Tell me about your chinstrap use....

CPAPhappy · Post by **CPAPhappy** » Sun Aug 20, 2006 8:52 am

Does anyone use a chinstrap?

Do you find it worth the expense?

I hate the thought of having to use yet another thing to sleep at night, but I can't seem to find the happy medium between rainout and dry throat. I have already put a cover on my hose (which helped) but I get moisture in the short tubing and nasal piece of my Mirage Swift mask.

Hubby says I do sleep with my mouth open on occasion.

I just passed 3 wks of using the CPAP and I do see a big difference

wolftracker · Post by **wolftracker** » Sun Aug 20, 2006 8:59 am

then we can provide better input

also you might want to add to your poll
do you chin strap at all

i use no chin strap at all

my .02

inacpapfog · Post by **inacpapfog** » Sun Aug 20, 2006 9:04 am

I have often thought of how nice it would be to simply place any type of mask on my face and not have to worry about mouthleaks! But alas, it is not to be for me!!! Though I tried several alternatives, (DIY mouthpiece, Nose BreatheMouthpiece, taping) I had to bind my mouth and cheeks nightly in order to gain the intended therapy of my machine!

tooly125 · Post by **tooly125** » Sun Aug 20, 2006 11:50 am

CPAPhappy wrote: Hubby says I do sleep with my mouth open on occasion.

you defiantly need to do something wether it means a chin strap ,taping or a full face mask.
Mouth breathing means your not getting your therapy and will also cause your dry throat.

Missy · Post by **Missy** » Sun Aug 20, 2006 1:27 pm

I have tried 2 chinstraps, no luck there. I just tape my mouth shut and be done with it. It's really not that bad. Either that or I switch off with my F&P 421 FF mask.

hornplayer · Post by **hornplayer** » Sun Aug 20, 2006 5:36 pm

I alternate between the Swift and a full face mask. I've begun to use a chinstrap even with the full face mask. It helps reduce dry-mouth. I get the chinstrap pretty tight but with padding I don't have morning indentations very long. I'm hoping someone will make a "super-duper" chinstrap that is built a little bigger and stronger.

birdshell · Post by **birdshell** » Sun Aug 20, 2006 6:59 pm

I have also used two chinstraps. The first made my interface straps slip all over, and the second smelled rubbery and was hotter than blazes.

Ever since Rooster posted his method, I have been a mouth taper. It is so much freer and lighter, not to mention cooler. The tape can easily be torn off should I need to cough, etc.

Should anyone else like to see what Rooster proposes:

Link to Rooster's "Just One Man's Very Successful Mouth Taping Procedure"

I hope that this will help any unhappy chin strap users to find another way to keep that mouth closed!

CPAPhappy · Post by **CPAPhappy** » Sun Aug 20, 2006 8:00 pm

Thanks all so much for the suggestion of taping! --It would never have occurred to me.

I tried it for a nap today and woke up refreshed - as an added bonus it will help keep down those pesky upper lips hairs that are so attractive on a woman! (sarcasm) LOL

krousseau · Post by **krousseau** » Sun Aug 20, 2006 10:44 pm

While I can't quite say I LOVE it-it is better than just tolerating it. That said-there are few chinstraps worth the expense and most cause more problems than they solve. Mine is actually one I made so it fits well and puts the "lift" exactly where it is needed.

oldgearhead · Post by **oldgearhead** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 7:39 am

I have one of those rubber chin straps with the hole for your chin.
However, I found out years ago, that it just doe not work for me, when
used as intended. Instead I use it with my Hybrid, two different ways:

1) I wear it under my chin to puff-up my cheeks, like a chipmunk. This
is my favorite way to use my trusty chin-strap, because the 'chipmunk
cheeks' stop the corner leaks from the Hybrid's mouthpiece.

2) Sometimes I will put the Hybrid's elbow fitting through the chin-strap
hole before connecting the Hybrid to the air hose. Then I tie the chin-strap
around the back of my head to place a bit more sealing pressure to the
mouthpiece.

I use my chin-strap with my CL2 as follows:

with the CL2 Simple Cushion I will place the chin-strap on the
CL2 down tube, install the Simple Cushion on the tube, and tie it around the
back of my head to seal the Simple Cushion.

Of course 'panty hose will work for some of these uses, but for me,
the hole in the chin-strap makes it stay in place much better..

Handgunner45 · Post by **Handgunner45** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 7:42 am

Cant vote on this one as I dont, nor have I ever used a chin strap. I use a FF mask and have no need for the chin strap.

risktaker99 · Post by **risktaker99** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 8:45 am

I have been using a chinstrap for the past year. I hate it because I feel like a mummy. Furthermore, it doesn't let my face breathe. However, without it I tend to mouth breathe.

I am seriously contemplating trying the Hybrid mask. I thought that one of the advantages of the Hybrid would be that I wouldn't need a chinstrap. Now, I have read several posts here that indicate people are using this mask with a chinstrap. Which is it? This is very important to me.

oldgearhead · Post by **oldgearhead** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 12:56 pm

Risktaker,
The Hybrid is a great mask if its curve fits your face. If it almost
fits your face its still a great mask, but you must find a way the
make it work. I gave two ways to use a chin-strap, in a non-traditional
way, to help with the Hybrid fit.

If you already have 'chipmunk cheeks', you probably won't need
anything to help with the Hybrid fit.

Your, "which is it", statement means nothing, because it is all relative
to YOUR face, not the mask...

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 1:59 pm

risktaker99 wrote:I have been using a chinstrap for the past year. I hate it because I feel like a mummy. Furthermore, it doesn't let my face breathe. However, without it I tend to mouth breathe.

I am seriously contemplating trying the Hybrid mask. I thought that one of the advantages of the Hybrid would be that I wouldn't need a chinstrap. Now, I have read several posts here that indicate people are using this mask with a chinstrap. Which is it? This is very important to me.

Hybrid allows for mouth breathing but that also adds a dry mouth problem to deal with. However, it does have a chin flap and if you learn to adjust it correctly you can use the Hybrid to keep your mouth closed when you don't have to have it open (although you still may feel like a mummy?). Oldgearhead's discussion on face shape may also still apply.

- roberto

risktaker99 · Post by **risktaker99** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 2:08 pm

Thanks for your responses. I assume that the "dry mouth" issue can be resolved by just turning up the humidifier setting.

I have been trying to find out how much I would be responsible for out of pocket payment from my DME through insurance (my plan has a coinsurance of 20% for DME). They are telling me that since it is so new, they don't have a code for it yet and I will be billed as if it were a nasal pillows mask. Therefore, I told them to go ahead and order it. I should have it by next Monday. I'll keep you abreast of my experience.

Tell me about your chinstrap use....

Chinstraps - is it worth it?

Tell me about your chinstrap use....

please fill out profile so we know all your equipment

Re: Tell me about your chinstrap use....

Chin Strap

Chinstrap, Schminstrap

who woulda thunk?