Talk to Me about Tape

[millich]

I can't believe I'm typing this, but...

Tell me about taping your mouth shut. How is the best way to do it? What kind of tape do you use?

I like my Swift NT nasal pillows but had a night of huge leaks last night. I think it's reasonable to assume I had my mouth open because I definitely have the flu-like symptoms they talk about in relation to that situation - large amounts of air going in your nose and out your mouth.

I'm on my 3rd FF mask and, for the life of me, I can't keep them from leaking. I've tried loose, I've tried medium, I've tried tight (a little like Goldilocks). The liner is clean.

So...

[Pugsy]

I used the plain ordinary Blue painters tape from Lowe's. I had it handy from when I painted the kitchen.
I don't even know if it mentioned "delicate" on it anywhere. It was there and I needed to see if it was pillows leaking or my big mouth.

I didn't do anything fancy, just tore off a good chunk and stuck it over my mouth. My husband was nearly rolling on the floor laughing because he "now had something that would shut me up"... Then after I kicked him out of bed and gave him some "sign" language, we settled in. We laugh about all the different things I have tried. He is even good about the pillow wall between us to try to keep me on my side.

I also tried the polygrip paste. Nasty tasting but effective. Big mistake first night of using way too much. You can still open your mouth if you really have to but it did real well for keeping my mouth shut. Messy to remove though.
Tape simpler and cleaner.

I had a power outage the 2nd night I tried the tape. I woke up, no panic, wasn't suffocating or anything like that.
It really isn't all that bad.

I did the tape or polygrip thing for about 3 weeks, then I started getting lazy and not messing with it. Surprise, my leak didn't go up and numbers till stayed good. I think my previous mouth opening was a habit developed from when I probably was gasping for air. I haven't used tape in over a month probably. I had a completely zero AHI the other night....... Zero events of any kind. So it can happen, retrain your mouth to stay shut...

[alnhwrd]

Here is post by Rooster on taping that covers the mechanics fairly well. Some people like the tape Pugsy suggested instead.

viewtopic/t44189/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=84 ... ape#p73116

Good Luck!

[BleepingBeauty]

I can't believe I'm typing this, but...

Tell me about taping your mouth shut. How is the best way to do it? What kind of tape do you use?

Well, there are lots of answers to that question, and lots of different methods to taping. As with masks, what works best for one person won't be a solution for the next.

I used the Swift LT for the past several months, with a chinstrap. My chinstrap kept my chin up but didn't prevent me from exhaling therapy through my lips. So I let the taping begin!

Basics: I always put some kind of lip balm on first. Then I rolled my lips slightly inward but in a relaxed position (the opposite of puckering up) and applied the tape. Initially, I taped over my whole mouth with "gentle" paper tape from Nexcare. (Lemme tell ya, it isn't as "gentle" as the name implies. I took off little pieces of skin a couple of times when I was removing it in the morning. Perhaps I'm just more sensitive to it than others are, I don't know. It wasn't pleasant for me.) Then I read another forum member's method of using two thin strips (about 1/4" to 1/2" wide) and taping over her mouth in an X pattern. I tried that and liked it better. And then I read others advise that a thin film of Milk of Magnesia, applied to the skin where the tape will go and allowed to dry, would make tape removal much easier. Tried that, too, and it works.

Some of us use medical tapes. Many like the gentle-release blue painter's tape. Still others use a product called Chin-Up Strips, and some fashion their own version of those out of whichever tape they like best. The Chin-Ups are tape that's shaped in a kind of short "U" that runs under your lower lip and then up both sides of your lips onto your cheeks. The tape doesn't go over the mouth or lips, but it's cinches up the bottom lip so that it's far more difficult to mouth-leak your therapy air. (Google the name for the manufacturer's website, or search here on the forum for threads about them.)

Some prefer to use denture adhesive on the lips to seal them shut.

There are various methods that people here use to keep their mouths closed at night when using a nasal interface. Personally, I got tired of the taping and the Milk of Magnesia and the chinstraps when my new Swift LT pillows turned out to be useless and gave me really high leak rates. I loved that mask, but when it stopped working well for me, I gave in and just got myself the new FullLife mask. I'm having some difficulty adjusting to a FFM, but I'm determined to get there.

As with so many other CPAP issues, whatever works for you is the best answer. Good luck.

[bdp522]

I've been using Roosters method for years now. Works great for me. I use 1" paper tape for delicate skin.

