Keeping your mouth shut w/nasal pillow

[DrowsyDan]

Recently started using a CPAP w/nasal pillow. I wake with a very dry mouth, and I think I'm opening my mouth under the air pressure while I sleep, and the air is just going in my nose & out my mouth. I'd prefer to continue using the nasal approach, since it's less bulky, etc. Today I'm going to get a strip of velcro to go from the lower strip of the mask & run under my chin, hopefully holding my mouth shut. I'd appreciate any comments on these issues.

TIA

DD

[archangle]

Mouth leaks are a very common problem. Not only can it dry you out, it can hurt your therapy if you leak enough air to drop your pressure.

Many of us use chin straps. I make my own chin strap from a 3 inch non adhesive Ace bandage and safety pins. You can also buy them.

Some people tape their mouths shut. There's a danger of suffocation if the machine stops and you don't wake up. There's also the danger of aspiration pneumonia if you vomit while taped up. Lots of people tape anyway.

Some people are able to train themselves to not mouth breath by keeping their tongue pressed against the roof of their mouth. I find I do it a lot less if I don't use the neck pillow I used to use all the time. Tilting your head down or up can make a difference.

Some people have to go to a full face mask or an oral mask if they can't fix their mouth breathing problems any other way.

By the way, please fill in your equipment on your profile on this board so we can give you better advice.

[Exterminator]

I'm new too, started a week ago. I have to use a chin strap or I might as well not even use the machine.
I was too stubborn to wear it last night now I am paying for it. Try a strap.

[okitoki]

I am also a mouth leaker using the nasal pillow... I finally given up and ordered a full face mask and try it out... if it doesnt work out, then I will have to try a Hybrid mask...
dont like the idea of taping and tried using a bandages wrapping up side of head (like having a tooth ache) helped a little, but tend to come off during the night...

[ozze_dollar]

I also use a chinstrap. I would be hopeless without it. I tried a FFM but I hated it.

[agadoresmama]

I used to have a full face mask and HATED it. Now have nasal pillows and LOOOOVVVVVVVVVE it! I use a chin strap..works great for me...the key is to keep trying til u find what works for YOU....

As stated earlier..some people tape their mouths shut......the other night, I kep dreaming I was having an asthma attack....a SEVERE attack. Couldn't get my breath...such a heaviness.......such a dream! Then, I WOKE UP...it WASN'T a dream. sometime during the night my nose got stuffed up TOTALLY and I was suffocating! I RIPPED my strap and mask off.....scared the CRAP outa me.... I can't IMAGINE what would have happened if I had taped my mouth shut.....

[JointPain]

I use a chin strap too. I find it doesn't need to be particularly tight to be effective, so the overall feel isn't that much different to just the mask.

A pleasant side benefit is that it seems to help stabilize the mask as well, so I don't get many mask leaks either.

[DrowsyDan]

Thanks for all the replies. I looked on Amazon & I see that the straps are fairly cheap, which surprised me. I have an appointment with the sleep guy next week, I'll see what he suggests. Maybe if he orders it, the insurance will pay.

DD

[okitoki]

I just had a thought that if you have one of them head sweat bands, you probably can try it if you have one laying around right now? you can be like John McEnrol in bed... but hopefully less angry

[SixxStringzz]

I too had a problem with keeping my mouth shut through out the night when using the nasal pillow. I found that I could use a head/sweat band, slid down to cover my mouth ... then I put on the chinstrap. The chinstrap keeps my chin up and the head band helps in keeping my lips closed. I then put on my nasal pillow over all of that. FYI- This method allows me to get out of bed in the middle of the night by only taking off my mask.

The head bands I use can be found at Wally World in the hair product isle. They are the thin material kind ... they allow plenty of air to pass if needed.