Just one man's very successful mouth taping procedure

[roster]

Mouth taping

Tape: 3M Micropore 2-inch tape (available from many internet suppliers; I buy mine from Walgreen’s).

Nightly routine:
1. Notify family silent for 8 hours (phone calls – take message).
2. Wash thoroughly and dry face.
3. Apply Chapstick (generic brand) to lips.
4. Roll under about 1/16 inch of tape end to form tab for easy/quick removal of tape in morning.
5. Cut length of tape to cover lips plus about ¾ inch on each side of lips.
6. Turn lips in slightly and center and apply tape.

It doesn’t sound like it but there is almost no discomfort wearing the tape and zero mouth leaks. There is slight discomfort when removing the tape, but the Chapstick stops the tape from adhering to the sensitive lip tissue.

So far the only downside for me is the occasional night when I awaken and need to take an Ibuprofen and glass of water for muscle aches or headache. Then I need to remove the tape and retape.

[Malibu]

Just out of curiosity, what happens if the CPAP fails or loss of power...I take it you will know when to take the mask etc off instead of normally starting to breath through your mouth which is taped?

Does this increase the chances of suffocation?

Just curious...

Malibu

[Guest]

I am often absentminded and have actually taped up, put on my mask, hooked the hose to the cpap machine and laid down in the bed without turning the cpap machine on. I just lay there breathing through the exhaust ports. After a little time I noticed it was quiter than ususal in the bedroom and then realized the cpap was not turned on.

I don't believe the taping adds to suffocation danger in the event of machine failure. However machine failure will increase the apnea danger which is in itself a type of suffocation.

[rested gal]

Great description of "how to tape", Rooster!

Other than using Johnson & Johnson waterproof adhesive tape, that's the way I do it, too.

For a cough that can't be kinda' self contained, if I feel it coming, I quicky lift one side of the tape to cough. Can be extremely uncomfortable to cough with tape intact. The little grab tabs are handy.

Yes, Malibu, power has gone off a few times in the two years I've been taping every night. Didn't cause any problem. I woke up, removed mask and tape. No distress. Same way a long enough apnea would wake a person up.

Here are a couple of links to interesting reading in some ultra-long threads about taping. Even though it was same subject, the many pages of responses were different on two message boards.

Sep 15, 2005 subject: Time for the big Tape Arguement Join In on the ASAA board

Sep 15 2005 subject: Time for the big Tape Arguement Join In on the TalkAboutSleep board

This last link is to a long discussion about frequenseeker's "DIY" (Do It Yourself) mouthguard. People who want to find an alternative to taping might like trying this:

Topic started by frequenseeker Dec 01 2004 subject: mouth leak solution, cheap DIY oral appliance