Ordered Tap Pap

[FEF]

I thought I'd post to say thanks to those that have posted about Tap Pap in the past.

I've been using the Quatro FX FF mask for almost a month, and while I have SCBA (not SCUBA) experience, I've found that the FF mask has frustrated me. In my case, the headgear pulls the mask up causing leaks past the nose and into my eyes. I've found away around it by modifying the headgear to pull the top strap more toward the top of the ears, and that helps quite a bit, but it's still not quite right. The mask is designed with the hard plastic that attaches to the top straps. In my case, being a side sleeper, the hard part of the strap hits the pillow and causes a shift that might not happen to a great degree if it was flexible. All this is to say that I'm having trouble with the FF idea because most masks have similar issues. This has brought me to this site, and the reason for my post.

I'm excited that of all the devices, the Tap Pap appears to be the most accepted of all that I've researched. With 18+ pages on this site alone, I'm grateful for the dedication those here have made to documenting their experiences. Sure, it's a bit early to consider my search for an acceptable device over, but I am optimistic that this device will help let me sleep through the night.

Now all I have to do is make a quilt of sound absorbent material for the machine. As a musician, I find the chant it makes (like |D B C \ | in jazz chart terms) maddening. But that's another topic entirely.

Thanks, again. I'll be around...

[biker]

I hope it works great for you!

[chunkyfrog]

As you work to deaden the sound, I'm sure you are already aware of the need to maintain free airflow around the machine.
You may call me over-cautious, but that's OK.

[Janknitz]

I keep threatening to order it, but haven't yet. The Quattro mask, besides leaking like a sieve, is really doing a number on my lower jaw because I'm a side sleeper. It's a combo thing--it leaks, I push my face into the pillow, it pushes against my teeth, and that's causing me real problems.

I used to love nasal pillows, but then my nose got sensitive and sore around the septum (no, the masks were not too tight, it happened after a bad upper respiratory infection where my nose just became really sensitive) and I got so I just could NOT stand the silicone against my nose (even with a barrel cozy by Padacheek) and the wetness from condensation IN my nose.

So I'm seriously thinking of the Tap Pap again. So for you Tap pap vets:

Does it feel heavy in your mouth? Do you feel that you have to support it by closing your teeth or is it easily supported by the molded mouth piece on your upper teeth? How lightly (or heavily) does it rest against the nares? Is there anything touching the septum?

[Pugsy]

Does it feel heavy in your mouth? Do you feel that you have to support it by closing your teeth or is it easily supported by the molded mouth piece on your upper teeth? How lightly (or heavily) does it rest against the nares? Is there anything touching the septum?

Doesn't feel heavy at all and it is easily supported only by the fitted mouth guard on the upper teeth.
How lightly or heavily the pillows rest on the nostrils is dependent on the adjustment of the nasal pillows and you can make them very lightly touch the nostrils or push them in closer. The adjustment thing allows for height and angle adjustment.
There is a space between the nasal pillows where the septum is untouched. At least for me. I just now tried it. The rim of the nasal pillows sort of get close to the septum but do not totally block the septum. I am using the medium size. The small would do it even less but the fit has to be more precise for the small not to leak...so I use the medium because the fit for seal is much more forgiving.

My normal routine is to do a quick cleaning of the mouth guard with tooth brush...brush my teeth and head to bed.
Normally just slide the mouth guard in on the way to the bedroom and then position the pillows as the last thing after I get into bed.
I can walk around the house with just the mouth guard in place with mouth open and it doesn't go anywhere and isn't uncomfortable.

[Mgsnorer]

Is it possible to wear glasses and read while wearing the tap pap?

[Pugsy]

Is it possible to wear glasses and read while wearing the tap pap?

The glasses could probably be slipped on behind the hose but remember it is routed upwards and it is difficult to get the hose out of the line of sight. I had this happen once when I was away from home and there was a TV in the bedroom. It can be done but it isn't as easy as with the masks that the hose doesn't have to come up over the forehead.

[OhHelpMe]

Does that Pap Tap thingy advance the lower jaw? Does a dentist custom fit it?

[Pugsy]

Does that Pap Tap thingy advance the lower jaw? Does a dentist custom fit it?

No and no.

[SleepyToo2]

Is it possible to wear glasses and read while wearing the tap pap?

