Lips and Cheeks & Full Face Mask question

I had a question if someone could please assist: I am using the Somnodent dental device which creates a suction and keeps my jaws "locked" together and I am using CPAP nasal pillows (Airfit P10). I use a piece of medical tape vertically on my lips (I am too scared to seal them shut). I feel air somtimes puffing out of my lips (I don't believe I am a mouth breather) which are just slightly opened and coming from my cheeks. I can actually feel the "puff" of air coming out. I am not sure how often this happens, but I am up every 2 hours and still have 2-3 bathroom trips. My AHI in the morning shows 0.4 and leak rate 26 (sometimes as high as 28). My sleep doc's nurse recommended that I try a full face mask. Would graduating to a full face mask (I am going to try the Simplus Full Face mask by F&P) be a better solution especially since I have a nasal congestion. Since I have not used one, can air still come out of your mouth on a full face mask? Thank you.

Is a FFM better than

Somnodent + nasal pillows + lip tape

?

Definitely!

Luthie2006 wrote: can air still come out of your mouth on a full face mask?

If your lips open, air will pass through. But, with a FFM, the pressure is maintained and the therapy works well.

I sleep most of the night with my lips closed. But, at times, my lips part and air passes through - out and in.

Luthie2006 wrote:I have a nasal congestion

Is this chronic? If so, are you addressing it? Many of us have had problems and came make recommendations on how to overcome acute or chronic congestion.

A full face mask can be an excellent solution, but you have to find one that FITS.

Thank you all for your comments. So a FFM is a solution to lips puffing out with air? It is pretty chronic, every night I wake up and feel a little "puff" of air coming out of my lips that are just opened a little bit, enough for CPAP air to come out. My lips just open, and I don't know why. I don't feel that I am a mouth breather, maybe a lip breather. And I do have chronic dry mouth as well. It feels like an accumulation of too much air in my cheeks and a little "puff" comes out, enough to disturb me all night. So perhaps a FFM is the answer. I understand these are even more difficult to fit (leaks, sizes, etc) than nasal pillows and I had a dozen or so nasal masks as well. I imagine there is no perfect FFM. I was told Simplus FFM by F&P is pretty good, if it seals.

Hate to break it to you, but you are a mouth breather (make up another name if you like) which is why you get dry. A FFM is the ideal answer, but you need to try them on while lying down, with the machine on, as your face changes a lot at that time and is the source of potential leaks. A Padacheek.com liner can help with minor ones.

Luthie2006 wrote:I understand these are even more difficult to fit (leaks, sizes, etc) than nasal pillows

Not necessarily. I have two very different styles of FFMs and both were easy to fit. Both are fairly easy to adjust. My leak is zero many nights and under 6 (very low) the other nights. Gramps has the same experience.

On the other hand, if you get it in your brain they are difficult, there is that little thing about self-fulfilling prophecy.

Luthie2006 wrote:I am a mouth breather, maybe a lip breather. And I do have chronic dry mouth as well.

I use this product every night and it works very well - http://www.drugstore.com/orajel-dry-mou ... tid=183812

If you need tips on how to apply and use it, just ask.

Thanks Julie, and Chicago Granny: Guess I am a mouth breather and not a lip breather.
Chicago Granny (I have Orajel Dry Mouth) and apply it to my tongue every night and it does not help with the sticky dry mouth like the Sahara desert.
Can you tell me (I know it is different for everyone's style of face, nose bridge, etc.) which FFM you were successful with? If one breathes through their mouth with a FFM, where does the puffy air go? Thank you.

Back down your airway where it belongs.

Thanks Julie. That makes sense! Never used a FFM and am moving in that direction now. Are there any "best" ones or let's say "worst" ones out there?
And is a leak of 26-28 bad?

Luthie2006 wrote:Never used a FFM and am moving in that direction now. Are there any "best" ones or let's say "worst" ones out there?

Some one smarter than me has posted, "For every mask made, you will find some people who love it and some people who hate it."

I don't like to recommend masks because it is an individualized things, but my favorite that I use almost every night is the Innomed Hybrid - https://www.cpap.com/productpage/RespCa ... -Mask.html

The Hybrid has a small footprint and does no interfere with the eyes. It comes with three sizes of nasal pillows and three sizes of mouthpieces, so initially you can experiment with fit without having to worry about ordering the wrong size. There are some tricks to using it, which we can explain if you choose to procure one.

I also have a Quattro FX which I use for the occasional daytime nap. I am thinking about replacing it with a ResMed AirFit F10 (https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... dgear.html) which has received some good reviews here.

You might want to peruse the FFMs at cpap.com (our forum host) to see what appeals to you.

Thanks Chicago Granny: I know someone at work has the Hybrid. I am trying to do away with the nasal pillows part, so that won't work for me. I will check the other FFM you recommend! Thank you. BTW, I live in Chicago too. Hot and humid weather we are having today!

I forgot this.

Luthie2006 wrote:Chicago Granny (I have Orajel Dry Mouth) and apply it to my tongue every night and it does not help with the sticky dry mouth like the Sahara desert.

Going straight from the tube, put a small amount on the tip of your tongue. Moving the tongue tip, transfer the gel to the area between the lower teeth and gums.

Repeat for upper gums.

Try not to suck the gel down. Put on your FFM immediately after applying the gel, and then, bed down for the night.

If you apply too much gel, it tends to get siphoned out and swallowed.

The gel should work better when using a FFM as compared to a nasal-only interface.

It works very well for me. Sometimes I awaken around 3:00 or 4:00 and make another application.

Thanks Chicago Granny: Maybe I was applying the gel wrong, just on my tongue. I will use my tongue as a stick. Thank you.

Luthie2006 wrote: I will use my tongue as a stick.

Many people do.