Another Question for Our Sleep Professionals - Puffy Cheeks
Another Question for Our Sleep Professionals - Puffy Cheeks
In another forum a new user of CPAP mentioned as he was dozing off he had problems w/his mouth filling w/air and puffing his cheeks out like a chipmunk.
I haven't run into that in quite some time but I did experience it on more than a few occasions at first.
Another member of that forum stated that if you aren't breathing in for a moment your cheeks expand like a balloon until you breathe in again.
Is that the case? Mind you, I'm using just a straight CPAP. I'm not sure which type xPAP that forum member who asked was using. Is being slow to inhale at times the cause of the mouth filling w/air and cheeks puffing or what is the cause?
I haven't run into that in quite some time but I did experience it on more than a few occasions at first.
Another member of that forum stated that if you aren't breathing in for a moment your cheeks expand like a balloon until you breathe in again.
Is that the case? Mind you, I'm using just a straight CPAP. I'm not sure which type xPAP that forum member who asked was using. Is being slow to inhale at times the cause of the mouth filling w/air and cheeks puffing or what is the cause?
_________________
Mask: Quattro™ FX Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Additional Comments: PR SystemOne BPAP Auto w/Bi-Flex & Humidifier - EncorePro 2.2 Software - Contec CMS-50D+ Oximeter - Respironics EverFlo Q Concentrator |
Women are Angels. And when someone breaks our wings, we simply continue to fly.....on a broomstick. We are flexible like that.
My computer says I need to upgrade my brain to be compatible with its new software.
My computer says I need to upgrade my brain to be compatible with its new software.
Well, when I encountered it I would just let the air expel slowly thru parted lips. I wasn't interested in swallowing that air.
_________________
Mask: Quattro™ FX Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Additional Comments: PR SystemOne BPAP Auto w/Bi-Flex & Humidifier - EncorePro 2.2 Software - Contec CMS-50D+ Oximeter - Respironics EverFlo Q Concentrator |
Women are Angels. And when someone breaks our wings, we simply continue to fly.....on a broomstick. We are flexible like that.
My computer says I need to upgrade my brain to be compatible with its new software.
My computer says I need to upgrade my brain to be compatible with its new software.
Bumping for more input
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Additional Comments: Love my papillow, Aussie heated hose and PAD-A-CHEEKS! Also use Optilife, UMFF(with PADACHEEK gasket), and Headrest masks Pressure; 10.5 |
- socknitster
- Posts: 1740
- Joined: Fri Jun 01, 2007 11:55 am
- Location: Pennsylvania
- Contact:
I'm having this problem myself. Even with tape and polident strips. I wake up as my chipmunk cheeks fill up or deflate. It is a very strange sensation.
I prefer a nasal-only interface because of comfort, but between this, the mouth breathing issue and aerophagia I broke down and put in an order today for two ff masks. I believe I even did this when wearing ff, but it is hard to say because I was only able to wear ffs for a couple of hours in the beginning. Now I'm up to a 7 hour average with my optilife. But I'm still waking up because of mouth issues, so that is cutting into overall sleep optimal-ness.
Because I have tried the ultra mirage ff, comfortful, flexifit and hybrid I am trying the Hans Rudolph and the Liberty this time. Also bought a different style of chin strap to try that. Arg. This is one expensive affliction. Luckily the insurance has paid for all the other stuff. And I got a few free interfaces. But finding the perfect one is so annoying.
I seriously need to think about inventing some interfaces myself!
Jen
I prefer a nasal-only interface because of comfort, but between this, the mouth breathing issue and aerophagia I broke down and put in an order today for two ff masks. I believe I even did this when wearing ff, but it is hard to say because I was only able to wear ffs for a couple of hours in the beginning. Now I'm up to a 7 hour average with my optilife. But I'm still waking up because of mouth issues, so that is cutting into overall sleep optimal-ness.
Because I have tried the ultra mirage ff, comfortful, flexifit and hybrid I am trying the Hans Rudolph and the Liberty this time. Also bought a different style of chin strap to try that. Arg. This is one expensive affliction. Luckily the insurance has paid for all the other stuff. And I got a few free interfaces. But finding the perfect one is so annoying.
I seriously need to think about inventing some interfaces myself!
Jen
_________________
Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier |
Mask: ResMed AirFit™ F30 Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear |
My honeymoon with CPAP is over. For about two weeks, I've awakened, usually on my back, with flutterlips. This is with an Activa, the only mask I've ever used. Three days ago, I started mouth taping, but now I wake up several times during the night with chipmunk cheeks. (I haven't received my card reader yet, so I can't check much data.) Could this mean that I'm having SA episodes? This really concerns me.
I've been increasingly more tired lately, and I'm try8ng to figure out what's going on and what I can do about it.
I've been increasingly more tired lately, and I'm try8ng to figure out what's going on and what I can do about it.
