New User- Playing Musical CPAP Masks

[LaCansada]

Hi all, I am a new CPAP user. After trying 2 FFM's unsuccessfully (Mirage Quattro and Respironics Gel mask) due to constant leakage, I bought the Respironics gel nasal mask. I was unsure if I could use a nasal mask because I have always been a mouth breather so I did buy a chinstrap when I ordered the mask. Just gave the mask a test drive. Fits well, no leaks, but I noticed that I could not open my mouth if I tried. Or, more accurately, I could open my mouth but it was mighty uncomfortable. I had a strong rush of air out of the mouth which resulted in me wanting to keep it closed. Is this normal with a nasal mask? To have this rush of air out of an open mouth? Or did I screw up the set-up in some way? My pressure is an 11 and I am a small-built female. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Lisa.

[Panhandler]

You now realize exactly why nasal mask users NEED to keep their mouths closed. There's a direct connection between your nose and your mouth, and if your mouth is open, that's the easiest path for the air to follow. If you can keep your mouth closed, the nasal mask can work for you. If not, you'll know it!

Welcome to the forum. You'll find that there is a fabulous treasury of knowledge and experience here, and a bunch of wonderful people ready to share.

[fadedgirl]

Its normal, and I love it. I was always a wide-open mouth sleeper and also tried full masks as a result. I didn't think I could use a nasal. Then I finally was at the end of my rope, and wow was I shocked when the suction made me successful. Yeah! I'm still trying out all sorts of masks, but I was delighted to discover that I could use a nasal mask without a chin strap.

Welcome!

[dtsm]

but I noticed that I could not open my mouth if I tried. Or, more accurately, I could open my mouth but it was mighty uncomfortable. I had a strong rush of air out of the mouth which resulted in me wanting to keep it closed. Is this normal with a nasal mask?

Happened to me the first time I put on the nasal mask during my titration study at sleep center. Tech said it's normal, higher the pressure the stronger the rush of air!

[fadedgirl]

Wah! The suction isn't doing it for me any more. I wondered about this 2 nights ago, and it was confirmed last night: my dratted mouth is coming open when I sleep with Nasal Masks now.

Has anyone else been able to sleep with their mouth shut and then regressed?

And so it was that in the darkest hour of last night that I was initiated into the Mouth Taping Club. I tried painters tape first, but it was very agitating and felt like it was eating into my flesh. I then raided my First Aid box and found some 1" 3M Micropore surgical tape, and ahhhhhhhhhhh, much better. Dare I say that I liked it better than not taping? I must have been dreaming!!

[DreamOn]

Has anyone else been able to sleep with their mouth shut and then regressed?

I've been using CPAP for just over 3 months now. For the first few weeks, I was able to prevent therapy air from leaking out through mouth by placing my tongue firmly on the roof of my mouth and slightly back. But then I started getting more REM sleep, when all our muscles (including tongue and jaw) relax. I started seeing a slight leak rate on my machine. I also noticed that my mouth was dry, which wasn't the case before. The PAPCap chinstrap solved the mouth-leaking problem for me, but it doesn't seem to work for everyone. True mouth-breathers, especially, may need to use a full-face mask or tape their mouths.

My experience in the short time I've used CPAP is that therapy constantly changes and needs tweaking every now and then! My leak rate just went up within the last few days. It's very minor, but I'm in the process now of figuring out whether it's mask or mouth leak. It could be that I'm getting even more REM sleep now, the mask may be leaking while I'm deep asleep (I use several masks), or my tongue may now be smaller (it was slightly enlarged) and it can no longer block the air from escaping. I have a full-face mask on order, so I'll experiment with that later this week and see what happens to the leak rate and my AHI (which has also been up the last few days). There's never a dull moment with this therapy!

[Slinky]

I've probably been thru a dozen masks in the last 3 years. Somewhat more if we count the ones I dismissed right off the bat and never took home. I always need a Small, XSmall or Petite. I've had two that I've liked and used the most and longest: the Respironics Simplicity simple nasal cushion for which I need a chin strap (which doesn't help w/the "lip flutters") and then finally found the ProBasics Zzz-Mask full face mask which I'm having great success with (and can easily sleep on both sides or back with).

Ironically, these two masks are the only two I've had a problem w/too large headgear! However, some velcro strips and then a pair of scissors solved my problem w/both headgear. I just put a fold in the offending headgear strap and hold the fold in place w/a velcro strip until I find just the right fit. Then I cut the fold out of the strap and put the cut ends back together w/the velcro strip and voila! Good fit that lasts months and months.

I HATED the original Resmed Swift nasal pillows due to the assinine side mount hose. But the new Swift LT for Her has the sensible center hose attachment and so the Swift LT for Her works well for me, other than I'm not not a big fan of nasal pillows given my "lip flutters" problem.

My preference is for lightweight, not much to it, type of masks. Like less is better for me.