To tape or not to tape: is it worth it?

[Ms.Snuffleupagus]

Third night with the Opus nasal pillow mask.

Well I proudly wrote on another post how well I did on my third nite with the Opus. I had my chin strap nice and tight and my mouth completely taped across to prevent me from puffing out air. Did well. Early this am, my AI was only 0.1. AHI was high 10.2 but figure that it will go down. EPR was set to 2, so may turn it down to 1.

Anyway, after reading for an hour or so, I went back to bed for another couple of hours. I figured why not, I am on vacation. I had removed my mouth tape and put another strip but decided to try placing the tape only across the centre part of my mouth leaving the corners free. Still had the chin strap on. When I woke up the second time, my leak rate was way up, 0.34, AHI >35 and AI 5.2!!!

So I need to tape my mouth completely for the mask to work. This worries me a bit. Now I am wondering if it is worth it.

My choices so far are:
Opus:
Pros: Mask is so small, I can even sleep on my stomach, no aerophagia, no heartburn. I can happily use my beloved cervical memory foam pillow.
Cons: Taping, chin strap. Once mouth is taped, forget about giving last minute orders to kids

Full face Liberty mask/ Quattro:
Pros: No extra paraphernalia needed. Masks fit well.
Cons: Big hunk of plastic on face, have to be careful how I position mask on pillow even with PapPillow. Slight aerophagia and heartburn in am.

Which leads me to my main question. Is it worth it? Should I return my teeny, sleek, sexy (well its all relative ) Opus nasal mask and settle for the clunkers?

[Reddwarf]

I don't think I could stand taping my mouth shut every night.

[BrianR4743]

Was issued a Swift LT after my sleep study, only to find the mouth leaks pretty quickly. My numbers were all over the place, and therapy was ineffective. DME provided a FFM and Hybrid to try, but I had a heck of a time with maintaining a seal and didn't quite like the feeling.

Started using tape with the swift a couple of weeks ago with great success. Last night's leak rate was .02, with an AHI of 2.4. I'm not a bit uncomfortable with the tape, and the family seems to get a kick out of seeing Dad with his mouth secured shut!

I think, like a lot of variables in CPAP therapy, that it just depends on your own comfort zone and what's effective for you. Choices, choices, choices!

Best of luck!

[rested gal]

I don't think I could stand taping my mouth shut every night.

I can understand that. Taping the mouth is not for everyone who needs to control mouth air leaks/mouth breathing during sleep.

I'm not a bit uncomfortable with the tape

I'm not uncomfortable with taping my mouth either (and adding a chin strap!) Been taping every night for many a year now. And I'm talking about a bigggg secure patch of tape over the entire mouth.

Like you Ms.S, ... I found that a little piece of tape on center leaving corners of mouth free does nothing to control my mouth breathing when relaxed in sleep.

I think, like a lot of variables in CPAP therapy, that it just depends on your own comfort zone and what's effective for you. Choices, choices, choices!

Exactly. I sleep much more comfortably with nasal pillows mask, tape and chin strap, than I do with any of the many Full Face masks I've tried. For others, a FF mask is no problem and is quite comfy for them. I'm a big believer in each person finding whatever works for them.

For new readers who might be wondering, "WHAT??? TAPE the MOUTH????!!!"
LINKS to: Mouth leaks - Air Leaks - Tape - DIY Guard
viewtopic.php?t=8011

[DoninOrlando]

I would use whatever mask and method results in the best confirmed therapy. I am using a FFM temporarily while solving some sinus issues. If the full face mask gave me good results I would stay with it. I get better results with nasal or pillows masks, so I am going back soon. Had to get prescription for Nasonex and kick Afrin habit first. That was main reason I switched to FFM. And sick of tape and chinstraps, etc.. But will learn to ive with all the crap and hope one day it is not all neccessary. A few have reported learning to not mouth breathe after several months or a year.

[rested gal]

A few have reported learning to not mouth breathe after several months or a year.

That's true. Some have conquered the mouth-breathing-during-sleep thing. They're lucky!

