Two Things

[Kairosgrammy]

First, I'd like to share a youtube video. It was cute but informative. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCi3l-T6PiQ&feature=pyv Enjoy. Might help for us not to take ourselves to seriously.

Secondly, and the real reason I'm posting this is I have to wear a chin strap. I suspect that now that I've figured out why I need the humidifier, I might not need to wear one but since I can't watch myself sleep, I guess I'll keep wearing one. It has been nice though not being all stuffy when I'm sleeping. I suspect that's why I was mouth breathing. The chin strap I was given though is really nothing more than an elastic piece of cloth with velcro adjustments and it's really wide. It tends to go all the way back to my throat which might not bother most but it does me. I think it messes with my claustophobia (which is why ffm isn't an option for me) and also, I'm asthmatic and have troubles with anything around my throat or that touches my throat. I know in my head I'm not being choked but tell that to my fluttery heart. So my question is, does anyone have any recommendations regarding a chin strap?

[Pugsy]

So my question is, does anyone have any recommendations regarding a chin strap?

Chin strap preference is highly individual. I don't use one so I can't help much but just wanted to mention that if your machine is a full data machine we can use the software to see just how much your mouth breathing is impacting the therapy. Sometimes it isn't as much as one thinks so there is no need to use a chin strap. I sometimes wake up during the night with dry mouth and mouth is open so I know that I have been mouth breathing some but when I look at my leak line there is no leak of any magnitude to harm therapy so I don't worry about it. Sometimes it takes only a minimal amount of mouth breathing to cause dry mouth. Doesn't always have to mean mouth breathing all night long.

Just a thought to consider. Get the software to make sure that mouth breathing is or is not a problem making it necessary to use a chin strap or tape mouth.

[NightMonkey]

So my question is, does anyone have any recommendations regarding a chin strap?

There are many to choose from https://www.cpap.com/cpap-mask-parts/cp ... #/0:::::20:

Click on each product for manufacturer's photos and info.

I tried several, did not like any, and switched to a full face mask eliminating the need for a strap.

[2 B Sleeping Soundly]

I use a Philips Respironics Premium chin strap and it works very well for me. I also have been working at training myself to keep the tip of my tongue at the back of my upper teeth/roof of my mouth. This is still a work in progress, but maybe someday the chin strap will not be necessary. But then again...

I found after 15 years (or more) of untreated severe OSA I had become a mouth breather while sleeping (read: trying to survive sleep) and even during the day. I hated the feeling of not being able to stop myself from mouth breathing no matter how many times I would catch myself doing it. CPAP therapy has greatly improved that, though I still catch myself doing it occasionally.

John

[Kairosgrammy]

I will definitely check into that. I didn't even know I was mouth breathing and honestly, when I was waking up in the morning pre new cpap, I really didn't have that much of a dry mouth. I still think the reason I mouth breath sometimes is a stuffy nose and to be honest, I was really surprised when he said I was breathing through my mouth. I despise breathing through my mouth which is why I hate having a stuffy nose so much. If ya can't breathe through your nose, mouth is the only other way to partake of oxygen. I think its possible doc was exagerating mouth breathing & was more concerned about my oxygen levels. They were dropping to 80% even with cpap up to 10. But I would rather find a comfortable chin strap than worry about lack of oxygen. It's a wonder I could even function.

I use a Philips Respironics Premium chin strap and it works very well for me. I also have been working at training myself to keep the tip of my tongue at the back of my upper teeth/roof of my mouth. This is still a work in progress, but maybe someday the chin strap will not be necessary. But then again...

I found after 15 years (or more) of untreated severe OSA I had become a mouth breather while sleeping (read: trying to survive sleep) and even during the day. I hated the feeling of not being able to stop myself from mouth breathing no matter how many times I would catch myself doing it. CPAP therapy has greatly improved that, though I still catch myself doing it occasionally.

