Exhale lips flapping?

[footballgirl13]

This is new to me.
I've been using CPAP since August 2013. I started using my BiPap since oh Feb or March 2015 and I never ever had any issues with exhaling with lips flapping. It started about 3 weeks ago. Not sure if it is related to my pressure being too high, too low or the other thing. I lost about 12-13 pounds since June 2015. My pressure is 12.5/9 or 12.5/10. I sleep on my left side or my back since I don't sleep well with the mask on my belly. I'm hoping to lose 25 more pounds by Christmas 2015.

I do still use the Resp WISP mask (I can't handle the full face mask since I'm claustrophobia) and yes, this mask still does make my ear lobes flip upward - I hate that so so much. Sooooooooooo, to combat that issue, I pull the entire mask down, down down to the point where the nasal pillow bottom part -- rests on my top lip (thin top lip I might add). If I pull it down anymore the nasal pillow will blow air into my mouth! This is the only solution I have until my 2nd next paycheck in mid September to order another mask type..

My lips starts to make noise right around the time as I'm falling asleep and it only started around early August 2015. I'm a light sleeper and I wake up immediately when I hear my lips do this. When I took my sleep test in the sleep center (Dec 2014) they said I do not open my mouth at night. (I don't have any sleep buddy so I can't ask the invisible person next to me if I sleep with my mouth open).

I wake up refreshed everyday between 4:30am - 5am, I have enough energy to go to work, enough energy to take my jog at 7:45pm at night. I'm thinking I am getting enough air in. If I didn't get enough air, I think I'd see it and feel it daily. I don't get tired during the day, don't take naps anymore. The ONLY time I'm tires is the 4-5 days before my period - since that week before my period - it kicks my energy levels out the door to the curb. However, that's nothing compared to how I used to be without CPAP with the naps I had to take daily.

So is this lip flapping thing common when people 1. use a nasal mask only and 2. only when trying to fall asleep - perhaps the lips relax when falling asleep?

I've tired a chin strap and it hurts my chin and head. This seems to be an issue of lips only. Chip straps don't seem to keep lips closed. Could the pressure be too high or do I just need to live with this lip smacking while I fall asleep until September 18th when I could purchase another mask type (I'm looking at the PR Naunce Gel hoping that works well for me). I'm leary about using tape. Could that potentially hurt when taking off?
Thanks

[Julie]

A lot of people use tape, especially as you're going to only need something for a couple of wks, and if you fold over the end of the strip (wearing it horizontally) about 1/8" that gives you something to grab and get it off fast if you want to.

[yaconsult]

LOL - I posted about this just six days ago but I guess you didn't see it. The thread is here: viewtopic/t107421/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=107308

I also posted about it in the chinstrap thread here: viewtopic/t107421/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=107345

I say give it a try and see what you think - just make sure you use the right tape - 3M Micropore. It doesn't hurt to take it off - just fold over one end for a half-inch to leave a "handle" that isn't stuck down and pull to the opposite side slowly to remove.

[Macpage]

It's not uncommon with nasal masks/pillows. In fact, mouth/lip issues used to bother me even with a full face mask. You are describing the little lip pops, and there is also what I've seen the folks here refer to as chipmunk cheeks. In your case, a little 1 inch strip of 3M medical tape placed vertically over the mouth at the offending area of the lips may help a bunch. I would recommend 3M transpore for this application. It is plastic and perforated. This plus only putting it over a small area shouldn't cause any concern if you feel ok with it. The plastic nature helps with the rest of your lips being uncovered as transpore handles moisture a little better than micropore. Either would work. You can find them on Amazon or their equivalents in a local pharmacy. I have to use a lot of tape to keep my mouth closed to use nasal pillows!

Best,

Mike

[Kerriboberri]

I wake up laughing and thinking of horses when I do this, especially during a nap. My husband says I'm goofy. Thank goodness it doesn't happen often.

[footballgirl13]

A lot of people use tape, especially as you're going to only need something for a couple of wks, and if you fold over the end of the strip (wearing it horizontally) about 1/8" that gives you something to grab and get it off fast if you want to.

I hope that changing masks would solve the ear issue that I have. It is also solves the blowing lips issue as well, I got a bonus. I guess the only true way to make it all stop is to just to get down below 170 pounds and ultimately to 155 like I was when I was 27 and I wouldn't have SA anymore and then I wouldn't have to wear the mask. We have 16.5 weeks before Christmas. If I lose 1.5 pounds each week, I'll be 24 pounds lighter by Christmas and really close to 160.