Mouth Breathing

I posted this over at the men's forum but thought it might be smart to try here as well. I've been on my cpap (moderate sleep apnea) for two weeks now. I've seen some overall benefit but worry about what I see described as mouth breathing is impacting that issue. I wake up with a desert, dry mouth 2-3 times per night. It doesn't seem as if my mouth is actually flopping open, it just appears that my lips open up and the air leaks out that way. A chin strap is suggested for the problem but I don't believe it would help based on what I just described. What's worse is that my pressure isn't even that high (10cm). Any suggestions from you "experienced" cpap users?? solman

Same problems for me. Chin strap didn't work. I'm being sent a full face mask and hope that will help. I'll let you all know how it goes after I get it. Even if I am mouth breathing, my sleep apnea has really improved: no headaches, no sleepiness or tiredness. Donna

I occasionally have that problem also. Contact the company you got it from see if they don't have some suggestions for you. I usually wake up in middle night, and take it off, but I'm post op too. There are nights like that I get frustrated, but I tell you what, I feel so much better when I sleep with it on. Do you sleep on your back or side? I find that havign to sleep on my back makes it worse.

i had a problem with clogged sinuses so they gave me a mask that covers the nose and the mouth so i could breath with both and it doesn't matter. this mask is much more easier to breathe naturally with. see if you can borrow masks from your clinic then order the best one, that's what they let me do because my insurance hates giving me new masks all the time.

Hi, I had the same problem. Tried the chin strap but uncomfortable. The full mask didn't work much better. I tried every single mask they sleep center has. Nothing worked. I had to get a mandibular device which is a dental device. It clamps over the top and bottom teeth. Not as effective as the CPAP but still helps. It gets adjusted like a retainer. It pushes the jaw out just enough to stay open.