Finally, some mouth taping success!

I've been struggling with LMS (Leaky Mouth Syndrome!) since I started CPAP in 2006. After reading through many posts and getting ideas on how to fix this, I finally have some success.

Here's what's working for me:

Criss-cross two bandaids in an X over my lips (provides the strength needed to keep my lips shut without sticking adhesive directly to my lips);
Cover these with a horizontal strip of gentle paper tape extending past the corners of my lips (for a better seal);
Tie on a homemade strap made from the leg of a pair of support tights - lots of spandex (to keep my cheeks from puffing out and the tape from blowing out at the sides).

The resulting contraption is easy to remove, comfortable, and doesn't give me that panicky feeling of having my lips permanently sealed shut. As an added bonus, the strap helped to keep the back of my headgear in place during the night.

It worked! For the first time, I woke up after 6.5 hours with completely intact tape, an average leak rate of 39.88%, and an AHI of 2.5. Check out my graph... straightest line I've ever had!

http://www.ssb5.net/users/16570/cpapgraph.jpg

I'm going to work on gradually improving those numbers (by trying other masks and tweaking my pressure setting), but in the meantime, I'm feeling a small rush of success.

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! to this forum and everyone who helped me, including zorro13, ozij, damncows, and of course, rested gal!

Angela

AMinNJ wrote:Criss-cross two bandaids in an X over my lips (provides the strength needed to keep my lips shut without sticking adhesive directly to my lips);

Hum

I had to give up on the gental paper tape because it wouldn't stay stuck. Ended up getting taping to work with 3M micropore, but the micropore is still alittle hard on my face. I wonder if I try your method, if I could go back to the gental paper? I think it's worth a try. Thanks for the information.

AMinNJ wrote:Check out my graph... straightest line I've ever had!

http://www.ssb5.net/users/16570/cpapgraph.jpg

Beautiful, Angela! WTG!

The pressure you're using was cut off the top of the graph, but from the number of OA's (obstructive apneas) that were scattered through all night (even though your AHI was nice and low).... if it were me, I think I'd up the pressure another cm just to see if that knocks out those last obstructive apneas.

Not that you really need to do that. Your AHI of 2.5 is very, very good.

Thanks for describing your taping method!

Hi rested gal,

I'm at 12 cm pressure right now. I think I will take your advice and try raising the pressure a tiny bit to see if it gets rid of those remaining OAs. I have also been considering getting an Auto machine instead of a straight CPAP, since I've been reading so much about them lately on the boards. Do you think an APAP could improve my treatment?

Angela

P.S. to Pineapple: I had trouble getting the paper tape to stay sealed all by itself, too. The key, really, is the spandex strap overtop of everything. Pantyhose didn't work for me, but the support hose did. It stops the tape from blowing out and allows me to use the gentler tape rather than the ones with the stickier, harsher adhesives. I wish you much luck finding what works for you!