  i use a chin strap to minimize it.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Adi on February 4, 2011 at 12:40am

Hi - thanks for the responses.    

>could it be that you're opening your mouth at night and the pressurized air is escaping through your mouth, causing it to feel very dry?

 

That is exactly what happens.

 

I don't use a chin strap, does that completely close one's mouth?  I have bad allergies sometimes, and frequently can't breathe through my nose.  Which chin strap do you use?

 

I use a ResMed Escape II and a full mask.

 

Again, thanks for any information and your responses,

 

Regards,

Ray 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Corinne on February 4, 2011 at 6:09pm

Hi Ray,

I am having the same problem.  My doctor recommends putting Vick drops in the humidifier which I plan to try.  I'll let you know if it works.

Bests, Corinne

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Adi on March 2, 2011 at 12:40am

Hi Corinne, so how did the vick drops work out?

 

Cheers,

Ray

 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on March 2, 2011 at 1:13am

With the allergy and sinus problems it is most likely that a chinstrap would not help. have you tried a full face mask.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by MARIE G. on March 2, 2011 at 9:03pm

I had the same problem. I would wake up every 2 hours with a dried, parched mouth. Air would escape out of my throat even with a chinstrap and mouth taping. I solved the problem by switching to a bipap which lowers the pressure on exhalation. I don't know why it worked but it did.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by sleepycarol on March 2, 2011 at 9:25pm

I would NOT recommend putting the drops directly into the humidifier of the cpap machine.  What you could do as an alternative is to place a few drops of it or essential oils on a cotton ball and place it near the intake of your cpap machine.  Putting the Vicks directly into the humidifier might damage the tank or the cpap, not counting the health risk inhaling the oil into your lungs.

Corinne said:

Hi Ray,

I am having the same problem.  My doctor recommends putting Vick drops in the humidifier which I plan to try.  I'll let you know if it works.

Bests, Corinne

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Adi on March 2, 2011 at 11:42pm

Hi Sleepycarol,

 

    Yeah, I would not have done that, I'm kind of paranoid with medications.  But thank you for the look out nevertheless.

 

Cheers,

Ray

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Adi on March 2, 2011 at 11:43pm

Thanks I will research bipap machines,

 

Regards,

Ray

MARIE G. said:

I had the same problem. I would wake up every 2 hours with a dried, parched mouth. Air would escape out of my throat even with a chinstrap and mouth taping. I solved the problem by switching to a bipap which lowers the pressure on exhalation. I don't know why it worked but it did.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Sheryl J. Runyon on March 3, 2011 at 1:32pm

Don't know if it will help at all or why it does for me,but I turned the heat up a little on my humidifier. Hope you find something that works for you. Waking up with a dry throat or sandpaper tongue is no fun.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Janknitz on March 7, 2011 at 5:16pm

If you are breathing through your mouth, you are NOT getting the benefit from your machine--the pressure meant to keep your airway open is escaping out of your mouth! 

 

You need to deal with the nasal congestion. 

First, NEVER  put anything besides distilled water into your humidifier tank.  It could be dangerous to put substances in the tank that are aerosolized and carried directly to your lungs.

 

Second, it's common for the wrong humidifier setting to cause nasal congestion.  Some people find too much humidity can cause congestion, others find the opposite.  Experiment with the settings to find the right setting for yourself.  For some people, it may even be  "passover mode" (water in the tank, but no humidification setting turned on) or NO humidifier. 

 

Third, try to tackle the nasal congestion during the day.  Try a neti pot or saline rinse, oral antihistamine (but AVOID decongestants, spray or oral!) and if your doctor recommends it, a prescription steroid nasal spray.

 

Finally, until you can successfully use your machine without mouth breathing you either need to stop the mouth breathing by taping or using a chin strap (works for some people not all) OR you need a full face or hybrid mask that will still deliver adequate pressure if your mouth is open. 

 

You  MUST deal with the mouth breathing, otherwise your therapy is going right out your mouth and you are still experiencing the physical harm of apnea. 

• ▶ Reply

▶ Reply to Discussion

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• Next ›
• Page