Very dry mouth

[Gillyflowe]

I have been on CPAP for one week and managing to get 7 hours sleep each night - however I wake up about 3am with a very dry throat and mouth. I rang the sleep clinic and the technician said I would need a humidifier but when got there the guy I saw said i would have to get used to breathing through my nose and it would take time. He said humidifiers could cause more problems and they can cause condensation and would make my runny nose worse! I suffer from allergies all year round. He gave me a pollen filter and that was it. I have since got signs of sinusitis - very bad taste in mouth and face pain etc.

Anyone give me any help please?

[Berneta]

dry mouth and throat

Hi Gilly--I am no expert by any means--- but have had the sniffles, dry mouth, and yucky taste a few times. When I heard on the forum that it might happen I prepared for it. I mixed a drop of peppermint oil with a teaspoon of honey in a half glass of water, mixed well, and kept it in the frig, When I felt a little "off" -I poured the whole thing in a small capped bottle and kept it by my bed, One drink swished around and swallowed before sleep helped. If I did wake in the middle of the night I repeated it again. Only had to use it once or twice. The honey is moisturizing, the water is wet, and the peppermint opens sinuses and leaves a pleasant taste. It worked for me. But if you have an allergy to honey, or peppermint, it might not work for you. The pollen filter sounds like a good idea to keep the pollen out--but won't do much to prevent the dry mouth, runny nose, and nasty taste, Experiment and see if anything works for you, Hope you get over this problem soon. I have used a humidifer for 3 months and it has never condensed on me (I let the hose drain down away from me) nor has it caused my nose to run. Think about it--a humidifer delivers warm nose clearing mist all night and keeps you from having reactions to pollen etc. If you have allergies all day--then they need treated. Have you had any allergy tests done? If not--You could try a simple saline nose spray, as the salt is a bit drying and kills germs, so might help. Maybe someone has some other ideas for you. Hope your problem passes soon, Berneta

[Tigers Fan]

Two bits of kit

Hi Gillyflowe

A humidifier comes under the heading of 'most definately essential kit' in my world. I say get on their case and stay there till you have your humidifier.

Another bit of essential kit in your circumstances has to be a SinuPulse Elite. You can only get them privately. You can see them - and loads of rave testimonials - on the Intus website. Intus sell them VAT free if you qualify and Intus and Amazon sell them VAT paid. One just may change your life!

TF