Keeping your mouth closed

leegee · Post by **leegee** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 3:37 pm

I am new to the cpap machine and wonder if anyone has a solution for the open mouth problem that defeats the benefits of the cpap machine.
Many thanks,
leegeisen@att.net

nanashell · Post by **nanashell** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 3:59 pm

I think that's a good quesion, Lee. I'm new on here too and have gotten some good answers to questions already.
I read that someone mentioned TAPE......don't know if he/she tapes OVER his/her mouth or what?!?! That sounds drastic to me.
I have a chin strap that works somewhat better than nothing, but I'm a born mouth breather, and it's hard to control.
I'm still delving into insurance issues, so I hope you find a suitable answer on here, and I can find out too! Good luck![/quote]

Roger... · Post by **Roger...** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 4:57 pm

My CPAP treatment hasn't taken on a sadistic approach yet, although feeling like a fish on a slack line is getting close, so I've not employed the taping of the lips yet for painful (notice image on the left) and congestion reasons. As a work around, although I don't think it will help me with my nasal mask, I've ordered the Respironics Chin strap to give it a try because it was so cheap.

What I hope and think will work if I can get a fit without massive leaks is the a new FP full face mask ordered yesterday. I hoping that luck is with me and will find it fits better than the ResMED Ultra wind tunnel experience of the last few months.

As for the Loose Lips, wasn't this a problem during WWII, loosing air indicates that if the pressure is leaking out the lips, it is probably time for a full face mask. My lips whistle when the pressure leaks out, which wakes the bride and I without failure. Strap stuff is due in about a week and I'll report how the chin noose/strap works out, but don't get your hopes up for it too work as it will only keep the jaw up, and you might still be accused of having Loose Lips.

inacpapfog · Post by **inacpapfog** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 5:27 pm

rooster, your routine is much like my own, minus the ayr. Also, I use Durapore tape rather than the micropore. (The micropore did not hold well for me.) Taping is quite comfortable and a sneeze or coughing is not a problem. I guess it could be if you got on a roll of frequent, severe coughing or sneezing.
I fully agree with you that chin straps do not solve the lip leak problem. Tape solves the lip leak best for me. But, I still have to use the "deluxe chin strap" with the tape in order to keep my cheeks from "ballooning" with air. I notice that certain body/head positions cause more of the pressurized to divert into my mouth. When that happens, I develop aerophagia and feel miserable! The deluxe chin strap keeps my cheeks from expanding. If the cheeks won't expand, the pressurized air doesn't get a chance to build up in my mouth!
I have also used frequentseekers DIY mouthpiece with success. The only problem is, I can not tolerate a mouth device more than a couple of nights or so without my teeth feeling "shifted." I pretty much save the mouthpiece to use for short overnight stays with others. That way, I don't have to scare the pants off of anyone that would have to see me in all of my cpap sleep garb! I must admit, it can look pretty goulish!!! But that's OK with me, 'cause I feel great! Once you get used to a workable routine, CPAP rocks!

roztom · Post by **roztom** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 5:30 pm

Good luck Roger with the Respironics Chin strap.

I use the Ultra Mirage Nasal & have mouth/lip leaks so I tried the chin strap.

It does work but it must be tight and also tends to slip off my head. (Head not flat enough )

I have heard about the Taira chin strap which is supposed to be more stable and has better adjustments. I may go in that direction.

I'll be interested in hearing wheter a FF mask is better than a Nasal & a chin strap.

Good luck and please let us know.

Tom

jkennedy · Post by **jkennedy** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 6:21 pm

There are allot of types of chin straps out there, I would hate for anyone to have to go to the level of taping their mouth shut with tape. Also they have full face mask's that are made for mouth sleepers. If you are in real need of anything contact your local DME supply company and they should be happy to help.

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 6:28 pm

The easy solution is the Ff Mask, it assures you get the needed treatment and you don't have to play games. Many think their solution works but some don't and they don't realize it.

Roger... · Post by **Roger...** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 6:29 pm

Hello Tom,

Thanks for the kind words. I'm hoping the noose will provide some benefit, but the mechanics of what is happening seem to be going against the logic of Loose Lips. Still, when I saw this Premium Chinstrap wasn't that much money, I decided to give it whirl just in case I didn't see the big picture.

If the chinstrap helps, maybe it will let me stay a little longer on the Activa, but when hay fever season rolls in here in a couple of weeks, I'm betting on this FlexiFit HC431 Full Face Mask to keep me in the breeze when the nose stops working.

I'll report back as things appear and happen.

pokey · Post by **pokey** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 7:04 pm

Have several FF masks....all of which leak , just a matter of how much. For me personally...nasal mask+ tiara chinstrap+ nexcare tape trumps all of my face masks..end of story.

Snoozin' Bluezzz · Post by **Snoozin' Bluezzz** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 7:07 pm

Goofproof, you sound like a "one size fits all" kinda guy

Taping, at least for now, is really working for me and I have a beard. I too use the 2" Durapore mostly. I have relaxed so much since I went to tape and now I'm becoming a Aeiomed Headrest (Aura) fan. With tape and the Headrest I hit the sack and forget about it until the next morning. It's a radical change from what it was like for the first 3 weeks when I wrestled with chinstraps etc. I'm afraid that the Headrest is pulling me away from the Swift that worked so well but I can really relax and sleep on my side and it almost feels like "the good old days" when I didn't battle apnea and sleep problems.

