Mouth Taping

[WhiteNoise]

But lazurm, I'm really intrigued about the pacifier. May give it a whirl, and hubby might too because he can't use tape successfully with his beard. And though I've used tape for six years, I've hated every minute of it

"6 years and hate it" sure shows how hard it can be for some of us who continue to struggle to find a comfortable solution to our apneas.
This morning I tested my old never used Opus 360 Nasal cushion mask with the 2 strips of Micropore after removing my Dreamwear FF to see what I might observe. The tape did hold, which is great, but I had to lower the pressure to a continuous 7 (I use 10 to 14+) for it to be comfortable, as my cheeks puffed way out and then would suddenly go normal if my tongue happened to move in that sweetspot which blocks air pressure from swirling int he mouth. This on and off situation was hard to get used to, but its a start anyway. My AHI moved up from 9 to 11 for the night score due to the switch, but maybe it will calm down.

When I manage to get 3 nights decent sleep in a row I'm much more optimistic and less pain encumbered. My recent "discovery" that I was using the Transpore not the Micropore tape is a potential game changer in the right direction.

I've tried copying a DIY mouthguard device someone posted elsewhere. He was successful for himself in that he had an addon piece of silicone that pushed his tongue up and he then used a lightweight nasal mask without mouth leaks. This is why I also have a special interest in the adult pacifier as a simple means to keep the mouth "filled" (blocking air entrance) and maybe holding he tongue forward at the least.

I've told friends and family "I will eat dirt if it helps me more than it hurts" so looking silly as I sleep with a "large binky" is surely worth it! Let's try it and share what we find.

Jim

[JimW159]

Today I received the silicone tape that I ordered - I will be trying it for mouth taping tonight. I'll see if it is an improvement or not. For me, using the Micropore tape is literally a pain - we live in hope this will be a step ahead.

[WhiteNoise]

Today I received the silicone tape that I ordered - I will be trying it for mouth taping tonight. I'll see if it is an improvement or not. For me, using the Micropore tape is literally a pain - we live in hope this will be a step ahead.

Looking forward to your experience with it Jim W159! Any improvement is a BIG improvement,,,

Jim W (the other one)

[JimW159]

Today I received the silicone tape that I ordered - I will be trying it for mouth taping tonight.

My first experience with the 3M Kind Removal Silicone Tape was, for the most part, a step in the right direction for me. In this case (as in all cases dealing with PAPing) YMMV is the rule, not the exception. Yesterday's experience was done in two segments:
1) During an afternoon nap - process was an extension of what I would have normally done if using other tape. a) wash my face thoroughly and dry well before applying the tape. b) folding about 1/8" of one end of the tape to provide a starting point when removing. c) in addition to the tape, use a chin strap to minimize any tugging on the tape by the jaw attempting to open.
2) The evening session's process was essentially the same but no chin strap.
The nap's results were very positive with only a brief period of LL (I attribute this to my initial placement of the tape leaving an opportunity for the corner of the mouth nearest the "handle" I created to establish a channel for air to escape if the "handle" of the tape is tugged by the covers or the chin strap. Removal was a breeze - in the past I always removed the tape in the shower using a generous lather to break the bond of the adhesive with the skin. In this case, just gentle tugging was sufficient, followed by thoroughly washing the face to remove any residue (but there was no evidence of any significant amount). The evening's experience exposed two significant characteristics that indicated real improvement: a) on geting up to go to the bathroom mid session, I wanted a drink of water and decided to see if repositioning after removal was a easy as reported by other users - it is. This allowed me to take a drink and replace the tape after making sure the area around the mouth was completely dry. b) The second characteristic I saw was the lack of a real need for the "handle" I had created - it provided an all-too-easy means for the tape's connection to be compromised.
Tonight (or, rather, today if I take a nap) I will be sightly more generous in how much area I cover and will only fold a tiny corner of the tape to diminish the opportunity for a "handle" to interfere with the tape/skin connection.
The tape is somewhat more costly than Micropore but, with care it can be very cost effective. It is unlikely you will ever see the tape at traditional drug stores such as CVS or Walgreen's but is readily available online at a wide range of prices. From what I have gathered, 3M makes it in two widths (1 inch or 2 inches) and two common lenghts (54" and 5.5 Yards). The 5.5 yard version is equal to 3.67 rolls of the 54". Using this number as a divisor, one can easily determine the cost relationship between the two versions.

Edit: one additional characteristic I found interesting is how cool the tape felt on the face - it is quite comfortable, unlike some other tapes I have used.

