I Might be an Ex-Taper!

[Lee Lee]

Last night, I taped up as usual, as I have for 4 years, and put on my trusty Activa LT and fell asleep. An hour later, my sweet 80 year old Dad called me to wish me a happy birthday, (a whole week early for some reason!) When I went back to bed I just couldn't deal with re-taping, so I gave it a try sans-tape.
I made it the whole night! No leaks! I couldn't even do 5 minutes the last time I tried.
I'm wondering if I have taught my tongue the "Sit/Stay" command? I seem to recall Rested Gal saying that she had the same experience. Is that possible?
Anyway, if so, I'm happy. I've started getting some pretty serious mouth wrinkles, due to having to purse the lips prior to taping. And my lips are always chapped from pulling off the tape. I haven't found the right full face mask yet, so I really have relied on taping.
I'm going to try it again tonight. Wish me luck!

[6PtStar]

An I'm wondering if I have taught my tongue the "Sit/Stay" command? I seem to recall Rested Gal saying that she had the same experience. Is that possible?

You bet it is possible!!! I was a serious mouth breather when I started this journey. FFM for a year and taped for a while, used Polygrip Gel for a while. Been without anything for 2 1/2 years now. Get a little leak once in a while but overall my leak line is pretty darn straight. Have not had a large leak in 2 years. Good luck, I hope it works out for you!!!!

Jerry

[rickskids]

That's awsome! One day I will no longer be a mouth breather too. According to my RT it's simply because while I was suffering from apnea I needed to breathe through my mouth to get enough air into my lungs when gasping for air...a learned response that can be unlearned? Congrats.

[grandmma]

Lee Lee, same as 6PtStar, I also somehow managed to train/learn the tongue whilst using Polydent strips. They no longer are available in Australia, and I've found I no longer need them.

Wasn't a conscious thing, wasn't rehearsed, just happened. Been months now, with no problem.

Congratulations, much easier when it works this way!

[Lee Lee]

Thanks! I had another successful night without tape. Someday, I might get my lips back! I thinking taping is a wonderful thing for a remedy when mouth breathing is an issue. It's better than losing your pressure through your mouth. However, the less things I have to do to my face before going to sleep, the better.
Rickskids, that makes sense that mouth breathing is a learned response to apnea. I was never a mouth breather until OSA entered my life.
Lee Ann

[borck]

Hello!

I'm bringing this topic to life again...

I am using nasal pillows (Resmed Swift II) and I have serious mouth leaks. I'm pretty sure I'm not a mouth breather, I just have leaks through my mouth.

Anyway, I have a chinstrap (Resmed, pretty bad). I use chinup strips (but they are too expensive in my opinion)..
Today I bought some Polygrip gel (actually another brand that I found here in Belgium named "Corega", pretty strange by the way to go and ask for dental glue as I am 27 . I will give it a shot this night.

My point is, when I experience mouth leaks, I always feel that it's because my muscles are relaxed, and so my lower jaw tend to "fall".
Do you think that this will change with time like you describe ?

It would be really NICE to wear only the Swift and nothing else... Would be freedom...

Thanks for reading me

borck

[rested gal]

I'll just mention that there was a time several years ago when I did think I'd gotten my tongue into the habit of maintaining a leakproof seal during sleep; but alas, it didn't happen consistently enough. So, I continued to tape. Been using tape for over six years.

For new readers, here's a link to more discussions about controlling mouth air leaks, if that's a problem and a person can't find a Full Face mask they can be comfortable with or that works well for them:

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

Good luck, borck. Hope you find the solution or combo of solutions that works for you.

[Lee Lee]

I'm still tape free after posting this. For me, the key was finding the mask that worked properly. It seems to push the upper lip in, which makes the bottom lip thrust out enough to stay closed.
I wish you well!

[rested gal]

Good to see you posting again, Lee Lee.

And especially good to hear that you still don't have to tape.

I always liked the Activa mask. If I used a nasal mask instead of nasal pillows, it would have been the one for me. I'd still have to tape, though. Happy to hear that you don't have to!