I just got a new full face mask because I was getting a dry mouth with the last one (A nasal mask). I am still waking up with a dry mouth. Do I need to adjust the humidifcation temp? I think it's on 2 or 3...I have a Remstar Pro  with C-Flex the mask is Respironics.



Last edited by VancouverHosehead on Sat Jan 14, 2006 3:50 pm; edited 2 times in total
_________________
CPAP has given me my life back!
~ Thankfuly, my wife thinks Darth Vader is sexy! ~

   I initially got congested and terrible dry mouth-turned my humidifier up and worked like a charm


_________________
EVERY SILVER LINING HAS A TOUCH OF GREY
-Grateful Dead

VancouverHosehead,

If Barb's suggestion doesn't work for you, there is a product out there sold by K-Mart in the Pharmacy section that might help.  It's called Oral Balance.  It's made by Biotene.  A tube of it costs around $7.00.  Hope that helps.


_________________
<>< Sleepy Scott <><
Job 7:13-15

Yeah, last night I turned the humidifier to 5, the highest setting and still no luck.

I'll check into your suggestion Scott.

Thanks



Last edited by VancouverHosehead on Sat Jan 14, 2006 3:01 pm; edited 1 time in total
_________________
CPAP has given me my life back!
~ Thankfuly, my wife thinks Darth Vader is sexy! ~

VancouverHosehead,

I haven't had to use it very much, but it does the job when i need it.


_________________
<>< Sleepy Scott <><
Job 7:13-15

VancouverHosehead,

I'm having the same dry mouth problem.  I'm on day 3,  I've got a Remstar Plus, and have a nasal mask.  Can you/anyone tell me how to adjust the humidification?  I'd like to try this before I trade in the mask.

Thanks

REMless,

I don't have any experience with that machine, but if your machine came with a manual, the manual should tell you how to change the humidifier settings.  I hate to say it, but RTFM.


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<>< Sleepy Scott <><
Job 7:13-15

First of all, with a nasal mask I don't think you'll solve the problem by turning up the humidistat because more than likely you are opening your mouth while sleeping. As I understand it this can also limit the effectiveness of your treatment, which is why I switched to a full face mask. Even if I breathe through my mouth I'll still be getting treatment if I understand it correctly. (One of the more experienced members can correct me if I am wrong).

On my machine I hold down the heater button until the display flashes, then adjust the temperature from 1 to 5 with the ramp button.

I am still waiting for my tritration study, so I hope to optimize my treatment after the results of that, but overall CPAP has been a great treatment option for me.


_________________
CPAP has given me my life back!
~ Thankfuly, my wife thinks Darth Vader is sexy! ~

A dry mouth usually means that your mouth pops open and lets out the air. This happens usually if your pressure is too high. Tell your doctor and maybe the can lower your pressure a bit.

   Vancouver you are correct about being a mouth breather and decreased effectiveness if a nasal pillow or mask is used. it makes sense-i see it all the time in the ICU where I work. Let me explain-MDs will order O2 by a nasal cannula for a patient. we continuously monitor O2 saturation. Some patients will drop down to <92% on a cannula when I visually see the pt 99% of the time these patients are mouth breathers and do much better with a face mask.their sats usually climb to 97-98% immediately and stay there.
I would love to try nasal pillows but I've always been a mouth breather;do notice since CPAP my mouth has been closed greater % of time.


_________________
EVERY SILVER LINING HAS A TOUCH OF GREY
-Grateful Dead

I downloaded the manual from the manufacturer's web site (I didn't get one when I picked it up from Apria) and figured out how to adjust the humiditiy.  I increased it from 2 to 4 and that seemed to make a difference last night.  IT WAS night 4 for me and I'm still waking up a lot (on the hour it seems) to moisture in the tube and what feels like excessive pressure.  My solution has been to adjust the mask, push the ramp button and go back to sleep.  I will reduce the humidity a little tonight and see if the dry mouth returns.

REMless wrote:

I downloaded the manual from the manufacturer's web site (I didn't get one when I picked it up from Apria) and figured out how to adjust the humiditiy.  I increased it from 2 to 4 and that seemed to make a difference last night.  IT WAS night 4 for me and I'm still waking up a lot (on the hour it seems) to moisture in the tube and what feels like excessive pressure.  My solution has been to adjust the mask, push the ramp button and go back to sleep.  I will reduce the humidity a little tonight and see if the dry mouth returns.

REMless,

Several things you might want to try to help this: 1) bump up the temperature in the room a bit.  It will cause less condensation because the temp outside the hose will be closer to the temp in the hose.  2) try putting the hose under the covers with you.  Your body heat could have the same effect as 1.  3) try the Aussie heated hose.

Keep posting and let us know which of these you've tried.  I personally don't have rain-out, but I've read a lot of posts in response to people that do.  I'm very interested to see what helps you.


_________________
<>< Sleepy Scott <><
Job 7:13-15

Thanks Sleepy Scott

I'll keep you posted.  I love this forum.  I've never posted to a website before.  It's SO reassurring to know that there is this supportive community out there so willing to help each other out.  I know I'll get there, it's just a matter of trial and error and persistence.  My wife is thrilled because she can now sleep in the same bed with me on a regular basis.

REMless wrote:

Thanks Sleepy Scott

I'll keep you posted.  I love this forum.  I've never posted to a website before.  It's SO reassurring to know that there is this supportive community out there so willing to help each other out.  I know I'll get there, it's just a matter of trial and error and persistence.  My wife is thrilled because she can now sleep in the same bed with me on a regular basis.

I totally agree. I love this place, it's been a wealth of information for me in getting used to my treatment.

Special thanks to Sleepy Scott who is very helpful to the posters here.


_________________
CPAP has given me my life back!
~ Thankfuly, my wife thinks Darth Vader is sexy! ~

VancouverHosehead wrote:

REMless wrote:

Thanks Sleepy Scott

I'll keep you posted.  I love this forum.  I've never posted to a website before.  It's SO reassurring to know that there is this supportive community out there so willing to help each other out.  I know I'll get there, it's just a matter of trial and error and persistence.  My wife is thrilled because she can now sleep in the same bed with me on a regular basis.

I totally agree. I love this place, it's been a wealth of information for me in getting used to my treatment.

Special thanks to Sleepy Scott who is very helpful to the posters here.

Honestly, I'm only trying to give back what has been given to me here.  I love all of you and just want to be an encouragement to those that are struggling with their modified leaf-blowers!


_________________
<>< Sleepy Scott <><
Job 7:13-15