Neck strap users please talk about it.

[bbmiller]

Hi I am pretty new to using a CPAP machine. I am using a loaner machine from my health plan and a mask that is exchangeable which I purchased from my health plan. I am going for a second fitting to see if my mask is right for me. I requested this because my mouth keeps popping out of the mask although the mask feels comfortable. Already my therapist suggested a larger size mask of the full face mask I am using which is a ResMed Quattro. I picked up the larger size mask but it didn't fix the problem of my mouth popping out. I chose a full face mask because I like the feel of the pressure being distributed over a large area. The full face masks simply felt best to me. So my question is is a neck strap under my neck the solution for a good and comfortable fitting mask or are they just too uncomfortable to use? Could a present user or users please comment on how hard they are to get used to.

[Julie]

Some people seem to find the 'right' one (BTW, they're called chin straps), but many find they're not as effective therapy-wise as full face masks (you must have begun on a nasal mask like the Swift FX..?). May seem like a funny question, but do you have a beard? A lot of men with one find it interferes with their FF masks and need to try different ones in different sizes to find the right one. And even if you don't have a beard you probably will need to find the right size of whichever masks you can try - it's part of the adjustment to Cpap but worth it to make sure we're getting treated.

[Popi]

I use a chin strap with my Swift LT, and love it. A full-face mask never worked for me...beard and leaks around my nose...and I found myself never being able to sleep on my side.

Try a chin strip for a week or so, and see how things go. I think that you'll find a nasal pillow may be what you're lookinng for.

[bbmiller]

I always sleep on my back and consequently need a mask that works in that position. What I was thinking of is a full face mask plus a chin strap. As I explained, when they tried other mask configurations including nasal pillows the concentrated pressure bothered me.

[Kevin in Atlanta]

3+ years on the cpap. I use the Quattro because I am a mouth breather sometimes. The chin strap did not work for me. The headgear fit me well.
Using the ff mask was just better, but it did take some getting used to. And yes, I do have a beard and a narrow nose profile.

The best advice given to me is keep trying until something works for you. I tried it all over the first two months and concluded the FF mask worked.
YMMV.

Keep trying. It is worth it. In the 3+ years I have worn the mask, my health, emotional life and professional life have improved greatly. I am not the same person I was three years ago because of cpap. And I am grateful for the change.

[Duckie]

I use a chin strap and love it. I was getting TMJ pain holding my mouth shut. I do use a nasal mask.

[Bons]

I have a ff mask that fits under my chin, which gives me the ability to open my mouth quite a bit without breaking a seal. Works well for me because I'm a big yawner and I yawned myself right out of the first ff masks I tried.

[DoriC]

I always sleep on my back and consequently need a mask that works in that position. What I was thinking of is a full face mask plus a chin strap. As I explained, when they tried other mask configurations including nasal pillows the concentrated pressure bothered me.

Lots of back sleepers have trained themselves to sleep on their sides to prevent apneas caused by sleeping in supine position. Another benefit might be that your jaw may stay put and not drop open. The right bed pillow is important too. Good luck. Keep us posted.