Full Face Mask + Mouth Taping

[raisedfist]

Is using a FFM + mouth tape safer than using a nasal mask and mouth tape? With the FFM you have the anti-asphyxiation valve which will open in the event of a power failure, and since your nose is unobstructed, it will be easier to breathe than if you had pillows in.

The obvious con is that many people find the FFM with headgear to be more uncomfortable than using a nasal mask and taping the mouth.

I primarily use the FFM but the excessive mouth breathing once I fall asleep makes my mouth/throat real dry even when using heated humidity with a heated hose. I seem to wake up more when mouth breathing as well, and I notice that my jaw must drop as the mask seems to shift somewhat during the night. I don't get leaks often though. My humidifier tank is always empty but I do run rather high bi-level pressures.

[jimbud]

jimbud writes:

Is using a FFM + mouth tape safer than using a nasal mask and mouth tape? With the FFM you have the anti-asphyxiation valve which will open in the event of a power failure, and since your nose is unobstructed, it will be easier to breathe than if you had pillows in.

The obvious con is that many people find the FFM with headgear to be more uncomfortable than using a nasal mask and taping the mouth.

I primarily use the FFM but the excessive mouth breathing once I fall asleep makes my mouth/throat real dry even when using heated humidity with a heated hose. I seem to wake up more when mouth breathing as well, and I notice that my jaw must drop as the mask seems to shift somewhat during the night. I don't get leaks often though. My humidifier tank is always empty but I do run rather high bi-level pressures.

The pillow masks have vent holes, so I do not believe one would asphyxiate before you woke up from the restriction. I have mouth taped before and had no fear. Pillows are so much more comfortable than FFM. I hope never to be forced to change.

Just one persons opinion.
JPB

[LSAT]

jimbud writes:

Is using a FFM + mouth tape safer than using a nasal mask and mouth tape? With the FFM you have the anti-asphyxiation valve which will open in the event of a power failure, and since your nose is unobstructed, it will be easier to breathe than if you had pillows in.

The obvious con is that many people find the FFM with headgear to be more uncomfortable than using a nasal mask and taping the mouth.

I primarily use the FFM but the excessive mouth breathing once I fall asleep makes my mouth/throat real dry even when using heated humidity with a heated hose. I seem to wake up more when mouth breathing as well, and I notice that my jaw must drop as the mask seems to shift somewhat during the night. I don't get leaks often though. My humidifier tank is always empty but I do run rather high bi-level pressures.

The pillow masks have vent holes, so I do not believe one would asphyxiate before you woke up from the restriction. I have mouth taped before and had no fear. Pillows are so much more comfortable than FFM. I hope never to be forced to change.

Just one persons opinion.
JPB

I have been using the Full Face Mask for 10 years. Several times I tried both the nasal mask and the pillow mask and could not fall asleep with them on. The air pressure seems far more gentle with the full face mask. With the pillow it always seemed to be forcing the air up my nose.

[raisedfist]

jimbud writes:

Is using a FFM + mouth tape safer than using a nasal mask and mouth tape? With the FFM you have the anti-asphyxiation valve which will open in the event of a power failure, and since your nose is unobstructed, it will be easier to breathe than if you had pillows in.

The obvious con is that many people find the FFM with headgear to be more uncomfortable than using a nasal mask and taping the mouth.

I primarily use the FFM but the excessive mouth breathing once I fall asleep makes my mouth/throat real dry even when using heated humidity with a heated hose. I seem to wake up more when mouth breathing as well, and I notice that my jaw must drop as the mask seems to shift somewhat during the night. I don't get leaks often though. My humidifier tank is always empty but I do run rather high bi-level pressures.

The pillow masks have vent holes, so I do not believe one would asphyxiate before you woke up from the restriction. I have mouth taped before and had no fear. Pillows are so much more comfortable than FFM. I hope never to be forced to change.

Just one persons opinion.
JPB

I have been using the Full Face Mask for 10 years. Several times I tried both the nasal mask and the pillow mask and could not fall asleep with them on. The air pressure seems far more gentle with the full face mask. With the pillow it always seemed to be forcing the air up my nose.

I notice with pillows I require less pressure on average, but I exhale through the mouth so if I use a nasal mask I have to either tape or use the scunci get up to prevent that.

[Miss Emerita]

Even with pillows, a power outage might be a concern. I got an inexpensive Reliance Control Corporation Power Fail Light with Alarm to be on the safe side. It’s small, and you just plug it into any outlet on the same circuit as your machine, ideally in the same room. The alarm seems to be loud enough to wake me up but a lot less loud than a smoke alarm. It’s easy to turn off, too.

[raisedfist]

I taped my mouth shut using the nasal pillows last night. I had a 95% leak value of zero, and the max leak was like 2lpm. I still felt awful when I woke up, but I think with the freedom from the nasal mask I become a much more active sleeper. I still had some water left in the tank though. And my mouth was definitely less dry. The tape easily held on. Tonight I am going to tape my mouth shut using the FFM and see what happens.

[Bigmike52]

I am not an advocate of mouth taping but when I use a pillow mask I occasionally taped hoping for no dryness in my mouth. It didn't work and no matter what I do (collars, mints, taping, chin straps, rinses) nothing worked. As far as using tape with a FFM that can be dangerous if you are using the humidifier. The tape can come loose from the moisture and you may choke on it. I really don't see the purpose in taping with a FFM anyway. If you must tape, at least do it with a pillow mask. (IMHO)

[raisedfist]

I can't use a nasal mask even with taping, I wake up feeling awful. I have tried it multiple times with virtually no leak and I wake up feeling sore all over and unrested. I don't exactly know why but it does happen so I can't dispute it.

My reasoning for taping, even with a FFM, is due to dryness of the mouth. No amount of humidity can cure my dry mouth if I am excessively breathing through the mouth. I'm not too worried about choking on the tape - it's a risk I am willing to take. I've never noticed the tape to be excessively moist upon wakening.