Brenda

[rws]

I have yet to try taping although I'm considering as my chin strap isn't working out, either that or a couple of clothes pins!!

[GaryG]

I can't believe I'm typing this, but...

Tell me about taping your mouth shut. How is the best way to do it? What kind of tape do you use?

I like my Swift NT nasal pillows but had a night of huge leaks last night. I think it's reasonable to assume I had my mouth open because I definitely have the flu-like symptoms they talk about in relation to that situation - large amounts of air going in your nose and out your mouth.

I'm on my 3rd FF mask and, for the life of me, I can't keep them from leaking. I've tried loose, I've tried medium, I've tried tight (a little like Goldilocks). The liner is clean.

So...

Millich.
Have you tried a chin strap with your Swift LT Nasal Pillow mask? I found it terribly uncomfortable, but might be worth a try. Everyone is different.

[millich]

Are we a weird group or what?!? Chin straps, clothes pins, and taping our mouths shuts???!!!??? I think there is almost nothing in the world that will make you as desperate as the inability to get a good night's sleep.

Thanks everybody for responding! I'm not trying it yet but I'll have the information now if I need it. You all are the best!!!

[rested gal]

Thanks everybody for responding! I'm not trying it yet but I'll have the information now if I need it. You all are the best!!!

Those were good responses. Here's more reading to heap onto the info pile. You may not have tried taping yet, but.... you will ...

LINKS to: Mouth leaks - Air Leaks - Tape - DIY Guard
viewtopic.php?t=8011

[millich]

Thanks, RestedGal. You are a SAINT for putting together all of those links! Consider your back well-patted.

[cajun]

I've been taping for about a week. On the hose since May. My mouth has never felt dry in the morning and I can only remember waking due to air leaking from my mouth twice. I didn't think I had a mouth leak problem, but I tried a chinstrap just to see what would happen. My AHI numbers dropped. After a few nights of that I went to a gentle medical tape and my numbers dropped some more. I also noticed that my hypopneas have dropped to zero most nights.

I'm a believer.

[dalemeyer]

Good Morning All,

I read this post and just had to put in my 2 cents. My therapy started with a pressure of 8 all was good except no sleep. First visit back to Dr. he upped the pressure to 10. Mouth leaks started so with the collective wisdom of past post's I got a chin strap, all was good I even provided my family with some good laughs and questions with my new look. At second visit to the Dr. pressure upped to 12, After realizing that no matter how tight I put the chinstrap I would wake myself with lips fluttering in the wind. Again back to the collective wisdom of the post's. Off to the store for tape. Now I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed but I'm not the dullest either, Duct tape altho effective would be out. Masking tape again effective, but try to get it off glass after a day of sunshine Did I want that on my lips and mustache, no. Next was medical tape I bought 3 kinds, paper with easy removal I blew that off before I fell asleep. I didn't even try the plastic tape with with the same easy removal adhesive, The last was the fabric tape with standard adhesive one piece across my lips pursed and about 3/4 " past on each side, good stick and I was off to sleep. When I woke I found I had blown it off too. I wont be beat I thought so the next day I was determined, one piece across lips and two pieces x'ed across my mouth, I was awakened by a strange noise I thought groggily was my lips again flapping in the wind, but to my surprise my wife and kids were rolling in laughter at my new sleep endeavor. So did the tape work Yes but I had to rip it off to laugh with my family at some of the new things I do just to get some good sleep. Triple taper's do it with more

[jdm2857]

Good Morning All,
Masking tape again effective, but try to get it off glass after a day of sunshine

The adhesive on most masking tape is indeed altered by UV light, making it very difficult to remove. But unless you sleep outside in the daytime, or in a tanning bed, that should not be a factor.

[stanps]

Any of you tapers have facial hair? How's that working out?

Seriously, after about 6 weeks on CPAP I just found out that I periodically roll over on my back and snore with the mask on. I'm obviously breathing through my mouth when this happens. I am exploring the range of options presented here for keeping my mouth shut. For starters I think I will try a wall of pillows behind me to keep me from rolling over.

[Lee Lee]

I tape. Oh , yes I do. And it is wondeful for my numbers, but.... a little warning...I now have wrinkles on my top lip that were not there before.They're not pretty and make me look really old before my time.
I'm reminded of that saying "Better to look good than feel good."
I think I disagree.