Mouth so dry it wakes me up

[Floridagirl]

This is my first post as a new member.  I've been using my CPAP for about a year now and am having a problem with how extremely dry my mouth and throat get. I wake up with my mouth stuck shut it's so dry! The highest fixed setting causes rainout.  The next setting down doesn't solve the problem and the tank runs dry sometimes. I'm experimenting with different humidifier settings and was wondering if keeping the machine in a drawer has any effect on the adaptive setting working properly? Thank you.

[Walla Walla]

It sounds like your having air leak out of your mouth. No humidifier will keep your mouth moist in that case. Have you tried a chin strap or soft cervical collar?

[Shin Ryoku]

"was wondering if keeping the machine in a drawer..."

Don't keep your machine in a drawer. It needs good ventilation.

[OpalRose]

Hi Floridagirl,
Welcome to Apnea Board!

Sounds to me like you may be mouth breathing. That can make your mouth feel like it’s stuffed with cotton.

Many members here use a “soft” cervical collar. This helps keep your jaw/mouth from dropping open while you sleep. They are not expensive and shouldn’t be worn tight. Measure the circumference of your neck and add a couple inches. Also measure for height. You don’t want it so tall that it pushes against your jaw too much. Amazon is a good place to find various sizes.

[HalfAsleep]

I get a terribly dry mouth, too. It wakes me up. On the P10 and the F10, no difference. Cervical collar, no diff. Nothing makes a difference. They need to build spritzers into these masks even if they’re not auto. You push a lil button, a little spray comes out, and you’re good to go...


Or...the humidifier should have a blast button like headlamps do. You reach over, slam the blast button, it gives you some extra, and you roll over.

They need to make the blast button blue tooth and so you can attach it to your headgear....

or the inverse of BMW windshield wipers, which sense raindrops and turn on automatically; on a xPAP get up, they’d sense dryness and automatically give a blast per your settings.

[ardenum]

Hey. I used a Resmed s10 auto for over a year after a few months i started getting what you have, ive used max humidifier and it didnt help. I noticed a difference when i switched from regular to heated tube. heated tube and humidifier work with each other so you get humidity but no raindrops.

Is your hose heated? 

I also cant live without some sort of over the counter dry mouth/throat thing, like a gel or a slowly dissolving pill or some spray. I like the Oracoat Xylimelts. I remove the gray part though it makes me nauseated. Its a sure bet because I am a mouth breathing cpap user. My nose is closed so i also have to use a protrusion mouth piece, Narval CC under my mask!

[Floridagirl]

Yes I do keep it in a drawer but I leave it open about 6" when in use. Should I not use it in the drawer at all?

[Floridagirl]

Boy that s a great idea!  Maybe someone is listening?

 I filled an empty a travel size saline bottle with water and a little bioteen mouth rinse.  It has a very tiny hole on n the top and won't spill or drip out unless I squeeze it.  I can easily squirt just a small amount in my mouth without waking up too much and without having to sit up enough to use a straw or take a drink.  I hate having to wake up several times a night to do it though.

[Sleep2Snore]

Yes I do keep it in a drawer but I leave it open about 6" when in use. Should I not use it in the drawer at all?

Best if it is in the open, it needs a through flow of air.
Walla Walla is right, you must have a leak of air from your mouth.
Chin strap kept tight is the answer or something like a collar as was mentioned.
Keep a bottle of water by your bedside, one of those sports bottles with the pop up top or one with a straw so you can take a small sip of water.
If you haven't got a humidifier, get one.
If a chin strap does not work, you might need to change to a full-faced mask or a Hybrid one that covers your mouth and also connects to your nose.
Try a chin strap first or wrap a bandage round just to try it.

[Floridagirl]

Thanks OpalRose.  I'll try the collar.   I have one tucked away somewhere.