SITUATION: I have stopped using the REMstar Auto CFlex with the REMstar Heated Humidifier (my device is NOT part of the recent RECALL--manufactured after 2003).  I also use the ResMED Ultra Mirage Full Face Mask
PROBLEM: Even when I  use the pre-heating mode and the humidifier setting at the highest temperature, my mouth and throat gets so dry it wakes me up at night after 2-3 hours of use.  Hardly any water in the humidifier has been used.
HELP NEEDED:  Has anyone else had this problem with this equipment setup? If so, have you found a solution that eliminates dry mouth and throat?
Please let me know....Thanks.
SleeplessBostonian

I do not have that model and I have not had your exact problem but you may want to try a nasal saline spray.  Use that before putting on the mask. Spray it in your nose and throat. Do this again if you wake up or when you get up in the morning.   If that does not work you may want to try the nasal irrigation/hydration (see topic elsewhere in forum) and let the solution go down the back of your throat from your nose and into your mouth an then to be spit out.  And/or try gargling with a weak saline solution before using the mask and when you awaken.


Hope this helps,
clk

Hope this helps.

I have the M pro w/cflex and the intergrated humidifier and with it only set at 2 I use a tank full in 2 nights.  It makles me wonder if yours is working right since it doesn't hardly use any water

Mark

MRH-Thanks for your reply. I think you are right, and will contact the manufacturer.
SleeplessBostonian.

clk wrote:

I do not have that model and I have not had your exact problem but you may want to try a nasal saline spray.  Use that before putting on the mask. Spray it in your nose and throat. Do this again if you wake up or when you get up in the morning.   If that does not work you may want to try the nasal irrigation/hydration (see topic elsewhere in forum) and let the solution go down the back of your throat from your nose and into your mouth an then to be spit out.  And/or try gargling with a weak saline solution before using the mask and when you awaken.


Hope this helps,
clk

Hope this helps.

clk... your suggestion sounds like it could help. I'll look into the irr/hyd topic.
Thanks.

SleeplessBostonian,

I see you have a FF mask.  Are you sure you don't have any leaks?  If you have a leak the air will flow through so quickly that it won't get properly humidified and thus will dry you out.

I do not use a FF mask, mine is nasal.  Before I got my chin strap I would sometimes leak air through my mouth so the air entering my nose and exiting my mouth would dry me out real bad.  Problem was, I would wake up with a dry mouth/throat but couldn't figure out why because the leak wasn't obvious.  After purchasing a chin strap on a whim the problem went away.

I'm not suggesting a chin strap for your since with a FF you don't have to keep your mouth shut.

Watch for leaks if the heater proves to be Ok.

By the way, I use about 80% of my water every night.  I have the REMstar Basic M-Series.




_________________
Alan, W4WMM
Joined the "Club": 8-Aug-07
AHI 69.3
Respironics REMstar M-Series Model 100M (DS100H)
Pressure 12 cm-h20.
Respironics Heated Humidifier
ResMed Activa
SnuggleHose hose Cover

I have a RemStar Pro M Series CPAP with humidifier.  I had to play around with the setting on my humidifer before finding that the highest (5) works best for me.  I currently use a Swift II nasal pillow mask along with a chin strap (currently looking for a better chin strap).  The only time I don't awaken with a dry mouth and throat is when I've been able to keep my mouth shut all night (like I said I'm looking to buy a new chin strap).  In my pursuit to find a perfect mask (no such animal) I tried using the Hybrid which is classified as a ff mask but really isn't (it's a combination pillow system and mouth mask).  Even though the Hybrid covers the mouth I would still wake up with dry mouth & nose because the mask had severe leak problems.  I agree with Alanwaldo, look for leaks.

Lynda


_________________
OSA Sleep Test 8/29/07, AHI 64/Sat. 74%
Titrated 10/1/07 and 9/30/08
BiPAP Auto M Series w/Humidifier 15/10cm
OptiLife Mask; Ruby chinstrap


CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO~ http://tinyurl.com/69q52a

will all of this keep you from snoring

Lynda,  You may want to try Resmed's Mireage Liberty.  It is similar to the hybrid.  I found it did not leak.  My problem with it was that it had nasal pillows and I have learned that I can not breath through those darn things.  I currently use a resmed ff mirarge quattro x-small.  My face is btwn a small and an extra small. So I have a little bit of problem occassionally with leakage but not much.

clk

Clk, I'm rather gun shy about trying the Liberty because I had such a bad experience with the Hybrid.  Since the Liberty is made with the same concept as the Hybrid I don't see it working well for me either.  Apparently, the problem seems to be the mask interface does not adequately adjust the fit for the structure of a fat face, therefore, it leaks like a sieve.  I really like the Swift II I just need to find a proper fitting chin strap that keeps my mouth closed and is also comfortable.  The chin strap I currently have doesn't fit either of those qualities.

Lynda


_________________
OSA Sleep Test 8/29/07, AHI 64/Sat. 74%
Titrated 10/1/07 and 9/30/08
BiPAP Auto M Series w/Humidifier 15/10cm
OptiLife Mask; Ruby chinstrap


CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO~ http://tinyurl.com/69q52a

@lking Have you tried poligrip strips or a small piece of medical tape to keep your lips together?  This works well for some along with the chinstrap.

Blessings,
--pseudonym