Cpap advice

[Ryan TN 348]

Hello all. I'm looking for any advice on a problem that has come up just the last couple days. I was sleeved on wed. the 28th, so i am post op 4 days now. I have been sleeping in my recliner so that i don't have to lay flat, which bothers my incision. I have been using my cpap every night, but the last 2 or 3, especially last night, i woke up several times with the driest mouth i've ever had. Ive used the nasal pillows for years without a problem. I don't know if my weight loss has anything to do with it, I've gone from 276 to now 249. Anyone experience anything similar?

[valentinegirl 7]

I use the full face mask and I too have had a very dry mouth for several nights. I would wonder if your nose is a bit stuffy from the surgery? I had an NG tube for 24 hours which was not pleasant and left me with very stuffy nose. Using ocean nasal spray and that helped but then I caught a cold almost immediately so that's my story. None the less,, I would look into the nasal stuffiness. And, have you tried side lying in bed with head up on 1-2 pillows? It took me a while to get there but now pretty comfortable. I had surgery 10-27. great job on the weight loss!

[drmeow 323]

I would bet that you are mouth breathing due to some mild stuffiness. I had that a few days after surgery and started using saline nasal spray several times a day, plus I increased the humidity on my cpap a little.

[Ryan TN 348]

thanks for the advice, i will use my nasal spray today and see what happens. I am also going to try to sleep in my bed tonight, We'll see how tonight goes. I have had some pretty nasty mucus hacked up the last couple mornings.

[Babbs 14,680]

I have no advice, but just came in to say I first read that as "Crap" Advice......

[Dub 9,922]

I would bet that you are mouth breathing due to some mild stuffiness. I had that a few days after surgery and started using saline nasal spray several times a day, plus I increased the humidity on my cpap a little.

This is what worked for me ^^^^^^^^^^

[Sharon1964 2,530]

I have a full face mask, and as I lose weight, I have to adjust the straps. If I lay on my back, I wake up with my tongue glued to my mouth. It's better if I sleep on my side (and manage to stay there). I upped the humidity in my machine and I use biotene dry mouth spray. Not sure how much it helps.

[DistillerDave 27]

I was sleeved 10/8 and have the exact same thing with my cpap machine. I'm not stuffy at all, but it seems that somehow i'm opening my mouth (which I never did before) and its making my mouth dry i wake up at least 3 times a night and drink a bit of Water. I'm going to discuss it with my pulmonary doc, just seems strange that this has only happened after the surgery.

[Ryan TN 348]

I was sleeved 10/8 and have the exact same thing with my cpap machine. I'm not stuffy at all, but it seems that somehow i'm opening my mouth (which I never did before) and its making my mouth dry i wake up at least 3 times a night and drink a bit of Water. I'm going to discuss it with my pulmonary doc, just seems strange that this has only happened after the surgery.

Exactly what's happening to me. Let me know if you find anything out.

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

Just an FYI, I made an appointment with my sleep doctor about a month post-op because my pressure was too high. Fortunately, he changed my machine to a new one that automatically adjust pressure. In addition to adjusting straps, you may see some improvement in your sleep apnea soon.

[Sharon1964 2,530]

Mine's actually a v-pap, or variable pressure. Supposed to adjust automatically. Still have dry mouth.

[goodnuff 239]

I had the same issue the first month after surgery.So dry my cheeks stuck to my teeth. Turns out I was dehydrated. It will still happen if I'm low on Water for the day. In the previous eight years that had never happened. Now I drink 8-16 ounces before bed and have a glass right at my bedside.

[Bobbis 15]

I had surgery over a year ago, as i lost weight, I found myself getting a very dry mouth and went to my sleep doctor. They adjusted the pressure down 3 times and after 12 months, I was taken off the CPAP all together. I also used the nasal pillow, if you do not need the pressure anymore, it will force you to open you mouth and be a mouth breather again and hence the dry mouth. Since you are recently sleeved, if you are congested, it could be causing it but hopefully you too will no longer need your machine as you continue to loose weight! So nice to travel without packing a CPAP!

[1sttime 42]

I am having the same problem recently. I wake up once or twice during the night with a dry mouth. I never had the problem before with my cpap. Mine is a variable pressure cpap, so there is no adjustment to make. In the past I would get a dry mouth if I napped without my cpap. I always thought it was because I was breathing through my mouth. I don't use the humidifier , never have. I think I'll try the humidifier and drinking before bed and see what happens.

Edited November 2, 2015 by 1sttime

[kinkymoo 20]

As a sleep tech, if you sleep in a recliner with a nasal mask you're probably gonna oral breathe. Gravity is against you. Also, keep a check on your pressures, they will need to be adjusted as you lose weight. You can get a chin strap to help with the nasal masks if you don't want to change masks. You can buy them from Amazon.< /p>