Lips of STEEL! Nothing can stop them!

[karl9000]

I can't believe it but there doesn't seem to be anything available out there to stop my lips from separating, and pressurized air streaming out my mouth like a fire-breathing dragon. I wear a snore guard along with my Opus 360. I've had the snoire guard for 3 years, and just got the APAP last month. During the night, my muscles relax just enough that my lips slightly seperate. Not enough to breath in, but enough to let air escape and wake me up.

So I followed some suggestions I read here with some less than stellar results:

Denture glues or strips? A mild warm up for my lips. Neither survived the trip from bathroom application to bed.

Painter's tape? Tissue paper against my smackers. By 1:30 AM, it's flapping in the breezes emanating from my mouth.

Surgical tape? Nothing when challenged by a single drop of sweat on my upper/lower lip. I've got streams of air blowing up and down like those NASA pictures of gas jets escaping from some super-nova or something.

Water proof surgical tape? A mild challenge, easily conquered by 1:30 AM. I have to admit that this stuff sticks to almost everything else on my face BUT my lips like super glue and I STILL get the super-nova effect. It hurts getting it off. It's irritating at 1:30 to have to peel this off my face because of an erasure size leak right below my nose. I thought I'd be clever last night and have two extra pieces of tape pre-cut so I could just slip 'em on over the leaks real quick. Yeah, my coordination at 1:30 AM is that good: NOT! The bottom one went on without a hitch. I'm not sure what else on my nightstand I taped to my upper lip last night, but some of it was damn uncomfortable. I may have gotten parts of the dog mixed up in there, as well.

And yes, actual super glue would probably work. And yes, I'd only ever have to apply it infrequently; until my skin grew out and it falls off. But I'm just not into liquid meals taken through the nose...

Anyway, I'm giving up on ever keeping my mouth closed. I don't actually breathe in through my mouth, but when the APAP pressure gets high enough, out she goes.

I ordered a hybrid mask and should get it Tuesday. Just when I'm getting used to the Opus nasal pillows. I figure it's my last hope before going FFM. My claustrophobia is getting warm and fuzzy, just thinking about it. But damnit, I'm sleeping better and I feel like I'm getting more oxygen, so I can't quit now.

ILLIGITIMI NON CARBORUNDUM!

Yeah, no such phrase, but you know what I mean, doncha...

[Big Daddy RRT,RPSGT]

I have all the same issues. It is time for a full face mask my friend. I use the Resmed Quattro full face with good results. The Fisher-Paykel forma full face with foam cushion is also good. You are mouth breather. No insult, so am I. If you are on a lower pressure less than 14 or so The Resperonics Fit life is good. You'll feel like and astronaut but the bridge of your nose will be thankful. Also I use a chinstrap with my full face to prevent my jaw from dropping and causing chin leaks. Good Luck.

[park_ridge_dave]

I use a Quattro with a PapCap.

Good Luck.

Dave

[mars]

ILLIGITIMI NON CARBORUNDUM!

Yeah, no such phrase, but you know what I mean, doncha...

Whaddyamean no such phrase - it is the mother of all phrases

http://www.google.com.au/search?q=ILLIG ... =firefox-a

On a lighter note I too started out with nasal pillows, and nothing could stop air leaking out of my lips. I made a whistling sound which woke me up. So I got a Quattro Mirage Full Face Mask, and no more problems. Within seconds of putting it on, with the machine starting off at 11cmH2O, it is as though I do not have a mask on. It literally becomes transparent.

So don't worry too much if you have to go Full Face. The likelyhood is that you will get used to it before too long.

Good Luck.

cheers

Mars

[karl9000]

Oy.

Thanks guts, though Mr Claustrophobia isn't doing very well right now. Had to beat him down into submission a few minutes ago. Nasty brute...

They say you can get used to hanging if you do it long enough. Something about the process, though...

I'll try the hybrid first. I purchased the insurance so I'm only out a bit. If that doesn't work, maybe I can get used to hanging...

[BlackSpinner]

The hybrid works well for me and it is not as claustrophobia causing as a full face mask. Just a pain to get it adjusted first time around.

[Big Daddy RRT,RPSGT]

Resperonics has the Fit Life. You'll feel like an astronaut but you might be surprised as your vision is unobstructed. I have a theory about claustrophobia and OSA. You choke in your sleep so it makes you paranoid about being smothered. Properly treat your sleep apnea and maybe you'll have less anxiety. Just a theory. When I open my mouth using a nasal mask it makes me feel like I'm air starved and then my sleep apnea kicks in and I wake up choking. I switched to the full face mask and I doing much better. Keep trying. Good luck.

[fiberfan]

I tried a full face mask at a low pressure before a diagnostic study several years ago because the thought of a cpap mask triggered my claustrophobia and was surprised at my lack of response with the mask actually on. Hopefully the Hybrid will work for you.

[echo]

karl, i must say your description of the events is very humorous, i'd be laughing my butt off if it wasn't so serious! I have the same, i call it 'mouth leaking' , basically my lips are pursed and air just escapes through them.

I found that with a FFM or the Liberty, I had to use a chinstrap/papcap because the air actually blew my mouth open, even though that wasn't happening with the nasal masks (and it caused leaks and wake-ups during the night).

What pressure are you at?

[pdean44]

I am pretty much going to insist on a FFM come monday on my follow up visit. I just can get past mouth breathing. A shame i liked this mask. i hope i have good luck with the ffm.

[Muse-Inc]

Oh my Love the bit about taping night-stand stuff to your face This is why I went to the Hybrid giving up my beloved OptiLife pillow mask -- I call it the loose lips phenomena or flapping lips...those oh so tiny puffs of critical therapy escaping into the wild blue yonder.

BTW, the Hybrid IS classed as a FFM.

[karl9000]

BTW, the Hybrid IS classed as a FFM.

Oh no, you weren't supposed to tell me that!!!! I've got myself convinced that I'm just trying a hybrid. And I'm right. It's not a FFM. Nope. Ain't. No way. Negatory. Etc., etc. etc.

I'm cool with the whole thing. Yeah, that's the ticket...

Denial: it's not just a river in Egypt!

[roster]

I ordered a hybrid mask and should get it Tuesday.

I am still surprised that so many people think FFMs are to be avoided.

Everyday you can read several posts in the forum about people having various frustrating or even dangerous problems with nasal interfaces.

I use a Hybrid mask (I hope you ordered the real thing and not the Liberty) and sleep on my tummy and side. The Hybrid mask is much more stable and leakproof than any of the nasal pillows I tried. Having the nasal pillows anchored onto the mouth cushion makes them very stable. (The ladies' tights leg helps also.)

In addition, there are just times, such as when you have a little congestion, that one needs the extra flow that comes from being able to breathe through the mouth. And if you ever have a bad cold, you are already prepared with a FFM.

[karl9000]

[quote="roster"](The ladies' tights leg helps also.)quote]

Rooster, I have to ask: what the heck does this mean?!?!?!?!?

I ordered the Innomed hybrid. I didn't see anything about a Liberty hybrid.

[roster]

(The ladies' tights leg helps also.)quote]

Rooster, I have to ask: what the heck does this mean?!?!?!?!?