Is this normal?

I am two and 1/2 weeks post op and the problem I have been dealing with just seems to be getting worse.

I still currently use a cpap machine and have been waking up in the night with an extremely dry mouth.  (no saliva) My gums are stuck to my teeth and my tongue feels ohhhh so gross.  At first it happened only a couple of times but now it seems to be happening more (last night alone I awoke 7-8 times ). 

On another note, I have been getting in about 60 ounces of fluid in each day. (no easy feat) and I have a bottle of water on my night stand.

Could this dry mouth be caused possibly because I have lost 47 lbs and maybe my cpap needs adjusting.  Could the pressure be too high and drying out my mouth as it sends the forced air down my windpipe past my mouth?

Or is this normal?

Allyson

Does your machine have a water resevoir that heats the water to send down the hose?  Mine does and the amount of moisture sent is regulated by a knob.  It can get REALLY moist if it is turned too high.

Good luck in figuring this out.

Judy

Thanx Judy. I have however been using a cpap for 12 years.  And I have adjusted the humidifier a couple of times.  If I turn it up any more than I wake up with my face sopping wet.

Allyson

47 lbs is huge - congratulations! I think you are correct in your assumption that the pressure needs to be adjusted in consult with your doctor. Soon you'll be able to sell it : )

I think it is probably because of the weight loss and the pressure needs to be changed..........


however, mine was like that last night too so who knows



Take care

Yeah that's what I was leaning towards just wasn't completely sure.  Thanx for your input Jenn.

Allyson

Hi Allyson.  I'm six months out, and after 7 years on a CPAP found myself facing the same problems as you - only it hit me about 6 - 8 weeks after surgery.  I also thought it was too high pressure (I am set at 12), and finally at about 4 months out I stopped using it (I know - probably not very smart).  It was really bothering my sleep, and my husband said the mask was leaking a lot and I kept opening my mouth (to relieve the pressure?) and all in all I was becoming really noisey.  The mask really didn't seem to fit properly anymore, probably because my face shape had changed, and adjusting it didn't help.  The sleep clinic requires a new sleep study to change the pressure, so I am going next week. 

Claire (HW 348, CW 223)

Yes, I am pretty sure my pressure is too high.  I had just had another sleep study prior to my surgery as my sleep doctor wanted to make sure the pressure was where it should be.  He did however tell me that when I started to lose the weight that Icould call medigas and have them test me for the reseting of my pressure as time goes on.  He also said I would not need another sleep study until I had reached my goal and then just to confirm that I no longer require it.  I guess  I will be calling Medigas on Monday to make arrangements for the overnight machine and go from there and see what happens.

Thanx for your advice.

Allyson

Good luck with your Medigas call.  I didn't know they would help with the pressure determination - that's great.  Hope it works.  I certainly am not having the "dry dessert" wake ups like I was before, but without the CPAP I have woken up with a slight headache a couple of times, which is of course a little worrisome.   Hope you resolve the problem.  If you have a chance, let me know what they say? 
Thanks. 
Claire

Allyson,

I had my pressure level checked before surgery.  I had been waiting months and months for medigas to get their act together.  Finally, I went to the Shoppers Home Health care at Kingston Centre and they got me the auto-titration machine the next day.  On top of it all, they don't charge you $50 to 'read' the results like Medigas does.  They have brand new masks that are much lighter and way more comfortable than the ones with the 'hockey pucks'.  The new hose on the mask is a lot more flexible and moves much easier than the old one does.  Their products are also cheaper than Medigas.  Plus you get shoppper's optimum points!  I was very happy with their service.