Newbie: Leaking Mask & Dry Mouth

[DittoDan]

Here we go again, yet another newbie that has a leaking mask. (LOL!)

Let me start by introducing myself and some of my health issues.

Age: 65
Weight: 340
Height 5' 11"
health issues:
Type 2 Diabetes, asthma, insomnia, high blood pressure, stage 4 kidneys, edema in ankles/feet, lower back pain when standing/walking, morbidly obese, had covid almost 2 years ago, had double pneumonia, a 20 day stay in hospital (10 days for covid and 10 days for blood thinner side effect ~ hematoma in hip)

I still work 8 hours a day, I'm a product designer for lithium battery packs.

I was diagnosed about 3 weeks ago in a sleep study, (excessive daytime sleepiness) had 30 obstructive apneas per hour. My oxygen was 60%. They stopped the study, put a bipap machine on me. They added 3 LPM oxygen and 23 cm/pressure 19 exhale. That got my oxygen to 85%, with 1 apnea per hour.

They set up my home machine to 19/23, and I have an oxygen machine that plugs into my Aircurve, 3 LPM.
~~~~~~~~19 nights later~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yes, I have read about leaking masks, watched several YouTube videos where they reviewed and tested masks right in the video.

I will say that the mask (in the sleep study) AND for the last 19 nights, leaks like a sieve.

I had a thin beard during the sleep study.
I shaved the beard off, leaving a goatee, early on.
3 days ago, I thinned my goatee with a trimmer set to #4 (pretty short) = the mask sealed better.

Even after the lastest goatee trimming, the mask still leaks a lot. On my Oscar readings it went fro 90's leakage rate to 50's leakage.

I can easily tell when it leaks, it makes a loud hissing stormy weather wind sound. Which is VERY annoying when I wake. I fiddle farted around trying all kinds of things to get the mask to seal, from adjusting straps to pressurizing the inside of my mouth (causing my cheeks to puff out and seal, which only works when your awake). Whenever I do get the mask to seal, its very quiet, BUT, if I move one millimeter in any direction, I lose the seal. When I loose the seal, the "Bipap" starts acting like a CPAP. The exhale goes up a lot to where it doesn't seem to be working.

One time, I said "Ima gonna fix it, I will tighten the shit out of it", I did so at about 3 AM. About 5 am, my arm felt numb. I sat up in bed and proceeded to get up and go pee, but I nearly fell down I was so dizzy. I thought, "what the hell!" I was extremely dizzy and wobbly. I loosened the straps and after about 15 minutes, I felt better and it hasn't happened since. Are there outer blood vessels that the straps can cut off blood circulation to your head/brain???? I thought all the blood vessels were like on the interior of your head?

Yes, I do have the slow start set on my mask, I tried 20 and 45 minutes. It helps greatly, because the lower pressure never leaks, I fall asleep easily.

The second GIGANTIC problem I have is my mouth gets all dried out to the point I can't move my tongue. Yes, this happened somewhat before I was a Bipap user, but NOT to the degree this machine dries out my mouth. I first drop my jaw, (lips closed), then in a few minutes, my lips part. Probably 40-50 years of sleeping this way, because it used to be that my nose would immediately close up when I laid down in bed at night. It doesn't happen as bad as it used to though. The last 19 nights, I haven't had any problems breathing through my nose. I think the pressure expands my narrow passages in my nose. Next month I will be visiting a Ears, nose throat doc to possibly get a nose procedure called, VivAer "https://vivaer.com/")

My machine is set on max (8) setting for humidity. I think the heated tube is set to 75 (not sure) its 70 to 75 degrees in my room at night. The water dries up in the tiny container after about 3-4 hours. (Probably drying up so rapidly because of the massive leaking in the mask).

The YouTube video I watched said my Simplus mask "was the go to standard for men with beards" and it passed his 20 pressure test (many others failed). All I can say, if that my mask passed, I'd hate see the ones that failed! He also said that the Vitera and FT 30 Resmed were better.

wow! if you made it this far, you are a trooper!

Comments? Advice? (I have read much of the newbie stuff on this forum, but not all.)

