Chin strap for full face masks

[Auntducky59]

while waiting for my new chin straps, I decided to try the hairband method . I used two of them because one would have come off. I wore one vertically from head to chin, then the other one horizontally around my head to hold it on. I had to adjust my mask headgear to accommodate, but it really worked well. It was comfortable enough, not too bulky and the side benefit is my mask did not shift at all, not even a minor leak. I think I would still prefer to use a "real" chin strap. the extra band around my head isn't something I want to wear all the time. I am deciding that the reason why I have tried so many masks is because I have a smaller than normal face & head. Even the small headgear & cushions aren't perfect. I would guess that people with larger than normal heads would have the same problem. That's why the F30 sealed so well for me, the headgear is one size fits all & can be adjusted enough to accommodate most head sizes. Too bad I hate having an elephant nose so much and had to give up my F30. I am okay with wearing a chin strap (or headband or two) just to be a "hose head" instead of a "hose nose".

[Viraj3474]

Hi Auntducky,

Thanks much for the info. I like to change off from back to side and maybe a chin strap and your pillow will help. Give us an updated review after using your pillow as you get more sleep time with it. Now all I have to do is find a chin strap that works. I believe you posted here about that Ruby chin strap.

I’m a newbie - one month now - and provider service tech keeps telling me that a chin strap won’t work and the full face is suppose to fix the issue of mouth breathers. But I continue to get dry mouth. I explained it to my husband: it’s like having a fan blowing into your open mouth! Naturally a dry mouth happens! I don’t think it has anything to do with pressure, but I’m new at this CPAP thing so maybe it could be true. Sure a deep learning curve though.

[Pugsy]

Hi Auntducky,

Thanks much for the info. I like to change off from back to side and maybe a chin strap and your pillow will help. Give us an updated review after using your pillow as you get more sleep time with it. Now all I have to do is find a chin strap that works. I believe you posted here about that Ruby chin strap.

I’m a newbie - one month now - and provider service tech keeps telling me that a chin strap won’t work and the full face is suppose to fix the issue of mouth breathers. But I continue to get dry mouth. I explained it to my husband: it’s like having a fan blowing into your open mouth! Naturally a dry mouth happens! I don’t think it has anything to do with pressure, but I’m new at this CPAP thing so maybe it could be true. Sure a deep learning curve though.

Full face masks won't necessarily fix any dry mouth issues. Assuming that you aren't on any meds that might have mouth dryness as a side effect or some other health condition that might cause dry mouth....the issue is the mouth breathing.
For some people using a full face mask even with the humidity level set to maximum the machine simply can't produce enough added moisture to fix the dry mouth issue. Some people just get a dry mouth super easy with just a little mouth breathing.

If you are using a relatively low humidity setting and want to try increasing the moisture in the air....give it a try...it might help but no guarantees.

Otherwise you either have to stop the mouth breathing (easier said than done I know) or add some sort of oral hydrating product to increase the moisture content in the mouth. That's why you see so much talk about which products work better than others among so many full face mask users.

Chin straps are meant to be gentle reminders to keep the chin up and not let the mouth drop open. They do work for some people and are most definitely worth trying IMHO. They aren't supposed to be vise grip tight though and people often expect them to totally prevent mouth breathing and they can't ever be that tight.
Besides....clench your teeth together and open mouth slightly and breathe through your mouth...it's not hard at all and for some people that is what happens even with a chin strap. The lips open ever so slightly and people mouth breathe.
This is why people will resort to taping the lips shut...and it works as long as the tape sticks.

[Auntducky59]

I used to believe that if you use a Full face mask, you don't need a chin strap. For most people this may be true, but not for me. Everybody is different, most people can find comfort in the first mask/options they choose, but most have to keep trying things before they get comfortable. After a year and a half this is what I found out what is best for me: Full face mask with hose on top of my head, and either a chin strap or mask liners. My DME only supplies Remzzz mask liners which I don't like. They work, but they can slip around inside your mask & they also made my face itch. I may have an allergic reaction to them. So, my best option is a chin strap. I have not tried the Ruby chin strap yet because it won't arrive until this coming Friday. I have tried just about every chin strap available. I did find the Halo style chin strap works great for me so my final decision regarding chin straps will be which one I prefer, Halo or Ruby. I also recently bought a CPAP pillow & chose the one that had the best reviews & one that was for side sleepers & moving around a lot. I love my new CPAP pillow, worth the expense. The best FF mask for me that seals and no chin strap or liners required, is the Resmed F30, but the only problem is I kept getting tangled in the hose & dislodging the mask or ripping it off entirely. I am best suited for the hose on top of my head & the only model on the market for Full face is the Phillips Respronics Dreamwear. I am hoping Resmed comes out with a F30i to match their N30i & P30i nasal masks. The Dreamwear nasal cushions did not work well, even with a halo chin strap. Tried the nasal pillow as well & I hated it. I am not a nasal mask candidate. For my Dreamwear FF, I use a small frame & small cushion, but it still doesn't seal well and that is why I need the chin strap or liners to make it work. I am okay with a minor air leak blowing on me, but I could not stand the farty noises that kept waking me and my husband up. Neither of us were getting any sleep until I started using a chin strap. I am okay with this. Hose head is better for me because I toss & turn and am not a consistent side sleeper or back sleeper. I also ordered a Pad a Cheek liner for my mask that should arrive on Friday as well. I will see if the pad a cheek liner works well enough to ditch the chin strap.

