Mouth Breather Can't Fix It - (Anyone use Dreamwear?)

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
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DeeCPAP
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Mouth Breather Can't Fix It - (Anyone use Dreamwear?)

Post by DeeCPAP » Wed Feb 22, 2017 11:43 pm

I'm using DreamWear headgear. It's wonderful after 10+ years truly struggling to find the right one!!! Tried full, half, pillows... Then, after using it many months, the tech said I've been breathing through my mouth. No wonder I was hit with grogginess 2-3 hours after I woke up. I tried LOTS of chin straps but they're all too tight. The back of my head a bit flat side so none of them ever worked. (Haven't tried the Ruby though).

The mask dislodges easily so masks with chin guards made of heavier/thicker material. Leaks when I move! Pulled all the gear from my head in my sleep last night.

Using a CPAP feels like a torture chamber AGAIN!

Thanks in advance!

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Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: DreamWear Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: XT Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: My headgear varies (STILL!)
Last edited by DeeCPAP on Thu Feb 23, 2017 12:20 am, edited 2 times in total.
Resmed S9 with humidifier and in need of the right mask.

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Julie
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Re: Mouth Breather Can't Fix It !!

Post by Julie » Wed Feb 22, 2017 11:46 pm

Get a pappillow(.com) and a full face mask, common sense, not torture.

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DeeCPAP
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Re: Mouth Breather Can't Fix It !!

Post by DeeCPAP » Wed Feb 22, 2017 11:55 pm

Julie wrote:Get a pappillow(.com) and a full face mask, common sense, not torture.
Thanks, but only Dreamwear works. I tried full, half, pillows, whatever. I'd tape my lips together before I switched, but that's considered a bit dangerous.

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Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: DreamWear Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: XT Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: My headgear varies (STILL!)
Resmed S9 with humidifier and in need of the right mask.

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bonjour
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Re: Mouth Breather Can't Fix It !!

Post by bonjour » Thu Feb 23, 2017 12:19 am

I find taping safe but controversial. Keep in mind the purpose of any measure of controlling mouth breathing is not to keep the mouth shut, but to keep the PAP air from escaping. I use a light sticky sports tape (that is light on the sticky stuff) that I can easily open my mouth. All I'm trying to do is to stop the pap air from escaping my lips. It doesn't take much.

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Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: VAuto 11-25cmH2O PS 3 --- OSCAR software, Many masks - Amara View FFM to P10 Pillows Several Nasal and FFM

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DeeCPAP
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Re: Mouth Breather Can't Fix It !!

Post by DeeCPAP » Thu Feb 23, 2017 12:47 am

bonjour wrote:I find taping safe but controversial. Keep in mind the purpose of any measure of controlling mouth breathing is not to keep the mouth shut, but to keep the PAP air from escaping. I use a light sticky sports tape (that is light on the sticky stuff) that I can easily open my mouth. All I'm trying to do is to stop the pap air from escaping my lips. It doesn't take much.
Thanks. That's an excellent idea. It will help avoid feeling like sleeping in a vise!

_________________
Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: DreamWear Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: XT Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: My headgear varies (STILL!)
Resmed S9 with humidifier and in need of the right mask.

Ranuki
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Location: New York

Re: Mouth Breather Can't Fix It - (Anyone use Dreamwear?)

Post by Ranuki » Thu Feb 23, 2017 1:56 am

I use the Dreamwear and I was worried about mouth breathing too, since I do normally during awake hours. I've gotten lucky thus far that I'm actually sleeping with my mouth shut. Going to follow this thread for advice if I start mouth breathing with this mask. I like this mask a lot!

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DeeCPAP
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Re: Mouth Breather Can't Fix It - (Anyone use Dreamwear?)

Post by DeeCPAP » Thu Feb 23, 2017 2:25 am

Ranuki wrote:I use the Dreamwear and I was worried about mouth breathing too, since I do normally during awake hours. I've gotten lucky thus far that I'm actually sleeping with my mouth shut. Going to follow this thread for advice if I start mouth breathing with this mask. I like this mask a lot!

I didn't know I was mouth breathing until the tech looked at my data the other day. You may want to have your sleep doc check it out. Some might say use the Sleephead software on this website to check it out, but I never got the hang of reading or uploading it. I also took out clear tape to use tonight to see if I feel a difference. Are you sleepy and or tired during the day? That's a dead giveaway you may be mouth breathing. Good luck!

_________________
Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: DreamWear Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: XT Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: My headgear varies (STILL!)
Resmed S9 with humidifier and in need of the right mask.

Chimpanzzz
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Re: Mouth Breather Can't Fix It - (Anyone use Dreamwear?)

