one more question about chin straps

[needanap]

Week two:

90% happier and more rested....yay! BUT I think I need a chin strap or something to keep my mouth closed. The dry throat that the air from the Cpap produces when my mouth falls open is the driest throat I've ever experienced. (wouldn't it be interesting to use Cpap when blowing out your birthday candles? - not that I have THAT many!). There seems to be many different ways to keep the mouth closed. I tried taping and that was just too scary. Does anyone have a chin strap they love? The one attached to a hat looks interesting. Looking for a recommendation from someone who actually uses one. Thanks!

[OutaSync]

I use this one:
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/premiu ... hleak.html

I've also used the papcap, but beside flattening my hair, it has too many layers crossing over behind my head. If that doesn't bother you, then this would be a good choice.

[DreamOn]

Dry mouth with a nasal pillows or nasal mask is definitely a sign of mouth-breathing/mouth-leaking. I suggest that you monitor the Leak Rate that's reported on your machine. With a ResMed machine, a Leak Rate under 24 L/min (0.4 L/sec) is considered "acceptable", but the closer to zero, the better.

I use the PAPCap that you mentioned: https://www.cpap.com/productpage/pursle ... otton.html. Chin straps don't work for everyone, but the PAPCap works very well for me. My Leak Rate was never all that high, but it is usually zero with the PAPCap. It is a little warm sometimes, but it is made from cotton. You might consider using a full-face mask if a chin strap doesn't work well for you.

[needanap]

Thanks for the suggestion.

[woozie38]

G'day needanap,

I use the Seatec "Sleeptight" chin strap. http://www.cpapaustralia.com.au/shoppin ... strap.htmlI find it very comfortable and always stays in place. Taping is of course the best option for stopping mouth breathing. I use both because when air exits via your mouth, your therapy is compromised. Good luck.

cheers, Geoff

[Thomas F.]

I have good results with both of these two alternatives using a full faced mask (FFM). I use a FFM because I like the option of mouth breathing if I'm congested in my nose.

1. Use a papcap + Quattro full faced mask. Papcap keeps the chin strap in place and can be adjusted for comfort.

2 Use a Fischer & Pakel Forma full faced mask. This mask has a built in chin support which prevents the chin from dropping and mouth opening wide. I consistantly get zero leak levels with this mask.

[Tielman]

Well, it finally happened.

Woke up this morning with a sore, dry throat; ouch! This is the first time in 6 Months that I've had this issue. I started with a Nasal Mask, and now am on the Swift FX (which I love).

I started taping around two weeks ago to see if that would fix a few of the centrals I was seeing, and indeed it did drop my AHI. Two days ago I switched over to a chin strap to see if that would be as effective; No such luck. I'll have to go back to taping until I can order a full-face mask in about 3 more months.

[DreamOn]

I use the Seatec "Sleeptight" chin strap. http://www.cpapaustralia.com.au/shoppin ... strap.htmlI find it very comfortable and always stays in place.

I don't think the Seatec chin strap is sold in the U.S., but it appears that the design is almost identical to the Ruby Adjustable Chinstrap: https://www.cpap.com/productpage/cardin ... strap.html. I'm a little concerned that it may pull my chin/jaw back, but I have just ordered one of those to try.

[Ms.Snuffleupagus]

You might want to give this chin strap a try: https://www.cpap.com/productpage/deluxe ... hleak.html. It is surprisingly comfortable.