Mask help..

[Bwolz86]

I have been diagnosed with sleep apnea for a couple of years now. At the beginning of my time I could never settle on a mask. I went through three or four types before I decided to stick with a full mask. When I sleep I like to breath through my mouth most of the time, is what my wife tells me, so I was thinking about getting an oral mask to see if that helps.

I would say currently I wear my mask three times a week and when I do it ends up on the floor in a matter of hours. I never feel benefits of having it on, and this makes me think it isn't the right mask for me. Does anyone have thoughts about the oral mask for mouth breathers? If so is there anyone who is selling them or knows where I can buy one at for a decent price. I apppreciate your help and would love any feedback I could get.

Thanks,
Brian

[library lady]

I don't use an oral mask, but I do know there are some; the TapPap is one of them, and I'm sure someone who knows more about them will be along who knows more about them and what's required for optimal usage of them.

I just wanted to say that I am a new user of CPAP, diagnosed with apnea end of January, started using machine with a full face mask on Feb. 3. It takes time, patience and perseverance to master the use of a mask.. it's alien to our faces and we have to teach our brains that it's OK to have it on. Others will have good advice on acclimating to the mask, so that you can keep it on all night. For now, you might try taping the mask straps (even band-aids will do) down so that it will be harder for you to take the mask off midway through the night... it will give you time to think, "no, it's not morning yet, I need to leave the mask on" and then you can go back to sleep... easier said than done, I know.

You are likely not feeling the benefits of using CPAP because you haven't used it enough. Since Feb. 10, after a week of misery because of adjusting, I have kept my mask on all night every night except one night. I do know that I am sleeping better because I get up earlier in the morning, but do I feel like a new person yet? No, I have a sleep debt to pay off, and it will take a while to catch up... I do feel better now, and I know that I can do this for the rest of my life, and it will improve my health. The alternative, not doing it, is putting me at greater risk for heart attack or stroke, and either of those things will either kill me or give me a porer quality of life... Keep on trying, please, and check in often for fresh answers or to ask questions.

[Bwolz86]

I have never tried tape or band aids. I use my wifes expandable head bands to keep the mask in place. But I hve a feeling that makes the mask too tight, and from what I have read a tight mask is not a right mask. But I feel like whenever I make it looser it just slides around and stuff.. Tis very frustrating as you know.

[Julie]

Have you tried the Hybrid? Look it up along with many other FF ones on Cpap.com - lots of choice and very good prices, plus you can pay a fee and try out masks for a few weeks before returning them if they don't work for you.

[Bwolz86]

Have you tried the Hybrid? Look it up along with many other FF ones on Cpap.com - lots of choice and very good prices, plus you can pay a fee and try out masks for a few weeks before returning them if they don't work for you.

Thank you Julie! And I have not tried the hybrid yet. I didn't know if I should try strictly the oral mask first since I have tried full masks before. I can't do strictly nasal because i get congested throughout the night really bad so it was pointless. I don't know if with the mask I have now that I open the mouth up when I sleep and that can break the seal.. not sure. Just wish I could get something to work so I could pay that sleep debt off once and for all.

[chunkyfrog]

Tap Pap is a nasal pillow mask with a mouthpiece instead of headgear.
The Oracle is an oral mask; but only a few like it:
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/fisher ... -mask.html

[Julie]

Also consider if the congestion could be because you've set your humidifier too high - a known problem.

[Bwolz86]

Is there a defintive mask out there for people who like to breath through their mouths?

YOu all are awesome!

[Bama Rambler]

I'm a mouth breather and my mask of choice right now is the Mirage Quattro. It has been the best mask I've tried so far. (I'm still looking for that perfect mask however.)
I have tried the Hybrid and absolutely love the mask but I can't get any of the sizes to fit my face well enough to not leak whenever I turn over. It may be perfect for you though.

Almost nay mask is going to leak if you open your mouth wide enough. I would say give several masks a try until you find one that suits you.

Having said that, it looks to me like your biggest problem is keeping the mask on. You really need to work on that so you're getting as good therapy as possible. It's been recommended to even use a little tape to secure the mask straps to your face so you don't unknowingly remove it in your sleep.

[Julie]

Go to Cpap.com - tons of FF masks to look at!

[College3girls]

I'm also new to the world of CPAP (just over a month). I started with the Quattro Air FF mask which is very light and comfortable, as far as masks go.
I think there are many more full face choices vs only an oral mask, and that way, it doesn't matter if you are breathing through your nose or your mouth.

Despite starting out as a mouth breather, I have found I can use a nasal pillow and chinstrap, so I have ordered another mask to try through CPAP.com because my insurance is very restrictive and with CPAP.com's return insurance, I can experiment much more to get the perfect mask. As other's have recommended, trying styles with return insurance can save you a lot of hassles and money in the long run.

Good luck on your quest to find the right mask.

[Pugsy]

I might have a gently used full face mask you could just have.
What masks have you tried and failed with? Approx what size are you using?
Let me know and I will check out the box of donated stuff that I have. Some were one night failures so not abused used at all with lots of life left in them.

Free...all I ask is that you pay postage if you can to help me out because I send out a lot of stuff and the postage adds up.
If you can't pay postage and it would take food off your table...that's okay...I can still send it but I need to have an idea what might work for you.

Unfortunately there is no one full face mask that works for everyone. Actually there's no mask of any model that works for everyone. All masks will have lovers and haters and to know which one you might love or hate you will just have to try it.
We all have different preferences or needs or facial structures and what might work great for one person...there's just no guarantee it will work for you.

[purple]

How about this one: https://www.cpap.com/productpage/fisher ... -mask.html

Has nasal plugs to keep air coming out the nose, according to cpap.com person.

[Bwolz86]

Just and update for everyone:
Yesterday I received my new Oracle HC452 Oral CPAP Mask. I had to work all night and the whole time I was working I was just thinking about how excited I was to try the new mask out. Lame I know. Anyway, last night I used it for the first time and kept it on longer than I have any other full face mask before. I had it on for almost 5 hours my first try! And even though it was only one night I can already tell a difference. I drove for an hour today and didn't feel tired at all! When I got home before work I took a little nap on the couch without my mask. Even then I noticed that 20 minutes of a nap rejuvinated me more than when I would nap without using my mask the night before. I am very excited, I would say I have not been this excited EVER using any of the masks I have tried before!

[zoocrewphoto]

Is there a defintive mask out there for people who like to breath through their mouths?

YOu all are awesome!

I use the Quattro fx with great success. I like the Oracle, but I have not mastered it yet. It requires me to open my mouth more than I normally do, and that feels weird to me. The mask is easy to fit, no leaks, and no headgear. I have no problem breathing through my mouth 100% since i do anyway. I don't even need the nasal plugs. But I do prefer to keep my jaw almost closed, and this has a mouth piece, almost like a pacifier that I haven't mastered.