Dry Mouth ... another hellish night

A couple hours after going to bed last night I suddenly awoke ... and realized that my tongue was stuck to the roof of my mouth ... again! I have had this problem in the past, but for the most part, it has righted itself, but now the problem is occurring more frequently.

It is difficult to break my tongue away from the roof of my mouth, and the entire inside of my mouth is very ... very dry. Most of the time, I can get up and drink some water and get back to sleep. Last night, it happened twice. Buggers!! I have no idea why this happens, but it's becoming a "thing."

I am using a Quatro full face mask ... upper number setting on my Resmed 10 is set at 15. Diagnostics tell me that my seal is good. They also let me know that my episodes are in the 5-7 range right now.

Full face masks are often prescribed to those who are identified as mouth breathers. It stops the problem of air leaking out of their mouth during sleep, but it does not stop mouth breathing. I would suspect your mouth is dry due to mouth breathing. Are you using a humidifier? That can help.

The other alternative is to use a nasal pillow mask, and if you open your mouth while sleeping then use mouth taping. It is not for everyone, but I have found it much better than using a full face mask. Here is a thread about the Benefits of Mouth Taping. The combination of mouth taping and a nasal pillow mask essentially forces you to breath through your nose.

Last night I awoke thinking I had a stick in my mouth ...but it was my tongue! I have tried mouth taping, which seems extreme, but it works pretty well. I also found that I can adjust my own humidity on my Resmed Airsense10. I’m up to 7. By morning the tape has become loose in the moist environment and comes right off.

I have the same problem. 2 xylimelts tablets placed on the bottom gums prevents dry mouth for much of the night. They stick to your gums. Also, I had my doctor turn my air pressure down. My AHI actually dropped after doing so. The only problem is they are expensive.

"What are XyliMelts? XyliMelts are oral-adhering discs that stick to your teeth or gums to relieve persistent dry mouth. Use XyliMelts during the day or while sleeping and find temporary relief from frequent thirst, sticky dryness in the mouth and throat, and other unpleasant dry mouth symptoms. Made with xylitol, a natural sweetener that helps stimulate saliva flow, XyliMelts utilize adhering disc technology to slowly release 550 mg of xylitol, which is most effective when continuously released and lingers in the mouth, especially when used while sleeping when saliva flow is lowest. XyliMelts last for hours, moisturizing and coating the mouth for optimal comfort. The mild mint flavor freshens your breath and the xylitol may reduce the risk of tooth decay."Quote from Oracoat

I have a similar problem with my ResMed FFM I wake up with my tongue glued to my mouth. I have the humidifier set to auto and when I increase the setting manually I end up with water bubbling in the tube. Then I get up go to the bathroom drink water and cannot go back to sleep. Very Annoying!!

It's comforting to know that I'm not alone ... but that doesn't solve dry mouth problem. I have tried Biotene Gel and Biotene Spray ... both of them work in short term, but don't last through the night. Interesting that someone mentioned that the dry mouth was better with a lower air flow ... I know we're not supposed to adjust the machines ourselves, but I have done it on occasion over the 20 + years I have used CPAP. Thinking back, I had less problem dry mouth before I had machine adjusted for new Dreamwear mask ... which didn't work out. Switched back to old full face mask, but left the machine where the technician set it ... now I think I will try changing that setting back. Don't tell on me, please!

Yes ... I have ResMed AirSense 10 ... using Quatro Full Face Mask. And I do have heated hose ... before that, I would wake up in the middle of the night from the noise of water in the hose ...

Guess I should invest (timewise) in Sleepyhead ... I'm almost afraid, because I tend to be OCD. Bought a fitbit last week, thinking that the data would be usefull ... what I found out is that I became fixated on keeping track of everything ... and I hated the constant reminders during the day ..."Only 124 steps to the next level" text messages. I don't need to be encouraged to be active ... being active has become an addiction that drives my daily life. It's acceptable, and it keeps me true and healthy ... hasn't replaced my food addiction, but helps to burn the calories I consume instead of blowing up like a balloon.

Have a great weekend, everyone.

Hey, tbachCPAP thanks for Fitbit comment. I was looking for a bracelet to give me more info (too many brands)! I really need a bracelet that has an ALARM and major electro shocking capability when any SUGAR is headed toward my mouth! (LOL) Have not found one.

My research shows lots of bad reviews on many bracelet brands. They seem to list many "seductive" measurements that don't work well or not at all. I'm leaning toward a $49 Kogan from Australia, used by someone on our Forum, if I even try a bracelet. (Anybody else using?)

Go to: "Could it be sleep apnea?" on this Forum for details on what I've ordered. It's a ring device for $65.

I also use XyliMelts and they work great. I only need one tab, which coats my mouth all night. Otherwise my whole mouth turns to cotton. Since I use only one, my daily cost is $.25.

I am using nasal pillows.

i use a full face mask and had the same problem. my daughter is a dental hygienest and recommended xylimelts. they help some but the best thing is a chin strap. keeps my mouth closed all night, no more dry mouth. dry mouth is NOT a good thing for your teeth

I've struggled with dry mouth forever. Awhile back I saw a post (I think it was here) that recommended Ayr gel for the nose. Wasn't sure how that was going to help, but I was willing to try anything. Lo & behold it helped. I then put a small room humidifier in my room as well. I still wake up dry, but not nearly so bad & I make it all the way through a lot more often than before. Don't know if it will help anyone else, but it is helping me.

Well ... this is the end of March, and I am still fighting a loosing battle with dry mouth. I have tried the mouthwash, the spray, and even the xylimelt things (although I had to settle for Act xylitol lozenges ... can't find xylimelt in my area). Read somewhere that antacids can lead to dry mouth, so I quit those ... which isn't a bad thing for the most part.

Last night I went to bed with a couple of xylitol mint chips in my mouth, and it was fine until around 3:00am, and then I awoke with that tongue glued to the roof of my mouth thing again! Wondering if decreasing saliva production during the middle of the night is a sign of something else? I take a lot of supplements, but the only medication that I take on a regular basis at this point is metformin due to my pre-diabetic status.

My mask seems to be working well, and my humidifier has not run out of water. Hoping the problem will right itself soon. It's not a good feeling, and I would like to be over it.

I have always been a mouth breather and have been trying to teach myself to be a nose breather. A friend who is all about proper breathing which I never learned myself or taught my own children, told me to just practice throughout the day placing the tip of my tongue on the roof of my mouth. It did not take many weeks to train myself by first consciously placing the tip of my tongue in the roof of my mouth to move to automatically finding my tongue resting on the roof of my mouth. I prefer the nasal pillow mask. However, being a mouth breather has always been an issue. I have tried various chin straps and mouth tape. I would always wake up with my mouth so dry as you describe. I have noticed over the last few weeks that I am not having the try mouth and I think it is because I have taught myself to be a nose breather and keep my mouth shut. No harm in trying it.

Thanks for telling me about your experience. Everything helps - especially when you think you're at wit's end.