Chin strap

I am a new user of Resmed S9 with H5i, with a nasal pillow mask. The results have been transformational for me. I am so very relieved and happy.

However, after reading the computer printout the clinician says that I need a chin strap and I have a Resmed chin restraint. The problem is that I cannot get it to restrain my chin!
Does anyone have experience of this?
I so very badly needed the improvement to my general health and well-being from having the sleep apnoea treated that i would be happy to tape up my mouth! But that seems a bit drastic!
Any help please?
thank you!

I have a very stubborn jaw that likes to drop all the time and chin straps don't work for me at all. The problem is that a chin strap forces your jaw back into your throat instead of up and away from your throat. The chin strap actually caused my AHI to be higher. Instead, this is the trick I learned on this forum:



After a while, I could leave the collar off and just put a small pillow under my chin as a reminder. Despite the thought of wearing a cervical collar, it has been a much more comfortable option than the chin strap. You can pick one up at any drug store and they are not expensive.

Good luck!

Thank you so much M'ohms. That's really helpful.

I found there is a difference in cervical collars, that is, between hard and soft foam collars. How'd I find out? By buying 32 1/2 different collars. Till finally I stumbled upon this one by a forum member and I've never looked back. It comes in different sizes and heights, try to remember that when ordering. Once you go soft foam--you never go back.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FZXG24/ref ... 1_ST1_dp_2

Thank you Loreena, that looks amazing. DO you have any tips for choosing the size, please?

Just checked on Amazon: seems I can't get this in the UK. I'm looking at something similar.

The one I have is also like that one. Surprisingly comfy!

I have had the problem of mouth breathing for a few years. I used to tape, and it was a pain. I heard about a chinstrap on here and bought it on a whim. It works great! No more dry mouth. I highly recommend it. Ruby Red chinstrap. Available from any cpap supply or Amazon. Around $20. Good luck.

MaryGordon wrote:Thank you Loreena, that looks amazing. DO you have any tips for choosing the size, please?

All I can say is I'm 5'11" and 215 lbs. At first I bought the large at 3". I can use it but it barely fits around my neck. I placed an order yesterday for the X-large at 3". Unfortunately you can't get higher than 3" in the soft foam (I don't know if I would want it any higher anyway--I might wrap a scarf around it a few times if I want it a teency bit higher). The firmer foam comes as high as 4", I believe. Remember, I also wear the Original Deluxe style chinstrap as well just to make sure nothing fails, know what I mean? I like the "Original Deluxe" because one side is sewn into the material so there is no bump on the side. If you just get the "Deluxe Style" --then the unattached velcroed band that goes around the back of the head to secure it leaves bumps on both sides of the head (a no-go for me--I'm all about comfort). The chinstrap is none too tight either. I can't promise that the soft foam alone will be good enough to prevent drop-jaw, just be warned. I'm paranoid so that's why I use the chinstrap and the neck collar. I also use Nexcare low trauma tape too. I cut 3 short 1/2" strips and place strips on both sides of my mouth and then one strip right in the middle, like stitches. So I guess I have three "emergency" drop-jaw preventions in place. Like I say, I'm paranoid. I've experienced far too many nights where a duration of drop-jaw has led to sheer hell the next day. I wish you the best.

Thanks so much for your help guys.
SManesco, we use exactly the same equipment I'm getting on really really well with it after a week - just this problem with keeping my mouth shut (to the amusement of my friends!) I'm looking at the Ruby Red chin strap. Is it adjustable please?

Meanwhile I'm going to try this http://www.amazon.co.uk/Embrace-Sleep-C ... vel+pillow

Here is a youtube video Re how to measure for a cervical collar.
The measurement instructions start at :33 in the Video if you want to skip all of the description of the Cervical Collar they feature.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zInSfmOFrSQ

There are tons more of information on how to measure for a cervical collar.

Simply Google "How to measure for a cervical collar?"

I'm intrigued about the cervical collar as I'm not fond of a chinstrap, but I need it. It leaves marks on my face and chin. I don't think the cervical collar would leave red lines on me, right?

I have questions about the cervical collar though...

1) Does it really keep your mouth closed? I mean, aren't they meant for people to wear all day who have neck problems? They talk, eat etc with them on, so I'm wondering how it is as effective as a chinstrap?

2) Is it comfortable to sleep in? It doesn't look like it would be. I mostly sleep on my side, but do roll onto my back as well.

3) Would there be any contraindications for using it daily?

4) Is it hot?

Thanks everyone

MaryGordon, I tried a ResMed chinstrap. It wasn't robust enough to keep my mouth shut, The Ruby Red is stout and does the job.

Tigerlily, I am about to go to bed with rather a lot of equipment strapped to my head and neck! I will tell you tomorrow how the collar worked.

The best success I've had is using this from Amazon for 9 bucks:



Instead of over my forehead, I slide it down over my mouth, held in place with my old Ruby chinstrap, so as not to slip downward during the night.

I was previously using a wider velcro-closured headband, but this narrower width fits better, and the very slight elastic pressure seems to remind my mouth to stay shut while I am sleeping. It's not uncomfortable.

It works to keep my leak chart way down below the red line. Maybe because of the "swoosh" - ?

Best wishes, Nate