Chin strap question (dumb maybe)

[~jimnsc]

I have a need to wear a chin strap and would appreciate opinions from those of you who regularly use one. Which would you put on first - mask or strap?

Thanks

[tooter]

Doesn't matter...whatever is most comfortable for you

[otrpu]

I've never used a chin strap. Have used regular FFM's since 2003. When I have trouble keeping seal with my F10 FFM, I switch to RespCARE Hybrid FFM. It's a combination mouth seal/nasal pillow FFM. Has a much smaller mouth seal area. Also, has a built in chin flap so no chin strap is needed. Kit comes with all three sizes cushions and nasal pillows. Might be worth a look. Link in my equip list below.
Cheers,
otrpu

[grayghost4]

I have tried many different chin straps ... they helped me a little ... the best thing I have found is a 4" Cervical collar ... keeps my mouth closed and also keep the chin up and helps keep the throat open

[gosman]

I'm on a quest for the perfect chin strap too. Mine doesn't last long and leave terrible marks on my face. Using a full face right now but prefer the nasal mask with a chin strap. I get better sleep with no leaks.

[red_roni]

I started therapy about a month ago. I was told to put my chin strap in first. It helps to hold my mask straps in place. If I don't wear the chin strap, my mask moves around a lot when my hair moves.

[yaconsult]

I wish you luck with it. I found that, for me, the chinstrap didn't work because I was inhaling through my nose but blowing the air out through my fluttering lips - even with the chinstrap on. A chinstrap can't/won't stop this type of mouth breathing. Even with your teeth clamped together, you can still blow air out of your mouth.

I found that a 2-inch by half-inch piece of 3M Micropore tape between my upper and lower lips solved the problem for me. I used to tape my whole mouth but found that a single strip in the middle worked just as well.

[49er]

I have a need to wear a chin strap and would appreciate opinions from those of you who regularly use one. Which would you put on first - mask or strap?

Thanks

I can't offer you any suggestions but I did want to say that there is no such thing as a dumb question on this board. Just so you know.

49er

[~jimnsc]

Thanks for the comments, guys. I have been using nasal pillows for about 4 years. Got a new machine and became aware after a period of time through the help of my wife and the machine, my lower jaw would drop when I went into deep sleep opening my mouth. I deduced I wasn't a "full time" mouth breather so impatient me, I quickly ordered a full face mask - no luck. Ordered 2 nasal masks - no success. All this time I was using the "Ruby Red" type chinstrap. Got some bad info from a friend and my DME about how tightly to wear the strap. Last night I had success. I tightened the strap to what I'd say was a light to medium tightness range. I installed my favorite nasal pillows (P10's) after the strap. I'm looking at a top pressure of 12. Finally had success but in addition to changing tightness of chin strap, I had changed my bed pillow to a synthetic down pillow that feels like down (Indulgence) by Isotonic from Bed, Bath and Beyond. It was manufactured for and marked "for side sleepers." When I was having all the problems I was using a much heavier bed pillow.

Here was my problem. A very tightly installed chin strap was pulling my cheeks together toward my nose, just as if you took both hands and pushed toward your nose. When I turned from back to side the heavy pillow I was using was physically lifting the masks or unseating the nasal pillows creating gigantic leaks, which I could not hear when my one deaf ear was down on the pillow. Last night I turned over all I wanted with a semi-snug chin strap on not pushing my cheeks up toward my nose. In other words (for me, and every body is different), after installing the strap last night my face was in no way contorted! Make sense? I look forward to another restful night tonight because of these learned adjustments. My impatience cost me out of my pocket over $300.

I hope I didn't break any forum rules using the name of the pillow - I did so to allow you to check one out the next trip to BB and B. I promise I don't sell them and others would do as well maybe.

- I was installing the chin strap too tightly so as to produce a contorted face.
- I found out installing the strap before a mask or pillows works best for me.
- I learned a softer pillow works best for me as far as keeping a seal on nasal pillows or other type masks.

Hope this helps some of you who may have already tossed a perfectly good chin strap in a drawer and counted it a loss. Again, thanks for your comments to my original question.

Jim

[chunkyfrog]

I wish you luck with it. I found that, for me, the chinstrap didn't work because I was inhaling through my nose but blowing the air out through my fluttering lips - even with the chinstrap on. A chinstrap can't/won't stop this type of mouth breathing. Even with your teeth clamped together, you can still blow air out of your mouth.

I found that a 2-inch by half-inch piece of 3M Micropore tape between my upper and lower lips solved the problem for me. I used to tape my whole mouth but found that a single strip in the middle worked just as well.

Chin up strips also work while allowing one to mouth-breathe, but with enough effort as to eliminate it unless awake.