Blowfish Needs Mask

sleepytom · Post by **sleepytom** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 8:14 am

Hi:
I really need some advice! I've been trying CPAP a few months, started with a Mirage Swift ResMed thing with nasal pillows but after a month I started "mouth-leaking" and then having my cheeks fill up with air (the Blowfish part). Tried taping my mouth, so had no mouth leakage, but still was blowfishing like crazy.

My sleep center gave me a ComfortFull 2 to try but I also have a problem with nasal masks and the bridge of my nose -- it's happened 3 different times -- redness and white sores (even in the sleep study). Anyway, I tried it with a bandaid on my nose, but my mouth still came open and my cheeks puffed out, causing leaks!

I'm tempted to just buy the Hybrid, but won't the same blowfishing thing happen in the mouth portion?

I'm tired tired tired and I don't know what to do next.

Sorry for the long post, but any input is MOST appreciated!

Thanks,
Tom

brackstone · Post by **brackstone** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 8:23 am

Hi Tom,

I had success with the Ultra Mirage Full Face mask. It was very comfortable, easy to sleep with, and maintained a seal. The only downside was a did have a bump form on my nose. However this was mostly do to my bad skin.

I get zits very easily, now I usually clean my face before I goto bed every night.

Neutrogena makes this facial wash that foams when you pump it, and I put on their astringent. Seems to help a me out with my skin. I'm also not the best source as I went back to my swift and taping works better for me.

I believe the reason people "Blowfish" is because they aren't making the proper seal with their tongue and the roof of their mouths. That seal will keep you from blowfishing even when your mouth is closed I believe. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong.

WearyOne · Post by **WearyOne** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 8:30 am

Hi, Tom!

Yeah, I can't stand that blowfish thing. I also can't stand having to keep my tongue in one position all night to keep from having the blowfish thing. Both of these reason are why I stick to FF masks now.

I currently use the Hybrid and have tried the UMFF. On both of these, you do get blowfish when you first put the mask on if you open your mouth. But I have found that after a while (shorter "while" with Hybrid), I can open my mouth as much as I want and no blowfish! I guess the pressure eventually equalizes in there or something so the blowfish stops happening.

Hope this helps!

Pam

sleepytom · Post by **sleepytom** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 8:34 am

Yes, I thought the ComfortFull 2 Full Face Mask would stop the blowfishing. Maybe I need to give it a few more nights with the bandaid-on-nose thing. I have back molars missing and I think the air just rushes in from the mask and out of my mouth.

Tom

mikemoran · Post by **mikemoran** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 9:39 am

Just a point. With an FF mask it is okay to breath through your mouth. You might find you get dry mouth but you are still getting your therapy. So if you are breathing through your mouth the Blowfish thing doesn't happen.

The Hybrid does sound like a good solution for you.

JeffH · Post by **JeffH** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 10:20 am

viewtopic/t19027/Night-2-with-Taping--5 ... -once.html

WearyOne · Post by **WearyOne** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 3:39 pm

My reaction to CPAP masks was not at all what I thought it would be, since I'm claustrophobic! A lot of people think FF mask are confining and claustrophobic, which I thought I would, too, before I started all this. It's just that taping and/or having to keep my tongue planted in that one position drove me nuts because it was so uncomfortable. (The tongue deal bothered much more than the taping! ) With the Hybrid, none of that is an issue! The the same would apply to other FF masks as well, I think.

Pam

hornplayer · Post by **hornplayer** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 3:58 pm

Tom - I use the cpap.com deluxe chinstrap for taking care of the whole blowfish thing. This strap is wide enough to keep my cheeks from blowing out. I use the chinstrap with a NasalAire Freestyle - which is a nose only mask. Maybe it will work for you too.

roster · Post by **roster** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 6:48 pm

sleepytom,

We have some things in common.

I had the same blowfish problem. Taped for six months but the blowfish effect interfered with my therapy and sleep. Could not wear a traditional FF mask because of the damage to the bridge of my nose.

Then the Hybrid came out and I am very satisfied with it.

rooster

sleepytom · Post by **sleepytom** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 11:24 pm

Thank you all for the very helpful suggestions. For tonight I'm going to go back to my nasal pillows and try something I read somewhere -- fastening a 2" Ace bandage around my mouth and cheeks (horizontally, not like a chin strap). That might stop both the mouth leakage and the blowfish effect.

I just hope it doesn't cut off too much circulation somewhere. But I've gotta keep trying stuff, and if necessary, spend some money of my own for another mask, probably the Hybrid.

Tom

roster · Post by **roster** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 6:26 am

[quote="sleepytom"]............. But I've gotta keep trying stuff.............

OwlCreekObserver · Post by **OwlCreekObserver** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 7:00 am

When I'm using a full face mask like the Comfort Full 2, the F&P 432 or even the hybrid, I find that the blowfish effect is actually helpful in maintaining a seal. It even seems to help when I'm using a nasal mask like the Comfort Classic or the Comfort Curve. Hey, Dizzy Gillespie was one of the greatest jazz trumpeters ever and his cheeks puffed WAY out!!

OCO

brackstone · Post by **brackstone** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 8:34 am

rooster wrote:
sleepytom wrote:............. But I've gotta keep trying stuff.............
You have the right attitude!

I concur with rooster, just keep at it. It takes a while sometimes but it really pays off in the end. Don't ever give up!

Sleepy-eyes · Post by **Sleepy-eyes** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 10:37 am

Sleepytom,

I found a combination of mouth/chin strap worked for me. I made 4 different designs of each before I came up with a combination that worked, but work it does!

neverbetter · Post by **neverbetter** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 1:54 pm

You must try the hybrid. I'm in heaven once I hit the pillow.

Blowfish Needs Mask

Blowfish Needs Mask

Blowfishing

blowfish

Thank you all

Re: Thank you all

Re: Thank you all

Mask

Additional Comments: Equipment isn't correct, S9 ASV w/H5i