SB

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 7:19 pm

[quote="Snoozin' Bluezzz"]Goofproof, you sound like a "one size fits all" kinda guy

Taping, at least for now, is really working for me and I have a beard. I too use the 2" Durapore mostly. I have relaxed so much since I went to tape and now I'm becoming a Aeiomed Headrest (Aura) fan. With tape and the Headrest I hit the sack and forget about it until the next morning. It's a radical change from what it was like for the first 3 weeks when I wrestled with chinstraps etc. I'm afraid that the Headrest is pulling me away from the Swift that worked so well but I can really relax and sleep on my side and it almost feels like "the good old days" when I didn't battle apnea and sleep problems.

SB

tater pie · Post by **tater pie** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 7:45 pm

I've been on cpap since November of 2004 and am a natural mouth breather too. I have tried the Respironics Premium Chin Strap and it didn't help with mouth leaks at all. It was also very hot and cumbersome and slipped off my head even when I used the little straps on the front and back which are supposed to keep it from slipping. I have tried several other chin straps and all I can say is none of them worked for me and they were very uncomfortable. I have read a few posts here where some people did get good results with chin straps but not many. As for me, I use Sports tape to tape my mouth shut and it works pretty well and is a lot more comfortable than any chin strap I ever used. I also have the Ultra Mirage Full face mask and full face masks will work pretty well if your pressure is 10 or below but above 10, after about 2 hours, you'll get a lot of leaks and you have to strap the mask on pretty tight. No matter how tight you strap it on, you'll still get leaks if your pressure is 10 or above so you're up most of the night adjusting the stupid mask. I've also used the Respironics Comfort (what a joke using that word is) Full Full face mask and it was a nightmare. I've never tried the Fisher Paykel full face mask or the Hans Rudolph full face mask and I probably won't either. Most full face masks except for the Hans Rudolph say in their literature that they're not recommended for use with high pressures. That's just my experience. I hope you find something that works for you. Everybody is different so maybe a different kind of chin strap or full face mask will work for you.

Newsgrouper · Post by **Newsgrouper** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 9:47 pm

"if the pressure is leaking out the lips, it is probably time for a full face mask."

I agree with Roger. The FF mask was my only solution. I taped successfully for months and then suddenly could not stand the taping for another minute. Nasal mask + chin strap + mouth taping...... I looked like a character in a horror movie. The FF masks (Ultra Mirage and F&P 431) simply slip over my face and give me good treatment.

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 11:30 pm

jkennedy wrote:There are allot of types of chin straps out there, I would hate for anyone to have to go to the level of taping their mouth shut with tape. Also they have full face mask's that are made for mouth sleepers. If you are in real need of anything contact your local DME supply company and they should be happy to help.

Of course you'ld hate it for people to use a solution that will not bring DMEs any profit.

Anyone worried about taping - I was, it took me 8 months just to decide to check it - do the following:

On a bright Sunday morning (or any other morning if you have the time):

Take the tape, create tabs on both sides for pulling it off. Follow the rest of roosters procedure (chapstick etc.)
Stand in front of the mirror, stick the tape on, and the pull it off immediately.
Repeat.
And then ask yourself how it felt and how difficult it was to pull it off.
That's all. A trial run, a test. No commitment to sleeping with it.
Just: what does it feel like when it's on? How can quickly can I pull it off if I want to?

It's "sadistic" when your hands are tied, and you have no pull-off tabs.
With pull-off tabs flapping in the breeze on both sides of your mouth and your hands free to do whatever you want, you might find out it's something else.

You might find that this way too, is a way of taking control of you own therapy.

O.

P.S. Roger, I do understand your problem....
_________________

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

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 4:48 am

Guest - jkennedy wrote:There are allot of types of chin straps out there, I would hate for anyone to have to go to the level of taping their mouth shut with tape. Also they have full face mask's that are made for mouth sleepers. If you are in real need of anything contact your local DME supply company and they should be happy to help.

Yes, there are a lot of types of chin straps out there - ineffective, no matter what the type, for a lot of people who will still have treatment air escaping out from between their lips no matter how many chin straps they try or how tightly they try to cinch their jaws shut.

You would "hate for anyone to have to go to the level of taping their mouth shut.."
Well, I would hate for anyone to have to spend money (their own, or their own via insurance) on chin strap after chin strap, and still have leaks and mouth breathing. Or have to resort to a full face mask when they could be sleeping in much more comfortable types of masks...if only they could truly control mouth air leaks and mouth breathing.

Oh my goodness, yes indeedy, people with mouth air leak/mouth breathing problems should definitely contact their local DME, shouldn't they? The "helpful" DME who will happily give/sell them a chin strap. And another, and another, and a full face mask, and another FF mask, and another.

A $3.00 roll of tape is the better solution for many of us mouth-breathers/treatment air lip-leakers who want to stop mouth air leaks AND use comfortable masks. I use tape quite happily...every night.

Keeping your mouth closed

Keeping your mouth closed

Good Question

CHIN STRAPS

Re: CHIN STRAPS