AirSense 10/Nasal Pillow/Heated Tube -- Terrible Dry Mouth!

Hello all, new member here. I read the stickies, so hopefully I'm doing this right! I searched through several posts, but did not come up with what I'm looking for exactly.

I am about 1-1/2 weeks in with my ResMed AS10. I use a Nasal Pillow mask, added a heated tube and use the heated humidifier. I have done everything I can think of to cut back on dry mouth, but OMG it is AWWWWFUL!!

It feels like when I am exhaling through my nose, it is directing some of the air into my mouth, eventually forcing my mouth to expel air every so often. I am otherwise adapting well to the unit, sleeping a good bit better (still getting used to turning over with the tube), and can already tell a HUGE difference in how I feel during the day! So I'm honestly thrilled at my progress so far, but if there is anything that can be done to help with dry mouth, I would love some tips.

Results from home sleep study (in case it is helpful):
Overall AHI = 25.3
Heart Rate = 60-105 bpm (mean 76.9)
Time Snoring = 52.6%
Mean C02 saturation of 91%, with a low of 78%.
AS10 is set to 5-15, ramped.

algoan wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 27, 2024 1:31 pm

It feels like when I am exhaling through my nose, it is directing some of the air into my mouth, eventually forcing my mouth to expel air every so often.

Breathing through your mouth with a nasal-only interface can cause dry mouth. Just five minutes can cause very dry mouth. You can also lose the therapeutic pressure and still be having breathing events.

You need to solve this problem. Some ideas,

1. Practice keeping the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth.

2. Tape your lips shut.

3. They often aren't effective, but use a chinstrap. https://www.cpap.com/plp/cpap-chinstraps/ZT0yODc

algoan wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 27, 2024 1:31 pm

I am otherwise adapting well to the unit, sleeping a good bit better (still getting used to turning over with the tube), and can already tell a HUGE difference in how I feel during the day!

Happy to hear you are off to a good start.

Air rushing out through your mouth is a big problem for some of us.

Chicago Granny tapes her lips even when using a Full Face Mask.

For me, taping is an alternative to an FFM - I belong to those who never managed to stop mouth leaks by keeping my tongue at the roof of my mouth - the air rushes out around it... I have to tape my lips when I use a pillow mask and I never tape when using an FFM. I use an FFM when I want a break from taping, and of course, when a cold makes nasal breathing impossible.

Look at this video https://youtu.be/HgSdfsGe7zk - it's the Lanky Lefty, discussing mouth taping - and browse his channel in general https://www.youtube.com/@Freecpapadvice - he's a reliable source of information and tips.

I want to love a nasal mask, but can't.

I switched to the F&P Evora. It has a nose pillow attached to a mouth cover. The resmed F30 is nearly the same thing but slightly different sizes.