Chin strap for full face masks

[Auntducky59]

I am trying to figure out how to get my dreamwear FF mask to stop leaking and making obnoxious noises. Wearing a chin strap has been suggested. I have a halo style chinstrap. Do I put the chin strap on first THEN the mask? or do I put it on over the mask? I switched from Resmed F30 which NEVER leaked because I prefer the hose on top of my head. I also have Dreamwear nasal & nasal pillow options. The nasal thing isn't working for me as the frame/cushions shift while sleeping, even with a chin strap and the leaking is much worse then the FF version. The headgear of the FF version is what makes it stay on even when tossing & turning. The FF version stays put except for the mouth farting thing which is driving me crazy. I have found mask liners like Remzzz does work, but I would prefer not to use them as they make my face itch. I have until October when I get replacements to let my DME know which option I want to stick with, nasal/nasal pillow, or FF. What I really want is for Resmed to make a full face version of the "hose on top of the head" as Resmed seems to be the best brand for me so far. It will likely be called the F30i if manufactured. I did reach out to Resmed but heard nothing. I reached out again and they responded that they don't let anyone know about new products they are developing so could not tell me if they are in the works of creating the F30i. I get that. There are spies everywhere. In the meantime, I have to make the Dreamwear FF work for me. If the chin strap doesn't work, I guess I stick with remzzz until something better comes along.

[peelunkins]

I am trying to figure out how to get my dreamwear FF mask to stop leaking and making obnoxious noises. Wearing a chin strap has been suggested. I have a halo style chinstrap. Do I put the chin strap on first THEN the mask? or do I put it on over the mask? I switched from Resmed F30 which NEVER leaked because I prefer the hose on top of my head. I also have Dreamwear nasal & nasal pillow options. The nasal thing isn't working for me as the frame/cushions shift while sleeping, even with a chin strap and the leaking is much worse then the FF version. The headgear of the FF version is what makes it stay on even when tossing & turning. The FF version stays put except for the mouth farting thing which is driving me crazy. I have found mask liners like Remzzz does work, but I would prefer not to use them as they make my face itch. I have until October when I get replacements to let my DME know which option I want to stick with, nasal/nasal pillow, or FF. What I really want is for Resmed to make a full face version of the "hose on top of the head" as Resmed seems to be the best brand for me so far. It will likely be called the F30i if manufactured. I did reach out to Resmed but heard nothing. I reached out again and they responded that they don't let anyone know about new products they are developing so could not tell me if they are in the works of creating the F30i. I get that. There are spies everywhere. In the meantime, I have to make the Dreamwear FF work for me. If the chin strap doesn't work, I guess I stick with remzzz until something better comes along.

https://www.padacheek.com/search-results-page/dreamwear

[Auntducky59]

I am considering pad a cheek, but I am not sure I am covered. The last time I asked for mask liners I got Remzzzz. Maybe I just need to ask if Tricare will cover pad a cheek. If not, I can always pay full price out of pocket. I am going to try wearing my chinstrap first, then put my mask on & see how it goes. If it doesn't work, I will try putting the chin strap over my mask. If THAT doesn't work, mask liners will be the answer. I will consider pad a cheek even if I have to pay for it my self. I want to try the chin strap options first.

[Auntducky59]

The chin strap worked! I put the halo style chin strap on first, then the full face mask over it. PERFECT! The headgear of the FF mask held the chin strap in place, & the chin strap elevated my chin & was wide enough to cover the edges of the mouth. NO LEAKS! NO FARTY NOISES! So, yes, a wide enough chin strap works great as a mask liner. Skinny chin straps may not work. It has to cover a good portion of your jaw & cover the corners of your mouth to work.

[mannsch]

What is the name of the chin strap you used?

[Pugsy]

What is the name of the chin strap you used?

I have a halo style chinstrap.

