Sound like Darth Vader--mouth leaks

[DaveL]

Compliant for 10 years...now I'm mouth breathing.

Also--I'm starting to lose weight; 19 lbs so far. (Weight Watchers) Find myself falling asleep, even during quiet spells at the table or watching tv. Clearly I need to change something!
Best,
DaveL

[kempo]

You are mouth breathing. You need to use a chin strap to keep your mouth shut. Some of us use tape to keep our mouth shut. I use both.

It's that or go to a full face mask.

Good luck!

[rholmack]

Say, I'm doing the lip thing and opening my mouth at time. Well, my wife say I am. I ordered a chin strap, what kind of tape do you use to put across your mouth?

[kempo]

3M transpore tape 1" wide. You can buy it at Walgreens. I use lansinoh to protect my lips. You can use chap stick. Before applying the tape purse your lips inward. Be sure to fold the tape at both ends so it's easy to remove. When you remove the tape pull the tape from side to side slowly.

My chin strap keeps my jaw closed and the tape keeps my lips from flapping in the cpap breeze.

[DaveL]

Thanks! (Visions of flapping lips!)

We were away on the weekend. Went North where the air is clean, except for legions of flying bugs of all sizes! First night was perfect; I was well rested. Second night--mouth breathing.

I'm attempting to reach my DME. Things are different here in Ontario Canada. My last mask purchase was great; however, now there's been a change of staff. I hated the DME I used for 10 years. You know--doctor referral. No customer service. But I've ranted about that before here...

I don't use a full face mask. Would that help?

Best,
DaveL

[DaveL]

Have an appointment. Time for a new mask.

Are people still using hybrid maps?
DaveL

[Bright Choice]

I don't use a full face mask. Would that help?

Yes a full face mask would help.

Here's my experience: I had Darth Vader leaks with Swift LT and FX nasal pillows. My best chin / lip strap solution goes as follows:

I use a 2" self adhering Ace bandage - available at Walmart, my local grocery, or Walgreens = http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/walgre ... 22-product. I take a length of about 24" which is about half a roll. Start at the top of your head, taking about half of the length, wrap it down under your chin and then back up to the top of your head. Then wrap it around again, top of head to chin and back to top of head. You will end up with two loops. Ease it off of your head and safety pin the cut ends and loops together so that it doesn't fall apart. When you are ready for bed, pull the doubled loops on. I put the safety pinned ends at the top of my head so that I don't lay on them. Snug the loops over your chin and voila - a perfect chin strap that really stays in place.

Then there's the mouth leak variation: I leave the bottom loop to support my chin and ease the top loop up to cover my mouth. Works great! No need to tape - you've got a 2 in 1 chin strap / mouth sealer.

That worked great while I was on cpap. Now I am on higher pressures with asv and it doesn't work anymore. - Too many bursts of air into my cheeks.

I have struggled with trying to use Swift LT or FX with asv and have been unsuccessful, even with the ace trick. I tried my Quattro FX and that was just one face fart after another. Then I got the Mirage Quattro which I was truly prepared to hate. It was leaky, I tried janknitz's suggestions about "taming the quattro" which you will find under her signature. That helped, some. Then I found the suggestion from dsm to try Padacheek's antileak strap: http://padacheek.com/PAC_AntiLeak_Strap.html. I ordered the strap but while waiting for it to come, I took the top loop of the ace, cut a very small hole in the ace and threaded it over the elbow of the Mirage Quattro. Oh my, that is a "spot on" suggestion! Last night I was down to zero leaks. I am also using Remzzz, 1 under the forehead piece and 2 on the face piece.

Just got the padacheek antileak strap in the mail today. It looks really well made and I think it's going to be perfect.

If you want to tape your mouth, 3M Microfoam tape is pretty neat. I ordered it on Amazon. This is not Micropore from the drug / grocery store. It is surgical tape and is quite sticky but pulls off very easily.

Hope some of these suggestions help. Good luck!

[DaveL]

Thanks Bright Choice! Truly appreciate you responding so completely. Compliance takes a whole lot of work.

I'm in Ontario Canada. My sleep doc is no help at all. I have a cpap machine and nose mask--perhaps soon to change.
DaveL

[DaveL]

New Mask--Thanks to Melany of Shoppers Home Health Care.

ResMed Quattro FX

Result? First night. I must have adjusted the mask tightnes 5 times last night. One time the "cushion" was partially out of the frame...Woke up early with dry mouth (mouth breathing). Went back to sleep. No, not a good night's sleep.

However, I do feel better.
And that is very positive!

Today? Found the ResMed site with supporting video showing how I should have been putting the mask on. It is different from my nasal mask!

DaveL
Toronto

[DaveL]

Well it's not working. I've never had a mask perform so poorly. Yes I have watched the video.

I have an appointment tomorrow and will change masks. No more Quattro FX for me.

DaveL

ps pleased with my new DME!

[DaveL]

ps. I know the mask works fine for many other people. Just not for me.

DaveL

[almartres]

Dart Vader!!!!!
Pozorrubio

[DaveL]

I've gone back to a new nasal mask but added a chin strap. Not impressed with DME's experience. so back to looking for a new DME.

Melanie was great, but Quattro FX experience simply terrible.

[ozze_dollar]

Tried the FFM for over a month. Thought I had to have because of mouth breathing. I hated it. Too many problems. Nasal mask plus chin strap is ok. Never tried tape. Must give it a go.