First Few Nights with Bleep and I'm Still Getting Leaks

[mlandau33]

I am looking for any suggestions and opinions.
I have been on CPAP for three months. I use the AirSense 10 Autoset and, for the last four days, the Bleep Dreamport. I have tried four masks prior to the Bleeps and have had large air leaks with all of them, though they have been more moderate with Bleeps. I also use one piece of vertical tape on my mouth. On the third day of the Bleeps, I felt I had mastered them, but I was surprised to see the high leak rate. Is it possible that the air leaks are air that goes into my nose, but not my lungs - out my mouth or into my stomach?
I would also appreciate any thoughts on my OSCAR numbers.

I cannot tell you how much you all have helped me in getting used to CPAP, finding the right mask, tuning my AirSense 10 settings, and getting me to understand what's going on with me using OSCAR.

[zonker]

I am looking for any suggestions and opinions.

you might want to try something to keep your mouth closed.

i use a firm foam cervical collar to keep my chin from sagging. in conjunction with this, i use scuncis as suggested in this thread-

https://www.cpaptalk.com/viewtopic.php? ... s#p1086296

this works wonders for me with my nasal mask. i've done a bit of "hacking" to change jay's basic model to fit my head, but it's basically the same. the principal is to keep your lips compressed and flattened to the teeth so no air escapes.

others tape their mouths and i'm sure we'll hear from them shortly.

good luck!

[ChicagoGranny]

getting me to understand what's going on with me using OSCAR.

You have unacceptably large leaks for one-third of the night.

out my mouth

Do you have dry mouth?

into my stomach?

Do you fart bushels?

[zonker]

Do you fart bushels?

i fart pecks, myself.

[SleepyCPAP]

Hi Mlandu33
If you disconnect the mask in the morning but leave your Dreamports attached to your nostrils, you can put your thumbs over each of those and see if blowing out air through your nose leaks out around the sticky parts on your skin. ChicagoGranny’s question about dry mouth is the other way to tell if it is coming through your lips. I do that Bleep pressure test some mornings, and only once or twice were my leaks caused by the dreamport coming slightly undone. My lips are the culprit for me, so I double tape them (horizontally) at night, or add Polident on the lips before taping (it helps my situation).

[jimbud]

I also use one piece of vertical tape on my mouth.

Tape your mouth horizontally.
Are your lips still taped shut in the morning?
If not, you are probably losing therapy pressure through your mouth. "Mouth Breathing"

If so,add a cervical collar to your routine. Will keep your jaw from dropping and "unsticking" the tape.

JPB

[mlandau33]

I've tried the cervical collar, but that did not help. I think my neck is too long.

The piece of tape is still on when I wake up, but I am only using one piece of tape, held perpendicular to my mouth. I'm not comfortable fully taping my mouth, because I have allergies and nasal congestion.

I'm not farting when I wake up.

When I put on the Bleeps, I check for air leaks in the way described, but I've never checked when I get up. Will do.

Thanks to all.

[jimbud]

I'm not comfortable fully taping my mouth, because I have allergies and nasal congestion.

Use a terrycloth head/sweat band across your mouth. You can still breath through it somewhat and quickly pull it down if needed.

It will at least restrict some the loss in therapy pressure. Maybe enough? Do not know. I use one with an elastic band over it (Velcro on the ends for adjustment), along with a cervical collar (4" high). They make different sizes, you know. Works very well for me.

JPB

[ChicagoGranny]

I have allergies and nasal congestion.

Have a consultation with an ENT. Get this condition treated or corrected. It can make CPAP so much easier to use.

[mlandau33]

ENT Dr is in my future. My sleep Dr wanted to wait on that. I've been on allergy shots and nasal sprays. They help, but not fully. I was always thinking my allergy problems were causing my sleep apnea problem, and thus, the allergy shots.

I will now try the sweatband over my mouth.

[booksfan]

When I put on my DreamPorts at night, I cover them with my fingers and try to breathe in and out to be sure I have no leaks. Then, once I attach the interface, I cover the end of the short hose with my palm and breathe in and out again to ensure that I have attached the interface correctly. Occasionally I don't get it completely seated and have to reattach. You may want to try doing this.

I did start getting mouth leaks with my Bleep, starting about a year ago, not before then. Taping did not help, I still got the leaks (and drooling...yuk! ) and the dry mouth that goes along with my mouth opening slightly. I have not tried a cervical collar because I also have to use a silicone eye mask for dry eye and nocturnal lagophthalmos (my eyelids don't always close completely while sleeping) to prevent corneal damage. I just can't bear the thought of something else on/around my face/head/neck! And fortunately most nights the leaks are not severe enough to impact my therapy.

[zonker]

I will now try the sweatband over my mouth.

please let me know if it works for you or not.

[mlandau33]

When I put on my DreamPorts at night, I cover them with my fingers and try to breathe in and out to be sure I have no leaks. Then, once I attach the interface, I cover the end of the short hose with my palm and breathe in and out again to ensure that I have attached the interface correctly. Occasionally I don't get it completely seated and have to reattach. You may want to try doing this.

I did start getting mouth leaks with my Bleep, starting about a year ago, not before then. Taping did not help, I still got the leaks (and drooling...yuk! ) and the dry mouth that goes along with my mouth opening slightly. I have not tried a cervical collar because I also have to use a silicone eye mask for dry eye and nocturnal lagophthalmos (my eyelids don't always close completely while sleeping) to prevent corneal damage. I just can't bear the thought of something else on/around my face/head/neck! And fortunately most nights the leaks are not severe enough to impact my therapy.

I have read your leak test procedure, previously, and use it. Sorry to hear about your dry eye and nocturnal lagophthalmos. Not fun.

[mlandau33]

I will now try the sweatband over my mouth.

please let me know if it works for you or not.

I just picked up some sweatbands. I will let you know how it works out after a couple of nights. I am going to use it in combination with the one vertical strip of tape. I bet it will help.

[zonker]

I will now try the sweatband over my mouth.

please let me know if it works for you or not.

I just picked up some sweatbands. I will let you know how it works out after a couple of nights. I am going to use it in combination with the one vertical strip of tape. I bet it will help.

i've only ever used scuncis so i have no idea.

just as long as it keeps your lips zipped, i reckon.