Question:
I wear a c-pap mask, and get extremely dry in my mouth at night. I never had
this problem pro-op. (My sleep mask has a humidifier on it that I use also). Anyway, I get Sooo dry that my mouth is totally parched. I sometimes wake up 2-3 times just to drink water to moisten my mouth (usually 25 oz all night)and when I wake up, I feel I have to wait 10-15 minutes before getting up to drink 25 oz before getting out of bed. Anyway, does this lst 25 oz (before getting out of bed)count towards all of the fluids I'm supposed to drink all day? I sometimes feel like a baby at night filling up my 2 bottles to take to bed, but know this is what I have to do. Any/all info would be greatly appreciated. You all are fantastic and I love printing off all of the questions and learning from Q&A board. — bufordslipstick (posted on April 20, 2004)
April 20, 2004
I take it your cpap does not have a resevoir? The one they replaced my old
one did, and usually can be filled with distilled water. If not, I used to
place a spong in a shallow bowl, filled with water, near the back of the
machine, where the air intake is located. That seemed to help a bit also.
If your machine is old, perhaps they would consider trading it in for a
newer model. If all else fails, I would wet down my sponge filter, and
leave it damp, and the air passing through it would be taking in some of
the excess water vapor, just a thought?
— track
April 20, 2004
I am on my 2nd machine. I've had sleep apnea for over 12 yrs. This new
machine does have a container that I keep filled w/distilled water. I STILL
now am completely dryed out to the extent that my mouth (when I awake in
the night and in am) feels like sandpaper. I just wonder if the water taht
I drink upon waking should be counted towards fluid intake for the day or
not. Thanks for your help!!
— bufordslipstick
April 20, 2004
I think you can get a chin strap that will keep your mouth closed while you
sleep. I believe this helps the dry mouth problem if your humidifier isn't
doing the trick.
— mom2jtx3
April 20, 2004
I worked in a sleep lab for 13 years. The main cause of the "dry
mouth" complaint is opening your mouth. The air from the cpap goes
right out your mouth and does not give you the pressure you were RX. Since
you have a humidifier already, the cause is probably mouthbreathing. It
can also cause you to choke and wake up during the night. A chinstrap
might help but I'd recommend having your pressure setting rechecked. The
weight you've lost may already be making a difference in the amount of
pressure you need. Too high a pressure can cause a patient to start
opening their mouth (if you weren't before). Good luck.
— LLinderman
April 20, 2004
have u also noticed excess gas during the night or when you wake up? I
started getting really dry mouthed and had a lot of gas, and realized it
was time to put my machine to rest, I no longer had sleep apnea, or at
least didn't need such a high setting. I stopped using it and have been
fine since. You'll want to check with your doc before you stop using it
of course.
— thekatinthehat
April 21, 2004
Answer to the fluids - anything into your body counts as part of your
fluids. I was on a Cpap 6 weeks pre-surgery and kept trying to use it
post-surgery, but had the same problem you are describing. I finally sent
the machine back. I am now down 53.5 pounds and am sleeping great without
it and no day fatigue. But, you will want to clear such an action with
your doctor to see if they wish to retest you to see if you still need the
machine or need the settings adjusted. My machine also had the reservoir
and I had it set at the highest setting too. Sandra
— Arizona_Sun
April 21, 2004
I am a registered sleep technologist. I agree with everyone else regarding
your dry mouth. May need to check your pressure, due to weight loss you
may not need such high pressure. A chin strap will also help. As far as
the water I would think you could count it for the days amount. Good luck
— tammie R.
April 21, 2004
Rebecca...I have been having a really dry mouth since my surgery. It's
especially bad during the night. I never had that problem before my
surgery although I would always take a drink of water whenever I got up to
go to the bathroom in the night.
As for your question...I always put a fresh 24 ounce bottle of water beside
my bed when I turn in for the night sometime between midnight and 1 a.m. I
count the water I drink from that point on until the same time the next
night...24 hours...as part of my fluids. There's no way I can get 64 oz
down in my waking hours from 6 a.m. to midnight. It takes me (usually) the
full 24 hours to get in the 64 oz.
Hopes this helps...Kathy
— Katherine F.
April 21, 2004
I agree with Tammie. Your pressure setting may need to be changed. Mine
did. I was able to get a CPAP that automatically changed the pressure to
fit my breathing needs. I justified it to my insurance by pointing out how
often they would be paying for sleep studies as aI lost weight. I got the
new CPAP right away.
— Pamela B.
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