[Symptoms] Bubble of air leaking into my mouth during sleep waking me over and over (and over..)

[Keefer147]

I'm a 15 year user of a CPAP for mod-severe obstructive sleep apnea.  I have a CPAP that delivers 8 cm H2O via a nasal prong-type mask (I also use a pillow-type much less frequently - Airfit N30i).  In the past couple of months I've been awakened by a "bubble" of air the feels like it comes from my throat...rolls across my inside cheek...and pops out of the corner of my mouth.  Having become aware of this phenomenon it is causing me sleep anxiety, as I feel I'm waiting for the next occurrence.  It happens irrespective of my position...lying on my left causes the bubble to pop out of the right side of my mouth, and vice versa when sleeping on my right side.  I tried taping my mouth for the first time ever...but this simply trapped the bubble inside my mouth causing me to (presumably) swallow it.  I have lowered my pressure to 6.5 cm H2O thinking that perhaps the pressure was too high - and thus forcing a tiny amount of air into my mouth (with non-tiny consequences)...but the issue remains.  Oddly I did go about 2 weeks in December without it happening, but its resumption this week is driving me nuts!  My machine (Respironics Remstar SE) doesn't record measurements or activities to my knowledge...all I know is that it ramps upwards from 4 cm H2O at the start.  I haven't felt the bubbles in the first couple of hours after sleep onset, but from 2am onwards have become very trying (even when stopping the CPAP and restarting and presumably having the ramp up begin again).  If anyone has experience with this issue...and ideally ideas for resolution...I'd really appreciate hearing back!

[Dormeo]

This can be so annoying! I have gotten pretty good results training myself to position my tongue.

Try putting the tip of your tongue behind your upper front teeth. Then position the main part of your tongue up against your upper palate. Finally, give a little suck or swallow to create a bit of suction. You should now be able to open your mouth while breathing entirely through your nose. Practice this during the day, and see if you can get it grooved in deeply enough to help while you are asleep at night.

[Sleeprider]

Once of these days you will have to upgrade/update that fossil of a CPAP you're using. It will really help to get a Resmed Airsense 10/11 to get more comfort and better results. That aside, I agree with Dormeo. Things that can help you train for better airway control is to practice talking, or sipping water from a straw while under pressure. When I have the problem, I will often pull a corner of my down pillow between my shoulder and jaw to nudge my jaw closed, and that works pretty well.

[Keefer147]

Thank you.  So you can keep it correctly positioned such that it stays there through the night?  I've been doing the sucking action I think subconsciously, but I guess it lets go after a while.

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Thanks.  Yeah I hear you on the CPAP machinery...but until recently I'd had very few issues.  I can't understand why it's started happening now I must say.  So you're using the pillow to close/tighten the jaw while your mouth remains closed I'm assuming (as opposed to doing this to stop your mouth opening)?

[Dormeo]

I couldn't keep my tongue in place at first. Practicing during the day was probably what really helped. That placement of my tongue is now second nature, night and day.