Tape worked great!

Country4ever · Post by **Country4ever** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 12:42 pm

I don't want to start any arguments again about tape. I just wanted to say that I use swift nasal pillows and for some reason, I've been breathing more and more through my mouth.....waking up with an unbelieveably dried out mouth.
My silly one-strap chin strap doesn't work well, and I didn't want to immediately try another chin strap. As I was getting ready for bed, I saw a roll of 1" paper tape that I have. I put a small strip across my mouth. I went to bed, and felt too claustraphobic to leave it there, so I took it off.
I woke up about 2 hours later to go to the bathroom, and decided since I was so sleepy, to try the tape again. I did, and it was still securely on this morning. My leak rate was low, as was my AHI. And my pressure was even down.
I'm excited about seeing how I feel after a week or 2 with the tape.
I can open my mouth easily, if I need to. It amazing how one little piece of tape can help so much! I know some of you use the 2" tape.....but the 1" works amazingly well. Thanks for the tip!
Can't wait to tell my respiratory therapist! hahaha NOT!

FreeLancer74 · Post by **FreeLancer74** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 12:55 pm

I also bought some paper tape last night to see if I was opening my mouth during the night with my Swift II nasal pillows. I slept all night without waking up and my AHI was down to 2.2 but my leaks were up slightly to 34 from 29. Might be due to higher pressure I set in CPAP mode recently. Eithe way, I was pleased with the AHI results. But I am very tired today. Will continue to use tape through the weekend to see if tiredness continues and if AHI and leak rate stay the same.

20yds of 3M paper tape was only $3.50 at Walgreens (2 x 10yds).

Gerald · Post by **Gerald** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 1:12 pm

Is the tape you're using "Masking Tape"?.....or is it some sort of tape without adhesive?

Please let us know what type or brand tape you're using.

At present, I'm experimenting with "Hurt Free" tape under panty-hose tights stretched across my mouth....and secured at the back of my neck with velcro.

I'm also using a panty-hose tights chin strap....anchored just above my temples with velcro.

This combination is working nicely for me....I'm now able to sleep in all positions.....and AHI is averaging around 0.4.

Gerald

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Country4ever · Post by **Country4ever** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 1:36 pm

Hmm......I never thought about panty hose. I was thinking of trying the sticks-to-itself stretch bandage, but haven't got it to work right yet.
No, the tape isn't masking tape.......its called things like hypoallergenic/no hurt/paper tape/3M micropore.
The only thing I'm worried about is my skin. I'm going to use the chapstick on my lips, and hope that my skin around my mouth doesn't start to break down. I only sleep about 7 hours a night, so hopefully that's enough time without it to let my skin breath.
Just remember to remove the tape slowly.

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): hose

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): hose

FreeLancer74 · Post by **FreeLancer74** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 3:00 pm

I used this directly on my skin. Was not too difficult to take off and didn't leave any marks.

http://www.walgreens.com/store/product. ... prod727934

One 4" piece across the mouth for me. Oh, and price is $4.59 instead of $3.50. My error.

Gerald · Post by **Gerald** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 3:26 pm

Country.....

Rested Gal taught me that Panty Hose "Tights" are better. They are very soft and very "stretchy". Regular Panty Hose is not the best.

They're a little difficult to sew Velcro on....but, other than that, it's the best stuff to use.

I use the legs. I haven't found a use the the "trunk" yet....although they really look funny on one's head. Sorry, no pictures were allowed.

Gerald

Country4ever · Post by **Country4ever** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 3:54 pm

Ah come on Gerald......just one little pic?
Necessity really is the mother of invention, isn't it?

Gerald · Post by **Gerald** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 6:06 pm

I tried the "trunk" on my head once.......my soul-mate couldn't bear to look at it. Hysterical laughter.......

Just returned from Lowe's. Having grown up with masking tape all over me and everything else, I decided to try the 3M Blue - Delicate Release 2-inch wide masking tape tonight. Cost is $10 for 60 feet.

Initial test seems OK........I'll try it under the tights tonight.

