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Using humidifier but still getting dry throat/mouth

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SleepyMommy703 +1 point · over 6 years ago Original Poster Sleep Commentator

I have recently returned to using my CPAP, and I probably will be back with many more questions, but this one has me baffled right now so hopefully someone can help. I had a Resmed S9 and it was having issues including the humidifier not seeming to work. So I got a brand new machine the other day (the 10) and it's definitely using the water because the water chamber is almost empty in the morning but my throat and mouth are super dry several times a night. I have a nasal mask, but I also use a chin strap to keep my mouth closed. I really don't think my mouth is actually opening because in the past that would always wake me up and my lips aren't drying out at all.

What seems to be happening is that while my lips are staying closed my jaw is still dropping enough for the air to flow from my nose through my mouth without actually leaking. My chin strap already has to be rather uncomfortably tight to be very effective, any tighter and I doubt I could tolerate it.

At first I thought I should bump up the humidifier but last night I changed it from 5 to 6 and I woke up with a tube full of noisy water droplets.

Any thoughts on what I can do to prevent this from happening?

Thanks! Heather

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pattyloof +0 points · over 6 years ago

I need a lot of humidity too, and one thing which helped with the water issue is to increase the temperature in your tube (if you have heated tubing). If your room is very cool, without the heating you'll start getting condensation inside the tube. Try increasing the temperature one degree at a time and see if that helps.

Patty

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SleepyMommy703 +0 points · over 6 years ago Original Poster Sleep Commentator

I don't have heated tubing, but maybe I should look into it when I get my next set of supplies. I skipped it the first time they asked because honestly I don't like the idea of warm air coming at me. I tend to always be rather hot so I thought that would just make it worse. But if it helps me get enough moisture without causing the tube to fill with water I guess it's worth a try.

Thanks!

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pattyloof +0 points · over 6 years ago

It doesn't have to be hot, but the tubing can be set at the temperature you want. It's a nice way to control the humidity in the tubing.

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yawningjoe58 +0 points · almost 6 years ago

try the heated tubing it worked for me , increase it by one digit a time and you will find the setting that works for you, sleep well my friend.

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KerriG +0 points · almost 2 years ago

Does anyone know if the Fisher and p sleep style can have the tube temperature increased decreased? I need a lot of humidity but the tube is so warm it feels stifling. The res med was at 6 and I gotrain out bu a great sleep until it poured on me.

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Sizewell +0 points · over 6 years ago

I used to wake up with very dry mouth, but then I was given a heated tube to go with my Resmed 10 and it certainly has helped quite a bit. I also used a nasal mask. My mouth is sometimes a little dry but nowhere near as bad as what it used to be. I have both the humidifier and heated tube on auto setting and I have not noticed any difference between not having the heated tube and having the heated tube in regards to hot air. I was also given a chin strap which certainly reduced quite significantly the leaks registered on the machine that I was having with sleeping with my mouth open.

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wiredgeorge +0 points · over 6 years ago Sleep Enthusiast

My experience has been that dry mouth and a lot of water being used points to your mouth opening a bit and air escaping that way. There are numerous ways that folks have found to keep this from happening; as has been pointed out, the strap, tape (ouch) and I use a mouth guard. All these mitigate mask leak which is really mouth leak. My pressure is set 21/25 and I have the humidity on 2 and a tank lasts 3-4 days (UNLESS I HAVE MOUTH LEAKS) and these will use the water in a single night.

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pattyloof +1 point · over 6 years ago

A chin strap has really helped me. Making sure I'm hydrated helps too. I rarely have dry mouth anymore.

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InventiveRedNewt9242 +0 points · over 6 years ago

My therapist recommended to increase the humidity level. If that doesn't work, consider additional humidifier next to your bedside.

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Hughes1963 +0 points · over 6 years ago

SleepyMommy703, any updates? Just curious being that I'm having the same issues. I just purchased the climate hose so I'll let you know if it worked for me.

