Newbie's first night on CPAP

[claudann]

I got my CPAP equipment yesterday. So I just had to try it last night. I think I did pretty well for the first night. I sat and watched TV with it for an hour or so just to get used to it. Then when I wanted to go to sleep, it probably took me 30 minutes to get to sleep. I woke up once around midnight, but everything was fine and I went right back to sleep. But then I woke up at 2:00am and my mouth was open. Apparently my chin strap was not doing its job. I was too tired at that time to fool with trying to make the chin strap work, so I took the CPAP off.

I'm hoping I can get the chin strap adjusted so that my mouth stays closed. I just love the nasal pillow mask I have -- it is so unobtrusive. I really don't want to have to go to a full-face mask.

Folks have any tricks on keeping your mouth closed? I've seen topics about taping your mouth, so I'll read those -- but that sounds very uncomfortable at first blush.

Also, I have to say I am very pleased with my DME provider. My doctor's office is actually the provider. When I went in, they had one machine for me picked out. My heart fell, since I supposed it would be a very basic model. But lo and behold it was the very machine I would have picked -- the ResMed S9 AutoSet! I was thrilled. They went through everything with me very thoroughly and I felt very well taken care of.

So all in all this has been a very good experience so far! I just have to beat this opening of the mouth problem.

[Pugsy]

Welcome to the forum.

Do you have the software yet? Then you can see how bad the mouth breathing might be affecting things. Try not to allow yourself to yield to the temptation to take the mask off during the night. Bad habit to learn. Taping isn't nearly as bad as it sounds. I did it for about 2 months and I seemed to no longer want to open mouth so I quit taping. Rarely have open mouth problem now after over 2 years. So if you do decide to try it, you might not have to do it forever.

Software tutorial in case you weren't aware. http://montfordhouse.com/cpap/resscan_tutorial/

Don't know where to get the software? Check Uncle_Bob 's signature. memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=38643

[Mary Z]

I agree with Pugsy, don't allow yourself to get into the habit of taking your mask off. Many people have used taping without problems. Work on your chin strap. There is a chin strap that comes with high recommendations- google it- the Ultimate Chin Strap (don't let its appearance put you off- supposed to be very comfortable). It has a guarantee. If you have to go to a FFM it's not the worse thing in the world. You have to do whatever you have to so that your therapy works.

[jabman]

When I went in, they had one machine for me picked out. My heart fell, since I supposed it would be a very basic model. But lo and behold it was the very machine I would have picked -- the ResMed S9 AutoSet!

Hi and welcome to the board
I don't have any experience taping, though I do use a home made chin strap, I have this harry patch around my mouth that is very tape unfriendly.
I have a basically the same thing happen to me. I came to this site and did some research on machines before I went to get mine. I went to the DME with a couple of machines I wanted fully expecting to have to fight with them. I asked right off what machines they offered and said I was interested in a couple of them. She said we only deal with Resmed machines and the only machine they currently have is the S9 AutoSet. The S9 AutoSet was my second choice so I was pleased. I have had good luck with this DME so far But I have not had to deal with them much.

[rested gal]

She said we only deal with Resmed machines and the only machine they currently have is the S9 AutoSet. The S9 AutoSet was my second choice so I was pleased. I have had good luck with this DME so far But I have not had to deal with them much.

I think you were very lucky, jabman. The S9 AutoSet would be my first choice.

Welcome to the board, claudann! Sounds like you're off to a very good start.

Taping isn't as bad as it sounds. I've been putting tape over my mouth every night for almost seven years. AND wearing a chin strap to keep my cheeks from ballooning out and loosening the tape when air fills my taped mouth during the night. Tape+chinstrap lets me use masks I find much more comfortable and easy to sleep in than any full face mask I've tried. Each person is different, though, and many people do sleep fine wearing a FF mask.

LINKS to: Mouth leaks - Air Leaks - Tape - DIY Guard
viewtopic.php?t=8011

[Resister]

I started out with tape, then tried a chin strap. Neither worked for me, but because of claustrophobia I refused to go to FFM. So, per someone's suggestion here--wish I could remember who, I tried pantyhose. I cinch it tight under my chin and tie it atop my head, and now I don't get chipmunk cheeks at all like I did with tape, and it's not as cumbersome as I felt the chin strap was. Hey, if nothing else it's a cheap alternative to try