Question for "mouth breathers" who use a nasal mas

[zzzzzz!!]

If your mouth & oral airway open while using a nasal mask, does it always create a noisy vacuum type of effect?

Last night I tried my nasal mask without taping my mouth closed, figuring that if I started trying to breathe through it, I would probably wake up due to that noise and vacuum sensation. I didn't wake up and felt good this morning but am wondering if I could have slept through something like that.

If I set my RemStar Plus M machine to alert for mask leaks, would that let me know if it happened? (unfortunately I don't have the Pro or Auto so lack those recording capabilities)

[track]

I will throw this question into the mix as well. Why when on Cpap does the mouth get incredibly dry if you mouth breathe with a nasal mask on? Prior to Cpap I don't ever recall waking up with such a dry mouth and throat as I do when I mouth breathe with a nasal mask on. I assume I was mouth breathing prior to cpap yet no tell tale signs like I get with cpap mouth breathing.

[NightHawkeye]

If your mouth & oral airway open while using a nasal mask, does it always create a noisy vacuum type of effect?

No, not always. Nor does it always seem to dry out my mouth. I can see the effect of it in my leak data afterwards in Encore Pro, however. Often enough my wife also wakes me up to tell me to fix my mouth (and stop the airflow).

Last night I tried my nasal mask without taping my mouth closed, figuring that if I started trying to breathe through it, I would probably wake up due to that noise and vacuum sensation. I didn't wake up and felt good this morning but am wondering if I could have slept through something like that.

LOL. Can't say for sure about you, but I manage to sleep through it often enough. I'm pretty sure my wife doesn't wake me every time it happens.

If I set my RemStar Plus M machine to alert for mask leaks, would that let me know if it happened?

I wouldn't count on it, but I don't have the M-series. My Remstar-auto certainly didn't always alarm when I was mouth breathing. I tested it once and sometimes it would alarm, but sometimes it wouldn't. I also can't hear the high-frequency alarm on my Remstar-auto though, so I don't even have that turned ON anymore. The few times my machine has alarmed, my wife has had to wake me up.

Regards,
Bill

[blarg]

The M series mask leak alert is a tiny beep and flashing the blue lights. It wouldn't wake me up ever.

Personally I think the best method for fixing mouth breathing is prevention, so whatever that means for you.

[Goofproof]

If you use a nasal interface, and can't be sure you don't mouthbreath, you need to take steps to prevent it, or correctly use a full face mask.

De-Nileing the facts, won't treat Apnea. If you are going to take your health seriously, do it right. That way, you will recieve the full benefits, from your trouble. Jim

[roster]

[quote="zzzzzz!!"]If your mouth & oral airway open while using a nasal mask, does it always create a noisy vacuum type of effect?

Last night I tried my nasal mask without taping my mouth closed, figuring that if I started trying to breathe through it, I would probably wake up due to that noise and vacuum sensation. I didn't wake up and felt good this morning but am wondering if I could have slept through something like that.

If I set my RemStar Plus M machine to alert for mask leaks, would that let me know if it happened? (unfortunately I don't have the Pro or Auto so lack those recording capabilities)

[roster]

[quote="track"]I will throw this question into the mix as well. Why when on Cpap does the mouth get incredibly dry if you mouth breathe with a nasal mask on? Prior to Cpap I don't ever recall waking up with such a dry mouth and throat as I do when I mouth breathe with a nasal mask on. I assume I was mouth breathing prior to cpap yet no tell tale signs like I get with cpap mouth breathing.

[gster]

If your mouth & oral airway open while using a nasal mask, does it always create a noisy vacuum type of effect?

i did when i used the nasal mask. open my mouth and it sounded like a cross between an old chevy pickup i had and the last washing machine i had.

now with the new respironics nasal pillow, the chin strap helps keep my big fat mouth shut

[zzzzzz!!]

De-Nileing the facts, won't treat Apnea. If you are going to take your health seriously, do it right. That way, you will recieve the full benefits, from your trouble. Jim

Hmmm, well, I honestly don't think I'm in denial... I'm just curious to know how these things work! From what I've seen so far, if I open my mouth while I'm awake and wearing the nasal mask I get a ferocious suction effect, thus the reason for my question.

I have nothing against taping my mouth shut if that's what it takes, but I'd just like to know whether I am in fact mouth breathing. I guess I'll need to either record myself sleeping or invite somebody to spend the night to find out for sure.

[NightHawkeye]

I guess I'll need to either record myself sleeping or invite somebody to spend the night to find out for sure.

Or get a different machine, like the Pro model, which records data so that you can actually see if you are mouth breathing, and how often.

Regards,
Bill

[Guest]

I guess I'll need to either record myself sleeping or invite somebody to spend the night to find out for sure.

Or get a different machine, like the Pro model, which records data so that you can actually see if you are mouth breathing, and how often.

Regards,
Bill

I plan to when I can afford it, but that's not going to be for a while yet.

Thanks to all for your comments.

[Goofproof]

I use a ComfortGel Nasal mask, when I open my mouth, while awake, I have no air escape or vacuum feel, if I try to talk that feels funny.

I do practice putting my tongue on the front roof of my mouth and pulling a vacuum. I don't tape because I don't mouthbreath. (the Encore Pro reports no problem)

That is what shocks me, as I was sure I would have a problem, that's why I used a FF Mask for a year from day 1. It was just chance I used the Comfortgel, and it worked from the first night. I don't swim very well, so I never even tried De-Nile, too many crocks... Jim

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): Encore Pro

[elliejose]

I use the tongue to roof of mouth and vacuum method. And it works very well -- too well, in fact, many nites. Often I wake with my mouth vacuum sealed, my teeth hurting, and my mouth as dry as if I had been mouth breathing. And according to my leak rate I have not been mouth breathing. I've seen someone on here mention Biotene rinse to use for dry mouth. Does it work very well???

[sleepyred]

This is my own experience. I am a mouth breather. I use a chin strap with my activa and it works quite well as I tend to "make a suction" with my mouth.

I have tried an UMFF mask and my mouth is dryer with that than with my nasal mask - go figure. I posted on another thread if the aussie heated hose might be a contributing factor - would love to hear opinions on this.

Sleepyred