Chin straps?

[Jlfinkels]

Being now an old pro at CPAP after my first 6 weeks (maybe in this square foot of space I occupy anyway), I’m turning to the collective wisdom of those with far more experience than I learning to use nasal pillows. After many mask trials thanks to a very helpful sleep center I’ve realized I am most comfortable with nasal pillows, but over years of having allergies and apnea have become a sleep mouth breather. With my latest allergy meds and a nightly nasal rinse I am clear enough by bedtime to nasal breathe through the night. I need to relearn how to breathe through my nose primarily and am looking for a good chinstrap.

I’ve tried taping a few nights (full disclosure I used painters tape cut to match the real stuff as a trial) and found it makes me a bit paranoid, so tried using an old sweat band to help keep my mouth shut and it worked pretty well without the paranoia, which leads me towards trying chin straps. Qualitatively my sleep is best with the nasal pillows as I fall asleep faster and seem to have a good nights rest, at least until my jaw drops and I get elbowed for waking the boss. OSCAR only shows 1 or 2 large leaks, which I take to mean it is something that can be controlled with appropriate equipment and learning new sleep skills.

There are many chin straps out there and quite a few cheap rip-offs on Amazon, so looking for guidance towards one that works for others.

Any suggestions?

[zonker]

Any suggestions?

firm foam cervical collars like this here-

https://www.amazon.com/Coreline-Cervica ... 222&sr=8-5

instead of chin strap. and continue to use that sweatband in conjunction with it.

here's what i use instead of sweatband, though-

viewtopic/p1089718/viewtopic.php?f=1&t= ... s#p1086296

whatever you decide, good luck!

[Jlfinkels]

Thanks Z. I’ll look into the scunci as part of a near-term aid. The cervical collar looks like something to consider if I can’t control the open mouth syndrome otherwise.

[zonker]

Thanks Z. I’ll look into the scunci as part of a near-term aid. The cervical collar looks like something to consider if I can’t control the open mouth syndrome otherwise.

if you go that route, let me know. there are a few more things to the scunci rig than jay talks about in that post.

[Jlfinkels]

I ordered a set of scunci from Amazon to give it a try. Thanks for the suggestion and any other help you can provide.

[GrumpyHere]

The ear holes, as suggested by Jay, weren't comfortable for me.

Instead, I cut a long slit along the scunci and wear it like the P10 strap.

[zonker]

The ear holes, as suggested by Jay, weren't comfortable for me.

Instead, I cut a long slit along the scunci and wear it like the P10 strap.

20210627_092529-1.jpg

yeah, apparently, jay has ears in a different position than mine, too.

i find that if i just put the scunci in place, it rides just over the tops of my ears and stays in place. i've tried doing as you show, but had trouble getting it into just the right position. spent too much time fiddling with it and just went back to the solid strap.

also, as long as we're talking about the rig, i use two scuncis. one over the ears, then one around the back of my neck. on top of that, i use two elastic bands over the scuncis and around the back of my neck.

i make quite a sight when i'm ready for lights out.




hmmm....that's an earlier revision; i hadn't added the second elastic.

anyway, even more gruesome now with the second elastic band!

[pitman]

Hello, I am a newbie. I use a full face mask because I am a mouth breather. Is it necessary to use a scunchi or a collar? Please offer a recommendation. Thanks.

[Okie bipap]

It's not really necessary to use either one. During the day, I breath through my nose. However, once I fall asleep, I revert to mouth breathing, so I also use a full face mask. However, I also use a firm, foam cervical collar. It helps to hold my chin up which helps to keep my throat open so I can get by with a little less pressure.

[Jlfinkels]

Small update for anyone following this thread. I purchased three different chinstraps to test when using a nasal pillow. Across the spectrum none really did the trick as all at some point allowed my mouth to open which showed up as large leaks. The leaks did not affect my sleep, so it is more a factor of the boss smacking upside the head for waking her up. If you are considering chinstraps just something to consider.

I've got some scunci's coming in this week so will give them a try as well. Will move from there to the cervical collar Zonker recommended if needed. I am beginning to wonder if just sticking with a full face mask would be best, but once I get more data to analyze I'll update this thread.

[zonker]

I've got some scunci's coming in this week so will give them a try as well. Will move from there to the cervical collar Zonker recommended if needed. I am beginning to wonder if just sticking with a full face mask would be best, but once I get more data to analyze I'll update this thread.

sensible. i'm not one of those who insists it's my way or the highway. i just know what has worked best for me. getting the cervical collar and the scuncis changed my cpap journey. not just leaks, but in getting my ahi down as well.

keep us apprised as to what works for you.

[palerider]

which leads me towards trying chin straps. ..., at least until my jaw drops

Your jaw position doesn't really make the difference, it's where your soft palate is in the back of your mouth.

Chin straps tend to push the lower jaw backwards, which further occlude the airway. They also just hold your jaw closed, but that doesn't keep air from escaping from your mouth... try it, you can clench your teeth and still breathe through your mouth, because teeth aren't air tight.

I'm not saying that a chin strap won't help you, it might, or you might like it... but don't be too surprised if you still get the elbow.

[Jlfinkels]

which leads me towards trying chin straps. ..., at least until my jaw drops

Your jaw position doesn't really make the difference, it's where your soft palate is in the back of your mouth.

Chin straps tend to push the lower jaw backwards, which further occlude the airway. They also just hold your jaw closed, but that doesn't keep air from escaping from your mouth... try it, you can clench your teeth and still breathe through your mouth, because teeth aren't air tight.

I'm not saying that a chin strap won't help you, it might, or you might like it... but don't be too surprised if you still get the elbow.

Thanks, I didn't really think of that but after a few weeks of experimenting I realize you are absolutely correct. It may just be that I have to keep working on the tongue position and throat to make the nasal pillows work. Or just accept it and stay with the full face mask.

BTW, nice modern Chuckie avatar. Should I assume you are are another BSD guy?

[jimbud]

Should I assume you are are another BSD guy?

What does BSD stand for?

Rank Abbr. Meaning
BSD Blue Screen of Death (Windows NT Unrecoverable Error)
BSD Bram Stoker's Dracula
BSD Back Seat Driver
BSD Bermuda Shorts Day (University of Calgary)
BSD Black Spiral Dancer (gaming term from White-Wolf)
BSD Black Spawn Den (Asheron's Call Game)
BSD Black Skull Dragon
BSD Blind, Stupid and Desperate
BSD With Heaven's Help (Aramaic - B'Siyata D'sh'maya)

JPB

[Jlfinkels]

Should I assume you are are another BSD guy?

What does BSD stand for?

Rank Abbr. Meaning
BSD Blue Screen of Death (Windows NT Unrecoverable Error)
BSD Bram Stoker's Dracula
BSD Back Seat Driver
BSD Bermuda Shorts Day (University of Calgary)
BSD Black Spiral Dancer (gaming term from White-Wolf)
BSD Black Spawn Den (Asheron's Call Game)
BSD Black Skull Dragon
BSD Blind, Stupid and Desperate
BSD With Heaven's Help (Aramaic - B'Siyata D'sh'maya)

JPB

Berkeley Software Distribution UNIX