Trying to keep my mouth closed.

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
RAWTSgirl
Posts: 15
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2005 6:02 pm
Location: Sydney, Australia

Trying to keep my mouth closed.

Post by RAWTSgirl » Tue Feb 15, 2005 3:33 pm

Hi Everyone,

I have been using cpap for about a month on the pressure of 13 with an activa nasal mask which I have gotten to sit right and feel right.

My BIG problem is that I have air leaking out of my mouth. I have to wear a mouthguard because I grind my teeth really badly as well.

I talked to my sleep clinic and we tried on a chin strap. So I went out and purchased it and tried it for two nights. Yes it stopped the leak but it also hurt like hell and smushed against my face and the other straps all night long. Not good as I am a side sleeper who likes to bury my face into the pillow. Plus the velcro kept thinking that it was supposed to attach to my hair, not the other strap - ouch!

So then I remembered I read that someone I think Rested Gal tapes her mouth shut so off I went to the chemist and got some tape that would not rip the skin off my lips.

One night it went ok, but last night I woke up with air leaking out of it (without the tape coming off) and me mouth blowing up and down somewhat like a frog (but without the croak). Thank goodness I sleep alone otherwise I am sure I would have provided amusement for hours with that look.

Today I feel as bad as I did before I started the cpap. And I am not a happy Jan. Hmmm perhaps I should tell everyone we had a yellow pages add here where there was this boss who was hunting for her add in the yellow pages which her assistant Jan had not put in and she runs off down the street and the boss yells out the window "Not happy Jan". It played about 2 years ago and has become a part of aussie speech, well mine anyway.

Can anyone who actually got the bottom of this post please make some suggestions about what I can do about the mask leaks - apart from the obvious get a full face mask, which I am not sure I can afford at the moment?

many thanks,
Ready And Waiting To Sleepgirl

snoozin'
Posts: 162
Joined: Thu Jan 13, 2005 11:07 am
Location: Frederick, Maryland

Post by snoozin' » Tue Feb 15, 2005 4:19 pm

RAWTS,
The only other thing I can suggest (besides a new mask) is to try another kind of chin strap. Some people have had good luck with headbands (for hair). They're stretchy, but usually fairly strong since they have to hold hair in place. They're made to be worn on hair, so they don't pull or tangle (much). You might see if you can use one of them, maybe with the tape also, until you can get a full face mask.
Debbie

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derek
Posts: 419
Joined: Sun Feb 06, 2005 2:06 pm
Location: Boston, MA

Post by derek » Tue Feb 15, 2005 5:54 pm

I've been thinking about the Respironics "Premium" chin-strap - sold by cpap.com - because it seems to lift the chin vertically, rather than pull it back.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/1002
Looks bulky but maybe it works better with less pressure on the chin.

derek

meister
Posts: 399
Joined: Fri Jan 21, 2005 11:15 am

Go for it man!

Post by meister » Tue Feb 15, 2005 6:48 pm

Then send it to me and I will post a review for all to see. Then I will
wash it and send it back to Derick. Haven't seen a chin strap yet
which actually stays on all night, and really keeps the air from pushing
out through my lips. Time for the silicone mouth insert and some Super
glue (unless of course, Derick delivers)

Grant I
Posts: 48
Joined: Thu Feb 10, 2005 4:54 pm
Location: Chicago Western Suburb

Post by Grant I » Tue Feb 15, 2005 9:24 pm

Before I got my full-face mask, I tried everything folks have discussed--chin strap (still leaked; fell off); tape (leaked and came loose); elastic bandage around the head (still leaked). After three nasal mask/pillow failures, I demanded a full face from my home health agency, and they "bent the rules" and got me what I needed. If it boils down to your health for a few $$--YOU'RE WORTH IT!!

Looking east at Liam...

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Liam1965
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Location: New Hampshire
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Re: Go for it man!

Post by Liam1965 » Tue Feb 15, 2005 11:01 pm

meister wrote:Time for the silicone mouth insert and some Super
glue
Good luck, people have been trying to get me to keep my mouth closed for a long time, and I'm not sure even Super Glue would cut it. Certainly not if you then put me in a situation where I could say something stupid and badly embarass myself.

Liam, who is leaning towards sutures

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gargoyle
Posts: 7
Joined: Thu Feb 10, 2005 10:21 am

Post by gargoyle » Wed Feb 16, 2005 9:25 am

I tried a full face mask and to get it tight enough not to leak I have a red triangle on my face all day. I'm going to check into surgery.

Guest

Post by Guest » Wed Feb 16, 2005 1:12 pm

Try chin-up strips. I tried the chin straps too. The respironics one is the best I have tried and works but left my chin sore. For the heck of it I ordered some of these strips at http://www.chin-up.com/ . They have worked great. They stick REALLY good and come off easy with water. I wear a full fask mask. I had a lot of leaks until I realized my jaw would relax and drop. As soon as it happened my FF mask would leak. Since I used the chin strap and then went to the chin up strips, my mask rarely leaks and no red marks and starting to sleep great.... 5 months after starting cpap.

RAWTSgirl
Posts: 15
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2005 6:02 pm
Location: Sydney, Australia

Post by RAWTSgirl » Wed Feb 16, 2005 2:57 pm

Thanks everyone for your great ideas.

I am definitely going to try them.

I think I may at some stage have to go the full face mask option but I would like to wait until the activa (as rumour has it in other posts) arrives later in the year.
Ready And Waiting To Sleepgirl