Thought I was a mouth breather,,,,,,,,,

snoozie_suzy · Post by **snoozie_suzy** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 11:27 am

But now I'm not so sure. I'm wondering if this has happened with anyone else on this forum. I started out with Swift pillows when I first started CPAP, back in January, before I started the APAP. I liked the pillows and it was very comfortable, the only problem was I would wake up several times with air hissing through my slightly parted lips. I even used the chin strap but the chin strap doesnt' stop your lips from parting. So when I started APAP in February I switched to UMFF mask. Once again, I thought it was very comfortable. A little more bulky than the nasal interface but I was still able to comply with treatment so I figured it was beneficial to my treatment.

Anyhow, 3 weeks ago, my FFmask broke while on a trip so while awaiting my new FFmask in the mail I switched back not to the Swift pillows, but the nasal mask (not sure the name of the top of my head, but its Respironics) anyhow, I have not had the same issue with air hissing out of my mouth as I did with the pillows. It makes no sense to me at all. Infact I'm not even using a chin strap!! Is there maybe more FORCE to the air coming out of the pillows than the regular style nasal mask? All i know is my mask leaks are less (which I know the leak rate is less anyways for nasal than full, but its much less) and my Variable Breathing numbers have increased slightly, they used to be less than 5% on average and now they are higher than 20% avg. I am aware noone really knows what the exact percentage is we should be striving for, but all i know is I am feeling slightly better than with the FF mask.

Its funny how I jumped to the conclusion I was a mouthbreather without trying another type nasal mask first. I am just wondering if anyone else has experienced this, or perhaps if other people that have tried "pillow" type masks and had air leaking through their mouth might want to try giving the regular style nasal mask a shot and see if it works for them also. I can't believe that I'm not leaking through my lips anymore!!

Suzy

Snoozin' Bluezzz · Post by **Snoozin' Bluezzz** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 11:40 am

I have absolutely no science to back up my thoughts on this but I have felt from day 1 that the Swift has this wonderful, or not, direct unimpeded path to blast right up one's nostrils. I had that same problem with the CL2 and Headrest at the higher pressures the APAP went to - 10-12 when I first fired it up. My Swift does not do this to me at 9cm. I have not tried it higher - no need.

SB

bhoffman57 · Post by **bhoffman57** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 1:11 pm

very glad to have found this post. I have the exact same situation:

I had the activa nasal mask (a great mask) but switched to the swift nasal pillows because - frankly - the nasal mask was scaring the kids. The first night with the swift, I woke up constantly from mouth breathing. My wife woke me up saying that she could hear the air shooting out of my mouth. I switched back to the nasal mask and the rest of the night was uneventful. I thought that the force of air was greater, but dismissed this thinking "the pressure is the pressure". I was going to get a chin strap, but now may revisit and just use the nasal mask. I'll just tell the kids that daddy is Top Gun or Darth Vader (they love Star Wars)

snoozie_suzy · Post by **snoozie_suzy** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 5:24 pm

Bhoffman57~

Comforting to know I'm not losing my mind and that this has happened with someone else other than myself. Its probably another downfall of many people (myself included) who were not able to trial different masks without comitting to one. My DME gave me the Swift pillows and the ResMed S8 to start out with. There is not a thing wrong with that selection but its too bad I didn't get to try, say, 6 or 7 other type masks both nasal and FF. I would have been able to come to this conclusion 3 months ago!

Suzy

fredw · Post by **fredw** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 8:14 pm

I go through spells of mouth breathing. I think I tend to mouth breath when I have nasal congestion. I also started mouth breathing after having my pressure increased and I think it may have been the exhalation against the pressure that started it. I am now on an APAP with c-flex (my old CPAP didn't have c-flex), and I am hoping the combination of lower pressure and c-flex will help the situation.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 9:49 pm

you have to look at your reports to be sure, but my guess is your APAP is not
"reading" your events as well with the nasal pillows vs. the FF mask.

