Ex Mouth Taper

[SMenasco]

Some may remember my postings regarding dry mouth and the only thing I could find to stop it was taping. Well, after a month of taping, which worked pretty well, I dedided that I was not going to spend the rest of my life with my mouth taped up at night, even if I had to give up, quit cpap and move into another bedroom. In desperation, I ordered a ResMed chin strap - a complete waste of money. Then I saw the Youtube clip of the Papcap. I ordered one. Extremely over-priced for what you get, but I understand product, marketing and sales cost. After a couple of nights of moderate relief, although not completely solving the problem, I started to experiment. My wife moved the two side velcro strips further to the back, took some darts in the thing and now it works well enough to stop taping. It forces the jaw up about 1/2 inch and pretty well keeps the mouth closed all night. So for those of you that are experiencing severe dry mouth, you might try the Papcap rather that suffer or resign to taping for the rest of your days. However, for those of you that tape and don't mind it, switching to cloth tape will end your adhesive residue problem. Incidentally, I use the Swift II nasal rig, Good Luck!

[rested gal]

Glad to hear that, SMenasco. Good lab-ratting by you and your wife -- fixing the PAPcap so it works for you.

I tried one and worked with it quite a bit, but never could get it to stop my mouth breathing.
I don't mind using tape over my mouth. Been taping for about six years. Fortunately I never had a problem with residue from the several different kinds of tape I used, including the 3M Blue painter's tape I currently prefer.

That's nice you don't have to use tape anymore. Good for you!
The PAPcap probably is a good solution for a lot of people. Just didn't get the job done for me.

[scrapper]

I too am an ex mouth taper...........tried the papcap but wasn't the answer either....... I found that a simple $1 boil & bite mouthguard from the Sports section of WalMart has for some reason done the trick. Apparently the mouthguard keeps me from opening my mouth during the night. I prefer it to taping.........

[sleepnationtv]

Take a look at the chin up strip http://www.chinupstrip.com I have had a few people tell me they work well.

[Tired Linda]

I found that a simple $1 boil & bite mouthguard from the Sports section of WalMart has for some reason done the trick.

I tried that once...woke up with it stuck to my back. Went to a FFM, it works much better for me

[sleepyprm]

I use the Chin-up Strips, but they are very strong. I have to use lip balm all around my lips, and it still sticks very well.... in the morning I need to pull off gently straight back, in order to avoid irritation. I don't like pulling my skin every morning, it can't be good for the skin. I may try the papcap or the bite insert.... and I'm still feeling tired.

Going off topic a bit,,,, i also suffer from anxiety and panic disorder and take Ambien to sleep. Working on it all, thinking that if I could get away from the Ambien, the sleep apnea might be reduced. And maybe I wouldn't always feel tired.

Anyone who has had this combination of conditions, would you have any suggestions? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. This forum is amazing. Thank you all for being here.