2 weeks in

[ash1967]

Hi Everyone,
Been using CPAP for 2 weeks now and the longest i have lasted before tearing the mask off my face is 1.5 hours. Im using a full face mask and i am an active sleeper. Would a nasal mask work better for me? Im convinced its having the mask over my mouth that is causing the problem. Even though im a mouth breather, i wonder if i can train myself to breath through my nose. But if i start snoring, surely the cpap machine would force air up my nose correct? Im sure i will get there in the end. The one time i slept through the night was when they tested me but not since. I do remember having a vivid nightmare where i remembered every single second when i woke up. Thanks CPAP! lol

[Pugsy]

But if i start snoring, surely the cpap machine would force air up my nose correct?

If the mouth is open then the air going up the nose will try to exit through the mouth and won't ever make it to the airway where the collapse is occurring.

A little mouth breathing may not be horrible but a lot of mouth breathing could seriously impact the therapy effectiveness.
But even horrible mouth breathing part of the night is better than only using the machine for 1.5 hours a night. Any therapy is better than no therapy.

Even though im a mouth breather, i wonder if i can train myself to breath through my nose.

All depends on why you are mouth breathing....is it because you simply can't breathe through your nose or is it out of habit? Do you normally or can you normally just breathe through only your nose during the day?

[ash1964]

I just naturally breathe from my mouth and have done my whole life so i also do so while asleep. Thanks for the quick response Pugsy, will check out some of the other masks to see what sounds good. Still getting used to it but have read plenty of perserverence stories of other users, so i will persevere too

[Pugsy]

Life long habit is going to be really difficult to break.
Which full face mask are you trying now? Maybe a different FFM would work better. There's a reason there is so many to choose from...we all have different needs or preferences.
When you have time please add your equipment to your profile like I have mine..it will help us help you better and faster.

wiki/index.php/Registering_Equipment_in_User_Profile

[Viperchic]

I've always been a mouth breather but my doctor wanted to try me on the nasal mask first. I can't stand to have my mouth open while I'm masked now. I feel like I'm suffocating if I do open my mouth. I haven't had any issues making myself switch to nose breathing.

[schrader]

I can't even open my mouth comfortably with a nasal mask. Not a mouth breather that I know of. The higher the pressure the harder it is to open I am guessing.
I think I would have had problems with a full face mask, too cumbersome. I am also an active sleeper, go to sleep in one spot and wake up somewhere else. Never lost the mask yet.

[R1200ST]

I thought I needed a FFM due to deviated septum and other issues, but I could'nt sleep with a FFM either. I am using a nasal pillow system and I am doing GREAT. I use a chin strap to keep my mouth shut, I rinse my sinuses before bed, and when the allergies are really kicking hard, I use one shot of nasonex in each side and that keeps me open all night.

The chin strap is so loose now I barely know it is there, and I think soon I will be trained up enough to not use it at all.

Good luck and try the nose pillow system. You will probably be fine.

Rich

[ash1967]

ok thanks for the helpful info. The mask and machine i am using are now listed in my profile. Im sure the machine is fine but is the mask considered generic? Is there something out there that is recommended for new users that don't make them feel and sound like Darth Vader all night? The nasal pillow thingy sounds good so will look into that as well. thanks

I also had surgery for a deviated septum a couple of years ago and was never able to breathe air through one of my nostrils for many years, i think this would be the reason i only breathe using my mouth...