First night -- need help with a problem

linda b · Post by **linda b** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 4:00 pm

Hello, Laurie,

Swallowing too much air into the stomach can cause severe bloating, which is rather painful from what I understand. So far I've been lucky and not had the chipmunk cheeks problem, so I can't offer any advice on that subject.

I'm one of the ones using Poligrip Strips to keep my mouth closed. Been doing that for 6 months and would never consider going to a chin strap again. I've only had the strips "give way" unexpectedly one time. I was doing some really serious dreaming and trying to talk in my sleep, which I used to do allot before APAP.

Regarding the use of C-Flex, I would like to suggest that you start at a higher number than the 1 setting. The higher the number the greater the momentary relief you will get when you exhale. Then as you become more accustomed to the therapy, you may want to lower the number. I started with a setting of 3 and have it set on 1 now.

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 4:00 pm

To much swallowed air in your stomach - and you get cramps gas, the works. Aerophagia - the latin term mean air swallowing (or maybe eating).

O.

Ellen · Post by **Ellen** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 4:03 pm

I had no luck with taping but do fabulous with the NoseBreathe oral appliance from Dr. Sue

First month of CPAP is truly a battle, but be diligent and try new things - just don't give up on CPAP as it will change your life down the road!!!

SelfSeeker · Post by **SelfSeeker** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 4:20 pm

Hello Laurie and welcome to the world of hose heads.

My first comment would be to not worry about "keeping the seal". I am not sure how much control we have when in deep sleep.

Figure out what your body is doing, then deal with that, like you are doing with tape or getting other ideas.

My mouth opens and leaks air out at higher settings at lower settings, I do not have leaks. I wake up because the escaping air tickles my lips. LOL

For the puffing cheeks, I agree with others, using CFlex is great, it gives you the added ability to push out air. At least for me.

If you want to try a full face mask, I would recommend the hybrid, I have been using it for the last 11 nights and really like it. Many have problems with it but I like it.

Hope you have a better second night.

birdshell · Post by **birdshell** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 4:27 pm

Rested Gal once posted a suggestion to fight chipmunk cheeks: without opening the mouth, suck air as if sipping through a straw. This helps me to keep the cheeky air under control.

Rested Gal also commented on the skin irritation from mouth taping. I have been using milk of magnesia smeared around my mouth and allowed to dry before taping. This keeps the tape from irritating the skin, while helping with adhesion. Believe me, if I skip this step, I am somewhat sorry the next day. After a few nights without it--OUCH!

The chapstick is another important accessory for me. That lip tissue is very sensitive and does not like to be stuck to the tape.

I have also found that using the tape vertically works for me, especially if using the narrower type and using multiple strips. Wider 2" tape is good for me, as I get most of my mouth covered vertically with less length off the tape roll than if I followed the horizontal lip line. That works for me, but some need to tape every little tiny part of their lips right together.

I have recommended this post on Mouth Taping many times:

Link to Just One Man’s Very Successful Mouth Taping Routine

It sounds as if you are really motivated. I hope you will be one who feels drastically better IMMEDIATELY!

Best of luck. We are here if you have any issues.

laurie2025 · Post by **laurie2025** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 12:23 pm

Well, last night was 200% better. I set the CFlex setting at 3, (which I didn't even have set up until yesterday), used the micropore tape, and I didn't get the blowfish effect at all for the entire night.
I actually slept 4 hours straight through without a problem. I did wake up a few times after that but I'll bet I got 6-7 hours total which is pretty good for my 2nd night I think.
Thank you thank you thank you to everyone for helping out the newbies. You have no idea how grateful I am to all the experienced and helpful folks here.
-Laurie

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): cflex

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 1:27 pm

laurie2025 wrote:Well, last night was 200% better. I set the CFlex setting at 3, (which I didn't even have set up until yesterday), used the micropore tape, and I didn't get the blowfish effect at all for the entire night.
I actually slept 4 hours straight through without a problem. I did wake up a few times after that but I'll bet I got 6-7 hours total which is pretty good for my 2nd night I think.

