Question:
CPAP USERS!!!!

Ever since surgery every night I was up several times and my mouth is BONE dry, I mean nothing in it! It is terrible! I try and drink water all day & it never did this prior to my surgery 3 weeks ago. Could it be from ketosis? Anyone else heard of this, if so please help!    — Saxbyd (posted on October 16, 2003)

October 16, 2003
Just a suggestion ... you might see if a humidifier could be added to your CPAP. Mine has a tiny one at its base. Really helps the nasal passages and throat stay moist. I'm pre-op ... but thought this might be worth mentioning. My CPAP is at 14 and it was awful without the humidifier.
   — [Deactivated Member]

October 16, 2003
I have the exact same problem, I keep a bottle of water by the bed and several times through the night I wake up and swish some. My entire mouth is so dry it is like it's glued together. Irritating to be sure. I slept a couple of nights without my C-Pap just to see if I could go without it, and my mouth still got very dry (not quite as much). (And I learned that I needed the C-pap, dangit). I'm drinking 90-125oz of fluid a day, so I don't know what the answer is either. I do seem to stay constantly thirsty since surgery, but nights are ridiculous! Wish I had an answer, you're not alone though! If you figure out something that helps, let me know! Open RNY 5/7/03 -118lbs
   — Sungurl B.

October 16, 2003
Thanks for the input, My CPAP is set on 15 so I have had a heated humidifire since day 1, unfortunatly that doesn't seem to make a difference. I really am at a loss on this one!
   — Saxbyd

October 16, 2003
This happened to me...I also noticed that I had excess gas when throughout the night. Finally, I realized it was because I didn't need my machine anymore. There was so much air going into me that it was escaping through my mouth (and other choice areas)...I would never recommend going without your cpap machine, but this was what my prob was and how I fixed it....Finally CPAP free and loving it.
   — thekatinthehat

October 16, 2003
I'm going through similar symptoms. My rny was 10/6/03 and my CPAP is 14. I was given a chin strap with my CPAP to assist with keeping my mouth closed at night. When your mouth opens, all the forced air goes out your mouth, which causes a trememdously dry mouth problem. I've been fighting my CPAP ever since I returned from the hospital. I get the sense that the pressure may need to be reduced. I'm calling my doctor this afternoon. Unfortunately, it will probably mean another sleep session to get it adjusted correctly.
   — rleffler

October 16, 2003
I'm also having the same problem, and I also have a humidifier already. I don't think I could go without it yet, but I'm also checking into getting the pressure reduced.
   — lstone86

October 17, 2003
It could be a lot of things. Do you have seasonal allergies that block your nose? That could mean you're mouth breathing, which dries out the mouth. It could also mean that you've lost enough weight, even in 3 weeks, that your pressure setting needs to be lowered. Are you sleeping prone or sitting up? I found that for the first few weeks after surgery when I was sleeping in a chair that my apnea wasn't as bad and I had to lower the setting; once I was lying flat again I raised it back up.
   — Celia A.

October 17, 2003
My surgeon had me go off my CPAP after sugery. My setting was low 7 so I didn't have much problem going off it. I did continue to snore for about 3 weeks after surgery, then it stopped. Check with your doctor and see if you need another sleep study. My sleep apena was weight related. Just an after thought. Do you use an allergy nasal spray or other allergy medications. I use a nasal spray and it dries the mouth out really bad. I only use it as needed now. Other allergy medications with antihistimes will also dry you up. Don't stop any, without checking with your doctor.
   — june22

October 19, 2003
Thanks everyone, I am glad to know I am not the only one.....lol I used to have it set at 12 but we upped it to 15 before surgery because I felt like I slept better. I guess I will call and see if he wants to turn it back down!!! Down 35 lbs!!!! YAAAAAY!
   — Saxbyd

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