Open Mouth Disease Solutions: A-FLEX, Chin-Up Strips, BI-PAP

jplehn · Post by **jplehn** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 9:28 am

Hello everyone,

I use nasal pillows and my mouth tends to open 2-4 times/night waking me up. I wear a chin strap, but now need to have it on so tight that it gives me headaches and leaves marks. I tried different tapes recommended on this board, but they didn't work for me, mostly because my skin is very oily due to having psoriasis.

I currently use an S7 Lightweight CPAP at pressure setting 8.

My therapist recommended I try Chin-Up strips first. If this doesn't work, have a one week trial on an A-FLEX (or C-FLEX) machine. If that doesn't work, have a new sleep study done using a BI-PAP. What do you guys think? Have any of you experienced relief from mouth opening using A-FLEX or BI-PAP? I first heard about Chin-Up strips on this board, but never read of anyone mentioning the type of machine itself helping with the mouth opening. My therapist basically said that the mouth tends to open upon exhale, so helping with exhale relief can help...

Thanks,
Jose

Julie · Post by **Julie** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 9:54 am

Why not try a proper full face mask that's designed to do the job a lot less painlessly and more effectively than the other stuff you've tried? I use an Ultra Mirage II and it's great, other people like the newer Quattro or Hybrid (check 'em all out on Cpap.com).

RipVW · Post by **RipVW** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 11:03 am

Ditto to what Julie said! I use a Ultra Mirage Full Face Mask, and a Quattro--might be worth a try before moving to those other more costly options. Good luck!

jplehn · Post by **jplehn** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 4:24 pm

I in fact started out with masks, but because of my slippery skin, the leakage is too great. I found that only nasal pillows really never came into contact with my skin and thereby avoided that problem. The last mask I tried was a hybrid (nasal pillow with mouth cover)...
Jose

roster · Post by **roster** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 5:43 pm

jplehn wrote:.......
My therapist recommended I try Chin-Up strips first. If this doesn't work, have a one week trial on an A-FLEX (or C-FLEX) machine. If that doesn't work, have a new sleep study done using a BI-PAP. What do you guys think? ........

You can chase a lot of these things, spend a lot of time and maybe some money, and finally come around to using a full-face mask anyway. Do what you like, but my suggestion is to give a ff mask a very earnest try as the first step.

Good luck.

jimbassett · Post by **jimbassett** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 6:11 pm

I started out with a Ultra Mirage FF mask and hated it I did not know how to get it to seal. I then went with the nasals, pillows, prongs and you name it. A year later I tried the UMFF again. WOW it sealed great and was comfortable. Now its one of my favs along with other Full Face masks. So it takes some getting used to wearing any type of mask. There is no substitute for education. Keep trying and you will master the FF I am sure. Jim

GumbyCT · Post by **GumbyCT** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 6:39 pm

I couldn't get my F&P 431 to seal until I tried Rested Gals suggestion of using tights or panty hose straps to help keep my mask from leaking. YES it does work, give it a try.

Here's a link but there are many more - search for Rested Gal or Laura & straps or tights or panty hose.

viewtopic.php?t=15104

oh I also had to teach my self to keep my mouth leaks down using the mouth guard idea in the above link - then came back to using a nasal mask.

Good Luck,
GumbyCT

lking · Post by **lking** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 7:05 pm

Removed due to duplicate posting.

lking · Post by **lking** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 7:08 pm

I started with a CPAP on 10/1/07, two months, five masks, and 3 different chinstraps later I had my second follow-up appointment with my sleep doc. During this appointment I was a basket case. I sat crying because I was tired due to the fact that I was mouth breathing with my machine (thus the reason I was tired) no matter what I tried to stop wasn't working. My doc switched me to a Bi-PAP, which I had that very same day. Since 11/29/07 I have been sleeping peacefully without any mask leaking or mouth breathing. Since going on Bi_PAP my AHI is has been 0.9; my pressure settings are 13/8.

cflame1 · Post by **cflame1** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 5:15 am

Jose,
I have psorasis as well, and I use a Hybrid quite successfully. Are you washing your face before bed?

jplehn · Post by **jplehn** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 6:16 am

I need to medicate my face with the ointment Protopic at night, otherwise I wake up in the morning with my face burning up. Protopic is very slippery... I have tried creams (Elidel), but they don't work as well for me. So I have had to work around this problem and found that only nasal pillows effectively do the trick.

Jose

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 7:39 am

I've heard what your therapist says, and I think it makes sense.

O.

Treesap · Post by **Treesap** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 8:43 am

I have psoriasis as well. I didn't ever get much of it on my face. Mostly elbows, knees, hands, wrists and thighs. I've been on Enbrel for 2 years. It works miracles ona ll of my psoriasis flare-ups except for my elbows. I still deal with psoriasis on my elbows. I just wrap in cortisone cream and plastic. It makes one sexy for bed you know.

Enbrel is a shot which affects the cause (immune system) instead of the symptoms (skin breakouts). I take one shot twice a week. It's still fairly expensive, but my insurance covers it. My co-pay is $20 a month. Thank God for the insurance, or it would be over $2,000 a month.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 2:46 pm

I've used the Tiara Topaz chinstrap in combination with the Nasal Aire II mask since May 2007. For the most part, it works very well for me.

However.... The neoprene in the Topaz bothers my face - I have acne and excema and am now working on making my own natural fiber versions of various chinstraps. I love the Topaz's design - I just hate the fabric it's made from.

The NAII has the least facial contact of any mask I've tried. I'm very happy with it as a mask. The chinstrap is a continuing source of frustration for me. As of last night, I made a chinstrap out of an old t-shirt that sorta replicates this one:
cpap.com/productpage/deluxe-chinstrap-mouthleak.html

It worked very well for me last night. Keep your fingers crossed that it continues to work for me.

Good luck to you!!!!
Babette
cpaptalk.com/viewtopic/t23207/Babettes-Nasal-Aire-II-Tip-Sheet.html

Captain_Midnight · Post by **Captain_Midnight** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 3:19 pm

Jose - -

During 2 yrs of C-FLEX, I would wake up fairly often (2-3 times per week) with my mouth opening, and 8 cm of air doing a U-turn on my tonsils*.

After 5 months on A-FLEX, I haven't awaken once with my mouth open to that weird sound of an internal hurricane.

I'm not sure why this is; but, I suspect that the less abrupt transition with A-FLEX between inhalation and exhalation cycles doesn't wedge the mouth open while it splints the other airway passages.

As far as nasal v full face, there are pros and cons. I prefer nasal because I've read that a ff can pull the lower jaw back (on some patients), making the OSA worse.

So, if they are offering you an A_FLEX for a week (is that right?) why not take them up on it, and see if it works for you?

Regards all - - Tom

* (I don't really have tonsils. I "mis-spoke")

Open Mouth Disease Solutions: A-FLEX, Chin-Up Strips, BI-PAP

Open Mouth Disease Solutions: A-FLEX, Chin-Up Strips, BI-PAP

Re: Open Mouth Disease Solutions: A-FLEX, Chin-Up Strips, BI

Give the A-FLEX a try for a week