There are numerous cautions using particular masks with an APAP for that reason.

bhoffman57 · Post by **bhoffman57** » Mon May 01, 2006 7:13 am

Consider yourself lucky that you were at least given 2 masks to start. I was given one, and when I inquired about a different one, my DME said I could "trade it in" within 30 days for a different one. Luckily, when the salesman I was dealing with was out, I spoke with an Admin at the DME who just FedEx'd me the nasal pillows out the next day. Now I alternate and am trying to get past the mouth breathing. I saw a lot of posts about taping mouths and custom mouth pieces and would really rather not go that route.

I don't see why a generic headband - bout at any sporting goods shop - placed over your mouth won't work. It's cheap, easy, and would keep your cheeks from puffing out. I may give it a try. I will share my results.

One last thing on the swift nasal pillows. I tried them again last night and awoke with a lot of pain in my left nostril. Not sure why.

BH57

snoozie_suzy · Post by **snoozie_suzy** » Mon May 01, 2006 7:28 am

bhoffmann57~
I actually wasn't "given" two different masks, I was given the Swift, and I purchased out of pocket the FFmask.

But yes, I agree with you, I wasn't able to tape, I tried several times and woke up with the tape stuck to my pillow, which indicated I ripped it off in my sleep.

Its just really strange that I don't mouth breathe with the regular style nasal mask, but the Swift, and I'm guessing (although I have not tried the Aura) the Aura might have more FORCE directed up the nose so could be a reason a lot of people that wear those two types of mask have to tape. I have noticed on a lot of people's posts who claim they tape their mouths are also users of both Swift and the Aura.

Suzy

LDuyer · Post by **LDuyer** » Mon May 01, 2006 1:18 pm

I've never tried nasal pillows, although I've always wanted to try them.
When I first got my bipap, I asked the sleep doc about nasal pillows and he said they would be difficult for me with my high pressures (18/14). I didn't really know what he meant by that (he wasn't the easiest doc to talk to), but maybe it had to do with a force factor.

So I used a nose-cover mask from the start and still do (it works, so why mess with that?). I found it almost impossible to even open my mouth while using the mask, except in the low ramp stages. Sure seems weird, the suction that keeps my mouth closed.

I've heard that many people who are light mouth breathers often adapt quite well to masks, no mouth breathing, because of this effect. I've also heard that some light mouth breathers actually improve after using a chin strap for awhile and don't need it later. Strange, huh?

Linda

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Mon May 01, 2006 3:19 pm

Hi Suzy. As someone else mentioned, it will be interesting to see your "numbers" with the nasal mask as opposed to the FF mask.

When I switched masks, my 90% pressure went up one - from 7 to 8 (aren't autos nice).

So every mask is going to be a little different and your body will react differently too. Even though my pressure went up to 8 with the Aura, I never feel the pressure like I did with the Nasalaire. Also, I seem to have better mouth suction (if that makes sense), and don't mouth breathe.

Glad you're doing better, and I'm sure it's a nice feeling to not be wearing the FF mask.

snoozie_suzy · Post by **snoozie_suzy** » Mon May 01, 2006 4:15 pm

Thank you Linda and Linda!! or Linda (squared!)

I am looking at my data every few days now, just to see what is going on with my sleeping. I never experienced rainout with the FF mask, but the past ten days on Comfort Classic I have had rainout, its the time of year where its not quite cold enough to keep the thermostat any higher than 68 and I think it just gets chilly in my bedroom so in the combination of my humidifier its causing it. Oh well, now an excuse to buy the Aussie hose!

Take care!
Suzy

bhoffman57 · Post by **bhoffman57** » Tue May 02, 2006 9:57 am

I guess my DME went the cheap route. My CPAP (goodnight 420G) doesn't offer any reports/diagnostics. If I'm not too tired, and the wife says I didn't snore, I guess I did OK

bhoffman57 · Post by **bhoffman57** » Wed May 03, 2006 8:16 am

One thing I noticed, the tube for the swift nasal pillows is narrower that the tube for my nasal mask. There is an adapter that connects to the CPAP hose and then shrinks to fit the swift hose. A smaller hose would result in a greater force of air going through.

This may be a reason why you may mouth breathe with the swift more than with the mask

Thought I was a mouth breather,,,,,,,,,

Thought I was a mouth breather,,,,,,,,,

mouth breather - swift pillows

good to know I'm not alone!

Suzy

Thanks a lot !

No readings for me

the swift has a narrower tube