Rigid cervical collar?

[CPAPSteve]

Hello gang, I wanted to know if switching to a rigid cervical collar would work better to prevent mouth breathing. It would seem like my soft collar isn’t working as good as I would’ve expected.

The issue I have with the soft collar is that my jaw tends to open up still but more importantly is that I take it off partway through the night - it gets so warm and becomes unbearable.

Rigid collars while a bit awkward, are well ventilated both on the front and rear of the neck and based on what I understand of them would also provide a good way for my mouth to stay closed while I sleep. I mostly sleep on my back so I doubt comfort will be an issue with a rigid collar.

Anyone have experience with switching to a rigid collar?

[Barbee]

I have not used a rigid collar but, like you, the soft collars made me too hot. I bought this and really like it.
The Eliminator Series Washable Travel Sleep Pillow (Sleepy Grey) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079C7HFGZ/re ... YCbKNRQ3YX
Does a great job keeping my jaw closed and the back of the neck is open except for a strap covered with soft material.

[CPAPSteve]

Interesting. I will have to see if Amazon Canada can get one like that. I can get a rigid collar locally here quite easily and they’re not that expensive so I figured it may be worth a shot to see if it helps.

[LSAT]

Could try this... https://www.redbuginc.com/product/dr-da ... ck-pillow/

[zonker]

as a follow on to the dr, dakota collar that lsat mentioned; type "dr. dakota" in the forum search box. i came up with quite a few hits. i'm thinking there was a whole thread devoted to it. but i didn't see it on the first page of results.

i tried it myself, but didn't like it. in an odd way, that may be good news for you. i was curious about it, but i didn't like because it wasn't a firm foam collar, if that makes sense. i just feel more comfortable with the foam. the dakoat might be a good fit for you.

ETA: found the thread here-

viewtopic/t172782/Success-with-Dr-Dakot ... evice.html

[beautifuldreamer]

Could try this... https://www.redbuginc.com/product/dr-da ... ck-pillow/

as a follow on to the dr, dakota collar that lsat mentioned; type "dr. dakota" in the forum search box. i came up with quite a few hits. i'm thinking there was a whole thread devoted to it. but i didn't see it on the first page of results.

i tried it myself, but didn't like it. in an odd way, that may be good news for you. i was curious about it, but i didn't like because it wasn't a firm foam collar, if that makes sense. i just feel more comfortable with the foam. the dakoat might be a good fit for you.

ETA: found the thread here-

viewtopic/t172782/Success-with-Dr-Dakot ... evice.html

I have been using the Dr. Dakota collar for the past week, and I like it better than the soft cervical collar. I found it for the best price on walmart.com - they say 2 day delivery but it takes longer, and you might have to call walmart to find out what is going on with the delivery- (it showed as ready for UPS for about a week before it was delivered to UPS . . .

[zonker]

I have been using the Dr. Dakota collar for the past week, and I like it better than the soft cervical collar. I found it for the best price on walmart.com - they say 2 day delivery but it takes longer, and you might have to call walmart to find out what is going on with the delivery- (it showed as ready for UPS for about a week before it was delivered to UPS . . .

this enforces something i've grown to realize over the years. we are each of us different in how we approach this sleep journey.

good thing we have some options!

[CPAPSteve]

Being in Canada does somewhat limit my options. The vast selection in the US leaves much to be desired for us canucks.

The soft cervical did in fact work for me but the issue is that it can get very hot as I sleep and our home is set to 65F at night. Combine that with the foam collar “softening up” that it isn’t as effective as it once was and I just started using it a little while back. I even tried a firm foam collar but it’s neck height was a bit too tall for me and thus creating a red spot under my chin.

I went to a spine clinic this morning and I managed to try on an Aspen rigid collar and I was quite surprised how comfortable it was. The downside to that collar is that your head is almost immobile BUT because it uses plastic sections in the collar that it holds my chin closed quite well and it didn’t feel like it was going to give me pressure sores. Great thing about that collar is that the front and back of the neck is ventilated so hopefully I won’t wake from excessive heat buildup.