That's not just "good", Laurie. That's super progress!!

WTG!

SelfSeeker - accidentally Guested wrote:LOL Rested gal you can hate us. But some of us close so tightly that we then develop jaw problems.

Serves ya'll right!!

SelfSeeker · Post by **SelfSeeker** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 1:57 pm

Excellent news laurie. Thank you for sharing, your better night and what you did.

I am sure your post will be helpfull to someone that reads it and may not have wanted to post.

I know exactly how grateful you are for all the experienced and helpful folks here. I bet, as grateful as I am to have been given such great advice and support.

laurie2025 wrote:Well, last night was 200% better. I set the CFlex setting at 3, (which I didn't even have set up until yesterday), used the micropore tape, and I didn't get the blowfish effect at all for the entire night.
I actually slept 4 hours straight through without a problem. I did wake up a few times after that but I'll bet I got 6-7 hours total which is pretty good for my 2nd night I think.
Thank you thank you thank you to everyone for helping out the newbies. You have no idea how grateful I am to all the experienced and helpful folks here.
-Laurie

birdshell · Post by **birdshell** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 2:06 pm

Good news, Laurie! Excellent jump ahead in progress. I am very glad to hear that the Forum Folk helped you out.

Selfseeker is absolutely right. Probably nearly ALL of us here have been helped when we were newbies, and feel that we should help others in the same way.

Then, we also keep tweaking and fine tuning and trying new equipment. So even as somewhat more experienced folks, the forum is a wealth of information.

Congratulations.

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 7:43 am

When I started PAP treatment I too got a mouth full of air that would part my lips to burst its way out. I then started practicing to park the tongue on the roof of the mouth trick during day and right before going to sleep and the mouth leaks stopped. I said, Yippee!! … I am one of the hated lucky ones!

Later I learned from this super great forum all about the nasal saline rinsing … as my next concern was what I was to do if nasal congestion paid me a visit. As I learned to do the nasal saline rinse, I observed that I had some kind of muscle in the back of my throat and soon discovered that I could control air leaks out of my mouth without parking the tongue on the roof of my mouth … what a surprise that was. I can even talk all hosed up (although it has a weird nasal sound to it).

I then began to remember to when I was kid and did lots of underwater swimming. If you have ever swam under water and then exhaled out of your nose before reaching the surface for a fresh breath of air, then you too may have the ability to control mouth leaks while connected to a pressurized hose … then you too can be hated like the rest of us lucky pap’ers!

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 10:21 am

I'm beginning to regret having used the word "hate" even jokingly.

Wuv you lucky ones!!!

(grrrrrrrrrrrrr)

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 11:19 am

But... but, DreamStalker,
I never fell asleep underwater...
Its the sleeping the does it to me.

Hmmm.... speaking of the muscular control achievements of childhood
.... there are some vouluntary muscles having to do with leaks that I never relax, no matter how deeply I sleep...

Uh oh. What does that say about us mouthleakers? Impropely cpap trained?

O.

curtcurt46 · Post by **curtcurt46** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 12:22 pm

RestedGal,
Where do you buy the 3m micropore tape?

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 1:33 pm

ozij wrote:But... but, DreamStalker,
I never fell asleep underwater...
Its the sleeping the does it to me.

Very funny Ozij. It is unfortunate that you and many others are compelled to tape or glue your mouths shut in order to use nasal type interfaces. It’s just that if I had listened to the majority of folks here stating that tape/poligrip is the only way to stop mouth leaks … I would very likely be miserable using a less comfortable FF mask. However, because I read how a few others had been able to train themselves to control mouth leaks … I too gave it a try and it worked for me. I am not criticizing anyone for using tape or glue but rather simply letting others know that it is possible for some not have to tape or glue … and that they may want to first try and see if they are one of the lucky, hated, and ridiculed ones.

First night -- need help with a problem

NoseBreathe

Re: First night -- need help with a problem

Chipmunk Cheeks

Re: Chipmunk Cheeks

Re: Chipmunk Cheeks