Nasal mask for mouth breather

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
bilesgg
Posts: 1
Joined: Tue Nov 10, 2015 2:36 pm

Nasal mask for mouth breather

Post by bilesgg » Tue Nov 10, 2015 2:42 pm

I am new to CPAP therapy (4 weeks) I want to be able to use the nasal mask instead of the full face mask but is that possible if I am a mouth breather. I use a chin strap with the nasal mask but when I open my mouth it creates a suction that makes it really uncomfortable. I have tried to just breath through my nose but that does not last for long. I have tried using it while I am awake to get use to it but then my machine tells me I have had 12 episodes of apnea within half an hour. I dont know how that could be as I am awake and havent stopped breathing. When I use the full face mask during the night the machine registers about .5 in episodes.

User avatar
Gasper62
Posts: 982
Joined: Tue Mar 10, 2015 1:22 pm
Location: Central Maryland

Re: Nasal mask for mouth breather

Post by Gasper62 » Tue Nov 10, 2015 2:55 pm

Sounds like you already have your answer, mouth breathers generally seem to require FFM's or oral masks. I defeated every chin strap I ever tried and always ended up breathing from my mouth, losing all therapeutic PAP benefits in the process. Now I just wear a FFM and accept it.

User avatar
Wulfman...
Posts: 6688
Joined: Mon Sep 01, 2014 6:41 pm
Location: Nearest fishing spot

Re: Nasal mask for mouth breather

Post by Wulfman... » Tue Nov 10, 2015 3:09 pm

bilesgg wrote:I am new to CPAP therapy (4 weeks) I want to be able to use the nasal mask instead of the full face mask but is that possible if I am a mouth breather. I use a chin strap with the nasal mask but when I open my mouth it creates a suction that makes it really uncomfortable. I have tried to just breath through my nose but that does not last for long. I have tried using it while I am awake to get use to it but then my machine tells me I have had 12 episodes of apnea within half an hour. I dont know how that could be as I am awake and havent stopped breathing. When I use the full face mask during the night the machine registers about .5 in episodes.
Why? By the time you apply chinstraps, tape and whatever paraphernalia to keep your mouth shut, you might as well just use a full face mask.

But, are you doing nasal cleansing periodically and before bedtime? If you're using a higher heated humidifier setting, you might try turning it down or off........warm moist air can cause more nasal congestion and therefore more mouth-breathing.

Awake breathing and sleep breathing can be totally different. The data from awake breathing would be bogus.

Sounds like you do pretty good with the full face mask. I'd stick with it and get used to it.

For me, personally, I've never even tried to use a nasal mask.......all full face ones for me. I know my limitations, but I also became a nasal breather early on with the full face mask and cool, "passover" humidification.


Den

.
(5) REMstar Autos w/C-Flex & (6) REMstar Pro 2 CPAPs w/C-Flex - Pressure Setting = 14 cm.
"Passover" Humidification - ResMed Ultra Mirage FF - Encore Pro w/Card Reader & MyEncore software - Chiroflow pillow
User since 05/14/05

User avatar
LSAT
Posts: 13229
Joined: Sun Nov 16, 2008 10:11 am
Location: SE Wisconsin

Re: Nasal mask for mouth breather

Post by LSAT » Tue Nov 10, 2015 4:18 pm

bilesgg wrote:I am new to CPAP therapy (4 weeks) I want to be able to use the nasal mask instead of the full face mask but is that possible if I am a mouth breather. I use a chin strap with the nasal mask but when I open my mouth it creates a suction that makes it really uncomfortable. I have tried to just breath through my nose but that does not last for long. I have tried using it while I am awake to get use to it but then my machine tells me I have had 12 episodes of apnea within half an hour. I dont know how that could be as I am awake and havent stopped breathing. When I use the full face mask during the night the machine registers about .5 in episodes.
The CPAP is for sleep...you will not get an accurate AHI measure while awake...if you do it's mostly CAs. The night measure while you are asleep is the most accurate. .5 is pretty good. Breathing patterns awake vs sleeping are very different.

_________________
Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: Fisher & Paykel Vitera Full Face Mask with Headgear (S, M, or L Cushion)
Additional Comments: Back up is S9 Autoset...... Buckwheat hull pillow

otrpu
Posts: 88
Joined: Fri Jan 11, 2008 8:50 pm
Location: Colorado

Re: Nasal mask for mouth breather

Post by otrpu » Sat Nov 28, 2015 9:01 pm

bilesgg,
Take alook at RespCARE HYBRID FFM. It's a combination nasal & facemask. Supports the lower jaw so I don't need a chin strap.

Cheers,
otrpu