I’ll give it a shot tonight and report back.

[tyrone747]

as a follow on to the dr, dakota collar that lsat mentioned; type "dr. dakota" in the forum search box. i came up with quite a few hits. i'm thinking there was a whole thread devoted to it. but i didn't see it on the first page of results.

i tried it myself, but didn't like it. in an odd way, that may be good news for you. i was curious about it, but i didn't like because it wasn't a firm foam collar, if that makes sense. i just feel more comfortable with the foam. the dakoat might be a good fit for you.

ETA: found the thread here-

viewtopic/t172782/Success-with-Dr-Dakot ... evice.html

Laughing at ChicagoGranny calling her doctor a "byotch".

[zonker]

Interesting. I will have to see if Amazon Canada can get one like that. I can get a rigid collar locally here quite easily and they’re not that expensive so I figured it may be worth a shot to see if it helps.

https://www.amazon.ca/s?k=dr+dakota+sno ... b_ss_i_1_9

[CPAPSteve]

I promised the folks on this forum that I would report back on my findings with my use of a rigid cervical collar and an FFM to alleviate dry mouth. While I've only used it for a few days that I'm quite happy with the results. I had my reservations on going to such extremes to keep my jaw closed but using several soft foam collars that seemed to work initially over time just started failing me in either leaks or excessive heat buildup. The rigid collar while awkward looking was actually really comfortable and even when i try to open my mouth that it definitely exerts an even amount pressure under my jaw bone to keep things in place. I look like an ER patient but I definitely don't wake with the Sahara dessert in my mouth

The rigid collar since it is hollow at the front and the back allows for ample ventilation and so heat never builds up and I don't actually notice the collar in my sleep. Getting up is a bit weird (I have to roll out of bed) b/c I can't move my head by maybe more than a few degrees in any direction.

For those wondering if a rigid aspen collar helps? It did for me and I encourage those that suffer from a similar problem to try it out.

[Julie]

I would strongly urge anyone looking at a rigid collar for every-night sleeping to first see either a neurologist, orthopedic doctor or at least a good physiotherapist before spending on anything. There are various reasons it's not a good idea to wear those even for one night, let alone routinely but the pros could explain them a lot better. You can actually do serious damage if you wear them, aerated or not, and there are other ways to deal with the problem than that.

[katestyles]

I promised the folks on this forum that I would report back on my findings with my use of a rigid cervical collar and an FFM to alleviate dry mouth. While I've only used it for a few days that I'm quite happy with the results. I had my reservations on going to such extremes to keep my jaw closed but using several soft foam collars that seemed to work initially over time just started failing me in either leaks or excessive heat buildup. The rigid collar while awkward looking was actually really comfortable and even when i try to open my mouth that it definitely exerts an even amount pressure under my jaw bone to keep things in place. I look like an ER patient but I definitely don't wake with the Sahara dessert in my mouth

The rigid collar since it is hollow at the front and the back allows for ample ventilation and so heat never builds up and I don't actually notice the collar in my sleep. Getting up is a bit weird (I have to roll out of bed) b/c I can't move my head by maybe more than a few degrees in any direction.

For those wondering if a rigid aspen collar helps? It did for me and I encourage those that suffer from a similar problem to try it out.

Where did you buy your collar?

[katestyles]

I would strongly urge anyone looking at a rigid collar for every-night sleeping to first see either a neurologist, orthopedic doctor or at least a good physiotherapist before spending on anything. There are various reasons it's not a good idea to wear those even for one night, let alone routinely but the pros could explain them a lot better. You can actually do serious damage if you wear them, aerated or not, and there are other ways to deal with the problem than that.

What other ways are there?

[Julie]

Soft collar, FFM, tape, mask liner, etc... depending on you, the mask, AHI, etc, etc.