Nearly Two Weeks IN...

[Rachey0108]

..using my CPAP machine and I definately feel much better however, I suffer with an awful runny nose every day and today,,especially, have sneezed non stop!! I know I don't have a cold and the only thing I can put it down to is the CPAP.

I use a machine that has a dehumidifer with it but whether I use it or not,,,,I get these symptons.

Also - last two nights, I've woke a couple of times in the night (first time since using it) with really dry throat and seems that am breathing through my mouth for some reason - again,,this has only just started to happen.

Can anyone advise and give some guidance.
Thanks
Rachel

[iwant2sleep]

I have a runny nose if I have my humidifier on too high, but you says yours does it whether or not you have it switched on...Re the dry throat, it will be because you open your mouth naturally in your sleep (some of us tend to be 'mouth breathers' rather than nose breathers whilst slepping). Mine was dreadful until I started using a chin strap...and a humidifier which gently moistens passages.

Hope this helps.

[Barely Awake]

We are all different Rachel and I am no expert, but it may help to know that I am amongst those that had these issues early on but soon got used to it and am now 7 years on CPAP.
I assume you mean a humidifier not a dehumidifier, and that you are ensuring you have enough water in it each night to get you through, and that you have it at a suitable setting, and that you always throw the surplus water away in the morning & clean the resevoir each day following the instructions and not using an unsuitable cleaning agent? Also, if your nose is blocked you might breathe through your mouth, but I would suggest a call to your GP and get them to check your nose and throat if it persists lest you have an infection or something is irritating your air passages. But also don't put up with a problem, put in a call to your clinic if unsure.

Best of luck!

[Sleep2Snore]

Dry throat is usually a sign of not enough humid air, but a dry mouth is a sign of breathing/air escaping through your mouth (though if your airway to your nose gets partly obstructed you will get a dry throat). Air escaping through the mouth is a problem if you are a nose breather with a nasal mask, especially if you are on a higher pressure. It is not a problem to you under normal sleeping, but as soon as you increase the pressure with a CPAP machine, air will try to escape by the easiest means possible! When you are breathing against the pressure of the machine, the easiest way for air to escape is through the mouth which has little pressure to push against.
It is fine while you are still awake or half awake as you are still controlling keeping your mouth closed, but as soon as you fall asleep everything relaxes and your mouth tends to open.
Sometimes your mouth can just drop open, in which case try a chin strap (can try with just a bandage over your head under the head gear, just make it tight enough so your mouth does not open, do not over tighten as you might wake up with it trying to strangle you and feeling very tight). Try a chin strap or if that doesn't work you may need to change to a full-faced mask. Try adjusting the humidifier a little at a time.
Oh, one other thing, if your throat is still offering to close you will get a sore throat, slight increase in pressure will sort that out.

[Sleep2Snore]

Just read your post again, you are only two weeks, it may take a while for you to get used to all this, but try the above to see if it helps.

[tallishbloke]

nose

Hi Rach

nasal masks are great if you do most of your breathing pattern just through your nose only. when you shove loads of air through nose, it tends to cause inflammation of the nasal passages and the nose cannot do its normal job of warming and humidifying the airflow before it enters the lungs. Inflammation of the nasal passages (rhinitis) can cause sneezing, nasal blockage / congestion, and / or a runny nose. Humdifiers can help minimise these symptoms. If you open your mouth there will be leak of air through your mouth, the humidifier will become less efficient, there will be more airflow through your nosem irritating it further, and it will also dry your mouth / throat.
Chinstraps may work for you. It may just be a temporary problem. NAsal masks can be more difficult to use with hayfever, or a cold, or a chest infection. You can also gert nasal strips to open nasal passages a bit more, of nasal decongestant spray (should only be used for a short period). If none of this suits you, go for a full facemask - that way you can breathe thru your mouth as much as you like, and you shouldnt get the runny nose as most airflow will go through your mouth.

Best wishes

TB

[symmit]

Don't forget that getting used to cpap is a journey, i was fortunate to have an. Auto machine so had time to gradually get used to the increasing base pressure over a few weeks while still getting good therapy. A full face mask may help you get used to it, if you are like I was then you may eventually be able to use nasal only when your body acclimatises to the pressure.