Something to help with mouth leaks

[Maddcow]

Hi all.
10-year CPAP user here and I've been using tape on my mouth for most of that time in order to stop mouth-breathing. However, my wife says that I still tend to have mouth noises due to my lips burbling or similar. Plus, taking off the tape can sometimes take off skin, causing little sores.

Does anyone have other suggestions, other than a full face mask? Apart from the mouth/lips issue, I'm extremely happy with my new ResMed AirFit N30i mask as it's the best mask I've ever had in terms of comfort, no/minimal leaks etc. I'm thinking about a chin strap but I tried one once and it didn't seem to help much, but I might need to try a bunch of things again.

Cheers in advance
Gary

[Pugsy]

Have you seen Jay's and Zonker's Scunci trick?
viewtopic/p1089718/viewtopic.php?f=1&t= ... s#p1086296
I think Zonker modified it a bit further...he can explain. He will be along later.

[zonker]

Hi all.
10-year CPAP user here and I've been using tape on my mouth for most of that time in order to stop mouth-breathing. However, my wife says that I still tend to have mouth noises due to my lips burbling or similar. Plus, taking off the tape can sometimes take off skin, causing little sores.

Does anyone have other suggestions, other than a full face mask? Apart from the mouth/lips issue, I'm extremely happy with my new ResMed AirFit N30i mask as it's the best mask I've ever had in terms of comfort, no/minimal leaks etc. I'm thinking about a chin strap but I tried one once and it didn't seem to help much, but I might need to try a bunch of things again.

Cheers in advance
Gary

yeah, just tagging onto what pugsy has mentioned. please see the link she provided.

i don't know HOW forum member jay aitchsee came up with this, but for me, it's been a bit of a miracle. i used this and immediately, my ahi dropped one full point.

as pugsy also mentioned, i modded it a bit. i found that my big yap needs to have two scunci bands rather than two. and i need an extra elastic band.

this may, at first glance, seem to be an uncomfortable rig, but it really isn't. another of it's good points is that the hairbands can be washed and dried to return to their original shape. this can be repeated a few times (sorry, i've not actually tracked how many times) before they are just too worn out to be of any use.

works for me, maybe it'll work for you.

good luck!

[kteague]

I've used so many tricks to help with mouth leaks - tape, denture adhesive, headbands, chin straps, cervical cushion, etc. Learning to habitually keep my tongue suction sealed to the roof of my mouth has enabled me to stop using any of those. Well, some of the credit goes to learning to consider gravity in positioning my head when side sleeping. A flat firm pillow prevents jaw drop. Sleeping on the edge of the pillow, compressing it a bit, allowing my face to tilt slightly downward toward the bed helps with my tongue seal. This all not only helps with mouth leaks, but helps keep the tongue out of the throat when relaxed.

[Maddcow]

Hi all. I appreciate the replies.

I now have a ResMed F30 full-face mask on loan for the next 2 weeks to see how that goes. I seriously considered a chin strap but it seems to defeat the purpose of having a nice low-profile mask like the N30i. The F30 is a very similar, modern design like the N30i and it might do the trick.

[remstarcpap]

Let us know how that goes for you. I also have used the SCUNCI trick, and it is not as effective as tape but is much more comfortable and doesn't take off skin. I am trying to train myself using this method so that I can get away from taping. As long as the weather is not too warm it seems comfortable.

[Maddcow]

As a follow-up:
The F30 is working really well EXCEPT that I'm waking up with severe neck ache every morning....it seems to stem from the position of the headgear junction at the back of my neck. This design mightn't be an issue for most people but as a professional, full-time sax player, I've got a number of back/neck issues and it seems like the F30 headgear isn't the best design for me. I'm pretty bummed about this because the mask seems to be working well except for needing to take painkillers first thing in the morning due to bad neck aches!