Any mouth breathers not using full face?

[Jake00]

I've got the air fit f10. It's the only mask I've had (only had cpap since 11/15)

I like the mask, occasionally I'll get a leak, but a retighten fixes it. Any other masks I should look at ?

I mouth breathe. Does any mouth breather successfully use a pillow mask?

[Fresh_air]

I began my CPAP journey in mid-January of this year. I use the Philips DreamWear mask with a ResMed AirSense 10 Auto and love this combo. I started mouth breathing in my sleep as a young child and I have ever since. Now that I am using the mask, I occasionally wake up with my mouth open. But for the most part, I believe that I keep my mouth closed now because I can breathe through my nose with the CPAP therapy. The fact that the DreamWear is the least intrusive "nasal" mask and connects at the top of the head, I wouldn't trade it with any other mask currently on the market.

[Mudrock63]

I am generally a mouth breather, but the nasal mask makes my mouth snap shut. I am at pretty high pressures though.

[lilly747]

I am a mouth breather, real bad. I use a Swift FX pillow mask. I have very low leaks using a soft cervical collar and taping my mouth. I FFM just does not work for me.

[49er]

I've got the air fit f10. It's the only mask I've had (only had cpap since 11/15)

I like the mask, occasionally I'll get a leak, but a retighten fixes it. Any other masks I should look at ?

I mouth breathe. Does any mouth breather successfully use a pillow mask?

Hi Jake,

I am not a mouth breather but have the Simplus as my backup mask for when I can't clear my sinuses no matter what. Last night was one of those nights and to be honest, I should have had it on when I went to bed but I did switch successfully in in the middle of the night.

I have had a history of full face mask h-ll and to be honest, the Simplus seemed to be trending in the same direction. But I just knew I had to find a way to wear it last night and fortunately, I was able to.

But if the F10 is working for you, why are you thinking of switching? Just curious.

I can't give you an exact number but I have noticed there have been several mouth breathers who seemed to be able to use a pillow mask. So if you want to try one, it certainly couldn't hurt.

Interestingly, even after my septoplasty last year, I couldn't tolerate one.

Good luck.

49er

[tazmania]

I've been using nasal pillows for over 8 years and almost daily will end up waking with a very dry mouth. Mouth breathing. In the last 3+ weeks I have been using a new CPAP machine and soft cervical collar and I no longer have the dry mouth. The collar is making a huge difference.

[Snikkers]

I am a mouth breather and find that I do much better with a pillow mask than the FFM. I do not understand why but the evidence in on the record in the machine each morning.

[itsmarlene]

Hi I'm new as this and only have my machine and mask for about a week. but I found out really fast that I'm a mouth breather and I'm have great success with Hybrid Full Face CPAP Mask with Nasal Pillows. The mask goes down far enough to help me keep my mouth shut. I love that they give you different options on sizes for your nose and inner mask, I started with the med. mask and now I'm using the large one with med pillows. It's quiet and comfortable but it's takes time to figure what size and tightest you need on the straps. the only complain is is you can't choose where to have the exhaust blow, they all blow directly out the front right onto my husband's back. With that being said, I love mine and maybe it's something you might want to go into.

[Goofproof]

My Name is Jim, I'm a Mouthbreather. (Response, Hello Jim!) I have trained myself not to, by placing my tongue to the roof of my mouth and forward to the back of my top teeth and sucking a vacuum in my mouth. It takes time and effort to do this, it's not an instant cure and it's not 100% effective.

I monitor the leak results with software, to insure the leak levels don't cause problems. If they do, I use a FF Mask. For the most part it's good. I use Comfort Gel Nasal Mask and a Comfort Gel Full Face Mask both. I do not allow my leak levels to go over 38 LPM @ 14.5 CM, if it does we correct th ed leak, by going FF. Jim

[PEF]

I am also a mouth breather who prefers nasal pillows. I either tape my mouth or wear a cervical collar. Even when I do not use either, my machine only reports a leak rate of 20L/min max, although it seems like I experience a lot of leaks. So I have learned to keep my tongue in position on the roof of my mouth, but I tend to not wake up as much when I use tape.

I have FFM's (Amara View and Airfit F10) Fortunately, I have not had to use them because I have not had a bad stuffed up nose in the 7 months I have been using CPAP. I am dreading if I might have to. I live in Panama and almost never get a cold here.

[bcab17]

I've been using different nasal pillows over the years (currently using the Airfit F10, and loving it), and I hate the thought of a full face mask to handle my occasional mouth breathing. My solution (actually suggested by my sleep therapist) has been to use a chin strap. It keeps my mouth closed. The only issue for me is that it's another thing to wear...it wraps under my chin, up the sides and around the top of my head. It's not that bad, but I'm definitely more aware of it than I am of the Airfit F10.

It would be great to go back to just nasal pillows (pre-mouth breathing). I was not aware of the neck brace option. I'll have to find out which type I should get, and if it's affordable, I wouldn't mind giving it a shot.

So, there are some options for you. And I think all of them that I have read in this thread sound better than a full face mask.

Good luck.

[Goofproof]

You will NEVER really have a answer on whether your treatment is working unless you use the software to see what is really happening. Jim

[Holden4th]

Another mouth breather here and fairly new to CPAP. My nasal mask, with the help of a soft cervical collar is working fine for me.

[Stevah]

I was desperate to find a mask that would let me just sleep with out the hisses and squeaks that were extremely disturbing to my sleep. As a confirmed mouth breather I was surprised to find that I could use the Opus 360. It was even better than the hybrid mask (mouth and nose-pillows) which I could tolerate but did not love. Opus is a little tricky to get perfectly adjusted, but I suppose they all are. I did need to use mouth tape (nose to chin) in the beginning but soon trained my self to not need it. Now I find I do need it occasionally, 1-2 times per week to keep in training. Opus fits loosely and does well with me on my side, not perfect but not a problem. It is certainly the least expensive option I know of; plus it slides on like a baseball cap, no snaps-yea.

[otrpu]

Hi Jake00,
Have pretty good luck using Hybrid FFM. Has nasal pillows & small area mouth seal. Also, has a chin flap, so no chin strap required. Click on link in my equip listing. Hope you find what works for you.
Cheers,
otrpu