AirTouch N20

I just saw that ResMed is making a nasal mask with the foam cushion. I currently use the AirTouch F20 but am not happy with it. For one thing, it pinches the top of my nose and restricts airflow a bit. Second, it blows air on my upper gums, giving me gum irritation, which I need to fix before it gets worse. Silicone cushions bother my skin. I need to figure out how to stop mouth breathing so I can get the AirTouch N20. I have tried chin straps, mouth taping in all configurations, and mouth guard. People say you can train yourself to keep your tongue suctioned to the roof of your mouth. I have tried the nasal mask the Sleep Center gave me a few times and I don't last that long. Every time I drift off to sleep, the air rushes out of my mouth. Do I need to suffer a few nights of bad sleep to train my tongue to get with the program? How about this thing I found on Amazon? Anyone tried this?

i despise mine also and am looking for a better solution. Lets hope somebody has the answer for us.

So I got out the nasal mask, F&P Eson 2 and tried again last night. I put on the chin strap. I actually didn't do too bad. My AHI was 2.2 and I felt pretty good this morning. I did wake up a few times with air escaping my mouth and the leak rate on Oscar was all over the place, but this was definitely progress from prior attempts. The silicone was burning my skin, so I quickly cut out a liner from an old tee shirt. It only took a couple of minutes. One thing I learned is that I was making the chin strap too tight. I need it to support my jaw, not clamp it shut. When my jaw doesn't fall open so far, I find it easier to keep my tongue in the right position. Gee, something that should be so natural was hard for me. I'm going to keep trying. My biggest motivation is to protect my gums and stay out of the periodontist's office.

Then use tape - 3M micropore/any pharmacy - is fine. The strap can't keep your lips closed and that thing you posted looks awful.

Katerific wrote: ↑

Fri Sep 04, 2020 5:36 pm

One thing I learned is that I was making the chin strap too tight. I need it to support my jaw, not clamp it shut. When my jaw doesn't fall open so far, I find it easier to keep my tongue in the right position. Gee, something that should be so natural was hard for me. I'm going to keep trying. My biggest motivation is to protect my gums and stay out of the periodontist's office.

have you considered a firm foam cervical collar?

zonker wrote: ↑

Fri Sep 04, 2020 7:23 pm

have you considered a firm foam cervical collar?

I have one and have tried using it several times. I should give it another go.

Katerific wrote: ↑

Fri Sep 04, 2020 8:11 pm

zonker wrote: ↑

Fri Sep 04, 2020 7:23 pm

have you considered a firm foam cervical collar?

I have one and have tried using it several times. I should give it another go.

was there a problem using it?

if you give it another go, please tell us how it went.

zonker wrote: ↑

Fri Sep 04, 2020 9:19 pm

Katerific wrote: ↑

Fri Sep 04, 2020 8:11 pm

zonker wrote: ↑

Fri Sep 04, 2020 7:23 pm

have you considered a firm foam cervical collar?

I have one and have tried using it several times. I should give it another go.

was there a problem using it?

if you give it another go, please tell us how it went.

When I put a cervical collar on and lie down, it creates a lot of upward pressure on my lower jaw. It doesn't feel comfortable having my jaws pushed together so hard. I have purchased 2 different sizes of collars and still feel uncomfortable. It is also too hot having it around my neck.

I used the F&P Eson 2 nasal mask again last night with the chin strap and homemade cushion liner. I woke up 5 times with dry mouth, so I am still breathing through my mouth at times. At about 4:30 a.m., I applied 3M tape across my lips and had a few problems with chipmunk cheeks. I'll read up on chipmunk sites on this site. My AHI was 1.4 for the 8 hr night, so I'm encouraged. I've been on CPAP for 9 months now and still struggling to get comfortable. I'm persistent if nothing else.

My goal is to feel confident about using the nasal mask I already have and then order the AirTouch N20. I do like the foam cushion on the AirTouch F20.

