Severe Dry mouth.

Well I gave CPAP a real shot, but unfortunately just couldn't stay with it. It seems I breath through my mouth to the point that wearing and using the CPAP mask results in my waking up about an hour or two into my sleep with such a dry mouth that I almost can't swallow. I have tried the dry mouth sprays, the chin strap etc. all to no avail. It seems that this is a very real problem with these machines but unfortunately no one has come up with a real solution. And yes I had the machine with the humidifier and tried adjusting it all to no avail. Anyone have any ideas or recommendations?............Thanks, Tommy

I use a narrow ACE bandage as a chin strap.Works for me.

I found the only way I can keep my mouth closed and not get dry mouth and get good therapy , it to use a "boil and bite" mouth guard and a 4" Cervicle coller under my chin .

I use the Xylimelts tabs. Since I use the FP oral mask, the Oracle...I really needed help with dry mouth. I use two of the tabs in my mouth every night. You place them between my lips and teeth. They adhere after a minute or so. I found them at Amazon, but they can also be found online at Walgreens and perhaps other places. Grayghost4...I also use the soft cervical collar instead of a chin strap.

I use OraMoist Patches for dry mouth. They are available through Amazon. They are very good and work for me all night. Usually use 2 or 3.

Hi Tommy. You mentioned trying sprays and a chin strap. Have you tried a full face mask that covers your nose and mouth? Sometimes using a nasal mask allows the humidified air to enter your airway, but the opening of the mouth and the air rushing out causes the dryness in your mouth and throat. With a full face mask, you can breath through either your nose or mouth. I only ask because I did not see you mention your mask type, and I have worked with many patients where the full face mask (along with humidification) has solved this problem. Best wishes!

As Dan mentions, if you are not using a full face mask give it a go. I only get a really dry mouth which is only sometimes when I use nasal and my nose blocks up. If I use the full face, dry mouth can still occur but is mild compared to the nasal version.

All my attempts to use chin straps etc just didn't work but the full face mask did the trick.

I have found you have to try different masks too to get one that does what you want. It can be costly but it is worth it to try alternative masks if you can figure out the one that works best.

Get a cpap with a humidifier. I have the ResMed S9 that includes a humidifier. I would recommend the heated tubing with it if you get it. Turn the humidifier wide open. I occasionally have a dry mouth when I wake up, I just keep a bottle of water by my bed. It's a small sacrifice for the rest I get from using the machine.

Also, of you have a nose mask butnyou breathe through you mouth, your cpap isn't doing anything for you. If you're a mouth breather, you need a full face masks