[Stom]

It is unlikely you will ever see the tape at traditional drug stores such as CVS or Walgreen's but is readily available online at a wide range of prices.

I just saw this tape at my local Target. I didn't know if it was the stuff you had written about until now. It was something like $8.76 a roll there. It was a pretty small roll.

[JimW159]

It is unlikely you will ever see the tape at traditional drug stores such as CVS or Walgreen's but is readily available online at a wide range of prices.

I just saw this tape at my local Target. I didn't know if it was the stuff you had written about until now. It was something like $8.76 a roll there. It was a pretty small roll.

I got mine online. The cost per 54" 2 inch roll equivalent was $2.00 and included free shipping.

[WhiteNoise]

Today I received the silicone tape that I ordered - I will be trying it for mouth taping tonight.

My first experience with the 3M Kind Removal Silicone Tape was, for the most part, a step in the right direction for me. In this case (as in all cases dealing with PAPing) YMMV is the rule, not the exception. Yesterday's experience was done in two segments:
1) During an afternoon nap - process was an extension of what I would have normally done if using other tape. a) wash my face thoroughly and dry well before applying the tape. b) folding about 1/8" of one end of the tape to provide a starting point when removing. c) in addition to the tape, use a chin strap to minimize any tugging on the tape by the jaw attempting to open.
2) The evening session's process was essentially the same but no chin strap.
The nap's results were very positive with only a brief period of LL (I attribute this to my initial placement of the tape leaving an opportunity for the corner of the mouth nearest the "handle" I created to establish a channel for air to escape if the "handle" of the tape is tugged by the covers or the chin strap. Removal was a breeze - in the past I always removed the tape in the shower using a generous lather to break the bond of the adhesive with the skin. In this case, just gentle tugging was sufficient, followed by thoroughly washing the face to remove any residue (but there was no evidence of any significant amount). The evening's experience exposed two significant characteristics that indicated real improvement: a) on geting up to go to the bathroom mid session, I wanted a drink of water and decided to see if repositioning after removal was a easy as reported by other users - it is. This allowed me to take a drink and replace the tape after making sure the area around the mouth was completely dry. b) The second characteristic I saw was the lack of a real need for the "handle" I had created - it provided an all-too-easy means for the tape's connection to be compromised.
Tonight (or, rather, today if I take a nap) I will be sightly more generous in how much area I cover and will only fold a tiny corner of the tape to diminish the opportunity for a "handle" to interfere with the tape/skin connection.
The tape is somewhat more costly than Micropore but, with care it can be very cost effective. It is unlikely you will ever see the tape at traditional drug stores such as CVS or Walgreen's but is readily available online at a wide range of prices. From what I have gathered, 3M makes it in two widths (1 inch or 2 inches) and two common lenghts (54" and 5.5 Yards). The 5.5 yard version is equal to 3.67 rolls of the 54". Using this number as a divisor, one can easily determine the cost relationship between the two versions.

Edit: one additional characteristic I found interesting is how cool the tape felt on the face - it is quite comfortable, unlike some other tapes I have used.

Do you have any facial hair? Do you do one, 1 inch strip,, or layered? (I do 2 1 inch strip of the micropore as my mouth really wants to open and this reduces the tug and allows me more confidence it wont be opening at the sides.)

Appreciate your appraisal very much!

[JimW159]

Do you have any facial hair? Do you do one, 1 inch strip,, or layered? (I do 2 1 inch strip of the micropore as my mouth really wants to open and this reduces the tug and allows me more confidence it wont be opening at the sides.)

Appreciate your appraisal very much!

No facial hair other than stubble when not shaving frequently. Thus far, one single strip of 2" tape horizontal across mouth (about 1 third above mouth and 2 thirds below) extending about 1 inch on each side of the corners of the mouth.

[WhiteNoise]

Do you have any facial hair? Do you do one, 1 inch strip,, or layered? (I do 2 1 inch strip of the micropore as my mouth really wants to open and this reduces the tug and allows me more confidence it wont be opening at the sides.)

Appreciate your appraisal very much!

No facial hair other than stubble when not shaving frequently. Thus far, one single strip of 2" tape horizontal across mouth (about 1 third above mouth and 2 thirds below) extending about 1 inch on each side of the corners of the mouth.

2 inches feels right to me as well. I have a "beard" but keep it close shaved for the CPAP, and the Micropore sticks fine. I just ordered that big ol Adult Pacifier to try that as well. I'll check back when it arrives and will give your silicone tape a try when I run out of the current.