3 weeks no relief

Snoresnout · Post by **Snoresnout** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 5:49 am

I have mild apnea. Started CPAP and have a REMASTER Plus M Series. I seem to be adjusting to the nose pillows and pressure (8) but have yet to sleep even as well as I did with a tennis ball tee shirt to keep me off my back. Not sure even where to start.

Snoresnout · Post by **Snoresnout** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 5:59 am

Machine is set on 8. Should I go higher. I fall asleep ok and remember very little over night. Just feel sleep deprived during the day.

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 6:37 am

You have a machine that doesn't give data so you don't know what's happening. How long have you been on xpap, what was your titrated pressure, are you mouth breathing or mouth leaking?

Brenda

TerryB · Post by **TerryB** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 7:24 am

Is there someone who can observe you while asleep for an hour or so? Enen a nap in bed using the machine may give clues to your remaining problems. Assuming the pressure is correct, the most likely problems are disturbances caused by the mask (maybe leaks) or by mouth leakage. Without the software reports, it's hard to pinpoint the problems.

TerryB

snoresnout · Post by **snoresnout** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 9:21 am

Only been on this thing for 3 weeks. I had high hopes it would end this chronic fog I live in during the day. I think I'll try the tape thing and have someone watch me. I find it hard to beieve that I open my mouth becase it feels so strange and uncomfortable to do so with the air blowing out. I'll do some research on the machines with a read out. Thanks!

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 9:40 am

You need to join our forum, fill in your profile, let us know how you have your equiptment set up. Now we like you, are flying blind.

But as a blind pilot, I'm guessing you use a nasal interface, and are mouthbreathing, therefore are losing your treatment pressure, out of your mouth, so it doesn't work. But without facts, that's just my guess WAG. Jim

rklsk · Post by **rklsk** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 6:29 pm

Snore...don't give up hope. Tonight marks my 2nd week of therapy and I'm finally starting to see some benefit. I have a hell of a time falling asleep, but once there I'm pretty good for the night. I used to get up 2 or 3 times to visit the rest room, but for the last 3 nights I've never gotten up. My only issue is when I sleep on my side my Swift nasal pillows leaks on me, but I'm working on fixing that. Please hang in there and keep the faith. Keep coming to this board. I can't get over how informed some of these people are and that they are so willing to help us newbies out. Good luck,

Ron

snoresnout · Post by **snoresnout** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 11:11 am

Maybe there is something to the mouth leak. Last night I put duct tape over my mouth like someone waiting to get wacked. I noticed there were "air bubbles " escaping from my lips as the tape lost it's seal. I have a slight goatee and mustache which i suppose interferes with the tape. I did seem to have a more restful sleep and the nasal pillow kept a good seal.. Any other better solutions than duct tape. I'm seeing this through as I've had way too many negative consequences related to poor sleep and irritability. I'm not waiting to sleep when I'm dead.Thanks for the support.

MLefholtz · Post by **MLefholtz** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 11:40 am

Hi Snoresnout. I tape and have facial hair also. I use 3M gentle paper 2" tape. It is also known as surgical micropore tape. Works very well for me. Only occasionally do I get a tape leak, maybe once every 2-3 weeks.

Save that duct tape as a last resort back up.

Mike

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 2:53 pm

You can also try poligrip strips. You cut them in half length wise and put one piece on each side of your mouth. They work by moistening them. They don't work for me because it still leaves a little whole for the air to escape from. I use Kendals tenderskin paper tape, but then I have no facial hair.

Brenda

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 2:59 pm

The main reason I didn't like the NasalAire (which I used successfully for 3 years) was that it must fit snuggly inside the nostrils. Ultimately, I felt that it was stretching my nostrils out.

The design was nice in that it opens up the air passages and allows more air flow. Kinda like a BreatheRite strip, but on the inside instead of the outside.

I just didn't like the fact that my nostrils got stetched out of shape -- and that could have just been in my mind.

Once I got the Aura, I never looked back.

snoresnout · Post by **snoresnout** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 7:49 am

i couldn't find paper tape but did get some CVS 2 inch cloth surgical type tape and it worked better than duct tape. The main problem now is that I seem to make a lot of moisture (drool for the strong of stomach) so the tape across my mouth gets wet after a few hours and loses it's seal. Now I've taken to putting a 2nd piece on my chin to hold the strip across my mouth in place and non leaking. I never thought I'd be discussing the fine points of taping my mouth shut. Is a nose/mouth mask a viable option to the tape? Thanks for the people who offer support on this site. I wish I had checked this out before my first sleep study.

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 8:04 am

snoresnout wrote: Is a nose/mouth mask a viable option to the tape?

A Full Face Mask (FFM in the local lingo) will cover both you nose an mouth at once - and the you can breathe through your mouth without losing treatment pressure - though it's heavy and more difficult to get a seal with and your mouth dries. FFM's are made by a number of companies.

The Hybrid is also a nose/mouth mask - it has pillows for your nose and a bottom part that feed air into your mouth should you open it.

I've never tried either - some people love them. I prefer to have my cheeks as untouched as possible - so I use the Invacare Twilight NP (aka Aura) and the Breeze, and 3m micropore tape.

If you remember to put chapstick on your lips, and fold them in in the before taping, then taking the tape off in the morning is rarely a problem... not accounting for facial hair.

O.

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): breeze, Aura, seal

MLefholtz · Post by **MLefholtz** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 8:36 am

Hey Snoresnout. Of course a nose/mouth mask is an option, but I would encourage you to check around some more and see if you can't find some other tape.

I drool a fair amount myself, and the 3M gentle paper tape has very little tendency to loose it's seal. When I tape, I make the tape long enough to catch some skin on the outside of my moustache. I think that helps. I also purse my lips tight when I put the tape on. I get a nice tight lip seal that way.

At any rate, glad to hear you're making some progress.

Mike

KAZ · Post by **KAZ** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 10:51 am

I'm almost in the same category as rkisk in that I'm 3 weeks into the therapy. I went with a Mirage Ultra FFM because I knew that although I prefer to breath thru my nose I will mouth breath enough that it is a problem. I'm fortunate that my mask allows me to move from side to side and still seals. I used to get up several times a night for bathroom visits, now I sleep all night. Don't be afraid to try a FFM if you still have problems. The right mask is out there some where. I also find that waiting until I'm really sleepy to go to bed helps. You sound like you are putting in maximum effort so I know you will succeed. Regards

3 weeks no relief

3 weeks no relief

3 weeks no relief

3 weeks no relief

last night

taping the pie hole

Re: taping the pie hole