John

[Kairosgrammy]

I've heard that mentioned before but have no clue about software. Need advice on that. Mouth breathing can't be too much of problem anymore. My AHI is about .3 to .5 a night. I really didn't understand that when I took sd card to medical supply people who sent copy to sleep doc. She just said my AHIs were really good. Since then, I've figured it out.

So my question is, does anyone have any recommendations regarding a chin strap?

Chin strap preference is highly individual. I don't use one so I can't help much but just wanted to mention that if your machine is a full data machine we can use the software to see just how much your mouth breathing is impacting the therapy. Sometimes it isn't as much as one thinks so there is no need to use a chin strap. I sometimes wake up during the night with dry mouth and mouth is open so I know that I have been mouth breathing some but when I look at my leak line there is no leak of any magnitude to harm therapy so I don't worry about it. Sometimes it takes only a minimal amount of mouth breathing to cause dry mouth. Doesn't always have to mean mouth breathing all night long.

Just a thought to consider. Get the software to make sure that mouth breathing is or is not a problem making it necessary to use a chin strap or tape mouth.

[Kairosgrammy]

"I tried several, did not like any, and switched to a full face mask eliminating the need for a strap."

Full face isn't an option for me. I tried the one that just fits over your nose after I was initially diagnosed with sleep apnea several years ago. After 3 weeks I was more sleep deprived than before cpap because I couldn't sleep for the pounding heart and anxiety the mask caused. I'm claustophobic and to be honest, never realized how bad until I started cpap. The last nite I used the nose mask, I ended up slinging it into the wall, turning over and going to sleep without the cpap. I vowed I'd just be apnic because the alternative was worse. I went back to to respiratory therapist at medical supply store and told her as much as I might need cpap, I couldn't deal with the mask. I was so uninformed at the time. She said, I can solve that and gave me the Mirage Swift II Nasal Pillow mask and that was a lifesaver. I'm now using resmed swift fx nasal pillows which I like even more. I figure if I reacted that badly to just the nose job, full face would make me a mental case. LOL, I have enuff problems without being crazy (or maybe I should say crazier) on top of it all. I figure that's part of the problem with the chin strap I have now is that it makes me feel that claustophobia again.

[Pugsy]

I've heard that mentioned before but have no clue about software. Need advice on that.

Look at the links in my signature line.
PR S1 options will take you to a thread with software examples and explanation.
SleepyHead is the software that I prefer to use. Links to it also in my signature.

Please add your equipment to your profile...model name please.

[Kairosgrammy]

Well, I checked into the Premium Chin strap. I'm afraid that might still bother my claustophobia a bit too much. I saw this one and thought it might be a little less invasive while doing the trick. Does it look like to you that it might be strong enuff. I don't think I'm a really bad mouth breather. This one is respironics also. Here the url: http://www.thecpappeople.com/Products/B ... H3407.aspx

I use a Philips Respironics Premium chin strap and it works very well for me. I also have been working at training myself to keep the tip of my tongue at the back of my upper teeth/roof of my mouth. This is still a work in progress, but maybe someday the chin strap will not be necessary. But then again...

I found after 15 years (or more) of untreated severe OSA I had become a mouth breather while sleeping (read: trying to survive sleep) and even during the day. I hated the feeling of not being able to stop myself from mouth breathing no matter how many times I would catch myself doing it. CPAP therapy has greatly improved that, though I still catch myself doing it occasionally.

John

[Goofproof]

"I tried several, did not like any, and switched to a full face mask eliminating the need for a strap."

