Chin strap with FFM - recommendations

[Sheriff Buford]

Steve: have you tried taping your mouth?

Sheriff

[Comfortably Numb]

I've tried to use the N20 nasal mask with every possible combination of straps, collars, and mouth moisturizers, all to no avail. The most satisfactory combination I've found is the F20 full face mask with a XyliMelt between the cheek and gum. It's not perfect, but it works well enough that I don't dwell on it anymore. Good Luck.

[TANSTAF1]

I got the Hans Rudolph 7600 Series V2 Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear because it is dishwasher safe, but it does come with a chin cup as part of the FFM. I used to not use a chin strap but then developed a habit of mouth breathing, so I started using one. But I no longer feel the need to do so as I rarely have dry mouth. The 7600 V2 helps.

[CPAPSteve]

All my equipment is new so getting old straps wasn't really an option. I stopped by my sleep clinic and picked up the Respironics deluxe strap that I inquired about in my original post. Since nobody could chime in on that specific strap I figured I may as well try it out (boy was it expensive!) and I'd be able to share my impressions of it should anyone ever ask about the strap. Just trying out the strap earlier today seemed like it was pretty comfy and it contoured around my chin and FFM pretty good. The true test of course will be sleeping with all that junk on my head.

[CPAPSteve]

Well i had my first night with a Philips Respironics Deluxe chinstrap wrapped around my head and I’m liking it. It was a costly strap ($55 CAD) but it was really comfy and effective and it really didn't get in the way of my FFM and it didn't dig into my neck as I thought it would have. The great thing about the strap is that it made of a woven mesh like material so it breathes very good all while having good holding power that doesn't push your lower jaw into your face which apparently can't cause airway restriction. I woke up today with just a small hint of dry mouth and is a MASSIVE improvement over not using a strap at all. The size of my face and FFM required that the strap cover a tiny bit of the lower edge of my mask but that didn't shift the FFM in a manner that would cause discomfort or leaks.

I can't find much fault with this strap other than the steep cost of it. My wife was teasing me saying that with the FFM + pad-a-cheek strap covers + the anti leak strap + Deluxe chin strap that it looks like 85% of my head is wrapped up like a mummy. She thought it looked uncomfortable but in reality it was very comfortable and b/c of its breathability that it wasn't remotely hot at all.

A+ in my books and a worthy investment for those interested in buying the PR Deluxe strap.