I am most grateful for your encouragement and support

I appreciate everyone who has responded to my "taking a CPAP holiday". For the record, i wanted to add that I never attempted to sell my CPAP
machine or masks on e-bay or any other auction block. I did attempt last night to use my relatively new full face mask from Fisher & Paykal "Forma" which was fitted by my resp therapist (4/2/09) but I kept getting too much air [settings 5-15], i have placed unit at end of my bed to decrease my own noise level [which helps]. Although it has been only 7 days, since I last used CPAP, i felt somewhat anxious to get back into the grove but i am also in some pain from a recent back strain two days ago, of which change of position can cause back spasm immediately, so i think I will wait tell i am more relaxed, another day or so. I really do appreciate all your help. I wondered if anyone who normally might be a mouth breather could adjust to Swift LT for women, i probably would need a chin brace light to keep my mouth from opening, hey guys i am open to alternatives so keep sharing your ideas and experiences and especially I will have to read more posts on the gas bloating, etc... I do take Nexium on a daily basis for GERD but i am still getting too much air like a balloon ready for lift off. Thanks, this web site is the Best and especially thanks to all of you for the great support that you are to us newbe's and to each other you are a blessing!

Catatrina

I am SOOOOOO sorry!!! I get so many personal emails a day, I mixed you up with someone I was corresponding with from Craigslist. I apologize for putting that out there. Maybe I'll go edit that posting....

Hey, I'm sleep deprived. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it!!!

Sounds like you're doing the best you can, Cat. You've got a full plate, and not alot of energy to deal with it all.

Here's my story - I was a CONFIRMED mouth breather pre-cpap. They tried to give me a Full Face Mask (FFM) at the DME. I screamed!! I'm also claustrophobic. That was a no-go. They gave me a nasal pillows mask, and a chinstrap. I took to the chinstrap like a duck to water and suddenly, I could nose-breathe.

Now, I didn't take to the nasal pillows masks well. I tried them all. But finally found PRONGS - the Nasal Aire II is a prongs mask - and have found the right combo for ME. A Deluxe Chinstrap and the NAII mask. And no more mouth breathing at night.

So, yes, it can be done. Can YOU do it? You're the only one that can tell. If you'd like to borrow a chinstrap, write me offlist and I'll send you one you can test drive to see if it would work for you. I'd even send you an Nasal Aire II mask to trial...

Good luck!!!!
Barbara

Catatrina,
I've used a chin strap since day one. I've always breathed through my mouth. Recently, I found the perfect chinstrap at Tarjette in the ladies hair aisle - it's a pair of stretchy headbands about 3" wide (one black, one white.) I've used the deluxe chinstrap from Respironics for a number of months but it's sooooo tight and gets hot.
One other thing that's helped is doing the nasal rinse routine, although I don't need it any more. It flushed out my sinuses and I'm now able to breathe through my nose 95% of the time. Haven't had a head cold or allergy problem since I started using a nasal rinse.
Finally, I'm a BIG fan of the Swift LT and have used it with great success for the past 6 months or so. Zero leaks and I sleep mostly on my back & sides. I toss around alot when I sleep.
Forgot to mention that I also tape my mouth when sleeping so I don't get the dreaded 'lip flutters'.
Best of luck to you and hang in there...it will get better.
All the best,
LKTNKY