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Zork
Joined: 04 Jul 2007
Posts: 17
Location: California
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 Posted: August 21 2011 Post subject: Nasal Mask: Air blowing out my mouth, Dry mouth |
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I've been on CPAP for 7 years: same machine and mask for the last few years: Comfort Lite 2. When I first started CPAP, I trained myself to keep my mouth closed. I use humidification, set pretty low.
About 9 months ago, I stared waking up with severe dry mouth. I tried a chip strap (maybe not the best one), even though I didn't think I was mouth breathing. It didn't solve the problem, but it did make me dread putting everything on.
Sometimes I feel air blowing out my mouth, pushing my lip up and open. What could cause this? Pressure too high? Something in my throat/trachea? Solutions? I guess I'll have to try tape if I can't figure this out, but I'm concerned about tape burn.
Thanks!
Elaine |
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Tracy
Joined: 26 Jul 2001
Posts: 2019
Location: Minneapolis area
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| Posted: August 31 2011 Post subject: |
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Hi Elaine!
I call that "lip bubbling", you know that horsey sound we make....I am known to do that occasionally too!
My best guess is that you are a bit of a mouth breather.......but there really are so many other reasons to consider. Are you also experiencing aerophagia? Thats when excess air enters the tummy and causes stomach bloating? If so, thats another clue!
When is the last time you replaced your mask?
When is the last time you had a cpap titration to know if your pressure is still adequate for your needs?
If its an air pressure issue - you might need a pressure change. Pressure too high can cause air to either be gulped in to the belly instead of the airway.
Air pressure too low can cause the same.
If you are a mouth breather - you might need to go to a full face mask.
I suggest you make an appt and see your respiratory therapist at your cpap supplier, or possibly report this all to your sleep doctor to get it resolved.
Let us know what happens!
best to ya
tracy |
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Toth
Joined: 21 Mar 2006
Posts: 89
Location: Twixt Life and Death
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| Posted: September 20 2011 Post subject: Re: Nasal Mask: Air blowing out my mouth, Dry mouth |
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| Zork wrote: | | I've been on CPAP for 7 years: same machine and mask for the last few years: |
Yes, I too would say time for a re-test. A new setting may be needed since mouth breathing appears likely. I'd either get a formal sleep test or I'd try a truly effective chin strap (a few cents worth of fabric from a fabric store if you don't have insurance, 88.00 plus tax if you do have insurance). Avoid these cutesy straps, get one that WORKS.
For a really cheap solution you can use these thigamajigs teenage girls wear on their hair, its usually a package of three of them for a few bucks at a drug store. Keeps your lips shut but now with sufficient force to be dangerous. If after one or two nights using those hair bands to keep your lips shut you find you are sleeping much better, then you know the problem is indeed your mouth breathing. If the mouth breahing ends but you still don't do well, then you probably do need a new pressure setting. |
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Zork
Joined: 04 Jul 2007
Posts: 17
Location: California
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| Posted: September 20 2011 Post subject: |
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Thanks for the inputs and suggestions Toth & Tracy!
I don't have excess air in the tummy and I doubt it's mouth breathing. I guess I'm trying to figure out what else it could be. Maybe more pressure than I need. I need to see a sleep doc, but I have to figure out how this works now that I'm with Kaiser.
Elaine |
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Tracy
Joined: 26 Jul 2001
Posts: 2019
Location: Minneapolis area
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| Posted: September 20 2011 Post subject: |
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Elaine, good to hear back from ya!
Let us know if Kaiser approves a new titration........I would think they should but you'll need an RX from your sleep doctor.
Keep us in the loop!
Hope this finds you well!
tracy |
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Toth
Joined: 21 Mar 2006
Posts: 89
Location: Twixt Life and Death
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| Posted: September 28 2011 Post subject: Re: Nasal Mask: Air blowing out my mouth, Dry mouth |
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| Toth wrote: | | Keeps your lips shut but now with sufficient force to be dangerous.. |
I hope people realized that should have been "...but NOT with sufficient force to be dangerous." Those soft cloth-like hair bands are enough to make it a bit more difficult to part your lips while you are sleeping but by no means impossible to do so.
Note: I posted a question about Medicare in the proper section of the forum and if anyone knows anything about Medicare I'd like to find out since I have to send in the forms Real Soon Now.
I've been a life long mouth breather and have tried a variety of straps, wraps and tape. The best thing I've found to keep my lips from parting is the cheapie hair wraps from a drugstore at three for 2.99. I also use nasal sprays when I can afford them and when I can remember to use them. |
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Zork
Joined: 04 Jul 2007
Posts: 17
Location: California
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| Posted: January 05 2012 Post subject: Problem Solved |
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Kaiser has a weekly CPAP drop-in clinic. The doctor there said my problem could be too much pressure or too little pressure. I made my best guess: too much.
They turned down the pressure on my unit from 9.0 to 7.0. That seems to have solved the problem. I wanted to report back in case this post is found by others with the same problem.
Thanks, everyone. Very helpful and supportive! 
Elaine |
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Tracy
Joined: 26 Jul 2001
Posts: 2019
Location: Minneapolis area
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| Posted: January 05 2012 Post subject: |
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so glad you got the issue resolved - HAPPY NEW YEAR
tracy |
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