Opinions sought on using a chin strap

[jimnsc]

I have been converting from ffm's to nasal pillows for the last two months and I'm about there except for puffs. With the chin strap I only exceed an interface's normal flow rate by @ 5 L/minute so I know it's helping. Without the chin strap I exceed the expected flow rate by @ 12 L/minute. Both leak rates are in the acceptable leak rate ranges and my AHI's are good either way, which bids the the question - Any point to wearing the chin strap?

TAPING FOR ME IS TABOO AS IT'S HARD TO SNEEZE THROUGH TAPE and I'm in the middle of allergy season for me here.

Thanks for your input - Jim

[OutaSync]

Nasal masks tend to push my upper lip between my teeth. My jaw falls open when I sleep and then slams shut, catching my lips between my teeth! The chinstrap keeps my jaw up.

[ChrisT]

I am mainly a nose breather when awake but when asleep my mouth does come open. I could not get a proper fit from any full face mask I used. I liked the pillows best but found they dried my nose out more and also somewhat irritated it. I do have a medical condition that drys my mouth/nose/eyes so I think the pillows with my higher pressures and that medical condition made it harder for me to use them. I tried two different standard issue chin straps that helped some but did not fix the problem....I then tried both together with the same result. I was a bit desperate to find a solution as it is my understanding that when you have leaks above the planned consistent leak of any mask you can't trust the numbers. I even tried duct tape but almost blew my brains out when I coughed! I ended up getting Russell MacMillins Ultimate chin strap in petite and modifying it slightly. This has really cut down on my leaks. I really feel the standard chin straps don't work for a lot of people. I have been using the new chin strap with a nose mask that works well for me. If I could get by with using the pillows I would as they are feather light. The Fisher-Paykel nasal mask was the next best good fit for me. We vary in facial structure and breathing patters so what works for one might not work for another but if you read through the posts you will no doubt come upon some really good ideas that work for you. Good luck!

Chris T.

[SleepingUgly]

Try this:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=64780&p=604376&hili ... ng#p604376

[jimnsc]

I perceive I muddied the water by mentioning chin strap versus taping but since we are there let me mention the chin strap I used last was a Resperonics Ultimate and it worked well but I don't think any of them would completely stop the puffs you exhale from your mouth. I have also tried the Ruby (I forget the correct name) one but the standard I ordered was too, too small - tried it on and never used it. I also bought Russ's Ultimate chin strap but it was twice too big for me and I sold it for less than half what I paid. The Resperonics worked well for me and the seam in the chin portion was not even noticeable.

Here is the crux of what I was posting - - - - If my leak is acceptable with and without a chin strap, what is the point of wearing one?


They're extra baggage and they're hot, especially this time of year.

What would you do if you were in my shoes? My AHI's are good either way.

[SleepingUgly]

If your AHI is good, the leaks of air don't wake you, and your leaks are truly that low consistently, if it were me, I wouldn't bother wearing the chin strap. My problem is that my S9 doesn't report leaks in proportion to how I experience them--I'll wake up from what seem to be disturbing leaks and the S9 couldn't care less about them. But if they aren't waking you and aren't affecting your therapy, why bother?

Any other opinions?

[lars4life]

Try the Respironics Premium Chin Strap. It works fine, totally adjustable for any head from sizes wee, not so wee to frick'n huge!

[jimnsc]

Got that very chin strap Lars, thanks.

[Pugsy]

Here is the crux of what I was posting - - - - If my leak is acceptable with and without a chin strap, what is the point of wearing one?

Not much point IMHO. As SU said, unless the leak is messing with sleep quality in some way, I would be wearing the least amount of stuff on my face as possible.

[ChrisT]

JMNSC....There is a petite size available in Russ's Ultimate that fit me well once I folded the chin part in half. It is keeping me from opening my mouth or puffing but I can still cough if I need to. Also he offers a return policy so you could have sent yours back. The respironics ultimate you mentioned looks a bit beefier then those one strap items I tried. I didn't try the respironics ultimate tho but it is only $12 on Amazon right now. Russ's keeps me from breathing through my mouth or puffing but I can still cough through it. Works well for me.

sleepingugly....do you use software to view your leaks? My machine always told me I had no leaks too. This in the information section on top. My husband said I did have them however and signifigant ones. It wasn't until I got the free software download SleepyHead that I was able to see the leaks and that helped me evaluate different masks quicker. I am still in transition...trying out the auto BIPAP.

Hope everyone here finds what works for them. ChrisT

[SleepingUgly]

sleepingugly....do you use software to view your leaks?

Yes, I look at the stats but also at the graphs.

[lars4life]

With my pillows and my chin strap, sometimes I still wake up at night with dry mouth...I just close my mouth, get some saliva going
and go back to sleep. I don't count that as an actual wake up as I do not turn off my machine to get out of bed for a personal
break. But, I know I've been mouth breathing. Weird thing is there is no data of leaks, etc. and my AHI is still super low. It only
happens once or twice, never more. So, who cares? I still feel great and refreshed in the morning, thankful for CPAP and my
recovery from almost dying from sleep and oxygen deprivation. Sometimes you gotta open your mouth and take a few gulps.
It's natural!