(08-07-2013, 09:24 PM)eviltim Wrote: I have horrible, horrible dry mouth
I use a full-face mask and have had the same problem. I've only been using a BIPAP machine for 2-1/2 months.
My dentist was the one who spotlighted my original sleep apnea problem and ordered a sleep study. Since dentists have a very, shall we say, "mouth based perspective", she said "You should buy XyliMelts".
Zylimelts are over-the-counter tablets. Put one each on the way upper corner of your mouth between my cheek and gum (that's where the salivary glands are, I'm told). They are two sided. Put the brown side against the gum.
This turns on salivation. Now sometimes the mask pushes down on my face and impedes the saliva from reaching all the areas of the mouth. When this happens and my mouth get's a little dry, I flex my cheeks against the pressure of the mask for a few seconds (while the mask is on and blowing) and it allows some saliva through. I can do this laying in bed with the mask on.
Works great. Not all pharmacies sell them, but I found mine at a local Rite-Aid store.
I doubt my physicians had even heard of this. It says on the label, though, "Can be used with braces, dentures, or CPAP machines.
I suppose that means a BIPAP as well! :grin: