Weaning my self from chin strap - Day 1

[blomasky]

If i can teach my grandsons to be toilet trained, I figure I just might be able to train my self to NOT be a mouth breather. Last night was the 1st night, and it didn't suck TOO much. I am trying to remmber to keep tongue at back of top teeth, twice I woke up in the middle of the night with a dry throat, indication that mouth was open and air was going from nose to mouth, but didn't sleep too bad for 1st night. I will give my self 30 days to see if I can make significant improvement and will share my journey with you good looking boys and girls:

My info: 62 Male, 6' 190 lbs (so not too overweight), have mustache and goatee (styling!) so many masks don't seal well. I have not found a full face mask that I can use without leaking like a sieve (have about 15-20 masks used only once or twice in a big drawer!) I like nasal pillows for the comfort and the minimalistic, light headgear. I have been using the PUR chin strap with teeth guard to keep me from grinding my teeth. Using the head gear, my teeth feel loose in the morning so this is one of the motivations for trying to be chin-strap free. Using S9 with setting of 13CC. My apnea is very well handled (avg about 1-2 per hour most evenings.)

If this works, I will be a happy camper. If not, if I have to go back to chinstrap and mouth guard it won't be the end of the world

Bruce

[JohnO]

Good Luck!

I worked hard at becoming a nose-only breather a few years before starting CPAP. I tried it in order to reduce snoring. It didn't really help to reduce snoring, but now that I'm on CPAP, it allows me to use a nasal pillow mask without any chin strap.

John

[CPAPhope]

I, also, am trying to do without chin strap. It's been about a week, but I'm cheating by taping my mouth shut. Not practical for someone with 'stache and beard! And probably not helping me learn to nose breathe only. However, it's a heck of a lot more comfortable than using the strap. I've been sleeping pretty well the last few nights.

[SleepingUgly]

I, also, am trying to do without chin strap. It's been about a week, but I'm cheating by taping my mouth shut. Not practical for someone with 'stache and beard! And probably not helping me learn to nose breathe only. However, it's a heck of a lot more comfortable than using the strap. I've been sleeping pretty well the last few nights.

What kind of tape are you using? I can't seem to find a good balance between the tape removing my skin or otherwise leaving red marks on my face or it not adhering well and then I wake up leaking.

[Al N]

Thinking of trying the same thing. I've only been on the pillows for a couple weeks after not being able to find any ff mask that worked. I've been a mouth breather all of my life so I knew it would be a challenge. So far during the day is great. At night seems to be improving slowly too. So hoping for good results. Good luck on your journey.

[kaiasgram]

I, also, am trying to do without chin strap. It's been about a week, but I'm cheating by taping my mouth shut. Not practical for someone with 'stache and beard! And probably not helping me learn to nose breathe only. However, it's a heck of a lot more comfortable than using the strap. I've been sleeping pretty well the last few nights.

What kind of tape are you using? I can't seem to find a good balance between the tape removing my skin or otherwise leaving red marks on my face or it not adhering well and then I wake up leaking.

SU, I use the paper tape for sensitive skin -- 3M Micropore. My routine: I wash my face and use moisture lotion before bedtime. At bedtime I put a small piece of fabric on the tape so I don't actually have tape contacting my lips (photo below). Before putting the tape on my face I put it on my forearm and take it off (someone here offered that tip) -- I do this twice then put it on my face. It seems to be the right amount of "stick" for me but without causing irritation in the a.m. Removing the tape is not bad at all and in the a.m. I massage a bit of aloe vera gel where the tape was, just for extra TLC for my skin.

[archangle]

Some people have reported being able to learn to not need a chin strap. I failed miserably in my attempts.

There are some things you just can't train your brain to do in your sleep. One would think your brain would learn not to let your airway close off, but apparently not, because we still need CPAP.

[Sir NoddinOff]

Last summer I went from a chinstrap to mouth taping and then about three months ago experimented with not taping. It was largely successful and took a few weeks to sort out. However, about once a month I still awaken with a dry mouth. I try not to let it bug me... I just slap on some tape and continue on thru the night like that. Usually the next night I'm back on track and don't have to use a chinstrap or tape. I have no clue why my breathing reverts to its old habits, but that's the reality of the situation.

Give it a shot. What have you got to lose?

[JohnO]

However, about once a month I still awaken with a dry mouth. ... I have no clue why my breathing reverts to its old habits, but that's the reality of the situation.

Once and a while, I too, will wake up with a dry mouth. To date, it has been -very- rare. Maybe twice in the last four months. It might be related to a few too many drinks the previous evening. It was not an all-night affair, based on the data from my machine.
I also had an open mouth situation at my sleep study, when I took an Ambien.

John

[kaiasgram]

Some people have reported being able to learn to not need a chin strap. I failed miserably in my attempts.

Me too. I sleep on an acid reflux bed wedge so I'm at a slight incline. No amount of brain training can overcome the pull of gravity.