Oscar graphs upon request...

Thank you for any help you may give me,

Dan Bovinich
Rochester Hills, MI

[ChicagoGranny]

I first drop my jaw, (lips closed), then in a few minutes, my lips part.

I don't know what is causing your mask leaks, but this can certainly cause the mask to shift.

Try sleep tape - https://www.amazon.com/s?k=sleep+tape+m ... doa-p_4_10 I use the ones in an X shape.

Try a foam cervical collar to help prevent jaw drop. It also keeps the neck/spine in the proper position for airway patency.


Quit tightening the mask so hard!

[ozij]

My favorite taping solution is
BSN Medical Cover Roll Stretch, 2" x 10 yds

I used micropore for years - and struggled with removing it, an annoying time consuming process with baby oil -- and even then I'd sometimes hurt my skin

This one is easy to remove, leaves no residue, and does not strip off parts of my skin....

When taping, always remember to fold in a tab on one side or both, so you can grab it and remove the tape easily (and quickly, if necessary).

For me, a bad mouth leaker, the tape has to have no slits or cracks do to its job. And, since the Cover Roll is breathable, I cut the 2" strip to lengthwise to two 1" strips, and put one on top of the other. I lubricate my lips first, fold them in gently, and then apply the tape.

[Okie bipap]

Sometimes a mask liner will help with a beard. I had a beard for over thirty years, but decided to shave it off when I had to start sleeping with a machine. I missed the beard at first, but it was worth it to sleep better at night. If you do not breathe through your mouth, consider using nasal pillows or a nasal mask.

[Mel0806]

I’d be careful using tape to keep your lips closed — especially if you are subject to acid reflux, or, as you stated, sinus blockage. It would really suck to regurgitate when you are asleep, which happens to some. Same with sinus blockage. Based on everything I’ve read, I would never tape my mouth, but that’s an individual preference.

[ChicagoGranny]

I’d be careful using tape to keep your lips closed — especially if you are subject to acid reflux, or, as you stated, sinus blockage. It would really suck to regurgitate when you are asleep, which happens to some. Same with sinus blockage. Based on everything I’ve read, I would never tape my mouth, but that’s an individual preference.

Gramps has been doing it for 17 years and I have for 11 years.

It's even endorsed by some doctors for people who don't use CPAP ----> viewtopic.php?f=1&t=184952

[DittoDan]

Update. I purchased a cheap strap from Amazon and it not only keeps my mouth shut, but my mask has miraculously started sealing 95% better!

I put the strap on first, then the full face mask.

I hope this helps,

Dan Bovinich

[Brad S]

Update. I purchased a cheap strap from Amazon and it not only keeps my mouth shut, but my mask has miraculously started sealing 95% better!

Try a foam cervical collar to help prevent jaw drop. It also keeps the neck/spine in the proper position for airway patency.
Quit tightening the mask so hard!

Thanks for sharing your journey with us.
ChicagoGranny made two great recommendation to you that are working for me.
A soft cervical collar has really helped me. It took two different collars to find the right one but it is working. I started with 3" and it was not good. I was determined to see if this would work and bought a 2". That was the ticket. I may buy a third 2-1/2" tall to try. 2" works but I feel it could be just a little taller. LOL
Also- don't over tighten your mask. I don't remember who, but just the other day I saw a link in someones profile about how to fit your mask- loosely. For me, that works best.

There is so much that goes into all of this. The smallest of details can make such a huge difference. So much trial and error for a lot of us. Be patient. Keep trying. Today is day 50 for me and I am still getting it figured out.

[Brad S]

Also- don't over tighten your mask. I don't remember who, but just the other day I saw a link in someones profile about how to fit your mask- loosely. For me, that works best.

I just found the link in Janknitz profile. Although not the mask I use, it is a general guideline and this helped me a lot.

Taming the Mirage Quattro http://tinyurl.com/2ft3lh8