- socknitster
- Posts: 1740
- Joined: Fri Jun 01, 2007 11:55 am
- Location: Pennsylvania
- Contact:
[quote="gasparama"]My honeymoon with CPAP is over. For about two weeks, I've awakened, usually on my back, with flutterlips. This is with an Activa, the only mask I've ever used. Three days ago, I started mouth taping, but now I wake up several times during the night with chipmunk cheeks. (I haven't received my card reader yet, so I can't check much data.) Could this mean that I'm having SA episodes? This really concerns me.
I've been increasingly more tired lately, and I'm try8ng to figure out what's going on and what I can do about it.
I've been increasingly more tired lately, and I'm try8ng to figure out what's going on and what I can do about it.
_________________
Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier |
Mask: ResMed AirFit™ F30 Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear |
I have an Optilife, but have never used it because the chin strap won't stay in position. My receding chin seems to be the problem. I may just have to get creative with Velcro, tights, and a little duct tape so that I can try it. I will also order a ff just to see if that helps.
My biggest concern is that the puffy cheeks and flutter lips could be a sign of regression. Since I started cpapping in the middle of June, my health has had amazing improvement.
My biggest concern is that the puffy cheeks and flutter lips could be a sign of regression. Since I started cpapping in the middle of June, my health has had amazing improvement.
Puffy cheeks
I was having some trouble with waking up in the middle of the night with puffy cheeks or pushing air between slightly open lips. Around that time I started wearing my mouth "splint" again (to protect my teeth from tooth grinding) and haven't woken up with the same problem since then. It does make it easier to keep my mouth closed.
Mindy
Mindy
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Mask: Swift™ FX Bella Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgears |
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control |
Additional Comments: Pressure 7-11. Padacheek |
"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning how to dance in the rain."
--- Author unknown
--- Author unknown
I take it our sleep pros don't know the answer to this one either! *sigh* I'm glad it is no longer a problem for me. Hopefully, this too will pass for those of you who are encountering it now.
_________________
Mask: Quattro™ FX Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Additional Comments: PR SystemOne BPAP Auto w/Bi-Flex & Humidifier - EncorePro 2.2 Software - Contec CMS-50D+ Oximeter - Respironics EverFlo Q Concentrator |
Women are Angels. And when someone breaks our wings, we simply continue to fly.....on a broomstick. We are flexible like that.
My computer says I need to upgrade my brain to be compatible with its new software.
My computer says I need to upgrade my brain to be compatible with its new software.
I've experienced something like this from time to time. I think it's basically the same problem as mouth breathing and it has to do with the seal at the back of the throat. Sometimes I get little puffs of air through the back of my throat into my mouth. If your lips are closed or otherwise sealed, the cheeks puff out due to the pressure.
I've wanted to make one of those DIY mouthgards with the boil and bite parts but haven't gotten around to it. There are some good (older) threads on how to do this (just do a search). This sounds like an excellent solution to mouth breathing generally and to Pufferfish Mouth specifically.
I've wanted to make one of those DIY mouthgards with the boil and bite parts but haven't gotten around to it. There are some good (older) threads on how to do this (just do a search). This sounds like an excellent solution to mouth breathing generally and to Pufferfish Mouth specifically.
Try the Scented CPAP Mask with Pur-Sleep's CPAP Aromatherapy--CPAP Diffuser and Essential Oils.
"Love it, Love it, Love my PurSleep!"
"Love it, Love it, Love my PurSleep!"
- socknitster
- Posts: 1740
- Joined: Fri Jun 01, 2007 11:55 am
- Location: Pennsylvania
- Contact:
Gasp,gasparama wrote:I have an Optilife, but have never used it because the chin strap won't stay in position. My receding chin seems to be the problem. I may just have to get creative with Velcro, tights, and a little duct tape so that I can try it. I will also order a ff just to see if that helps.
My biggest concern is that the puffy cheeks and flutter lips could be a sign of regression. Since I started cpapping in the middle of June, my health has had amazing improvement.
Before you spend a lot of money on a ff mask, I would try a few in person if you can. I have a receded chin and I have tried most of the ff on the market. The only one that comes close to fitting is the Hans Rudolph. I have three sizes, and would be glad to send it on to you to try when one of my triallers is done with it. I can wear it without leaking (all the other ff's leaked like crazy) but the geometry of a receded jaw puts a lot of pressure on the nose of any ff mask (or in the case of the liberty, the upper lip) and after a few hours I find it pretty painful.
My .02.
Jen
_________________
Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier |
Mask: ResMed AirFit™ F30 Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Here's a link to how to make a "boil and bite" mouthpiece that presses the tongue just enough to seal the back of the throat so you don't get air leaking through your mouth.
I haven't done this but would if this was a big problem for me.
viewtopic.php?t=7701&highlight=boil+bite
I haven't done this but would if this was a big problem for me.
viewtopic.php?t=7701&highlight=boil+bite
Try the Scented CPAP Mask with Pur-Sleep's CPAP Aromatherapy--CPAP Diffuser and Essential Oils.
"Love it, Love it, Love my PurSleep!"
"Love it, Love it, Love my PurSleep!"