Katerific wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 05, 2020 12:30 pm

When I put a cervical collar on and lie down, it creates a lot of upward pressure on my lower jaw. It doesn't feel comfortable having my jaws pushed together so hard. I have purchased 2 different sizes of collars and still feel uncomfortable. It is also too hot having it around my neck.

this is why i try to remember to stress to newbies that we aren't all the same. even something like a cervical collar. works for me but not for thee. and i believe i've heard the "too hot" complaint before. i'll try to tuck that away in the little grey cells.

Katerific wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 05, 2020 12:30 pm

I used the F&P Eson 2 nasal mask again last night with the chin strap and homemade cushion liner. I woke up 5 times with dry mouth, so I am still breathing through my mouth at times. At about 4:30 a.m., I applied 3M tape across my lips and had a few problems with chipmunk cheeks. I'll read up on chipmunk sites on this site. My AHI was 1.4 for the 8 hr night, so I'm encouraged. I've been on CPAP for 9 months now and still struggling to get comfortable. I'm persistent if nothing else.

My goal is to feel confident about using the nasal mask I already have and then order the AirTouch N20. I do like the foam cushion on the AirTouch F20.

and it's good to have goals. may i make a suggestion for something else to try?-

viewtopic/p1089718/viewtopic.php?f=1&t= ... s#p1086296

i use this with some modifications. it really does the trick for me, maybe it'll work for you.

zonker wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 05, 2020 1:29 pm

and it's good to have goals. may i make a suggestion for something else to try?-

viewtopic/p1089718/viewtopic.php?f=1&t= ... s#p1086296

i use this with some modifications. it really does the trick for me, maybe it'll work for you.

I made one and find that it pulls my ears forward like an elf's ears. What modifications did you make?

Katerific wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 05, 2020 3:01 pm

zonker wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 05, 2020 1:29 pm

and it's good to have goals. may i make a suggestion for something else to try?-

viewtopic/p1089718/viewtopic.php?f=1&t= ... s#p1086296

i use this with some modifications. it really does the trick for me, maybe it'll work for you.

I made one and find that it pulls my ears forward like an elf's ears. What modifications did you make?

excuse me a minute. i have a picture of me in my rig, but can't find it. hold on while i give dog slobber a shout-

Dog Slobber wrote:

Thu Sep 03, 2020 3:36 pm

hey, dog? i assume you've got the original of me. if you could post it here, i'll save it this time.

okay so while we wait for him to hopefully post the pic, i'll just say one of the things i DIDN'T do was cut holes for my ears. i just loop the top over my ears. i have also cut a split in the band where it goes over my crown. that helps it stabilize on my bulbous cranium.

i also use a second smaller strap that also fits around my mouth and the back of my neck.

it's quite a production getting this set up every night for bed, but it has helped my air flow and lowered my ahi at least by one point.

no problem

Thank you for the pic Dog Slobber.
Zonker, you are very resourceful! Thank you for the suggestions!

Dog Slobber wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 05, 2020 6:11 pm

no problem

thanks, boss.

got it tucked away.

Katerific wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 05, 2020 6:38 pm

Thank you for the pic Dog Slobber.
Zonker, you are very resourceful! Thank you for the suggestions!

shucks m'am weren't nuthin' to it. just keep playing around and adding stuff.

that pic shows one elastic band added across the bottom. i've since added another across the top.

i find that scuncis DO lose their elasticity over time. washing/drying helps them snap back. but that only lasts so long and then i have to replace them. i can usually get months of use out of it.

i'm having trouble finding the elastic bands i originally used. i now use some that are slightly bigger. i tie a knot in one end to make them smaller in circumference.

the struggle continues....

eta: and what you might not know, being new here?
dog slobber has taken this image and has run with it. he is amazing at photoshopping me into all kinds of situations!

i can't find the thread he made because my search skills are the suck. maybe he'll come back with a link?