I am new and still having a hard time

[PEF]

I was wondering if anyone could offer any suggestions. I love my machine, the Resmed S9. I do not use the ramp at all. Masks have been my main problem and, because of that, I have not been able to successfully fall asleep with my APAP since I got it a month ago. I really need this treatment. I first got a FFM, the Sleepweaver ANEW. This mask would not even stay on my face because of my receded jaw. My husband and I worked on it for days. Finally got it on and inflated correctly while I was holding just the mask with my hands. We used instructions for fitting a FFM that someone posted on this forum - very helpful. Then we gingerly attached the headgear while I was laying down. The instant I turned my head an inch, it massively leaked out the bottom of the mast. there was no way to prevent massive leaking.

Then, since I seemed to be closing my mouth when I slept, I decided to try the Resmed Airfit P10. I got it yesterday and tried it last night. At first, I absolutely loved it. It fit perfectly and there was no noise when I flipped around in bed, no leaks, absolutely perfect. the air in my nostrils felt wonderful. I have a very hard time getting to sleep, so I took a sleeping pill so that I could hopefully get to sleep with the mask on the first time. I was having absolutely no discomfort. I stuck it out until about 6am without being able to get to sleep. It seems like my difficulty was that, every time I started drifting into sleep, my practically non existent lower jaw would drop down or back a little, opening my mouth a little and I would feel a rush of air out my mouth and that would wake me up. I kept trying to keep my mouth shut, but just couldn't do it successfully and go to sleep too. I finally gave up at 6am and took it off. I am going to try to take a nap today with it. Is it possible that the sleeping pill caused my lower jaw to slacken?

I also got up and tried a chin strap I had just bought. It was incredibly large for my small jaw and head. I got it on, but it smashed my teeth into my lower lip because it just did not fit well.
Any ideas how I can keep my mouth from opening.

Pugsy was nice enough to send me some masks to try, I will probably get them today and will try those. She is such a treasure!

I am just so exhausted from not sleeping well.

[LSAT]

If you are comfortable with the nasal pillows you might try the PapCap chinstrap. The cap is cotton and very comfortable (at least it is for a guy). The straps can be adjusted in several ways and made tight or loose based on need. I use a FF mask now but years ago when I was using a nasal mask this worked great for me.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/pursle ... otton.html

[Chevie]

every time I started drifting into sleep, my practically non existent lower jaw would drop down or back a little, opening my mouth a little and I would feel a rush of air out my mouth and that would wake me up.

Full face masks were made for you and me. I recommend ResMed AirFit F10 and Innomed Hybrid. Make sure you size them properly and get the people here to advise you on adjusting the headgear and using tweaks.

[Pugsy]

I am wondering if you could find something to use as a chin strap that wasn't painful yet would help support that pesky jaw.
When I was first starting therapy and dealing with mouth opening I tried a variety of things that were less intrusive than the official chin straps made and marketed as chin straps.

I tried an ace bandage...a women's headband...a sweatband....mainly anything that I could wrap around my jaw and top of my head to help support the jaw. All had some measure of success but I found them a bit annoying because they were just something else on my face and head.
Eventually I just decided to tape my lips as being less annoying than trying to mummify my jaw.

Part of your problem is your tongue is dropping down and allowing air to enter your mouth. It's more than just jaw dropping that you are dealing with. I can open my mouth (mask and machine on) and yawn really big and never have one bit of air escape the back airway. I can talk with my mask and machine on and not have the air gush out through my mouth. What I can't do is explain to you how I can do it because it's some sort of subconscious thing that I can do. Heck, I can even open my mouth and stick out my tongue and not have the air escape. It's some sort of subconscious reflex thing that I learned to do over time.
I am not the only one that can do it.

If you use a full face mask and it stayed sealed, it is still very likely that the air will go up your nose and down your airway and gush out your mouth and still wake you up from the gushing. All that a full face mask prevents is loss of therapy airway pressure with the mouth opening...it won't stop the mouth opening and the subsequent gushing of air which feels and sounds like a tornado and if it is the tornado that is keeping you from sleeping...a full face mask won't stop the tornado itself.

