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Sooo dry...help

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Thealien2 +0 points · over 6 years ago Original Poster

So I just started back trying to use my APAP machine after years of non compliance. The new machine is the ResMed Airsense 10 and is so much quieter than the old machine from 2008. But the problem I have is the excessive dryness that I never had in the past. I have tried to adjust the heated hose various temps to finally just turning it off, and also the humidity settings from low to high. Not just mouth dryness but horrible down the throat deep and then so difficult to swallow. It basically wakes me up and last night with the hose off heat and humidity set to 5 it woke me up sputtering water in my face. I really want this to work, as. I was just treated for AFIB and had a cardiac ablation two weeks ago and for obvious reasons if my apnea is under control one hopes the AFIB will no return. If anyone has tips for this excessive dryness let me know, I have tired the Biotene gel but yuk, and also it only works on the mouth not down the to the base of the throat. I have tried 4 masks, the Amera view which covers the mouth since I assume my mouths drops open, and then various others ones that are just for the nose and then have to use the chin strap.
Any tips or tricks would be welcome.

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snuffie3456 +0 points · over 6 years ago

I wear a bite splint and retainer at night, which really makes all the difference for me. I've seen posts from others that they use an over the counter "boil and bite" mouthguard for the same purpose. (You can get them at sporting goods stores.) I think it works by closing the space in your mouth, allowing less air to blow around.

FYI I use the Airsense 10 with 8 mm H2O pressure and NO humidity. I have the P10 nasal pillows.

PS Love your user name. I'm glad to find someone else cracking jokes about the ugliness of this thing!

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Thealien2 -1 point · over 6 years ago Original Poster

So your. Bite. Splint and retainer. You must have had make to spec by your dentist then???? I am going to try my P10 nasal pillows tonight instead of the full mouth Amera view, and maybe I should try to turn off the humidity and the heat on the hose...

Funny story I posted a pick of the Alien on a persons face from the movie and said that was how I felt, and a few folks thought that was my mask. I mean it was not the actual once from the move but a replica. LOL.

Thanks for the tips. My doc says it is harder for women to adapt, and I guess I believe him as this is my 3rd time to give it a try but I have more incentive this time to keep the AFIB at bay,,,,

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snuffie3456 -1 point · over 6 years ago

The bite splint and retainer are pre-OSA. I discovered they help prevent mouth dryness by accident. I tend to clench my teeth in my sleep, so at least I don't have to deal with the open mouth issue. These are NOT appliances that thrust your jaw forward. My orthodontist told me she would disown me if I tried one of those.

The no-humidity thing is pure laziness on my part-I don't want to deal with distilled water, cleaning out the chamber or the hose. When I wake up in the morning it all gets stuffed into a basket under my bedside table. I had a week or so of dryness issues, but then I think my body accommodated to it. I'm not sure I recommend going without the humidified air to solve your problem. I was more stating that I found a solution DESPITE not using the humidifier.

That said, I did purchase a hose cover, which is my favorite thing ever. It eliminated that annoying zippy sound every time you move around in bed. The hose cover might allow you to use the humidifier without the heated hose...? My understanding is that their purpose is to prevent rain out.

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