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SleepyMommy703 +0 points · over 6 years ago Original Poster Sleep Commentator

How did it work out? My doctor's office just ordered the heated hose so I have yet to give it a try. The dentist also gave me Biotene at my cleaning last week but I haven't used that yet either. I don't anticipate that is going to make any difference as I'm making saliva I'm just getting dried out by the air flow.

I can't quite figure out why some nights it's really bad and others not as much. Maybe it's partially my position. Same goes for leaks though. Some nights I have a perfect 20/20 score for leaks and others I drop to 11 but I do the same thing each night. So frustrating.

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AffectionateSpringGreenCheetah8414 +0 points · over 6 years ago

Hi Hugh, how is your experience with your heated tube? thanks

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BigBadJohn4576 +0 points · over 6 years ago

I wake up after 2 hours and have to peel my lips from my teeth and gums. I have actually ripped skin off doing that. I sip water now, but still wake up the same way. Is there a humidifier that you can hook up with any machine? It did work back a few years ago. It is to the point now when sometimes I don't even put it on and most times leave it off after the first wake up.

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jengib +0 points · over 5 years ago

I'm the same. If the pain from my dry mouth doesn't wake me up by 2 hours, my humidifier will be bone dry & my lips are stuck to my teeth. My tongue feels like I've been licking cactus. I have a heated hose & I use biotene as well as a mouth wash. I have tried a chin strap - it was not help either. None of it works. I am at a complete loss & getting desperate. Any other recommendations would be gratefully accepted.

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sleeptech +0 points · over 6 years ago Sleep Enthusiast

SleepMommy703, the air always flows from your nose through your mouth as the 2 are joined and the join doesn't close (barring horrible injury), so I doubt that is the cause of your woes. You mentioned that when you turn up you get noisy condensation, which in the business we call rain out. Do you have a heated tube? If so, try turning up the tube heating level also. Also, you can try tucking the hose under the covers with you to keep it warm and thus prevent rain out. Another good trick is to wrap it in a scarf for insulation. You can buy CPAP tubing insulators, but they work no better than a scarf and are expensive, so I wouldn't bother. Have you considered trying a full face mask to see if this reduced your dry mouth? If you don't like the bulk of them, the Amara View works very well for most people and is much smaller the average full face mask.

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GregariousMagentaRoseCaterpillar4081 +0 points · over 6 years ago

Not only do you have to keep your mouth fully closed, your tongue needs to be on the roof of your mouth. If not air gets into your mouth.

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snuffie3456 +0 points · over 6 years ago

Hi Sleepymommy-I'm a sleepy mommy too! As it happens, I have a bite splint. When I first started to use my CPAP, I chose NOT to wear my bite splint for fear of adding too many factors.
But over the weekend I started using it again and WOW! No dry mouth or throat. None at all. I think the bite splint closes the remaining space in my mouth so that there is no place for air to travel. Even if you don't use an orthodontic appliance, WiredGeorge mentioned using a mouth guard. You can pick one of those up at a sporting goods store.

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SleepyMommy703 +0 points · over 6 years ago Original Poster Sleep Commentator

Hmm. I am supposed to wear retainers at night but haven't in a while. I wonder if that would be enough to fill up the space. I'll go ahead and give it a try.

Thanks!

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snuffie3456 +0 points · over 6 years ago

That sounds perfect. I have an upper bite splint and a lower retainer. Mine still fit because I had braces as an adult, and don't want to get old lady teeth as I age (my orthodontist warned me about that). I'd love to know if this works for you-not sure if my situation is simply a fluke. I've been trying to avoid using the humidifier because it just adds a layer of complication that I don't want. It also makes the Resmed significantly smaller.

