Does anybody have experience with the Respironics chin-strap (sold by cpap.com as the "Premium" chin-strap)? My current strap requires a lot of tension, and pulls in the wrong direction (pulls the jaw back instead of up). It looks as though the Respironics would pull more vertically and keep the mouth shut with less tension.
I'm concerned about the comfort with all those straps...
derek
Respironics Chin-strap??
-
wading thru the muck!
- Posts: 2799
- Joined: Tue Oct 19, 2004 11:42 am
Derek,
My experience is chin straps are useless. Do you really need one? The best strategy is to create a path of least resistance by keeping your sinuses open. I have found that high humidity takes care of this. Do you have the Aussie heated hose?
My experience is chin straps are useless. Do you really need one? The best strategy is to create a path of least resistance by keeping your sinuses open. I have found that high humidity takes care of this. Do you have the Aussie heated hose?
Last edited by wading thru the muck! on Wed Feb 09, 2005 12:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Sincerely,
wading thru the muck of the sleep study/DME/Insurance money pit!
wading thru the muck of the sleep study/DME/Insurance money pit!
Yes the Aussie heated hose is great. Check it out.
http://www.sleepzone.com.au/showitems.a ... PAP%20Tube'
Cheers,
Chris
http://www.sleepzone.com.au/showitems.a ... PAP%20Tube'
Cheers,
Chris
Wading,
My problem is that as I fall to sleep my mouth etc relaxes and I start to suffer from "mouth farts". I'm fine 'til I start to doze. Makes it damned hard to get to sleep and stay there. The chin strap helps a great deal but I am still often wakened by "pffffft" through my lips. Sometimes I wake myself with an extended musical sound, and laugh to myself when it happens. I'm thinking of forming a group and going on tour
This does't seem to have anything to do with nasal passages.
derek
My problem is that as I fall to sleep my mouth etc relaxes and I start to suffer from "mouth farts". I'm fine 'til I start to doze. Makes it damned hard to get to sleep and stay there. The chin strap helps a great deal but I am still often wakened by "pffffft" through my lips. Sometimes I wake myself with an extended musical sound, and laugh to myself when it happens. I'm thinking of forming a group and going on tour
This does't seem to have anything to do with nasal passages.
derek
-
wading thru the muck!
- Posts: 2799
- Joined: Tue Oct 19, 2004 11:42 am
Derek,
Some of us have tried taping our mouths closed with an adhesive silicone patch. These are sold as scar reduction patches. The ones I've used are made by Curad and can be found near the band-aid section. If you can't find them just ask the pharmacist. Use this method at your own risk, but it has worked for me when I needed it.
Some of us have tried taping our mouths closed with an adhesive silicone patch. These are sold as scar reduction patches. The ones I've used are made by Curad and can be found near the band-aid section. If you can't find them just ask the pharmacist. Use this method at your own risk, but it has worked for me when I needed it.
Sincerely,
wading thru the muck of the sleep study/DME/Insurance money pit!
wading thru the muck of the sleep study/DME/Insurance money pit!
-
Kristy5550
- Posts: 41
- Joined: Wed Sep 29, 2004 11:04 am
- Location: Cheyenne, Wy.
Derek,
My suggestion would be a full face mask.
I recently went to one and I love it.
My problem was opening my mouth when my O2 sats. went too
low. Now that is no longer a problem.
My DME told me she really really does not recommend the straps.
She said they really do not work that great if you really want to get your mouth open, you will!
Good Luck!!
My suggestion would be a full face mask.
I recently went to one and I love it.
My problem was opening my mouth when my O2 sats. went too
low. Now that is no longer a problem.
My DME told me she really really does not recommend the straps.
She said they really do not work that great if you really want to get your mouth open, you will!
Good Luck!!
Sweet dreams,
Kris
Kris
Kristy,
Funny - my therapist said EXACTLY the opposite, that FF masks are basically useless, not well tolerated, and leak like crazy, and that the chin strap is the only answer. In fact he gave me the strap, and said he would only give a FF mask as a last resort
What's a boy to do with all this conflicting expert advice
derek
Funny - my therapist said EXACTLY the opposite, that FF masks are basically useless, not well tolerated, and leak like crazy, and that the chin strap is the only answer. In fact he gave me the strap, and said he would only give a FF mask as a last resort
What's a boy to do with all this conflicting expert advice
derek
Derek,
I have been using a full face mask for the past 18 or so months and have not had a problem with fit, leaks, or anything else. In fact, I now have a full beard and sleep through the night with no noticable leakage.
