Mouth Breather Question

ejdischer · Post by **ejdischer** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 10:56 pm

As I stated in an earlier post, I'm getting tired of nasal pain from my Hybrid mask. I'm also getting a little tired of the bulkiness of it. For the record, I don't think "bulkiness" is a word. Anyway, for my entire life I've snored with my mouth open. Now that I know what I have and what I need to do to stop it, I'm wondering if I can go with a nasal pillow interface.

Is it possible that now that I have my Cpap, I no longer need to open my mouth? Also, is there anyone here that has the open-mouth problem, but just wants a smaller interface and deals with tape? I'm starting to think that I like the Optilife and the Opus and want to buy one or the other, but I'm afraid that the mouth breathing thing, if it still is an issue, would be a negative towards these masks. I'm also stressing over whether to just deal with tape or not. Thanks.

EJD

track · Post by **track** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 11:05 pm

I started with a full face mask and never knew if I was a mouth breather. I tried a nasal mask twice and woke up with a very dry mouth both times.....leading me to believe I must have started breathing through my mouth during the night. Today I layed down for a nap and taped my mouth. I was very apprehensive about doing that...not sure why but I am. I didn't fall asleep and I didn't die from it but not brave enough to do it all night yet. I am not sure what has me spooked...maybe my nose will fill up during the night and I won't be able to breath at all...that wouldn't be so good.
I have the new Opus nasal gizmo on order and it's supposed to go out on Feb 7...so I have to decide if I am willing to tape my mouth shut or if I need to cancel the order.

CollegeGirl · Post by **CollegeGirl** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 11:12 pm

EJD - try a nasal mask for one night without tape. Make sure you have it fitting properly, and not leaking. Then check data in the morning. If you have large leaks, you were mouth breathing, and will want to tape. Many people on this forum use tape - it's pretty common. Good luck!

Lyza · Post by **Lyza** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 11:59 pm

You need to get over the fear of the tape. You aren't going to be taped up like some kidnapped person. You aren't going to have 8inch duct tape around your head. You won't suffocate in your sleep.

You will have lightweight breathable medical tape that is adhesive enough to keep your mouth shut but trust me, should you become ill in your sleep or something, your reflexes will rip that tape off immediately. And depending on how you tape, there's always a way to break the seal for a cough or something. The tape isnt strong enough to where u can't force your jaw/mouth open if you really wanted to. Its just there to keep your mouth from opening when it naturally falls open after u fall asleep and the muscles relax.

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 12:14 am

EJD, just because you were a mouth breather prior to cpap, doesn't mean you are one now.

I was always a mouth breather - because that was the easiest way to try to get air into my lungs. When your windpipe collapses, you take the easiest way out.

Once I started therapy with nasal pillows, I never mouth breath. I amazed myself.

But then, it depends on how high or low your pressure is too.

Go, give it a try. You can always fall back on your Hybrid.

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 7:12 am

Anyone who is going to mouth tape should really read Roosters instructions, I follow his tape instructions every night and no problems;

viewtopic.php?t=9653&start=0

Brenda

ejdischer · Post by **ejdischer** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 8:06 am

My pressure on my APAP was initially set for 5-20 but I changed it last night to 10-20. Anyway, woke up this morning and saw that I was still having 8-12 apneas/hr when the pressure was between 10-13. So I set the minimum pressure to 14 today. I don't have a problem starting that high, as the pressure doesn't really bother me or prevent me from sleeping.

Linda, you said my mouth breathing could depend on how high or low my pressure is. I don't think I understand this. If my pressure is high, does that mean it's going to shoot air out of my mouth?

I think I may try to order an Opus and use that for a while. The Hybrid is great, but it's 1) too bulky, and 2) my nose hurts again this morning. So I need another solution. So I think it's Hybrid for another week, and then an Opus.

EJD

Sleepless_in_LM · Post by **Sleepless_in_LM** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 10:52 am

EJD,

Taping is no big deal. I did it for about year. Make sure you follow some of the instructions on this board and it is safe and easy. So give a nasal interface a try. You may find out you are one of the lucky ones that doesn't even need tape. The worst thing is that you might be out a couple $'s.

However, I found taping a hassle and moved to the Hybrid, which I now love. How is it making your nose sore? If it is irritating the outside of your nares, you might want to try some lanolin, or AYR Gel. My fear is that if the Hybrid nasal pillows are irritating your nose, you might have the same problem with simialr nasal pillows.

However, if the inside of your nose is the sore part, you might have the same problem I was having. I found that the nasal pillows were actually working their way up into my nose during the night and really irritating the inside of my nose. Didn't know why until I got up one morning and looked in the mirror before removing my mask. My solution...tape. I put a piece of tape over the bridge of my nose near the nares to "squish" them slightly and either the tape or the different shape keep the nasal pillows on the outside for the whole night. So I use the Hybrid to get rid of the hassle of taping my mouth, but now I tape my nose. Go figure...

frequenseeker · Post by **frequenseeker** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 11:37 am

This is a perennial question and common problem...
See the original topic on a great solution, and also you can search for more references. Snork had a great report. Check here and on TAS... Rested Gal has them all catalogued I think - RG? could you help here?
http://www.talkaboutsleep.com/message-b ... php?t=4750

Also check out http://www.nosebreathe.com

frequenseeker

ejdischer · Post by **ejdischer** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 7:44 pm

Another quick question. Does anyone use a chinstrap rather than taping??? Just wondering. Rather than taping each night, I would think it'd be easier to just use the chinstrap. Any opinions???

EJD

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 9:29 pm

I've never tried a chin strap but most don't have any luck with them. They are cheap enough and might be worth a try, but I wouldn't get my hopes up.

Brenda

birdshell · Post by **birdshell** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 9:44 pm

I understand the appeal of a chinstrap, but didn't have enough success to make it worth my while.

The chinstrap slipped and slid, and made my headgear slip and slide. Then, I found a chinstrap that worked, but smelled of rubber. It also made my face sweat wherever it touched my face.

You may find it helpful to use the "Search" function (the button is the second from the left at the top) to look up what others have to say about chin straps.

Rooster's taping post is one of my favorites, and I use that method with the addition of smearing some milk of magnesia around the skin of the lips. It helps to protect the skin while still allowing the tape to adhere. The only other change I have made is to run the 2" tape vertically over my mouth, which leaves the corners untaped. This works for me, and saves tape.

Some folks do use the chinstrap successfully. We all have to find our own solutions. Best of luck in finally finding what works for you.

Karen

ejdischer · Post by **ejdischer** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 8:14 pm

Man, I went to three different stores trying to get the 2" Gentle tape for when I get the Opus. No one had it. CVS, our foodstore's pharmacy, and another CVS. Stinks. Anyway, I ordered it and the alcohol swabs from Drugstore.com. $8 for 360" of tape and 200 swabs. WOOT

EJD

roster · Post by **roster** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 6:57 am

Back when I was taping, I could find the 2" tape at Walgreen's. Most stores carry only the 1".

Sleepy-eyes · Post by **Sleepy-eyes** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 9:34 am

bdp522 wrote:I've never tried a chin strap but most don't have any luck with them. They are cheap enough and might be worth a try, but I wouldn't get my hopes up.

Brenda

I use both a chin strap and a strap I made to cover my mouth. (Just because the chin is held up doesn't mean the lips can't flap in the breeze!) Not the most comfortable solution, but works for me. Beard itches like crazy, from the chin strap pressure, when I wake in the morning, though. Just one of the inconveniences I have to put up with for my therapy to work.

Humidifier

Mask

Additional Comments: Strictly a side sleeper

Humidifier

Humidifier