When using a nasal cpap machine, my mouth fills up with air ?

@jmgall
I started off with nasal pillows and that did not work for me. The full face mask works whether I am breathing through my nose or mouth and I do not get dry mouth. The size and fit of the mask makes a huge difference. Small is too small and large too large so I seem to do best with medium. Had to change a couple times while trying what works best. It took me a while to get used to breathing with the mask on and had to adjust the straps to fit comfortably but not let air escape. I am now comfortable with using it every night and it does help me sleep better and not be as tired when I wake up. I have figured out how to change sleeping sides and even stomach sleep with the mask staying on and head tilted to side. It is a bit of an obstacle course for me maneuvering around my cats that all want to sleep near my head!😹 😂😹

I too have just started with my CPAP in the past week. I have the same problem with expiring through my mouth. I do wear a chin strap now…not sure if that is helping but it seems to. The other thing I did which I’m not sure you’re supposed to do is turn my EPR (expiry pressure) from 1-2. I’m quite sure that has helped & my CPAP Provider did not have a problem with doing that. I’m not quite a week in but was able to wear the nasal cushion mask for 7 hrs last night with only one awakening with the “puffs”. I have not tried tape…seems risky to me. But whatever works is up to individuals.

Just to add…I was able to change the EPR on my own & I am not a mouth breather. I’m sure this will improve with time & adjustment.

I have posted below what is helping me.

My husband used a cpap with great success...for about 10 days. Then, he found he was unable to exhale against the pressure. Adjustments to the machine didn't help. Finally, someone switched him to bipap. It worked much better for him.

What is bipap?

Bi-level CPAP:
https://www.sleepfoundation.org/cpap/types-of-cpap-machines

Thanks! I had no idea there were other options. I probably (and hopefully) will have no need for the other devices. I would like to try a different mask though. I put a call into the device provider. Hopefully will hear from them tomorrow.

I appreciate all of your very helpful input and knowledge on these sites.

You are welcome! For those who may be reading and just learning about your own new diagnosis, there are three types of sleep apnea: obstructive, central, and complex (a mix of the two main types). What does not appear in the citation I posted above is the treatment for central and complex sleep apnea. Those cases, certainly the most severe, require a special, and very costly, machine called an 'adaptive servo-ventilator', or ASV.