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wiredgeorge +0 points · over 6 years ago Sleep Enthusiast

I had previously mentioned I used a mouthgaurd purchased from amazon.com. This type mouthguard is known as a boil and bite type. You put it in boiling water for 10 seconds then bite down on it to form impressions of your bite. Problem is, I ruined 3 of the 4 I had purchased as they turned into blobs from being in the was too long (obviously). I bought a new type boil and bite from eBay that doesn't require boiling; only very hot water and is much less prone to melting. Seems to be superior material:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dental-Mouth-Guard-for-Teeth-Grinding-Bruxism-TMJ-Stop-Teeth-Clenching/201563786660?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

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SleepyMommy703 +0 points · over 6 years ago Original Poster Sleep Commentator

Thanks. I'm going to see if my retainers work at all. I have to get them adjusted to fit again, but it would seem likely between that and the chin strap it should help close the gaps and keep my tongue from falling away from the roof of my mouth.

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drgene5105 +0 points · over 6 years ago

I have to use a chin strap, if I don't I get incredible "dry mouth" and that can lead to rapid tooth decay and dental problems.

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madjack +0 points · over 6 years ago

I have large mouth leakage, rarely exceeding a 5 on myair...this lead to bad dryness, it could be alleviated(somewhat) by turning the humidity up(have heated hose as well). However, this was more humidity than I wanted...got a chin strap, turned humidity to 2 and heat to 80 and got moisturizing lozenges by ACT...usually, I awake after 5hrs sleep to use the facilities and pop a lozenge at that time...this has solved most of my dry mouth and even helped with mouth leakage since everything is staying lubricated...I also wear dentures which I remove at night causing me to work at "training" my tongue to stay glued to my palate...these things have allowed me to achieve around 15 on myair and sometimes a 20 (wahoo).............. madjack

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sleeptech +0 points · over 6 years ago Sleep Enthusiast

Kudos on your persistence and good result Madjack.

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wiredgeorge +0 points · over 6 years ago Sleep Enthusiast

A much better product is Xylimelts. You put two of these; one on each side to the rear between gum and cheek and they actually are like mints and last all night and are much more effective than ACT products. They are also expensive like ACT products but better bang for your buck.

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PioneeringEmeraldSquid8075 +0 points · almost 6 years ago

CVS makes a generic product like Xylimelts which often go on sale 30% off all house brands or BOGO, for much kinder pricing.

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KerriG +0 points · almost 2 years ago

Thanks for your help. I've been on cpap since Tuesday, May, 5 and I have horrendous dry mouth. I can't nose breathe due to my bone disorder so I use the Phillips full face mask and I also have dentures which I remove every night. I do us hated tubing and heated humidifier but the dryness is making me want to quit and continue using my tracheostomy for sleep apnea.

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Sierra +0 points · almost 2 years ago Sleep Patron

Does the humidifier seem to be working? You can get a good idea based on how much water gets used over the night. On a 8 hour sleep I pretty much empty my humidifier reservoir.

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AnxiousBruce +0 points · almost 6 years ago

Just to be clear. If you raise the temp AND the humidity it should reduce the sore throat? As a recent user of CPAP, I find the air hot and b/c of claustrophobic feelings. So, I lowered the temp. Ill try increasing humidity, and hope it won't result in "rain out",which sounds bad. Thanks for past posts, and any replies I might get. Haven't slept much, or well, in a 6 weeks

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sleeptech +0 points · almost 6 years ago Sleep Enthusiast

If your sore throat is being caused by dryness, then increasing the humidity should reduce the soreness. Turning up the temperature of your heated tube will prevent rain out (condensation inside the mask and tube). So, if you are dry/sore increase humidity. If you are getting rain out then increase the tube temp.

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KerriG +0 points · almost 2 years ago

The humidifier seems to be working well as most of the water is gone. the funny thing is that I switched to an air sense ten from the fisher and P Sleep style and this humidifier is heated but does not have heated tubing. Though I had rain out, no more dry throat. I must be rally warped or something.

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Sierra +0 points · almost 2 years ago Sleep Patron

I think the secret is to get the humidity as high as possible without causing rainout. The ResMed AirSense 10 has an automatic humidity control setting that does this, but it requires the heated hose to make it work. It works well for me. The heated hose can be bought as an option and costs in the range of $35 or so.

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