Post by Chimpanzzz » Thu Feb 23, 2017 11:31 am

As an alternative to taping, I use a foam cervical collar to prop the jaw closed and a sports headband over my mouth to keep my lips from blowing out. I get a good air seal and it's comfortable. It's easy to apply and remove as well.

Futuro collar
http://www.futuro-usa.com/3M/en_US/futu ... 207&rt=rud

Ace headband
http://www.kmart.com/ace-headband-black ... 551341001P

You do have to replace them regularly as the collar will soften and the headband stretches: collar about every 2 months and the headband about every two weeks.

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Holden4th
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Re: Mouth Breather Can't Fix It - (Anyone use Dreamwear?)

Post by Holden4th » Fri Feb 24, 2017 3:42 am

The collar was enough for me. I went down the chin strap road and like you it didn't work. The collar also stops chin droop which further cuts off the air supply. Get the right collar and it's a very comfortable way to sleep.

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grayghost4
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Re: Mouth Breather Can't Fix It - (Anyone use Dreamwear?)

Post by grayghost4 » Fri Feb 24, 2017 11:35 am

I use a 4 in. cervical collar and a simple boil and bite mouth guard and for me that prevents mouth air loss.
Like this one : https://www.amazon.com/Silent-Sleep-Tee ... ight+guard

but much cheaper on ebay .... 2 to 3 Dollars each Or at Walmart .

when I boil and bite it I move my lower jaw forward so the it helps to keep my airway open
If you're not part of the solution you're just scumming up the bottom of the beaker!

Get the Clinicians manual here : http://apneaboard.com/adjust-cpap-press ... tup-manual

dwood003
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Re: Mouth Breather Can't Fix It - (Anyone use Dreamwear?)

Post by dwood003 » Fri Feb 24, 2017 3:28 pm

I wear a partial dental plate which I remove at night; I’m missing my top 6 front teeth. I recognized that air was blowing out, not that I was breathing thru my mouth.
Thru trial and error I arrived at this nightly procedure.
I shave followed by applying Walmarts Equate wrinkle cream to my face; it’s cheap and protects the skin in a variety of ways.
Tape alone would not hold back the air; I follow a suggestion from this board. I take 2 Poligrip dental strips; they are a little too wide so I narrow them enough so when I place them between my lips they do not extend into my mouth. Run them under the hot water faucet just enough to soften them but not so much that they are limp, complete one side at a time, with dry lips and fingers, place them from each corner of the bottom lip so they criss cross in the center; gently close lips.
The best tape though a little pricy is 3M Nexcare sensitive skin low trauma tape. Apply ½”or so beyond the corners of the mouth as needed.
Next I use a chin strap, not to tight, it provides support and protects the tape, also the head gear goes over the top which limits its movement and reduces the skin marking.
I use air over water in the humidifier but do not use the heat; it will melt the dental strips.
One swipe with a paper towel will clean the lips once you get the hang of it.
I have been taping for 10 yrs, cautiously at 1st, never had an incident. I take a sleeping pill prior to preparation which takes about 15 minutes to kick in; I sit and wait with all my gear on, occasionally I fall asleep in the chair, but have no problem breathing.

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SewTired
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Re: Mouth Breather Can't Fix It - (Anyone use Dreamwear?)

Post by SewTired » Fri Feb 24, 2017 10:35 pm

If the manufactured chin lifts are too tight (they seem to be mostly made with neoprene which has no give at all), go on down to the fabric store and find a fabric that is just right for you. Or buy something like this.
https://www.amazon.com/Avalon-Aire-Supe ... rap+velcro

A cotton elastic bandage might also work, but they might have too much give in them to be useful for this purpose.

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keroseneburner
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Re: Mouth Breather Can't Fix It - (Anyone use Dreamwear?)

Post by keroseneburner » Sat Feb 25, 2017 9:16 am

I had this problem, did the mouth taping, tried the chin straps, cervical collar, you name it. I finally got an amaraview full face mask and it worked, didn't leak and my therapy is where it needs to be .7 or so a night.
s9 Autoset
humidifier
heated tube
amaraview mask

Chimpanzzz
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Re: Mouth Breather Can't Fix It - (Anyone use Dreamwear?)

Post by Chimpanzzz » Sat Feb 25, 2017 10:51 am

That's an interesting mask. Might have to give that one a look-see. Thx Burny.

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bonjour
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Re: Mouth Breather Can't Fix It - (Anyone use Dreamwear?)

Post by bonjour » Sat Feb 25, 2017 11:16 am

Chimpanzzz wrote:That's an interesting mask. Might have to give that one a look-see. Thx Burny.
That is the mask in my Avatar

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Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: VAuto 11-25cmH2O PS 3 --- OSCAR software, Many masks - Amara View FFM to P10 Pillows Several Nasal and FFM