Chinstraps and mouth leaks

DrainedDad · Post by **DrainedDad** » Fri Aug 05, 2005 12:46 am

When I first went on cpap things went very well and I sept better than I had in years. I felt like I was one of the fortunate one who make the adjustment to cpap without any problems. After about a month, my wife began to complain about mouth leaks and air puffs. Many night she woke me by forcefully closing my mouth! I tried to make my own chin strap from an old ace wrap but it didn't work well. I tried to make the mouth guard "thingy" as recommended by frequenseeker but couldn't keep it in my mouth all night. I finally broke down and purchased a "ruby red chin strap". It has been a huge success. My wife has stopped complaining and I haven't had any sudden stoppages to my sleep because my teeth have been slammed together! I know that chin straps don't work for everyone but this one has done the trick for me. Same old song: everyone is different, find what works for you and don't worry about what everyone else is using. The reason people post is so that we can have an idea what they have tried and what works for them. But that is just a place for you personally to start your search. Read what others think and then do your own research and experimenting. If you preserver you will find what works for you.

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Fri Aug 05, 2005 1:28 am

Hi D D

Thanks for posting that - tucked it away in my grab bag of helpful cpap hits (& cpaptalk is full of good ones )

I have been using the Respironics Premium chinstrap - I like to think of it as my 'premium' face decoration - did nothing to keep my mouth closed but did seem to help contain mask leaks when I wore it over the top of my ResMed Mirage f/f mask.

I must confess that I am most attracted by the suggestion put forward by one of our clever innovators here re a modified F&P 452 Mouth mask. I am on the trail of a source of these at a good price & if the potential supplier comes good I will post his email address.

The other potential source of a 'wonder' device was a Dr Sue in Hawaii, several of us placed orders for his mouthguard/tongue parking ramp but he hasn't replied to anyone (kermit - have you heard back yet ?).

What does interest me about your post is how this chin strap suceeds where your others failed ?

Cheers & thanks

DSM

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Aug 05, 2005 6:56 am

I don't think I've ever heard anyone say a chinstrap really worked until now. I think I'll give it a go. Thanks for the tip!

rpalmer · Post by **rpalmer** » Fri Aug 05, 2005 8:50 am

Guest wrote: I don't think I've ever heard anyone say a chinstrap really worked until now. I think I'll give it a go. Thanks for the tip!

Yes, DrainedDad, thanks. I think I will too. I have a mouth leak problem too & have also tried some homemade solutions which turned out not to be solutions.

I've been about ready to break down & actually buy one. Is the chinstrap pictured in Guest's post the "ruby red chinstrap" you're referring to?

dsm wrote:...but did seem to help contain mask leaks when I wore it over the top of my ResMed Mirage f/f mask.

dsm (who I now realize lives in Australia, not Canada. Oh, wait. I digress), just to make sure I'm understanding you correctly, are you saying you put the chinstrap on after you put your mask on, so the chinstrap is over the headgear straps?

Thanks,
Rol

WillSucceed · Post by **WillSucceed** » Fri Aug 05, 2005 10:37 am

I tried several different chinstraps, including the Respironics Premium (or whatever it is called) and the Ruby Strap. I also tried the ACE bandage deal as well as that bandaging that has the 'sticks only to itself silicone stuff' on it.

Out of all of them, the one that worked consistently is the Ruby Strap. I think it is worth the investment.

tater pie · Post by **tater pie** » Fri Aug 05, 2005 12:31 pm

Although I'm skeptical about chinstraps, it looks like it has the possibility of working. Where did you find it and about how much does it cost? The only thing is that it looks like it might not work with the Breeze Nasal Pillows and that's what I use. What kind of interface do you use? If you have posted that before, I've already forgotten so please forgive me.

rpalmer · Post by **rpalmer** » Fri Aug 05, 2005 1:20 pm

WillSucceed wrote:Out of all of them, the one that worked consistently is the Ruby Strap. I think it is worth the investment.

Thanks, Will. Is the one pictured earlier in this thread the one you're talking about?

Rol

JL · Post by JL » Fri Aug 05, 2005 2:17 pm

Curious...what is it about the Ruby that is better at keeping the mouth shut? Tighter? Wider straps? Other than really making them tight none I've tried so far really keep my mouth completely shut (Big Mouth I guess )

Jim

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Fri Aug 05, 2005 4:00 pm

rpalmer wrote:
dsm wrote:...but did seem to help contain mask leaks when I wore it over the top of my ResMed Mirage f/f mask.

Thanks,
Rol

Hi Rol,

Yes I have found that by putting my chinstrap on after, the mask sat glued to my face.

But one side effect was that if I spent too much time on my side, I noticed a strap mark on my cheek that took half the day to go away

Cheers

DSM

NeurosurgeryNP · Post by **NeurosurgeryNP** » Fri Aug 05, 2005 5:09 pm

Where can I buy the ruby red strap? Jen

GoodKnight · Post by **GoodKnight** » Fri Aug 05, 2005 5:15 pm

It is available on cpapplus.com

fnorette · Post by **fnorette** » Fri Aug 05, 2005 9:53 pm

I purchased the Topaz adjustable chin strap from Tiara (same manufacturer as the Ruby), and am having some limited success . The Topaz is essentially the same except that it is adjustable.

DrainedDad · Post by **DrainedDad** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 5:52 am

Sorry for being late with my response. I have had a son in the hospital over the weekend and was not able to get on line until this morning.

Yes, the chin strap that I purchased was the Tiara Ruby Red, which has been pictured in previous posts. I got it from CPAP Supplies Plus (http://www.cpapplus.com/). It was $17.95 plus shipping. It comes in three sizes (sm, med, and lg). I ordered the medium and was surprised by how comfortable it was. It is made of neoprem (? type of material that wet suits are made from.) It just pulls over the head and your chin fits into the strap that has been design to cup your chin. I'm not sure what makes it work so well, it must be something in the design of the straps. Anyway, I am sold on mine. It is very comfortable, I have not had any mouth leaks, and mostly, my wife is happy! It may not work for everyone but I think it is worth the investment.

DrainedDad · Post by **DrainedDad** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 6:00 am

Oh, I forgot that someone asked what interface I use. I use the comfortlite with the mask. The head gear slips over the straps of the chin strap with no problems. I don't see why it would not work with any interface but obviously, I am no expert. I have only been on this treatment for a couple of months and have only used the one interface. All I know is that my set up has worked great for me! I think it is worth checking out, it never hurts to look.

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 11:34 am

Is your son back home, DrainedDad?
O.

Mask	Humidifier

Chinstraps and mouth leaks