Question for Folks That Use a CPAP Post-Surgery- Super Duper Dry Mouth Issues at Night

[bsandersjr]

Hi Fellow Apnea Sleevers - Prior to my sleeve, I used my cpap every night and didn't have any problems sleeping. However, since my surgery, I constantly have a dry mouth during the night and am having trouble sleeping (desert mouth wakes me up). Is anyone having/had the same issue or discovered the solution? Any help or info would be much appreciated!

[Slamer3]

Depending on how much weight you have lost, it's very possible that your pressure is to high causing your mouth to remain open as you sleep. I am 64 lbs down and currently have a testing machine that records data and does random pressures. It's a test my respitory dr. Ordered rather then doing another sleep study. Hopefully it won't take to long to get the results. Maybe give your respitory dr. A call

[lornadoone629]

I had to get my CPAP (or the devil's machine, as I call it) right before surgery. My pressure was set at 12. My mouth is REALLY....Sahara desert dry too. They finally lowered the pressure to 8 since I've lost weight. There is also a button on mine where I can increase the "temperature", so that might help you too. I keep a bottle of water by my bed and any time I wake up during the night, I take a couple of swigs. I've also tried swishing with Biotene at nigth before I go to bed. Since I lay awake for a while before I go to sleep, it kind of wears off a bit for me, but might help.

But first, I'd have them check your pressure and get it reduced! good luck!

[lgutenberg]

Many of the machines can be set to automatically change the pressure depending on what is needed to keep your airway open. I have been using my cpap for just over a month, and when I went in at my one month check to see what pressures were being used, it ranged from 6 to 11. My machine is staying on auto adjust as I don't want it set to 11 all the time.

[Daphne]

Hi, I have used a CPAP machine for several years now and yes, I do have more of a dry mouth than I used to. A couple of things that I find help me.... Make sure you are properly hydrated during the day, if you have a humidifying attachment to your machine, use it. Also, like the others said, it may be wise to get your settings retested. I have a machine that automatically sets to my needs, but you may have too much pressure. Good luck!

[Slamer3]

My machine is 7 years old , so not a new one. I want one that auto adjusts like the one I got now for testing!

[bsandersjr]

Hey folks - Thanks for the suggestions and comments. I found out how to lower the pressure on my cpap and did so last night. I lowered it from 11" to 10"....it helped a little but I still woke up at 2:30. I'm going to try to lower a little more in a couple of days to see if that does the trick. Thanks again!!

[karkar56]

Thanks bsanders,
I had not been using my cpap for the past few months for the same reason, but thanks to you, I lowered it from a 12 to 10 and had a great night's sleep.
BTW, most nights I am able to sleep without it at all, but I have had a cold this past few weeks and found myself snoring again, so I am happy to have the cpap adjusted for those nights that I really need it!

[RRT]

Howdy. You have lost a lot of weight.
I don't think you need as much pressure support anymore. Self adjusting machines are great to use. Because they do compensate for breathing. But the old work horse CPAPs are good too. I think you did the right thing to lower pressure. Also humidification is always good. So is hydration. I used to get dry mouth at night but that seems to have passed now as the weeks go by. Still always keep a bottle of water by the bed because anything can trigger an asthma attack and hydration helps.
Pretty soon I bet you won't need CPAP anymore.
An old adult patient I took care of years ago had WLS. She was using BiPAP as needed before WL and had settings of 15/8. Now 7 months later and 100lbs gone she uses nothing and feels fantastic. (We keep in touch even after 10 years)

[karkar56]

What setting do you like for humidity?