I don't know why your therapist would be so set against a FF unless he is not an experienced cpaper. Because the ONE thing that differs from person to person is their tolerance for their mask. What may work well for one person could be a nightmare to another.
A humidifier is a must. There is no way your nasal passages can humidify the amount of air that passes through them in a night on CPAP. I personally have a pass over and it is okay, but I have a heated on order (based on the conversations on this forum, thank you all) and am really looking forward to putting it to use!
If the therapist doesn't want to work with you on getting a FF mask (or any other equipment) I would start looking for a new therapist. YOU are the customer. YOU (or your insurance) are paying his salary. Make him earn it, have him go over the options, then tell him you would really like to try a FF. It should NOT be a "last resort".
Good Luck
I have been using a full face mask for the past 18 or so months and have not had a problem with fit, leaks, or anything else. In fact, I now have a full beard and sleep through the night with no noticable leakage.
I don't know why your therapist would be so set against a FF unless he is not an experienced cpaper. Because the ONE thing that differs from person to person is their tolerance for their mask. What may work well for one person could be a nightmare to another.
A humidifier is a must. There is no way your nasal passages can humidify the amount of air that passes through them in a night on CPAP. I personally have a pass over and it is okay, but I have a heated on order (based on the conversations on this forum, thank you all) and am really looking forward to putting it to use!
If the therapist doesn't want to work with you on getting a FF mask (or any other equipment) I would start looking for a new therapist. YOU are the customer. YOU (or your insurance) are paying his salary. Make him earn it, have him go over the options, then tell him you would really like to try a FF. It should NOT be a "last resort".
Good Luck
-
MartiniLover
- Posts: 364
- Joined: Wed Jan 12, 2005 4:16 pm
- Location: Davison Michigan
I use the very chin strap that you are asking about.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/1002
I love it.
I sounded just like you, waking up in the night, mouth dry, tounge swollen, and throat so sore I thought I had strep.
We are all different in what we can use, but I would try it. I tried using home made methods, and just couldn't get anything to work so I spent the money. I have no trouble using it at all.
Good Luck
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/1002
I love it.
I sounded just like you, waking up in the night, mouth dry, tounge swollen, and throat so sore I thought I had strep.
We are all different in what we can use, but I would try it. I tried using home made methods, and just couldn't get anything to work so I spent the money. I have no trouble using it at all.
Good Luck
_________________
| Mask: Mirage Quattro™ Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear |
| Additional Comments: Second favorite mask--Nasal Aire II |
I am a two martini lover. Two martinis and I think I am a lover!
Bipap 13/9, 10ft Hose
Bipap 13/9, 10ft Hose
-
rested gal
- Posts: 12881
- Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2004 10:14 pm
- Location: Tennessee
Chin straps generally do nothing to control puffing
air leaks from between closed lips. Try it - close
your mouth and even clench your teeth. Keep
your lips shut and try to blow air out through your
mouth. If you can blow air out anyway, forget a
chin strap.
Lucky are the people whose tongue forms a
natural airtight seal inside the mouth, usually
against the roof of the mouth. They can sleep
even with their lips open and not leak air. My
tongue relaxes, loses the seal, and air can gush
out even with my jaw clenched tight shut.
The only for-sure way I've found to stop lip air
puffs for me is ....yes...taping the lips shut.
Considered dangerous by many - but that's
what I do. Without tape I'd have to use a
full face mask every night. I don't mind using
my ResMed Ultra Mirage FF when I have a cold
and have to breathe through my mouth;
however, even with heated humidifier turned
way up and an Aussie heated hose to keep from
getting rainout, mouthbreathing all night with a
full face mask does dry my mouth out considerably
by morning. There are other masks that I find
much more comfortable to sleep in - ones that
give me a more restful night.
To use either of my favorite masks (Breeze
with nasal pillows and Activa nasal mask) I tape
my lips with two slightly overlapping strips of
Johnson & Johnson 1" wide waterproof adhesive
tape, being sure to fold down a bit of every end
(sticking the end against itself) to make a handy
"grab tab" on every end.
