Chin Strap Suggestions

[flyergirl]

Last night was the first night I was able to fall asleep with the mask on while watching TV! In fact, i almost forgot it was on. That being said, I only lasted 5 hours because my mouth kept drying out, I would wake up, take off the mask, take a sip of water and start it all over again and again! My humidity settings (dreamstation) are set at the highest level.

The best night I had was 7.5 hours, but that is because I wore a chin strap (that was provided to me to stop gas). This ended up helping me with the dryness, as my mouth wasn't open while sleepting. Problem is, I HATE it. It it huge, and covers my ears and make me feel that claustrophobic feeling again (that I just got over). Very frustrating. I am using this chinstrap https://www.cpap.com/productpage/deluxe ... hleak.html.

I am sure there are hundreds of threads on this, but can someone please make a suggestion of a chin strap that isn't this clunky, large and heavy?

[Julie]

Why don't you use a full face mask? Chinstraps can't keep your lips closed...

[flyergirl]

Why don't you use a full face mask? Chinstraps can't keep your lips closed...

I do use a full face mask.

[Pugsy]

You know it doesn't have to be some huge "official" chin strap. I had decent luck with a $1 sweatband from the sporting aisle of WalMart.
The idea with the chin strap is not to hold the lips closed because none of them will really be able to do that.
Clench your teeth together right now and open your lips...you can still breathe with the teeth clenched together. Instead chin straps are supposed to be a gentle reminder to keep the lower jaw from dropping open.
I also had decent success with a simple woman's headband.

Full face masks will at least keep a person from losing valuable therapy pressure...if they are doing a lot of mouth breathing but they won't necessarily stop the dry mouth. This forum is full of full face mask users complaining of dry mouth. It's the mouth breathing that dries out the mouth and even covering it with a full face mask with maximum humidity setting doesn't necessarily guarantee that a person won't have dry mouth if they are mouth breathing.
If you aren't using maximum humidity you might try adding more moisture to the air but often it seems that isn't even enough. These humidifiers are designed to help hydrate the nasal cavity and not the oral cavity which is much larger.

Chin straps aren't supposed to be like vice grips...that's not only annoying but it is uncomfortable as well.
Can't sleep well when we are uncomfortable.

Oh BTW....it takes very little mouth breathing to dry out the mouth for some people. Meds may play a part, general hydration may play a part.
You may elect to add some sort of product designed to add moisture to the mouth...like Biotene or Ora Gel.
Seems like a lot of forum members say it does help.

[LSAT]

Last night was the first night I was able to fall asleep with the mask on while watching TV! In fact, i almost forgot it was on. That being said, I only lasted 5 hours because my mouth kept drying out, I would wake up, take off the mask, take a sip of water and start it all over again and again! My humidity settings (dreamstation) are set at the highest level.

The best night I had was 7.5 hours, but that is because I wore a chin strap (that was provided to me to stop gas). This ended up helping me with the dryness, as my mouth wasn't open while sleepting. Problem is, I HATE it. It it huge, and covers my ears and make me feel that claustrophobic feeling again (that I just got over). Very frustrating. I am using this chinstrap https://www.cpap.com/productpage/deluxe ... hleak.html.

I am sure there are hundreds of threads on this, but can someone please make a suggestion of a chin strap that isn't this clunky, large and heavy?

Some people have had success taping their mouth while using a FF Mask.

[lytepole]

When I first started using my CPAP, I started with this chinstrap https://www.cpap.com/productpage/premiu ... hleak.html.

I switched to this one https://www.cpap.com/productpage/ruby-s ... strap.html for a few nights, but went back to the first one I had. The ruby style was too constrictive for me.

After awhile, my mouth figured out to stay closed while I'm asleep over time so I don't need one anymore.

[tan]

Last night was the first night I was able to fall asleep with the mask on while watching TV! In fact, i almost forgot it was on. That being said, I only lasted 5 hours because my mouth kept drying out, I would wake up, take off the mask, take a sip of water and start it all over again and again! My humidity settings (dreamstation) are set at the highest level.

The best night I had was 7.5 hours, but that is because I wore a chin strap (that was provided to me to stop gas). This ended up helping me with the dryness, as my mouth wasn't open while sleepting. Problem is, I HATE it. It it huge, and covers my ears and make me feel that claustrophobic feeling again (that I just got over). Very frustrating. I am using this chinstrap https://www.cpap.com/productpage/deluxe ... hleak.html.

I am sure there are hundreds of threads on this, but can someone please make a suggestion of a chin strap that isn't this clunky, large and heavy?

other alternatives:
- mouthguard, which can keep jaw forward and up to counteract the mask's pressure on your lower face;
- vertical (partial) mouth taping with 1'. The way it works for me is that I shut my mouth and squeeze my lips a bit and apply a piece of tape from under the nose and to my chin, so if my jaw is relaxed, it's still well suspended. You have to experiment how to tight you keep your mouth before tape application to find the most comfortable setup.

Also, keep in mind that high humidity may result in nasal congestion and mouth-breathing.

[flyergirl]

Thanks to all for the suggestions! I may try the woman's headband!

[CaptainRaven40]

I wear a Ruby chin strap and the wife says it helps a lot and so does sleepy head. I hate the damn thing but it works well and serves its purpose.