the secret of my CPAP success (or is it really?)

[cpapernewbie]

Hey, at last i found some unique solution to my unique personal problems.

Like many others, i experienced large leaks. If there is no large leaks, at least my leak chart is like the stock market.. very wild and uncontrolled

So I have tried: taping... no luck

I tried taping and 6 different types of masks - no luck

Then I add dental guard & melatonin: some improvement

then I add chinstrap into this - some improvement - leak graph more flat but more large leaks

Then in the last 2 days I add travel pillow (by a stroke of luck and genius )



I am now using the cheapest travel pillow that you blow before using and will later experiment with better types. Most improtant that I now sleep 8 hrs continously instead of 3 + 3 like before and the graph is flat (not as flat as Rosemary's - no wild movements anymnore)

Comment on chinstrap: they all come in one size and this is the problem. Mine now barely hold anything, too loose. I need a bigger head or small;er strap - what shall I do?

So now my list of things to do before bedtime is a long list:
ayr gel/saline solution, mouthguard, chinstrap, travel pillow, mask and sometimes Ipod ....

[SleepyJill]

Are you a side sleeper or a back sleeper? Just wondering how a travel pillow would work for a side sleeper, because I too sometimes experience some air leaks when sleeping on my side unless I have my mask on so tight I get red marks on my face. I also use a chin strap, but it slides on my head too easily and I have not found a way keep it tightened enough to keep my mouth shut at night!

[TerryB]

I use a Velcro fastened elastic bandage from chin to crown of head. It is infinitely adjustable. Got it in the bandage area of WalMart. About $4.

TerryB

[Goofproof]

After seeing that pillow, I saw the next improvment is sleep wear, one of those cones, like they put around a dog's neck to stop wound licking. We Apnea sufferers are a hardy lot, we will go to no ends for perfection. Jim

I'm not making fun of the pillow, really anything that helps keep your neck off your chest probably will help breathing.

[cpapernewbie]

SleepyJill

I am back sleeper usually

Howvere if I nap without CPAP, I can sleep sideways

I think my problem is probably lots of head movements during sleeping, which were prevented by the travel pillow

[cpapernewbie]

Terry

thnks for the tip. Obviously the brand name chinstraps are not meeting our requirements. I have even tried my raincoat's waistband. This did better than my Tiara chinstrap in terms of leak graph, however it was more painful

Perhaps Padacheek may want to create adjustable chinstraps for small headed CPAPers here. There is a market, at least I am going to buy one

[geoDoug]

I think my problem is probably lots of head movements during sleeping, which were prevented by the travel pillow

Clever. I'm reasonably sure that at least some of my problems a result of turning my head, resulting in the mask shifting and leaking. I say this because I ONLY sleep on my back and my leak graph will occasionally have spikes. I've slept with (and loved) a neck pillow on the road. Maybe I'll try it at home also.

Doug.

[bearcatx16]

I use a simple head sweatband as a chinstrap and for comfort wherever there might be pressure, the band is hollow when you cut it in two. I find the terry cloth to be comfortable.

Good luck,

Fred

[cpapernewbie]

I use a Velcro fastened elastic bandage from chin to crown of head. It is infinitely adjustable. Got it in the bandage area of WalMart. About $4.

TerryB

back from WalMart

Cannot find the item.

What is the brand? Is it Tenso? (No Velcro)

[cpapernewbie]

I use a simple head sweatband as a chinstrap and for comfort wherever there might be pressure, the band is hollow when you cut it in two. I find the terry cloth to be comfortable.

Good luck,

Fred

can you tell me the brand and name of shop?
Do not know ehere to get this sweatband