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dry mouth with full face mask.
My biggest problem is waking up every 2-3 hours with my mouth feeling like the Sahara desert. I'm so dry I gag. so I get up, take off the mask and get a drink of water, put mask back on and try to sleep. All I want is a one good nights sleep, I'm so tired all the time, I'm up throughout the nite. Sometimes I just don't bother putting mask back on around 5am and get 2 hours sleep, but my
snoring wakes everyone in the house up. Is there a solution to this problem? or do I just have to live with it?? Need input please!!
Views: 1438
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mary Z on
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That's a dry mouth, I hate that. Some things might help There are toothpastes and mouth rinses for people with dry mouths. If you don't wear a full face mask maybe you can drink through a straw and not take you mask off. I wish I knew a better solution. How is the humidty on your machine, can you turn that up a notch or two. Certain meds cause dry mouth and there's no help- you might not notice during the day when you're free to drink. Does it happen during the day, too?
Hope someone has some better solutions.
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Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on
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Sometimes the humidity on the machine is not enough. You might try putting a humidifier in your room.
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Permalink Reply by Carl Speas on
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I too am very curious about this dry mouth problem. I suffer with it too. I have a whole house humidifier on my heating and cooling unit plus the one on my machine. If i turn my pap machine up all the way I get rain. I have been on my machine since Nov. and have found no remedy to dry mouth. I feel that if I could solve this problem I would be able to sleep through the night. I was told if I used a full face mask I would not have this problem, but that was not the answer.
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Permalink Reply by Banyon on
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If you are using a full face mask and mouthbreathing much of the night, a CPAP humidifier or a room humidifier will not solve the problem of dry mouth. They are not designed for that purpose.
I would be very careful about adding a room humidifier unless you live in an arid climate. Most recommendations for room humidity by health professionals fall in the range of 40 to 60%. Once you get above 60% you are encouraging mold growth in your house.
A hygrometer for your bedroom is an inexpensive investment that will tell you what the relative humidity is. I would not use a room humidifier unless the room humidity is below 30% for days at a time.
I use a full face mask and mouthbreath much of the night when I have nasal congestion. You are right that the resulting dry mouth is very uncomfortable and disturbs sleep.
I found a product that treats my dry mouth very well. The secret is in how to use it and it should not be used as the manufacturer directs. The product is Biotene Dry Mouth Relief Moisturizing Gel. Directly from the tube place a dab on the tip of your tongue just before you put on your CPAP mask. Maneuver the tip of your tongue and place the dab of gel high into the gum between the gum and the top of the central incisors. The objective is to leave an intact dab of gel in this position and withdraw the tongue. Now close your mouth and be careful not to suck the dab between your teeth into the mouth.
I find that a dab placed like this and left alone will slowly seep into the mouth during the night and moisturize the mouth. The effect lasts all night for me. Just a small dab is needed so a tube lasts me about thirty days.
If I arise for a restroom break during the night, I will usually make another application but this is more of a nervous habit than a necessity.
Note that the gel contains enzymes that inhibit harmful bacteria growth. Before I found this solution I worried about dental cavities and gum disease. Ah, glad to be rid of that worry.
If you try it, it may take a little experience to learn the skill of placing the dab properly.
Good luck.
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Permalink Reply by Sharon Stoner on
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Thanks for the advice. I bought a product called Oramoist, dry mouth patch. Tried it once, didn't seem to help but I'm
going to try again. If that doesn't work I'll try the biotene product. I will also turn up humidity on my cpap machine. thanks
for all the input, will let you know my progress.
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My dear wife, saw a free trail offer for Oramoist patch and knowing my problem procured one of the free patches for me. I am skeptical that it will work for me if placed as directed on the roof of the mouth. I might give it a try placed in the manner I am placing the Biotene gel. But I don't see adopting the Oramoist patch as it is much more expensive than Biotene gel.
Do let us know how the gel works for you. Give it some days trial at least until you get the hang of placing it properly.
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Permalink Reply by Clueless in Redwood Shores on
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Have you tried using a good chin strap?
I have the tendency to mouth breathe also. I use a chin strap even with the full face mask. My Sleep Doc teased me for "using belt and suspenders" since the full face mask in theory eliminates mouth breathing concerns. While my discomfort is not as severe as yours, Sharon, the dry mouth is very annoying. The chin strap stops the mouth breathing more than 80% of the time for me.
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Permalink Reply by Chip Smith on
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Some great feedback here imo (particularly Banyon's detailed reply). The only confusion I have is that the subject line reads "with full face mask" but some of the replies seem uncertain of that so I assume that it was a recent edit made to the subject line.
