Once a mouth breather, always…NOT

[surf_rower]

Don't assume you cannot use a nasal pillow type mask just because you are currently a mouth breather. While I was a serious mouth breather before starting CPAP, I do not mouth breathe with any of the three nasal masks I tried (regular nasal, Swift FX pillows, and Tap Pap). A friend who has been on CPAP for years was complaining about the mask marks on her face and other issues with her full face mask. When I asked her if she'd ever tried nasal pillows, she said, "No, my doctor told me 'once a mouth breather always a mouth breather.' " I said, "That's bull, I am now a happy nose breather with these masks." I lent her my extra Swift FX mask and she tried it, and lo and behold, she is thrilled, she loves it, she isn't mouth breathing, she doesn't have headgear marks.
There's something about the way the pressure works, especially in the Swift pillows, that actually makes it uncomfortable to mouth breathe.
Don't listen to doctors on this one, just try it.

[chunkyfrog]

Some medical professionals are more comfortable spouting bullsugar than admitting they don't know.

[Double A]

I'm currently trying the TAP Pap because I also have a Tap oral appliance. It is a great mask for comfort.

I keep the TAP PAP on all night but don't feel rested at all the next day, I added the chinstrap but it isn't helping much either. I'm thinking that it may be due to mouth breathing throughout the night which is causing the mask to be ineffective.

I'm going to try a hybrid mask next, have used a full face but rip it off every night.

[Goofproof]

In life and XPAP, there are no absolutes. I mouthbreath, I cured myself by training my tongue to stay on the front roof of my mouth, when possible 24/7. In time the brain gets it, maybe. I also use OTC decongestants to open my sinuses all night. I use the software to monitor my total leak rate. For me if my total leak rate @ 14.5 CM exceeds 38 lpm, I get concerned.

A few months ago I again had a problem with mouth breathing, so I went back to using FF mask, as stopping events is always the goal. I have went back to the nasal mask, and everything is behaving again.....

Remember Life is A Adventure, but it's always changing. To be successful in anything requires working on it. Jim

[poppi2]

...There's something about the way the pressure works, especially in the Swift pillows, that actually makes it uncomfortable to mouth breathe.

When my lips leak, I get these weird dreams about having trouble breathing. I wake up in a panic.

I've minimized the amount of tape I use, but for effective therapy, I have to tape.