Tried taping my mouth, and learned something!!!!

sootired2 · Post by **sootired2** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 9:32 am

Ok, so I have read on here where many tape their mouths to avoid mouth breathing. I have been waking up more times than I think I should, so last night I decided to try taping and see if I felt less tired!!

The only problem was that I didn't check and see what tape people were using, and gave NO thought to how easily it would come off! I just found some tape I had used in physical therapy for taping my elbow, and it went on sooooo easily, but come morning I couldn't get it off! I had to use hot water soaks for about 15 minutes to loosen it so I didn't rip off several layers of skin first. What a pain. Today I will have to read more posts on the subject!

I did wake less, and so far have more energy, so maybe I am mouth breathing enough to wake me up. I would think that an I pressure of 15 would be enough leaking noise to wake me up. Will continue the experiment tonight!

RipVW · Post by **RipVW** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 9:43 am

Here's a thread that offers suggestions:
viewtopic.php?t=2049

Hawthorne · Post by **Hawthorne** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 9:58 am

I tried several kinds of tape and the best one I have found (for me - I'm female) is "Johnson & Johnson NON-IRRITATING Paper Tape"- 1 inch. (for frequent dressing changes). I just put strips vertically over my mouth - takes 3 strips for me.
I don't know if you can get this in the US. I am Canadian. It goes on easily, stays on, and comes off with just a little sting. I have been using it for about a month now and have had no problem with my skin. I put it on so that I can open my mouth just a little.

bap40 · Post by **bap40** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 10:00 am

I also use paper tape but just run it horizontal over my lips with great results and it comes off very easily.

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 12:35 pm

sootired2 wrote:Ok, so I have read on here where many tape their mouths to avoid mouth breathing. I have been waking up more times than I think I should, so last night I decided to try taping and see if I felt less tired!!

The only problem was that I didn't check and see what tape people were using, and gave NO thought to how easily it would come off! I just found some tape I had used in physical therapy for taping my elbow, and it went on sooooo easily, but come morning I couldn't get it off! I had to use hot water soaks for about 15 minutes to loosen it so I didn't rip off several layers of skin first. What a pain. Today I will have to read more posts on the subject!

I did wake less, and so far have more energy, so maybe I am mouth breathing enough to wake me up. I would think that an I pressure of 15 would be enough leaking noise to wake me up. Will continue the experiment tonight!

Hopefully you didn't end up looking like this:

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 1:00 pm

LINKS to: Mouth leaks - Air Leaks - Tape - DIY Guard
viewtopic.php?t=8011

omigosh! Just now noticed one of the topics in the Streaming cpap news at the top of this page...

04/05/08 Quick Fix: Faithful fans stick by duct tape Was in the "Streaming CPAP and Sleep Apnea News" for April 5, 2008

About halfway down in the article it says:

"This may sound strange and it is," began the story e-mailed by Debbie McNamee of Fort Myers.

"My husband has trouble sleeping. He underwent a sleep study and got a machine to help him breathe for sleep apnea. However, his mouth would fall open and his throat got very dry," she wrote.

"Without telling me one night, he applied tape duct to his mouth and chin to keep his mouth from falling open. Imagine my surprise to see him in the morning with duct tape across his face. Rather scary."

Rob McNamee isn't using duct tape that way anymore, his wife wrote.

If Mr. McNamee hasn't already been reading on message boards about taping the mouth, and came up with the idea all on his own.... good for him for at least TRYING. He earned a LAB RAT AWARD in absentia!

Rob??? That's not you in the picture DreamStalker put up, is it?

Gerald · Post by **Gerald** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 1:55 pm

My honey & I use 2" wide 3M "Blue" Delicate Release masking tape....available from Lowe's paint department.

I use a strip about 10" long....and fold each end over by 1/2" or so to make "removal handles". During removal, I pull at an angle of 180 degrees to facial surface........because 90 degrees (pulling straight out) pulls the skin too much for comfort.

To help prevent "blow-outs", I add a layer of Rested Gal's panty hose tights....made from one leg.... over the tape.....and secured behind my head. This adds strength to the gentle adhesive of the tape.

This method works perfectly for us....no leaks....no blow-outs.

My regular AHI score ranges from 0.0 to about 0.8 every day.

Hope this helps!

Gerald

sootired2 · Post by **sootired2** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 5:52 pm

Thanks to everyone! And NO, thank God, I did not look like that picture.......what a stitch!

I spent a loooong time today reading posts about all the mouth taping and denture stuff. Just bought some Polident strips that I hope are the right thing, as I only saw the one type as everything else was cream. Also got some Nexcare tape as well to try.

Even though I really felt that I had very minimal mouth breathing issues, I can tell you that today I felt like someone had given me a huge shot of caffeine! I have not had this much energy in about 6 years! Let's hope it lasts........

Margaret

RosemaryB · Post by **RosemaryB** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 8:42 pm

Gerald wrote:To help prevent "blow-outs", I add a layer of Rested Gal's panty hose tights....made from one leg.... over the tape.....and secured behind my head. This adds strength to the gentle adhesive of the tape.

This method works perfectly for us....no leaks....no blow-outs.

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

I've been using Johnson &Johnson Hurt Free Wrap in the same way, but I may try a pantyhose tight leg.

I use Johnson and Johnson paper tape for sensitive skin for my tape. I think it says "non-irritating" on the pkg. I swear by this tape. Any other tape (even the ones that appear to be the same type, gentle paper tape by Nexcare for instance) have adhesive that is hard to get off and irritates my skin to the point of bleeding after a few nights. I hope J&J keeps making the paper tape.

I sometimes use polygrip strips or polygrip cream. It took me a while to get the Poligrip cream adhesive right. At first I used too much and had a mouth full of goop. But once I tried it a few times it seemed to work ok. I always add the wrap over it to prevent blowouts. One thing the wrap does is that it keeps my cheeks from puffing out so much as well as keeping the tape in place or keeping my lips together with polygrip.

In the summer I plan to use the Polygrip since the tape doesn't stay on as well in the hot weather.

Tried taping my mouth, and learned something!!!!

Tried taping my mouth, and learned something!!!!

Mouth taping

Re: Tried taping my mouth, and learned something!!!!