What to use to seal mouth closed?

[Hannibal 2]

Have been trying the 3M micropore tape which works fine but a bit too sticky, removing after first night trying out, pulled a bit of skin off of my face, ouch!

Any other tape better for this, or any other sealing methods?

[LSAT]

Since you are using a FF mask, it is not critical for you to keep your mouth closed...unless you have a dry mouth. You need to get a humidifier if that is your problem. If it's leaks, you need a mask liner. (I don't understand your signature line that you are using a water chamber but have no humidifier).

[riley525]

I have recently been researching the tape issue myself. I ordered some of the micropore tape and chip up strips. There is a video on the chin up strip website that shows how he preps his face for the strips: http://chinupstrip.com/product/

He recommends cleaning the face, applying a thin layer of vasoline and then wiping that off. I am not sure about using vasoline on my face but I may try a little face cream just in those taped areas. I will be interested to hear what others recommend.

[riley525]

Since you are using a FF mask, it is not critical for you to keep your mouth closed...unless you have a dry mouth. You need to get a humidifier if that is your problem. If it's leaks, you need a mask liner.

I am also using a FF mask and have found that my obstructive apneas are much lower if I also use a chin strap. (I have aerophagia issues so increasing pressures is difficult....if I sleep on my side my nose gets stuffy...the chin strap is putting too much pressure on my jaws... so I am going to see if tape or cervical collar will help.)

[Hannibal 2]

Since you are using a FF mask, it is not critical for you to keep your mouth closed...unless you have a dry mouth. You need to get a humidifier if that is your problem. If it's leaks, you need a mask liner. (I don't understand your signature line that you are using a water chamber but have no humidifier).

Apologies, I have gone back to my nasal mask to experiment with mouth sealing, I was getting tongue burn and dry mouth with the FF mask, haven't updated my equipment as yet. Yes I may need to get a heater for my humidifier/chamber but just trying a few things first.

[Pugsy]

(I don't understand your signature line that you are using a water chamber but have no humidifier).

His cpap equipment supplier gave him the plastic water chamber only for the F & P machine.
So he has been using it in passover mode only and getting a minimal amount of added moisture to the cpap air.
He's in the UK. If NHS is involved they are notorious for being tightwads when it comes to dispensing equipment.

[Hannibal 2]

(I don't understand your signature line that you are using a water chamber but have no humidifier).

His cpap equipment supplier gave him the plastic water chamber only for the F & P machine.
So he has been using it in passover mode only and getting a minimal amount of added moisture to the cpap air.
He's in the UK. If NHS is involved they are notorious for being tightwads when it comes to dispensing equipment.

That said, I'm finding I don't need humidification if I can keep my mouth sealed, just looking for alternative ways or a slightly lower tac tape to do this. I much prefer to use the nasal mask at the moment

If and when I'm convinced that I need better equipment, I will make that investment myself, not a problem.

[Pugsy]

I understand.
I was just clarifying things for the benefit of the forum members here in the US who might not understand your humidifier situation.
It is a bit unusual to be given just the water chamber and not the rest of the humidifier.
We have a lot of people who elect to not use the humidifier at all or elect to use theirs like you are using with just water and no heat but most of us will have the humidifier available for adding heat if we want it.
In fact as far as I know the F & P humidifier HC150 is the only one that I know of where a person can just use the water chamber all by itself without the rest of the humidifier.

For taping that isn't as likely to remove the first layer of skin when the tape is removed you might try an old trick some of us used to make the tape a little less sticky......stick it to your forearm first and quickly remove and then apply to the lip area. That way the stickiness will be a little less on the lips.
Less likely to tear the skin on the lip area that way.

[bdz]

I discovered I did not need the tape to adhere across the whole area. I use a vertical 1 inch wide strip of paper tape, long enough so at least 1/4 inch goes above and below my lips. Then I put some tape, sticky side to sticky side, on that part that would touch my lips.

That 1/4 inch, or a little more of the tape, sticks above and below my lips is enough to hold it in place firmly. Plus I put my chap stick on lips. Do the reverse pucker when applying tape.

[Hannibal 2]

Thanks very much for the tips so far, off to bed now so shall try a combo of tape strips, Chapstick and de-tacking on forearm

[klv329]

The "durapore" of the same brand is easier for me. The "micropore" took the skin off me, too.

[rosacer]

Hi Hannibal,

I had to stop using the micropore 3M tape because my skin was suffering and unable to continue. Then I found this silicone cream https://www.amazon.com/Wellskin-Barrier ... B00NTOJZ1O . I put a very little amount over my skin were the tape will glue, then I put the tape and it will still works well. If I put too much cream it will not glue, I discard that piece of tape and I take a new piece.


I have been using the Barriere cream and the 3M tape for more than a year without any harm at all to my skin. I need to tape because I open the mouth, I can't even fall asleep because I open the mouth and the big noise wakes me up. This really works, I have a lot of 3M rolls and tubes of Barriere in store, so sure I'm it works number one.

Rosie

[Hannibal 2]

The "durapore" of the same brand is easier for me. The "micropore" took the skin off me, too.

Thank you very much! Added to shopping list

[Hannibal 2]

Hi Hannibal,

I had to stop using the micropore 3M tape because my skin was suffering and unable to continue. Then I found this silicone cream https://www.amazon.com/Wellskin-Barrier ... B00NTOJZ1O . I put a very little amount over my skin were the tape will glue, then I put the tape and it will still works well. If I put too much cream it will not glue, I discard that piece of tape and I take a new piece.


I have been using the Barriere cream and the 3M tape for more than a year without any harm at all to my skin. I need to tape because I open the mouth, I can't even fall asleep because I open the mouth and the big noise wakes me up. This really works, I have a lot of 3M rolls and tubes of Barriere in store, so sure I'm it works number one.

Rosie

Thank you Rosie, have added this to my shopping list too, although last night's experiment seemed to work quite well, still looking for the most comfortable solution.

[Jay Aitchsee]

You might try this headband solution: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=112758&st=0&sk=t&sd ... i#p1086296 .
I and a few others have found it very effective. Doesn't cost much to try.