Question:
CPAP machine causing dry mouth

Anyone on a CPAP machine find that they have an extremely dry mouth waking them up several times during the night post-op?    — impete (posted on January 7, 2003)

January 6, 2003
Give your doctor a call - you should be able to get a humidifier to attach to your C-PAP and help relieve the dry mouth.
   — Paula C.

January 6, 2003
Your Dr can get you a humidifier. My DH has one attached to his CPAP and it has made a world of difference.
   — salymsmommy

January 6, 2003
Probably what is happening is your mouth is open at night time. There is a stap that you can get that will help with this. My mom had the same problem and the strap did wonders.
   — Lana Rush

January 7, 2003
When I had my CPAP gear fitted, the tech was very clear to tell me that if I slept with my mouth open while I had the gear on (I would know this if I woke up with a dry mouth), it meant that I was not getting the proper benefit of the CPAP. Call your doctor or the medical equipment vendor to inquire about this...<BR><BR. Meanwhile, you can eagerly anticipate the time when you won't need the CPAP anymore. I quit needing mine at 4 months post-op, so hang in there! -Lori (06/20/02 308/217)
   — [Deactivated Member]

January 7, 2003
I'm goin' with the "You're sleeping with your mouth open" opinion. The chin strap they can give you is really helpful, but I would reccommend you ask for the large size since the smaller one is too tight on almost everybody. Good luck. AA
   — Amy A.

January 7, 2003
I would have to disagree with the open mouth theory and here's why...After surgery and about a 50 lb loss I would wake up with my mouth so dry it felt glued shut. I would have to use my tongue to separate my teeth from the inside of my mouth. My CPAP setting was at 11cm h2o. I then got an auto-titrating CPAP machine that changed the air flow as needed automatically. Dry mouth went away. You may need your pressure adjusted.
   — Pamela B.

January 7, 2003
I'm not sure it's sleeping with the mouth open either. I was able to adjust to the CPAP right from the start, but I do know if I open my mouth once I have it on, I am very uncomfortable. Don't know where you live, but I'd try the humidifier. I got one and it helped quite a bit.
   — garw

January 7, 2003
Yep, I agree with all the others, your mouth is open. I have to use a chin strap. Now as for the humifier, I use mine because I don't like cold dry air going up my nose.
   — TLLessor

January 7, 2003
Hi, I am 11 weeks post op. I have lost 70 lbs. My machine is set at 13, and yes, I still use it, but the dry mouth is something new since surgery. I am making an appt with my sleep specialist to see about a lower setting, or perhaps a humidifier. My husband hasn't been able to use his at all since his surgery in Nov. His setting is very low (8), so we're not too worried about him. If you should find anything new out, please post your information. Have a great day.
   — Martha P.

January 8, 2003
This one is too funny!!! My poor husband has put on about 25 pounds since we were married (2 years ago) and since my surgery (4 months ago). He now snores louder than me. I've been unable to use my cpap since about a month after surgery when I dropped 42 pounds in 30 days (due to gallbladder complications). I go without the machine now and pray I'll be okay until the rest of the weight comes off. That dry mouth and having to use your tongue to cut it open again is awful! But my lovely husband tells me I don't snore so either I don't now or he's so loud he covers me. Fortunately, we have a machine that we may need to get adjusted for him --- just kidding.....I would gladly let him snore in my ear for the rest of my life for all he's done for me.........
   — Nell C.

March 31, 2005
I had the same problem, but wanted so bad to use it. i ask my mother what she thought and gave me the best idea in the world. the product is called ORAJEL DRY MOUTH MOISTURIZING GEL. Just use the gel and apply it all through your mouth before sleeping with the cpap machine and it helps alot. i sleep longer. i sometime need to use it 2 through the night but it was a life saver. i hope this helps
   — GODROCKS

May 8, 2005
I HAD SO MUCH TROUBLE WITH DRY MOUTH WHILE USING MY CPAP MACHINE - HOWEVER THAT WAS UNTIL I FOUND A PRODUCT PUT OUT BY ORAJEL CALL ORAJEL DRY MOUTH MOISTURIZING GEL - JUST USE A SMALL AMOUNT BEFORE GOING TO SLEEP AND IT HELPS YOU SLEEP THROUGH THE NIGHT LONGER - BEFORE I WOULD WAKE UP IN MY SLEEP RIGHT AFTER I FELL ASLEEP AND TOOK OFF THE MASK WITHOUT EVEN KNOWING IT. NOW I SLEEP FOR HOURS. IF I NEED MORE I JUST SIMPLE WAKE UP AND PUT MORE ON MY TONGUE AND AROUNF MY MOUTH AND GO RIGHT BACK TO SLEEP PLUS IT DOES NOT TASTE BAD! PLEASE FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME ABOUT IT AT [email protected]
   — GODROCKS

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