The glasses could probably be slipped on behind the hose but remember it is routed upwards and it is difficult to get the hose out of the line of sight. I had this happen once when I was away from home and there was a TV in the bedroom. It can be done but it isn't as easy as with the masks that the hose doesn't have to come up over the forehead.

Absolutely, yes, you can wear glasses and read wearing the tap pap. I put mine "on" upside down and back to front to get them behind the hose. I then flip them over, and can read. The hose doesn't bother me at all. Your mileage may vary, but certainly do not be concerned about this mask and reading. I also have a FitLife total face mask - that is impossible to wear when wanting to read! I delay setting up to sleep, which can be dangerous!

[OhHelpMe]

Does that Pap Tap thingy advance the lower jaw? Does a dentist custom fit it?

No and no.

Thank you.

Do you think they might ever make a mask that works with their TAP III Elite?

[FEF]

For the sake of closing the loop... It came in yesterday.

The first time I formed the mouth piece, it was virtually impossible to remove. Other then receding gums I have great teeth, but I could see how those with dental work would have a lot of trouble getting it off. I used a towel with the hot water on it to warm up the side of the mouthpiece slightly to make it just a bit more pliable. It was a brilliant thought... I thought.

My trick was this: once I did get it off, I put the mouthpiece in the hot water for one second (not two), and refit it on my teeth. That gave me a very good idea how things were to line up, and I found that the mouthpiece formed around teeth such that areas of the mouthpiece needed to spread apart to get the mouthpiece on and off. I decided to get the mouthpiece hot again (one second), put the rear of the mouthpiece in place with the rear teeth, then as I was lifting the front into place, I would leave it in the area that provided the most resistance. After doing this a few more times, rocking it up and down through the constricting area, I was able to make the mouthpiece almost snap into place, but easily removable if installed and removed exactly the same way every time. In my case, it worked well, but I could see how some would get frustrated with this part of the process.

I played around with the pillow position for a while, found a fairly good fit, then went to the machine and tested the seal. If it felt good, I would disconnect the hose (this would make the machine push a greater volume of air), and reconnect the hose to see if the seal would break. After doing this a few times, I was ready for the night.

The result? I paid for the Tap Pap out of my pocket, and I don't regret it for a second. It's true that my nose was a bit sore this morning, but considerable less then my experience with the Swift FX. Perfect? No. But as one that has only been using a CPAP Machine for only about 5 weeks, it's very encouraging to find a device that allows me to sleep in positions that won't aggravate the pinching I have in my C-spine that causes muscle tension and headaches. Very encouraging, indeed. Last night, even with a wake-up or two to make minor adjustments in the seal, was excellent.

Hint: I stole a retainer case from one of my kids and put a notch in it so I can cover the mouthpiece when not in use.

[Pugsy]

Mouth guard being too tight is the most common complaint and I think that is because we are told to suck to make it fit and we suck waaaaay too much on it. I know I did it with the first one I tried and had to redo it several times.
It takes minimal sucking to get the plastic to mold to the teeth. Once I figured that out then fitting for easy removal was easy.
Don't be afraid to soften the plastic with hot water. The only mouth guard I have damaged was one of the first generation mouth guards that has the piece behind the front teeth and I messed it up trying to cut it away while the plastic was soft. My knife wasn't sharp enough to make a clean cut.

[FEF]

It was very tight, indeed. Almost hurt, at first. It's true that we can reheat the mouthpiece. I had to redo it because while I was widening it, the sides bent over. I was afraid that it wouldn't come back to shape. ... very pleasantly surprised.

The reason I recommend only one second is that I did it for a slow count of two, and it relaxed the mouthpiece way too much to make small adjustments. I found that it can be easy to get on and off while still stable enough to hold the hose, easily. The only complaint I have is that my upper lip slips around the top of the mouthpiece tab and feels like I'm drooling. It's an odd feeling, but I can get used to it. Maybe I can rough it up a bit so it's doesn't easily slip around.

It's my opinion that it's a brilliant design.

[Chilibit]

I bought the Tap Pap out of pocket because the notion seemed intriguing. I have no plans to try anything else. It is perfect for my use. I tower over most folks. I started with large pillows, then the medium and then the small. With the small my leak rate is nearly zero. It never moves. It is virtually unnoticeable compared to any number of other masks. Once you settle the too tight or too loose retainer question, and you will, then it is nirvana. IMHO. But some like strawberry more than chocolate. Such is life.