It's easy to keep the tongue in place and block the air from entering the mouth while awake but once asleep the tongue gets lazy and drops and a dropping jaw just makes it even more lazy.

Is your jaw/chin really recessed or non existent?

[yippeekia]

I know it can be frustrating. You are on the right track trying new things, making adjustments. I had to do the same thing. I worked on leaks, pressure settings, mouth breathing, and finding a better pillow. Others have had different challenges. If you keep trying, working issues with the helpful veterans on this forum it will get better. It did for me. Good Luck!

[Pugsy]

I know this is one more thing to add...but I wonder if one of those soft cervical collars might help support that jaw.

[RubySnooze]

I've had the same struggles here. And bless the folks on this forum, I've received a LOT of help.

So far, the greatest success I've had is using nasal pillows and holding my mouth shut with Poligrip strips and/or 3M Micropore tape. The tape will irritate my skin if I have to take off more than one strip a night, so I've been starting the night with the Poligrip strips. Those get me through several hours. Then I wake up and either add a strip of tape ('cuz the Poligrip is starting to lose its grip) or I remove the Poligrip (might need a sip of water or something) and just put a strip of tape across for the next few hours.

I like the 2" wide Micropore tape, and I run it well past the sides of my mouth. Maybe a 6" length? The Poligrip strips I cut into pieces and arrange in a line along my bottom lip, add water, close my mouth and squeeze my lips together for a while. It's not perfect, but it's pretty darn good.

Good luck, fellow lip leaker!

[kteague]

At the risk of sounding simple, I'd like to point out the importance of pillow choice when dealing with a slack jaw. I am a former chin strapper, lip taper, dental adhesive-er, neck bracer - usually several at a time. Like some others here, I have somehow gotten past that need. When fighting this battle, it helps to not have to fight gravity. That means I avoid back sleeping (for the most part). Also, I sleep on a flat firm pillow that assures my head stays perfectly horizontal. The slightest angle can mean fighting gravity. This one simple thing started me being able reduce my use of multiple aids. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is the use of an inexpensive sports mouthpiece that prevents the jaw movement of falling backward. Won't address the tongue, but hey, who knows which piece of the puzzle may be best for you? Good luck.

[PEF]

Thanks so much, everyone, for the great suggestions. I am really relieved to hear that so many of you have had the same struggles and overcame them. It really helps to hear this when you are just getting started.

Pugsy - My jaw is just very receded, but very narrow and small. I agree with you about the FFM. I suppose I could get used to it as a last resort, but since I love the P10 so much, I think I want to work on solving the jaw and tongue issues. You are right about the tongue. Dr. Parks, an expert on UARS, says that the tongue is probably the biggest culprit when it comes to sleep breathing problems.

So interesting about your "brain training". When I first knew I needed a PAP machine, I tried to psych my brain to accept it with pleasant thoughts of how much this therapy could improve the quality of my life. Now I am trying to get my brain to TRUST the machine - so this really works. That is why you can do this. All of our brains can adapt and be creative.

Today, I cut the chin strap to better fit my jaw. I put it on and then put the P10 over it. Took a short catnap with it, but did not fall asleep. It worked really well, although not quite as comfortable as the P10 alone. The chinstrap snugs up the P10 a bit much but not bad. So I am going to try this tonight. I can work on a better solution later.

I like the idea of the soft cervical collar - worth a try. I could then use the P10 by itself which I would like.

LSAT - Is the PapCap thin and light or on the thick side? I ask because I live in a hot climate.

Interesting about the CPAP pillows. I looked at pillows, but wanted to wait until I had selected a mask. The pillow I use now is firm and flatish on one end. I was really amazed that with the P10, I could move all over the pillow and not experience any rubbing or leaks. But it is too big really. I am thinking of getting a piece of foam cut and then have a pillow case made at a local furniture store. I can see why regular fluffy bed pillows won't work. I will keep gravity in mind.