HELP: DESPERATE. Need creative fix for mask fit! Pay $$$

[atwnsw]

At present I have 5 serious health issues occurring simultaneously. I usually wear Full Mask CPAP at night but stopped a month ago because of Bell's Palsy which causes pain around right ear. I have serious lung issues and must start using CPAP at night. I tried the last 2 nights but the right strap aggravates Bell's Palsy.

Can somebody come up with a fix that would allow me to use the mask without the right strap being on or with light pressure?

I will gladly pay a token $25 for your help.

FYI, I usually sleep flat on back and left side ( mostly left side) at night.

Thanks

Anthony

[JDS74]

You might try either a TapPap mask that has no straps or an Oracle 2 oral mask for which the strap is optional and, if used, only goes directly back around the back of your neck, bypassing touching the ears entirely.

I hope your Bell's Palsy does improve so that the ear pain gets less.

[atwnsw]

I saw the video for the Tap Pap mask and am curious.

I need a full mask because I am a mouth breather and normally wear a bite plate.
Does the bite plate with the mask force one to keep their mouth closed?

[Pugsy]

Does the bite plate with the mask force one to keep their mouth closed?

No. There's no forcing the mouth or lips to do anything. It's just a mouth guard for the upper teeth with a little plastic thing sticking out the lips.

All I can say is try it if you think it looks interesting and evaluate your leak lines closely. I mouth breathe a little but leaks rarely go into large leak territory and don't wake me up so I ignore them.
Using the Tap Pap even with a little mouth breathing leaks would be preferable over not using the machine at all due to the pain you are having and you might find out that mouth breathing is minimal anyway.

The Tap Pap comes with free return insurance from cpap.com. If you can't make it work you have 30 days to return it and get your money back. Cpap.com even provides a shipping label pre paid.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/tap-pa ... roved.html

[atwnsw]

One last question.

I have a small mouth. I see that the mouthpiece can be molded in hot water.
Anybody have an issue with a mouthpiece too big?

If this ends up working I will be sending JDS74 the prize $$$$.
I will know in a week or so when I try it....

Thanks everybody.

[Julie]

What about simply trying a small flattish piece of foam under the strap?

[Pugsy]

I have a small mouth. My last 2 upper molars are not covered by the mouth guard if that gives you an idea as to the size. I don't have my wisdom teeth either. They were cut out 40 years ago because there was no room for them to come in.

I love this mask. One quick hint...it doesn't take much sucking to get the fit. Most people suck too much and initially the mouth guard is difficult to remove. It doesn't have to be skin tight to keep the nasal pillow part of the mask stable.

[chunkyfrog]

Another question--Have you ever tried Pad-a-Cheek strap covers?
http://padacheek.com/
I found that a piece of soft fleece around/under the strap stopped me from getting a mark on my face.
Maybe it would help you, too.
Karen, the owner, is also a forum member, and has made custom padding on request.
She is known as padacheek here.