Do We All Start To Mouth Breath After a Few Years?

[allend]

I am getting the feeling that many of us are fine with our machines and masks when we first start out. The machine creates a sort of vacuum, preventing us from opening our mouths. Then after a few years our bodies find a way to compensate for that vacuum and opening our mouths becomes easy...then we mouth breath.

I never had a problem with my first machine, Sullivan vpap set at 10 - 6 (I thought it was 12/9 but I was wrong as I was never given the numbers) and Respironics Profile Lite mask, then all of a sudden I began sleeping on my side more and the problems began. However, I was never able to talk when I had my mask on, sleeping on my back and the machine was on, but now I have no problem speaking while sleeping on my back. Is it us, or the new masks and new machines? Or maybe some of you have not had that happen. I had that same mask for 3 1/2 years and had no problems.

Allen

[Linda3032]

Hi Allen. I've been on cpap for 4 years almost and I still don't mouth breathe with it, but I am also on a low pressure.

You say you have had the same mask for 3 1/2 years. The same mask or the same style? If it's the same mask, then it might be breaking down.

Either way, masks have come a long way in the last few years. Perhaps it's time to try some different styles.

You did switch machines. What is the new one set at? Do you have the software or readouts? Are you mouth breathing? Might be time to change the pressures on your new machine.

[NightHawkeye]

Do We All Start To Mouth Breath After a Few Years?

No! Some of us start to mouth breathe as soon as we start xPAP.

One thing I've noticed is that for me mouth breathing occurs at higher pressures. On nights when my pressure stays low, I often don't mouth breathe at all.

Regards,
Bill

[allend]

Hi Allen. I've been on cpap for 4 years almost and I still don't mouth breathe with it, but I am also on a low pressure.

You say you have had the same mask for 3 1/2 years. The same mask or the same style? If it's the same mask, then it might be breaking down.

Either way, masks have come a long way in the last few years. Perhaps it's time to try some different styles.

You did switch machines. What is the new one set at? Do you have the software or readouts? Are you mouth breathing? Might be time to change the pressures on your new machine.

Hi Linda,

I used to use the Profile Lite and I had to make it pretty tight. It wasn't the same mask, I got replacements but the same one. I'm not sure it's the mask.

My machine is an Auto but set up as a non auto. Which I am trying to get changed. I could do it myself but at least for the first month, the Ins Co might want compliance data and if I changed it it would agree with the script. However, maybe there was something about the way the old Sullivan vpap worked that stopped me from opening my mouth. Perhaps the uptake on the inhale was faster and not having a pause after the exhalation.

That data says there are leaks and snoring towards the morning. There are so many variables!

[dsm]

For me it is now a constant struggle,

Have been losing weight & the more weight lost the worse the nasal congestion & the more resorting to nasal sprays. Doc now has me on Nasonex & that is not really helping. It does help clear nose (not as well as Otravin - which can only be used in short bursts) .

Have just started seeing this doc (my last GP retired) & am intent on working through his suggestions re what to do but outcome is I want a new nose

In the early days & after getting used to cpap, I didi manage a while with nasal pillows but have not tried them for many months.

Just rely on UMFF & mouth breathe regularly

DSM

[billbolton]

The machine creates a sort of vacuum, preventing us from opening our mouths.

Positive Airway Pressure.... no vacuum anywhere!

Cheers,

Bill

[Bearded_One]

I have been on CPAP at 10 cmh2o for over 12 years and I do not mouth breath.

[Guest]

I mouth breathe all I want. Then again, I'm using a Fischer and Paykel HC431A full-face mask, which nicely eliminates the entire issue. Plus, when I'm nasally congested, there's no problem.

It's worth the slight extra time needed to get used to a full-face mask, honestly. At first it may be annoying, but once you get over it, it's great.

I never understood the idea of pushing pressure into two tiny holes and for some mysterious reason NOT into the huge third one, and either (1) just sort of hoping that your mouth doesn't ever open in your sleep, or (2) taping your mouth shut like a hostage. It just makes sense to push air into ALL the holes involved, problem solved.

[TomDac]

10 years using CPAP here. started at level 7 and now am at 12 and I don't mouth breath at all.

[Danimar]

I'm fairly new to CPAP. Started out on APAP, but was moved to a straight pressure machine at level 12. I noticed that I was throwing the mast off at some point in the night without remembering doing it when I woke up the next morning. I just knew the CPAP mask was on the floor instead of on my face. It took a while for me to figure it out, but I realized I was waking up when my mouth fell open. The chin strap was not working for me. Maybe it's a bit too drastic, but I started taping my mouth shut at night and not using the chinstrap. I use the cloth medical tape so that it won't irritate the skin, and I tape up, put the mask on, and go to sleep. Most of the time, I sleep through the night now. I use the Aura Everest mask. Love it, just wish there was a more secure way to keep it on my head. It slips off sometimes when I toss and turn too much.

Anyway, taping is the solution for me for now. I don't know if others do it or not, and I know that I look crazy when I sleep these days, but I'll take looking crazy over not getting good sleep ever.

[RHinNC]

I am a mouth breather, using a F&P 431 FF mask. However I still stop breathing as evidenced by my O2 sats dropping into the 70's.

Having another study done this Thursday night, hopefully they can figure out what is going on.

[neverbetter]

I have always mouth leaked on xpap. It just seems natural to want to open your mouth to help relieve the pressure.

[rested gal]

I use the Aura Everest mask. Love it, just wish there was a more secure way to keep it on my head. It slips off sometimes when I toss and turn too much.

My favorite mask!
Danimar, I removed the headgear completely from my Aura (the mask has a new name now... Twilight NP) I use homemade straps (leg cut off a pair of pantyhose tights) to keep it comfortably in place. Hanging the main air hose overhead out of the way is pretty much a "must" for using it without its own headgear. As an aside, hanging the hose up is a good way to keep the weight of the air hose from tuggin on most any mask, especially if a person is an active toss'n'turn sleeper:
LINKS to Hose hangers and methods of managing the air hose
viewtopic.php?t=10640

But back to the problem of headgear slipping...you might try adding a homemade strap around at forehead level, positioned like a sweatband. That might be enough extra hold to keep the headgear from sliding out of place. Doesn't have to be tight at all:

Ways to route one or two homemade straps to steady nasal pillows masks:

Anyway, taping is the solution for me for now. I don't know if others do it or not,

You're definitely not alone. LOTS of people (including me) use tape over the mouth in order to wear masks they find let them sleep more comfortably than full face masks:

Links to: Mouth leaks - Air Leaks - Tape - DIY Guard
viewtopic.php?t=8011