[Auntducky59]

I meant to say: SOME people can find their first option is fine. Also, I will never consider taping my mouth. That is just WRONG! LOL!!! but to each his own. for newbies, I recommend you take the advice from experienced CPAP users & decide where to start from there & if you are happy with your first choices, great. if not, do not give up, keep trying something different with different combinations until you are content. This is a lifetime commitment, so you should never have to "settle". Most people with insurance get equipment replacement every 3-6 months with the exception of the actual CPAP machine which is every 5 years. Don't be afraid to ask your DME that you want to switch masks. I have had over 6 different mask variations until I finally settled for what I have. Yes, I did "settle" but only after really really trying different things. Nothing is perfect, it is the best set up I could manufacture for myself. So what if I have to use a chin strap or liners? no big deal.

[Auntducky59]

Just received my pad a cheek liner in the mail. I have it fastened to my mask & ready to try tonight. Will skip the "head band" chin straps & see what happens! Love the design & fabric of the pad a cheek. Hopefully it won't make me itch like the remzzz liners did.

[Auntducky59]

the pad a cheek liner worked great! NO obnoxious noises waking me and hubby up. I still had dry mouth though, so will likely continue to use a chin strap as well. I guess I like my face well "buttoned up" at night for the best therapy experience. Glad I finally found out what works best for me. It only took a year and a half to figure it out!

[Viraj3474]

the pad a cheek liner worked great! NO obnoxious noises waking me and hubby up. I still had dry mouth though, so will likely continue to use a chin strap as well. I guess I like my face well "buttoned up" at night for the best therapy experience. Glad I finally found out what works best for me. It only took a year and a half to figure it out!

Hello ducky,
Did you try your Red chin strap yet? When you do, please post back here. I just ordered the Padacheek straps today to stop the mask noise. I get the feeling that I will have to use a chin strap also. I want to sleep on my back as well as on my left and right sides. But sleeping on my back starts the dry mouth thing and I can't tolerate that. I sure hope the chin strap works. I've got my fingers crossed! Thanks.

[Okie bipap]

I want to sleep on my back as well as on my left and right sides. But sleeping on my back starts the dry mouth thing and I can't tolerate that. I sure hope the chin strap works. I've got my fingers crossed! Thanks.

I had the dry mouth problem before I started using a firm foam cervical collar at night. I tried several chin straps, but found them to be too uncomfortable to tolerate.

[Auntducky59]

My ruby & halo chin straps are scheduled to arrive this Thursday. I already know the halo style works, so I only need to try out the Ruby so that is what I will use first. I will certainly let you know.

[Auntducky59]

I'm sorry if I offend anyone, but it really freaks me out when I hear people sleeping with cervical collars & taping their mouths shut. I am glad I haven't had to resort to that.

[Okie bipap]

I thought the idea of a cervical collar was crazy until I tried it. We do what ever it takes to get better sleep. The collar allows me to use a slightly lower pressure. By switching to the collar I was able to drop my pressure below 20 and stop the dry mouth.

[Auntducky59]

I never tried the approach that allowed me to lower my pressure. But I guess I can have whatever pressure I want to be comfortable. It's not like my doctor has followed up with me after a year and a half. Obviously they don't care. I have no idea if my doctor is even monitoring my results. I had one follow up with the sleep study clinic 3 months after being prescribed APAP and they said "great" now keep going. Never heard a peep again.

[Viraj3474]

I never tried the approach that allowed me to lower my pressure. But I guess I can have whatever pressure I want to be comfortable. It's not like my doctor has followed up with me after a year and a half. Obviously they don't care. I have no idea if my doctor is even monitoring my results. I had one follow up with the sleep study clinic 3 months after being prescribed APAP and they said "great" now keep going. Never heard a peep again.

Ducky, your frank and open approach to tackling statements of others is refreshing and amusing in this oh-too-"correct" world. I'll be seeing my sleep doctor in another two months for my three-month check up. It's rather surprising your sleep doctor didn't book a follow up with you, but that may happen in my case as well. Obviously he didn't think a follow up was necessary for you though I would think a second evaluation would be helpful. Who knows what rules the insurance companies or Medicare has set up for these doctors to follow. I think many doctors care, but those making up the rules may not. We have to look out for ourselves it seems.

About the Ruby chin strap, I had searched around and found that there are some look-alikes and maybe those are the ones that get the bad reviews. Have to be very careful about what we buy. Looking forward to your thoughts about the Ruby product. Good luck and thanks.

[Auntducky59]

I did research & I believe I got a good one. Carefusion. Both my Halo & Ruby chin straps arrive tomorrow from Amazon. I will try the Ruby first and let you know Friday how it went.