Waking up with dry mouth...

I have the problem of taking off my CPap while I'm asleep. I don't know that I'm doing it ! Then I guess I snore even louder !! I don't know how I should fix this, or even if I can. Thanks for any suggestions ! 😜

2Sleepy - I have always tried to encourage new hoseheads to give yourself 4-6 weeks to get used to the machine and mask. I commend you on your determination to make it work. The reason I say 4-6 weeks is because that time frame is how long it takes your brain to get used to the idea of going to sleep with a foreign object strapped to your face. Keep it up and I know your daytime sleepiness will improve - although it might happen so slowly you don't easily see it happening. It's the old boiling frog analogy. Turn up the heat quickly and the frog jumps out. Increase the heat slowly and he doesn't notice the change of temp; therefore he boils. :D

I've done that too Joanie. I've found the entire contraption on the floor some mornings. Not the machine of course. My dog sleeps on the floor on my side and some nights he gets tangled in the hose and he pulls the mask off my face and I'm still sleeping. Sounds so silly but it's annoying. And I try so hard to keep the hose up to keep him away from it. I was told to have someone tie my hands together to make it hard to take the mask off while sleeping. Now that sounds like an extreme measure. I'm hoping someone here has a better suggestion. Scott?

Unfortunately I haven't a better solution because that is comparable to any proposed solution I have received from from my medical professionals also. arrrgh....

Pat,

This might work:

http://www.cpap.com/productpage/HoseBuddy-CPAP-Hose-Suspension-System.html

It's marketed to keep rain-out from happening (water dripping on your face inside the mask), but it would definitely work for keeping the hose away from your dog.

Scott

Pat, to keep the hose on the bed, and off the floor, I am using a velcro loop, pinned to my sheet. The velcro loop is something that I buy at an office supply store to secure computer wires. The pack comes with 4 of 5 brightly colored velcro strips that can loop around whatever. I was run the long tube through the velcro loop, then secure it to my bedding with a safety pin. I do not have a dog on the floor getting tangled in tubing, but the pull of the tubing when it fell off my bed was enough to pull my headgear out of alignment.

I think I have also seen a gadget for keeping the tube at the head of the bed. I don't remember where I saw it, because this is all new to me. I probably found it through a google search of CPAP supplies.

Good luck to you and your pup.

Sleepy Scott,

I am now at 5 weeks and I still have new nightly adventures.

An acquaintance had told me to plan on it taking at least 4 weeks to adjust. That was pretty good advice, because other friends have basically said, "Good luck with that. Didn't work for me."

I think my mental clarity may be improving. I seem to have gotten my sense of humor back. Now, I can start working on getting up and dressed before 2PM. Then I will be in tip-top shape.

Thanks for your tips and encouragement.

2Sleepy a.k.a. Janet

2Sleepy, It is a pain to have to take off the mask to drink when your mouth is almost glued together from dryness. I totally get what you are saying. Congratulations on your 30 day victory....it only takes 21 to make a habit and you are passed that point! I think you will find that you will feel better and better. I had to go through a process of finding the right mask for me in the beginning. I would not say that it is comfortable but I found that the least intrusive mask to get the job done became my friend. Keep on keeping on!

Thanks, Sherry. I am at 35 days. I think I am mentally clearer. I just got a CPAP pillow which is helping me keep my head in good alignment so the air goes to my lungs instead of my mouth. The pillow also has some cutouts on each side, which helps prevent the problem of knocking my headgear out of alignment as I turn side to side. It is a process, and I will keep on, keeping on.

Thank you all for your excellent suggestions. I better start reading up on all the gadgets out there that fix SA problems. I do appreciate everyone taking the time to respond.

I am recently diagnosed with sleep apnea and just received my machine through the assistance program. I am learning how to use my machine as well as my mask. I dont have a humidifier so dry mouth is a problem. I found XYLIMELTS at the local drug store.They work great for dry mouth. You can use them with your CPAP machine.

Hi Dory, Welcome to our world of masks, machines and hoses. You're doing the right thing by getting and using your CPAP machine. You will find out so much just reading the posts here on this forum. A ton of topics that give a lot of info. Do you think a humidifier is in your future? It's worth asking about. Never heard of XYLIMELTS but I'm going to look for this. Thank you for posting! Pat

Dory,

Welcome to the Hosehead club!!! I will look into xylimelts. Thanks for the suggestion.

Sleepy Scott

Dory,

Welcome to the club from one newbie to another.

I am doing OK on the dry mouth issue, but have never heard of xylimelts. Good to know. Wouldn't it be nice if there was some kind of a booklet about common problems and solutions?

Good luck.

2Sleepy

Thank you for welcoming me. I am starting on my 3rd week with my machine. I've adjusted to sleeping with the mask pretty well. I've always joked I could sleep anywhere. I feel more tired then I did before and found I will need a new mask fit. I just received a humidifier but I must be doing something wrong. It makes a gurgling sound and a lot of water was getting into my mask. I filled to just below the max line. Any idea?

2Sleepy, congrats on your progress. Regarding the water gurgling, is there a heater on your humidifier?

Yes, there is a heater but I unplugged it when water started going in the mask.

The only times I get that gurgling water is when I fill the tank too high with water and when I wash the hose and some water is still trapped in the line. It sounds like a bubbler is in my bed.

Dory H,

If I may make a suggestion, contact your physician's office and ask if you may decrease the temperature on the heater. This is a common fix for the rain out, but please check with your physician beforehand.

The only way I am able to get adequate moisture is for there to be "significant" 'rain out' in my tube or mask. I am starting to feel like a fish. However, I feel so much better and can breath so much easier it is worth whatever baptism I might get.

My issue is with the weather changing or when traveling... I am having a difficult time adjusting my ASV to maintain the necessary moisture to meet my demand for moisture.

I do the humidifier, saline spray, also expectorant and hydrate constantly... I am at war.

Anyone understand the physics of condensation to give me a tip or two?... Dry nose, mouth, throat and eyes are miserable. I'm hating i feel like i am going to suffocate... my lungs are feeling like they are coated with nearly dry flour paste. My lungs are doing a rain dance...

Anyone?