Suddenly mouth breathing after 12months on CPAP

[Megsy]

I have been using my CPAP for over 12 months. Didn't have any issues with it and have come to rely on it for a good night of sleep.

About two weeks ago I had some surgery, and have found ever since I have been waking up throughout the night - horribly dry throat and mouth and have realised I am opening my mouth and air blowing out. Once I even thought I was sleeptalking?!?!?

Mouth breathing has never been an issue for me other than a couple of times I had headcold. Has anyone esle experienced this after a period of use or is it just me?

[retired_guy]

For whatever reason your jaw is relaxing more and causing your mouth to open. You may need to use a chin strap for awhile, or even for longer. The idea of a chinstrap is to encourage the jaw to stay shut when relaxed. So don't crank down on it too much. It's just a gentle reminder to keep the mouth shut. It may be, since you haven't needed this in the past, that you will not need to use the chinstrap for too long. You'll just have to see how that goes.

[PaulaO2]

Are you still on any sort of medication from the surgery?

Also, the older we are, the longer it takes for our bodies to kick out the anesthesia. So it could just be your body (and brain, mostly) is still dopey. I agree with RG that wearing a chin strap for a while is a good idea.

[Megsy]

Thanks for your replies.

I think the main issue was that I was not sleeping in my normal position. Normally a side/stomach sleeper and have been sleeping on my back for the last couple of weeks.

As I've been able to sleep on my side the mouthbreathing has decreased significantly.

Thanks again.