A full face mask is a safer way to handle mouth
air leaks. But we all do what we're gonna do.
Tape works for me. I'm not a doctor, and I'm
not recommending that others use tape.
Use your own judgement. It could be dangerous.
(my edit: In the original post I had said the tape I use is 2" wide. Correction made...it's 1 inch wide J&J waterproof adhesive tape.)
air leaks from between closed lips. Try it - close
your mouth and even clench your teeth. Keep
your lips shut and try to blow air out through your
mouth. If you can blow air out anyway, forget a
chin strap.
Lucky are the people whose tongue forms a
natural airtight seal inside the mouth, usually
against the roof of the mouth. They can sleep
even with their lips open and not leak air. My
tongue relaxes, loses the seal, and air can gush
out even with my jaw clenched tight shut.
The only for-sure way I've found to stop lip air
puffs for me is ....yes...taping the lips shut.
Considered dangerous by many - but that's
what I do. Without tape I'd have to use a
full face mask every night. I don't mind using
my ResMed Ultra Mirage FF when I have a cold
and have to breathe through my mouth;
however, even with heated humidifier turned
way up and an Aussie heated hose to keep from
getting rainout, mouthbreathing all night with a
full face mask does dry my mouth out considerably
by morning. There are other masks that I find
much more comfortable to sleep in - ones that
give me a more restful night.
To use either of my favorite masks (Breeze
with nasal pillows and Activa nasal mask) I tape
my lips with two slightly overlapping strips of
Johnson & Johnson 1" wide waterproof adhesive
tape, being sure to fold down a bit of every end
(sticking the end against itself) to make a handy
"grab tab" on every end.
A full face mask is a safer way to handle mouth
air leaks. But we all do what we're gonna do.
Tape works for me. I'm not a doctor, and I'm
not recommending that others use tape.
Use your own judgement. It could be dangerous.
(my edit: In the original post I had said the tape I use is 2" wide. Correction made...it's 1 inch wide J&J waterproof adhesive tape.)
Last edited by rested gal on Fri Dec 02, 2005 1:00 pm, edited 1 time in total.
-
Maskedmechanic
-
HappyHoser
- Posts: 169
- Joined: Mon Jan 24, 2005 8:40 pm
- Location: Missoula, Montana
Derek, just my own personal experience but I have been using that strap since I started on cpap. I'm a lifelong mouth breather and I agree that the strap wont absolutely prevent oral leakage (that sounds almost as funny as it looks) but, it has been slowly training me to keep my tongue in the right position and my mouth sealed. I have noticed that I am holding my mouth closed during the day more and more even though my nose tends to stuff up a while after I get off of the humidifier. Good luck!
_________________
| Mask | Humidifier | |
 |  |
Doug
HappyHoser
HappyHoser
Hmmmm. Reminds me of the ads for... I can't think of the name of the drug, but it was supposed to keep you from digesting fats. Had a long list of side effects, one of which was "anal leakage" and another was "gas with oily discharge".HappyHoser wrote:I agree that the strap wont absolutely prevent oral leakage
All I can think is, if I have ORAL leakage, I do not want to BURP with oily discharge.
Liam who, let's face it, is one disgusting fellow for even THINKING that.
_________________
| Machine | Mask | |
 |  |
Full face masks
Take a look at the new Fisher Paykel full face mask. It incorporates the chin into the mask much unlike the masks made by the other manufacturers. It is the 431 mask. Chin straps do a good job, but the ff masks seem to work better. You might have to either add or increase your heated humidifier to keep your mouth from drying out.
Melissa
Melissa
I've had my machine about a year and tried a strap. Even with a humidifier (heated) I wake up with a dry mouth, nose, throat. My mouth stays shut, but it blows right by my lips. Full masks don't seal for me unless I tighten it so much I look like I've got a slow-moving-vehicle on my face all day. The only thing I found that works is piece of rubber between my lips and teeth with a band around the outside of my face to hold everything in place. It's a real pain. I've got a mustache so tape is out. The rubber in my mouth makes me salivate excessively all night, so I've got a pool of spit in the morning. I think I'm going to look into surgery.