[Auntducky59]

thanks pugsy for replying with the type of chin strap. I prefer the halo style for myself, but any wide chin strap should work. I am not going to bother trying it over my mask since under my mask worked perfectly, and because my primary reason for using a chin strap is for mask liner purposes. Now I don't have to buy mask liners.

[nanwilson]

Ducky, Padacheek liners do not cost a lot. Karen is a mask user herself and knew first hand the problems that cropped up with leaks.
Actually, if you still have a remzz liner, just trace it onto an old well washed t-shirt and cut it out, if you no longer have one, just place your mask on the t-shirt and trace around it, but add about an inch all round... then cut.
Karens' liners are made so that they do not shift on your face and will block the "farting" noises so very nicely.

Good luck
Nan

[Auntducky59]

I have remzzzzs left. a whole box of them. They made my face itch & kept moving & falling out. I may consider a pad a cheek, but the point is: the chin strap I already have in my possession WORKED! No need for pad a cheek or remzzz or self made ones out of old t-shirts. Even one I make myself will still fall out and move. Pad a cheek is not covered by insurance, but I wouldn't mind springing for it myself IF I decide I do need a mask liner in the future.

[djams]

Take a look at the Bleep Dreamport. Linked in my equipment list below.

[Auntducky59]

I watched the video from CPAP.com. I don't think the Bleep would work for me. It's still a nasal mask & I would still need a chin strap to keep my mouth shut. And, I would be a hose nose again. I have to have the hose on top of my head and the mask has to be a full face, not only because I am a mouth breather, but also because I need the full face mask head gear in order to keep the chin strap on. nasal mask headgear or no headgear at all would make the chin strap useless for me.

[gv280z]

The whole point to wearing a full face mask is because you're a mouth breather, as am I. You shouldn't need to use a chinstrap with ffm. If you prefer the hose head method of the Dreamwear, (which I totally get, it's a nice mask and setup) I think you're just going to need to spend a little more time adjusting to it and learning how to get the optimal strap tightness for your desired level of performance. As it is now, you're clawing and gnashing at a problem that you're trying to fix and seeming to make more complicated than it needs to be, and in the end I'm afraid you'll have just wasted a lot of time and energy.

I get that masks can be annoying and make noises and whatever, you just gotta dig deep and overcome, adjust the mask until you get it right. Make sure your face and mask are both clean to improve sealability. I'm not ripping on you or judging you, I know you want good therapy and I want that for you too. I don't care how you get there, I just care that you do. I use the F30 now exclusively because I felt confident enough in it that I could let go of my Dreamwear Full, I was equally as happy being a Hose head or a Hose Nose, they're all great masks and have different qualities and characteristics, no problem. Everyone's therapy looks different, how you get there is your business, just please...get there.

[Auntducky59]

I believe I AM THERE. As far as wearing the Dreamwear FF mask, I have discovered after over a year of TRYING to find the right adjustments, that I need either the mask liners or a chin strap in order to stop the noises & leaking. PERIOD. I just wanted to let everyone know what MY solution to the leaking/noise problem was in case they wanted to try it too. It is not "wrong" or shameful to wear a chin strap with a FF mask. Many people do so.

[zonker]

I believe I AM THERE. As far as wearing the Dreamwear FF mask, I have discovered after over a year of TRYING to find the right adjustments, that I need either the mask liners or a chin strap in order to stop the noises & leaking. PERIOD. I just wanted to let everyone know what MY solution to the leaking/noise problem was in case they wanted to try it too. It is not "wrong" or shameful to wear a chin strap with a FF mask. Many people do so.

you GO, girl! what works for YOU works for you.

i'm glad to see you've got the situation well in hand.

(even though it's not how *I* would do it.)

[Pugsy]

you GO, girl! what works for YOU works for you.

Plus 1000.

Whatever you are comfortable doing that makes things work for you is all that matters.
Doesn't matter one whit what someone else thinks, says or does.
The only person you have to make happy is yourself.