Will report tomorrow.

Gerald

Gerald · Post by **Gerald** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 7:07 am

I can report success with the 3M 2" wide Delicate Release masking Tape (blue). Peel-off was easy.....and I see no adverse skin reaction at all.

My leak rate was better last night.......no mouth-leaks.....all leaks were nose-piece related.....and they were within a satisfactory range (for me).

AHI was 0.3.....which is very close to my average. Pressures were 9.5 to 13 cm H2O with CFLEX set at 3.

I was able to sleep in all positions without difficulty.

I'll be using the masking tape again tonight......held firmly in position by an overlay of panty-hose tights secured behind my neck....and a chin strap secured from above my temples (forehead).

Gerald

Country4ever · Post by **Country4ever** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 10:22 am

Hi Gerald,
Glad to hear you were successful! Unfortunately, mine didn't work as well last night. I think it might be because I'm only using the 1" tape and I put vasoline on my lips and I think it slowly loosened the tape during the night. Plus, I was just very restless last night. I think I had too many brownies yesterday. Plus, I had a little nap late afternoon, which I shouldn't do.
I think everything works better if we're really snockered, rather than just mildly tired..........not as much moving around.
Okay........so you're using the tape across your mouth, a chinstrap, the panty hose, the mask, the chickenwire, the duct tape, the WWII helmet...........anything else?
We have to laugh at ourselves, don't we?

Gerald · Post by **Gerald** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 11:56 am

You know, I forgot to mention the chickenwire, the duct tape, and the helmet. I'm sure glad you reminded me!

On a more serious note.......I think we're on the right track using paper tape.

I tried using the "Hurt-Free" stuff....but, it's got holes in it....and air from my mouth leaked through.

I don't think the paper (masking) tape will work by itself.......because, then, it would only be a "dam"....with pressure trying to defeat the adhesive....and blow the tape away from my lips.

But....with panty-hose tights on top of the paper....adding to the strength of the adhesive....and pushing the tape gently against my skin, I now have a real "seal". The paper tape is "captured" by the tights and can't be defeated by air pressure.

I don't think that Vasaline or Chapstick is necessary on the lips. I agree with your evaluation that this lip softening material will ruin the adhesive.

The tape pulled away nicely this morning....with no residue....no skin damage....no indication that anything had been on my face overnight.

My next area of experimentation will be to see if I can do without the chin strap....and still maintain the air seal using the Delicate Release masking tape and the tights secured behind my head.

Gerald

Country4ever · Post by **Country4ever** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 11:59 am

HI Gerald,
When you say the blue tape, are you referring to the non-stick tape that painters use? That wouldn't stay on you without the pantyhose though, right?

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 12:09 pm

I put Blistex on my lips every night.
Purse my lips and fold the in
Put a 1" wide strip of 3M Micropore on my lips, and relax them after the tape is stuck. The sticky part of tape is attached to where I don't have the Blistex, and doesnt' work off. My lips are protected.

O.

Gerald · Post by **Gerald** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 1:37 pm

Country.....

The tape I'm using is 3M Blue 2" "Delicate Release" masking tape that the painters use. I purchased it at Lowe's in their paint department.

They also have the same stuff in "Medium Release" version.....and I bought a roll of that too. I found it to be more "sticky" than the "Delicate Release" version.......but, I found that the "Delicate" does the job.

The stuff is harmless.....I grew up in my family's school bus dealership repair shop....and I can still remember chewing it (like chewing gum) while I was masking up a bus to paint.

Gerald

Country4ever · Post by **Country4ever** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 2:54 pm

Gerald,
I have some of that stuff around here for painting. I didn't realize it could stick to skin fairly well. You said it was safe to chew?? Maybe THAT'S what caused your sleep problems. hahaha
Actually.....I just thought of something else I might try. I used to tape my knee cap over to where it was supposed to be. I had to use some soft white tape first, then the harsher stuff over that. Maybe that would work too.?? We have all sorts of possibilities!

Machine	Mask

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