Any Tape successes?

[Riverlea]

I've only been using VPAP for two weeks, and have been taping my mouth shut for one week. Both the micropore tape and the blue painter's tape pull off little pieces of skin. Youch! I know these aren't permanent solutions! Does anyone out there have a gentler tape to recommend? Also, I do get chipmunk cheeks. Should I be worried about this?

[SMenasco]

What type of painter's tape are you using" I've been using 3M blue painter's tape No. 2080EL after trying a bunch of different tapes. This one has performed the best for me, does not pull skin and is available at Wal-Mart or Lowe's. Some of the blue tap made by others have different adhesives.

[bdp522]

I apply a thin coat of milk of magnesia to the area around my lips before taping. Works great. Just smear some on and wipe excess off with a tissue. I use the cheapest brand I can find. Mylanta works well to if you already have some around.

Brenda

[GumbyCT]

I apply a thin coat of milk of magnesia to the area around my lips before taping.

Also works as an anti-seize for nuts n bolts. IF it's good enuff for the USAF it's good enuff for me.

[rested gal]

The Milk of Magnesia tip Brenda mentioned might help you a lot, Riverlea. Let it dry completely before applying the tape.

Or, it might simply be the way you're removing the tape that is taking some bits of skin with it. If I try to pulling it outwardly away from my face as I take it off, that is almost guaranteed to pull the skin too much. I always push the tape firmly against my skin as I roll in backwards on itself to work it off. In other words, roll it backwards, pressing it down against your skin AS you are removing it. Don't try to "pull it off." Try to "roll" it off...backwards.

About the chipmunk cheeks when using tape and the mouth fills with dammed back air... I wear a chin strap in addition to taping my mouth. The chin strap is just to keep my cheeks flattened better so that less air can fill my mouth. If my cheeks balloon out a lot (chipmunk cheeks) it tends to loosen the corners of the tape sometimes as the night goes on, and cause air leaks where the tape gets loose.

Good luck!

[Chaparral]

Thanks for your replies. Yes, it's 2080EL - I followed the instructions on this website. I should say that I do have ''precancerous tissue' around my mouth which may be part of the problem. A further question regarding the blue tape: it smells as if it has a chemical in it. Not a problem?

Somewhere on this site I read about a surgical tape used in hospitals. But I can't find the posting. Thanks for the tip about milk of magnesia. I have used the tip re: chapstick. It's good but defeats the purpose if you put on too much.

I wish someone would clarify the 'chipmunk cheeks' phenomenon. Is it a problem? Seems to me that if the air isn't escaping out the mouth, then the pressure is being retained and the VPAP is working? The chipmunk cheeks thing does wake me up though, and that's not good.

I've used VPAP for 2 weeks now and my AHI is slowly going down, still at 13 last night. I do have Central Sleep Apnea now too, almost certainly caused by receiving treatment. The doc says it should go within 8 weeks.

It's all new to me - a brave new world! --Riverlea (don't know why the site isn't accepting my name)

[rested gal]

I should say that I do have ''precancerous tissue' around my mouth which may be part of the problem.

In that case, instead of using tape on the outside, you might want to look at the posts about making a boil'n'bite mouthguard to force the tongue to maintain an airtight seal inside the mouth:

This link is to a long discussion about frequenseeker's "DIY" (Do It Yourself) mouthguard to stop mouthbreathing and mouth air leaks:

Topic started by frequenseeker Dec 01 2004 subject: mouth leak solution, cheap DIY oral appliance
http://www.talkaboutsleep.com/message-b ... php?t=4750

Topic with pictures of snork1's creation:
viewtopic.php?t=3265

Topic with pictures of a one piece design by freelans:
http://www.talkaboutsleep.com/message-b ... 71242#7124

____________________________________________

Direct link to the photos of homemade DIY mouthguards:
http://www.tnlc.com/Lara/laura/osa/DIYmouthleakPhotos/

[poppi2]

The only CPAP success I've received has been with a chin strap and tape. When the chipmunk cheeks bother me, I add a couple of turns of self-adhesive "Ace-like" bandage horizontally around my mouth and neck.

I know I may die if the power fails, and I don't wake up. I have a power-off alarm to detect a power failure. I am still working on the problem of a machine failure. Earl

[idamtnboy]

I use Johnson & Johnson Hurt Free paper tape. I tried 3M Nexcare gentle paper tape and it liked to have ripped my skin off when I removed it.

[Lizistired]

I ordered a sample of chin-up strips from chinupstrips.com and they seem to work well. I can't deal with taping across my mouth. It's all a work in progress.

[Riverlea]

Thanks to all, esp. idamtnboy! I've ordered the J&J hurt free paper tape from Amazon.