Alas, not I. Periodically each year, I've experimented sleeping with just no tape, just a chin strap; or neither. First night leaks with nothing are terrible for me. First and sometimes second night with just a chin strap -- "ok", but not nearly as good as with both -- and by third night, tons of leaks showing up again. My unruly tongue just doesn't train well to keep a leakproof seal on its own.

Oh well, I don't really mind the tape/chinstrap routine.

[DreamStalker]

A few have reported learning to not mouth breathe after several months or a year.

That's true. Some have conquered the mouth-breathing-during-sleep thing. They're lucky!

Alas, not I. Periodically each year, I've experimented sleeping with just no tape, just a chin strap; or neither. First night leaks with nothing are terrible for me. First and sometimes second night with just a chin strap -- "ok", but not nearly as good as with both -- and by third night, tons of leaks showing up again. My unruly tongue just doesn't train well to keep a leakproof seal on its own.

Oh well, I don't really mind the tape/chinstrap routine.

I used to be of them few myself. For just over three years I had trained myself not to mouth leak. Then this past fall, I lost the charm or something ... actually I fell off a plateau and lost 30 lbs during Sep/Nov period.

However, I found a new solution that does not require tape or glue or staples or needle and thread ...

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=47716&p=435648#p435648

Well maybe if you want to make your own micro-fleece headband, a needle and thread may serve you well ...

but I strongly encourage you not try this at home boys and girls ... either for losing weight or for stopping mouth leaks.

[rested gal]

O M G.... I think I'm gonna throw up.

Good thing there's no tape over my mouth while I'm awake and... looking at... that.

ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwww...

[Ms.Snuffleupagus]

Yeah..gross!! Hey DreamStalker, you should post the pic on Rooster's thread...about surgery and reducing apnea by 80%...hehe...

Thanks rested gal for all the info. Am still going through the posts you suggested. It's amazing how you are able to keep track of all this. Deeply appreciated.

Will try the tape and chin strap again tonight. EPR set to 1.

[DreamStalker]

Sorry RG. It was the least offensive pic at that site. Hopefully you truned away from your keyboard in time.

Seems lip sewing is a cool thing to do ... in some circles anyway.

Snuffles -

Don't forget to check out Bret's thread as I have posted a different method for mitigating mouth leaks and NO pain required

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=47716&p=435648#p435648

[Gerryk]

OK, I will admit that is bad. I couldn't help myself I had to email to some of the guys at work before they eat dinner.

Gerry

[Ms.Snuffleupagus]

OK, I will admit that is bad. I couldn't help myself I had to email to some of the guys at work before they eat dinner.

Gerry

Now lets see who I can e-mail it to.

[DBoone]

I absolutely tape. Didn't take long before I became so comfortable with it that it feels awkward without it. I may do what rested gal did and try not using it to see what happens.

That will have to wait for a while though as I'm experimenting with the range of my APAP therapy right now. I don't want to try anything else until I get this nailed down.

[Gerald]

For me, the question is whether I want a 2" strip of masking tape across my mouth.....or a big hunk of plastic covering my whole face.

I've chosen to use 2" Blue painters delicate release masking tape...3M #2080 from Lowe's. My mask is an Aura Headrest with modifications. I really love my whole system. My AHI stays below 1.0 and my leaks are almost nonexistant. With the low leak rate, I can allow a "bleed air" port modification that helps prevent exhaled breath condensation in the mask while also decreasing the CO2 residual buildup in the nosepiece.

Taping has allowed me to tweak my therapy so that I can maximize my O2 intake, prevent mask-condensation rainout, and give me the most comfort possible. My low leak rate allows me to run the lowest possible pressure to give the necessary therapy....and it wouldn't be possible without tape.

Gerald

[Gerryk]

OK, I will admit that is bad. I couldn't help myself I had to email to some of the guys at work before they eat dinner.

Gerry

Now lets see who I can e-mail it to.

I emailed it just before they ate dinner. One guy saw it and smiled saying that's cool no one else has seen it yet. I guess everyone I work with is just as sick as me.