Full face isn't an option for me. I tried the one that just fits over your nose after I was initially diagnosed with sleep apnea several years ago. After 3 weeks I was more sleep deprived than before cpap because I couldn't sleep for the pounding heart and anxiety the mask caused. I'm claustophobic and to be honest, never realized how bad until I started cpap. The last nite I used the nose mask, I ended up slinging it into the wall, turning over and going to sleep without the cpap. I vowed I'd just be apnic because the alternative was worse. I went back to to respiratory therapist at medical supply store and told her as much as I might need cpap, I couldn't deal with the mask. I was so uninformed at the time. She said, I can solve that and gave me the Mirage Swift II Nasal Pillow mask and that was a lifesaver. I'm now using resmed swift fx nasal pillows which I like even more. I figure if I reacted that badly to just the nose job, full face would make me a mental case. LOL, I have enuff problems without being crazy (or maybe I should say crazier) on top of it all. I figure that's part of the problem with the chin strap I have now is that it makes me feel that claustophobia again.

A mask that just fits "Over the nose" is a nasal mask not a FF mask, A FF mask covers the nose and mouth, that's how it stops mouthbreathing leaks. Jim

[cowlypso]

I use the Ruby chinstrap, and it works well for me. I have serious issues with things touching my throat. This chinstrap cups the chin, so it can't slide backwards toward your throat, and only extens about an inch backwards from your chin under your jaw.

[Kairosgrammy]

"A mask that just fits "Over the nose" is a nasal mask not a FF mask, A FF mask covers the nose and mouth, that's how it stops mouthbreathing leaks. Jim"
This I realize. But if just the nasal mask sends me into fits of anxiety, think what a ffm would do. Just not an options. As I said, when I had the nasal mask, I was more tired than when I slept without cpap. Claustophobia is a real issue for me. As bad as my sleep apnea is and the physical repercussions of not using cpap, if I had to wear nasal or ff mask, I wouldn't use my cpap. Not sleeping at all is just as bad if not worse that sleep apnea.

[ladylucy]

I used chin-up strips - http://www.chinupstrip.com/ They work really well. (The only reason I stopped using them is because I have started wearing a bite guard and it naturally makes me keep my mouth closed.) With these strips, you can open your mouth just a little in case you need to cough or sip some water. It helps to spread a thin layer of Milk of Magnesia on your face and let it dry before applying the chin-up strips. That allows the strip to stick, but it comes off easier in the morning.

[Pugsy]

As bad as my sleep apnea is and the physical repercussions of not using cpap, if I had to wear nasal or ff mask, I wouldn't use my cpap. Not sleeping at all is just as bad if not worse that sleep apnea.

I can fully relate to your statement. For different reasons but I can relate. We do what we have to do to make the nasal pillows mask system work and sometimes if it isn't a perfect fix...well, it is still better than not using the machine at all.

Do what you can now to overcome your anxiety just using this stuff...worry about fine tuning later once the anxiety is no longer a factor (and it will happen).

I hope you can get a machine that will show you the leak data so you can know for sure whether leak or mouth breathing is anything to really worry about.

[Kairosgrammy]

As bad as my sleep apnea is and the physical repercussions of not using cpap, if I had to wear nasal or ff mask, I wouldn't use my cpap. Not sleeping at all is just as bad if not worse that sleep apnea.

I can fully relate to your statement. For different reasons but I can relate. We do what we have to do to make the nasal pillows mask system work and sometimes if it isn't a perfect fix...well, it is still better than not using the machine at all.

Do what you can now to overcome your anxiety just using this stuff...worry about fine tuning later once the anxiety is no longer a factor (and it will happen).

I hope you can get a machine that will show you the leak data so you can know for sure whether leak or mouth breathing is anything to really worry about.

Hasn't happened in 7 or 8 years (can't quite remember which year I started. 2003 I think) I checked my leak data and it says 0% so chin strap is working or keeping my nose cleared out with good humidity has worked. Still need to figure chin strap out. It takes 30 minutes before my heart quits pounding. If I had to make a guess, I'd say claustophobia is worse all around not just sleeping, went into a crowded store and had to leave, just too many people. Just need less invasive chin strap than what I have. I can tolerate it sorta kinda but just as soon fix the situation without raising my blood pressure.