Assuming you're dealing with a full face mask (in addition to what has already been posted), I'd recommend:
*try addressing any issues in your nasal passages that may be contributing to your mouth breathing. Even mild relief in this area might be enough to keep it from being so severe. For example, have you tried saline rinses or sprays?
*increase the humidification on your CPAP to its maximum. If you experience rainout, either make your own insulation for the tube or purchase a tube cover to eliminate the condensation ("rainout").
*if you still aren't getting enough humidification, consider/discuss a possible return/swap of your machine (if possible) for either the FP604 or S9 Elite/Auto, both of which have a heated tube (optional upgrade in the case of the S9). Part of this may be impractical if you purchased this on your own but if you received it via insurance and its a rental through a DME that is still being paid for by your insurance you may/should find a receptive DME (particularly if you've tried other solutions).
*cross your fingers and hope Dr. Park sees this thread since he'll likely have the best feedback!
If you are not currently using a full face mask you should consider it to see if it will alleviate your issues.
Good luck!
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Chip Smith said:
*increase the humidification on your CPAP to its maximum. If you experience rainout, either make your own insulation for the tube or purchase a tube cover to eliminate the condensation ("rainout").
*
Chip,
Since you read my posts, I am sure you anticipated I would disagree with turning the CPAP humidifier to its maximum. In most cases that will put too much humidity in the nasal passages and for many people this will actually increase the congestion. It would be interesting to know what the CPAP manufacturers who supply heated hoses say about "too much humidity".
Of course you are correct that reducing congestion can be helpful in reducing mouth breathing for some people. Dr. Park has an article or blog on his website that gives some good advice on reducing congestion. Heck, even if you don't mouthbreathe, getting rid of congestion is a good thing.
For many of us there are just so many details to take care of to get a good therapy.
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Chip Smith said:Some great feedback here imo (particularly Banyon's detailed reply). The only confusion I have is that the subject line reads "with full face mask" but some of the replies seem uncertain of that so I assume that it was a recent edit made to the subject line.
Assuming you're dealing with a full face mask (in addition to what has already been posted), I'd recommend:
*try addressing any issues in your nasal passages that may be contributing to your mouth breathing. Even mild relief in this area might be enough to keep it from being so severe. For example, have you tried saline rinses or sprays?
*increase the humidification on your CPAP to its maximum. If you experience rainout, either make your own insulation for the tube or purchase a tube cover to eliminate the condensation ("rainout").
*if you still aren't getting enough humidification, consider/discuss a possible return/swap of your machine (if possible) for either the FP604 or S9 Elite/Auto, both of which have a heated tube (optional upgrade in the case of the S9). Part of this may be impractical if you purchased this on your own but if you received it via insurance and its a rental through a DME that is still being paid for by your insurance you may/should find a receptive DME (particularly if you've tried other solutions).
*cross your fingers and hope Dr. Park sees this thread since he'll likely have the best feedback!
If you are not currently using a full face mask you should consider it to see if it will alleviate your issues.
Good luck!
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I do have full face mask, I did increase humidifier, I do use saline nasal spray, and I have tried chin strap . I tried the oromoist tabs x2 and had reaction with raw spots in my mouth where tab adhered to inside of cheek and palate so no more of that. I changed pillows, tried neck pillow, slept on my back, slept on my side, tried sleeping in a chair. I think I've done everything but hang from the chandelier!! I do not take any antihistamines or decongestants. I am on oral diabetic meds and antidepressant, plus BP med and HTN med. I had nasal canula 1st, didn't work either. Does surgery work?? anyone had a surgical procedure? I just want to sleep and get up in am not feeling like I have been in a battle all nite. thx for all the
Chip Smith said:Some great feedback here imo (particularly Banyon's detailed reply). The only confusion I have is that the subject line reads "with full face mask" but some of the replies seem uncertain of that so I assume that it was a recent edit made to the subject line.
Assuming you're dealing with a full face mask (in addition to what has already been posted), I'd recommend:
*try addressing any issues in your nasal passages that may be contributing to your mouth breathing. Even mild relief in this area might be enough to keep it from being so severe. For example, have you tried saline rinses or sprays?
*increase the humidification on your CPAP to its maximum. If you experience rainout, either make your own insulation for the tube or purchase a tube cover to eliminate the condensation ("rainout").
*if you still aren't getting enough humidification, consider/discuss a possible return/swap of your machine (if possible) for either the FP604 or S9 Elite/Auto, both of which have a heated tube (optional upgrade in the case of the S9). Part of this may be impractical if you purchased this on your own but if you received it via insurance and its a rental through a DME that is still being paid for by your insurance you may/should find a receptive DME (particularly if you've tried other solutions).
*cross your fingers and hope Dr. Park sees this thread since he'll likely have the best feedback!
If you are not currently using a full face mask you should consider it to see if it will alleviate your issues.
Good luck!
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