I have been using my nasal pillow mask since surgery, because I didn't want to 'swallow' a ton of air at night, but my mouth and throat are drying out like a rocks. I keep a bottle of Water by the bed to sip on.

I do use water / humidity in my machine on highest setting, it does not seem to help. So I read that I may be opening my mouth. Ok. I have several kinds of mask here so I will try full face with humidity, and I also lowered my pressure by two notches.

I'm a getting overwhelmed.

My throat seems to be irritated. If I have tasted anything come up, like reflux, it has not been acidic at all. But now I am worried my CPAP has been opening my esophageal sphincter via too much pressure, and I'm burning my throat ... and/or the dryness has given me a sore throat.

Does anyone have experience with this? I just read a thread from a few years back. I don't see a solution except not using the CPAP. That's probably not an option for awhile for me with the amount I have to lose.

I used a netti pot last night to cleanse the sinuses that a netti pot can reach.

I also read that with all the water that I am drinking ... sometimes that can actually make your throat feel dryer because you're not creating saliva as much as you're swallowing, and I keep water going all day long, how could I possibly be dehydrated??

I really can't wait for my next appt. March 23rd. I am going to have a tome of questions. I really don't want this to be the beginning of acid reflux. I'm not eating 3-4 hours before bed. I think I should stop the water an hour before bed too if it's just drying as it goes down (??) and continue taking sips tonight if my throat and mouth are still as dry as a rock.

*anxious* So I am at that stage, What did I just do? What is happening now?

Edited March 6, 201610 yr by Amelie2016

I use a chin/head strap with my nasal pillows to keep my mouth closed. I hate the full face mask because I seem to naturally be a mouth breather when I sleep and the full mask made it worse. I have NEVER had such a dry mouth in my life. I use something like this:

http://www.thecpapshop.com/respironics-premium-chin-strap?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Shopping%20-%20All%20Products&gclid=CLmNmYeerMsCFQUMaQodq5oExw

I had the same problem. I lowered the pressure setting in my cpap, I have an auto-adjusting model, and that solved the problem. My guess was too much pressure was causing my mouth to open when I was sleeping and that caused the dry mouth. I tried the humidifier and that didn't help, as soon as I changed the settings on my machine, problem solved. I suggest you talk to a medical professional before changing any settings.

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I was on a CPAP also but I had to have oxygen hooked up to it as well. After loosing about 70lbs I was able to get rid of the CPAP. What a blessing. I still have to use oxygen 24/7 & that will never go away. I am one of the 6% of people who actually ended up with COPD because of second-hand smoke. I have never smoked in my life. With the weight loss I have been able to do some things without being attached to oxygen. It also will dry out my nose but that is a minor issue. I hope you too will be able to get rid of the CPAP.

Talk to your CPAP company. They can be really helpful.

Max I am so sorry about the COPD from second hand smoke. My mother was married to a man who chain smoked IN his jewelry stores whether customers liked it or not, and everywhere else, in the car, house, you name it. He could never do something like go to a movie w/ her because he'd have to smoke. She coughs all the time now, she left him 2 years ago.

Interesting update; I tried "mouth taping" last night wearing my nasal mask. (I had been to CPAP boards) And my nasal passages and throat were happy and moist and no throat problems this morning. BUT ... the humidity did cause me to sort of choke up, so I took the tape off, only taped my mouth so I'd have a release for air ... and back to drying out.

Yes, Monday I am getting a chin strap. Tonight, I may try the old pantyhose chin strap. These CPAP message boards were very creative, especially for a weekend! Maybe I am not having reflux after all. Maybe this is all it, just desert dryness ruining my natural mucous function/ability.