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Air escaping through mouth
In September, after 4 1/2 years on CPAP, I was diagnosed with type II diabetes. In the eight Weeks since that diagnosis I've lost more than forty pounds. As the weight comes off I am having more and more trouble with air escaping from my mouth. I've always worn a chin strap and this has never been a problem before. It is so bad now that it is interrupting my sleep multiple times through the night and affecting the quality of my sleep. Not to mention it is disrupting my wife's sleep.
Has anyone else experienced this problem in conjunction with weight loss?
Could this be a symptom of needing a lower pressure?
I cannot go on like this but I hate to pay for another titration test while I am actively losing weight. It would be a waste of money to have one now, then turn around and have another next year after losing more pounds.
Should I speak to my doctor about writing a script to turn on the auto-set feature of my CPAP?
If so, what range do we use? My current pressure is 12.
Thanks in advance for you're help.
Has anyone else experienced this problem in conjunction with weight loss?
Could this be a symptom of needing a lower pressure?
I cannot go on like this but I hate to pay for another titration test while I am actively losing weight. It would be a waste of money to have one now, then turn around and have another next year after losing more pounds.
Should I speak to my doctor about writing a script to turn on the auto-set feature of my CPAP?
If so, what range do we use? My current pressure is 12.
Thanks in advance for you're help.
Views: 534
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mary Z on
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I don't think this has to do anything about your pressure, but rather the change in your face shape from losing weight. You could talk to your doc about decreasing the pressure. They could read the data from your machine and make a recommendation. Are you able to check your AHI and leaks? Have you ever tried taping your mouth closed? It's not as bad as it sounds and can easily be removed, or you can open your mouth if necessary.
I think you probably need a different mask. If you have a good relationship with someone at your suppliers I would talk to them about what mask they would recommend.
I have lost weight, too and it has changed the way the mask fits on my face.
I may be completely off base since the air is escaping from your mouth.
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Permalink Reply by Judy on
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My guess would be that your pressure need has gone done and it is the unnecessarily high pressure that is causing the mask and mouth opening problems.
MaryZ may very well be right that the weight loss has reduced facial tissue as well and that a different or a smaller size of yuor same mask may be needed too.
Is your CPAP fully data capable. If so that could supply the answer to the pressure question.
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Permalink Reply by Jess on
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I should have been more clear. I use nasal pillows so mask leakage has not been a problem. With my mouth closed securely by the chin strap my lips will part enough to allow air to escape. It is quite noisy, waking my wife, and dries my mouth out terribly. I would not be above taping my lips shit, however, it seems like there must be something more going on here as I've not had this problem once in 4 1/2 years and suddenly it is chronic.
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Shucks, yes, if you have an APAP it should be set in auto mode!!! Of course, it is up to your doctor to script the pressure range he/she considers best. But ... I would suggest a range of 8 cms to 13 cms to start.
Which brand and model APAP do you have?
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I got a script in November to activate the autoset on my CPAP (then wound up changing the settings myself). My pressure dropped from 12+ to 7+ and my leaking air problem disappeared. Plus some other nasal problems I hadn't even associated with CPAP therapy cleared up. I'm doing much better now and enjoying good sleep once again.
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