No more mouth taping!

[RosemaryB]

A while back I read Rested Gal's post about trying a chinstrap again and this time it worked well for her. She advocated giving these things a try every once in a while to see if it would work. I tried it again, too, and it seems that I can now get the same performance with a chinstrap that I could with mouth taping + using a mouthband. Using the chin strap (Tiara Topaz), my leaks are very good, sometimes with a nearly straight leak line. Very much like with the taping or Poligrip plus mouthband method. It sure is a lot easier and cheaper, too. My AHI is about the same either way, though with the tape sometimes I'd "blow through" it and then it would be a lot of leaks.

What I'm learning about this therapy after a year and a half is that things can change over time. CPAP therapy is not static! No way could I get these results with a chinstrap in the beginning, though I certainly tried. Somehow I learned to keep my mouth shut with a chinstrap. I don't have much time to post here anymore, but did want to update everyone in case it might encourage someone else to try it sometime.

Thanks, Rested Gal.

[Slinky]

And thanks for sharing, RosemaryB, and reinforcing what RG has told us so many times. I'm thick-headed. It took me a while to wise up despite I have good luck w/the PoliGrip WHEN I wasn't too dang lazy to use it.

[RosemaryB]

Slinky, the poligrip worked for me, but somewhat messy. I had to put a mouthband over it to make it work and then the poligrip would stick to the mouthband.

[rested gal]

Glad to hear that, Rosemary!

Actually, it's blarg you can thank. I read about his having success finally with just a chinstrap. So I gave "just a chinstrap" a try again last summer, with good results.

But alas (hope I'm not jinxing you!!) after "just a chinstrap" working well for me for months and months, the mouthleaks started again. Gradually at first, then more and more. Tried a new replacement, but still no go. I tried some other chin straps including the Tiara Topaz and the PAP-Cap, but finally had to go back to tape again.

Hope you have permanent good luck!

[Slinky]

The THIN layer of PoliGrip worked so well for me (when I used it) is what convinced me that my problem was the "lip flutters". Early on I had encountered a few episodes of opening my mouth, trying to breathe thru my mouth, w/the resultant loud, distruptive noise so I was convinved since that only happened a few times and wasn't happening anymore, my jaw dropping at night was NOT "my" problem. Ha!

At my recent titration this sleep lab brought in a chin strap in the middle of the night and told me I had too many leaks. I'm using a really chintzy (can't say cheap, nothing about CPAP accessories is cheap) thin white chin strap from Respironics (PN 302175). Not only am I getting some 0 Leaks, but I find it stabilizes my mask headgear really nice!!!

It is just one strap w/a wider area for the chin "cradle". It has 4 velcro squares. I put one square on the top mask strap on each side and the other two on the two ends of the chin strap where they meet on the top of my head. Voila! Virtually immovable w/o you deliberately taking your mask off.

What burned my bippy about that situation was I had asked my local sleep doctor about my Leak rate and was told that my CPAP was compensating for my leaks very nicely, thank you. HORSEPUCKIES! And what torques my jaws even more is that I was gulliblel enough to figure he knew better than our forum members who have preached get your leaks under control until they are blue in the face to people like me.

[Goofproof]

Just keep a close check on the leaks, you never know when thing change except by your software. I myself wouldn't tape, I'd use a FF mask as in the past, I do leak at timesdue to the pressure of 15 cm being high, but for the most part it is so low as to not affect my AHI, if it did it would be FF in a minute. Jim

[Slinky]

And speaking of Blarg ..... and for that matter, Gasp, too!!! Where they are?? Long time I've not see either post!

[bdp522]

Yeah, I'm still alive.

Almost up to 5000 hours on my tank BiPap Auto. I find it's completely different being in Australia and reading the forums. All of the posts happen while I'm asleep, so then when I come to look, there's a massive new pile of things going on, and it's way too much to sort through.

Anyway, I'm still in Sydney, and life is still good.

Thanks again to everyone who helped me into correct treatment. I owe you all so much.

If anyone wants my email address (which I read quite frequently, unlike the boards), PM me, and I'll get it to you right quick.

Post from blarg dec 9 in the 'how to make a toxic poster disappear' thread.


Gasp is still posting. Do an advanced search for author and you'll see all of gasps posts.

Brenda

[deerslayer]

Good to hear you're getting things nailed down Rosemary. In these times of financial meltdowns , holiday stress & now hearing of the passing of Snoredog , it's comforting to know we can get a good nights sleep & reassure one another from time to time . Small things can mean a lot . May the heavanly powers smile on our Earthly Mentors here on cpaptalk . tim

[RosemaryB]

Good suggestions, Rested Gal and Goofproof, about keeping an eye on leaks. Vigilant in the morning so we can rest well at night. . . Goofproof, I can't tolerate anything pressing on my sinuses, so can't use a FF mask. I tried the hybrid types, but they just didn't fit too well. I'll still use them if I'm sick and get too congested for a pillows mask, though. In my current hyperbusy life I started looking at my data less and less. Making this change, I look at it more of course, but it's a good reminder to keep doing so. I'm making a few other changes, so I'll just keep monitoring. Slinky, we all know not to believe those doctors . But sometimes we forget, eh

Yes, deerslayer, for sure we need to comfort one another and get good sleep. Everytime I think about Snoredog being gone, I get very sad. I agree with what you said, may the heavenly powers smile on all our good mentors here.

[Babette]

Rosemary, that's been my experience - stuff keeps changing on me. I'll be fine for awhile, then I have to change something. So far, the chinstrap has worked the most consistently for me, but I keep tape at the ready for when it doesn't.

I'm really liking the Deluxe Chinstrap better than the Topaz. It doesn't irritate my skin like the Topaz does. You should give it a try. They are about $18 on cpap.com, and there is a frequent cpapauction listing from Tina's Homecare for about $16.

Cheers,
Babs

[StevenJ]

I'm really liking the Deluxe Chinstrap better than the Topaz . . .

Me too. I used the Topaz for a while but grew tired of the impression it left on the top of my head (because of the narrow band). I use the Deluxe now, with a modification: a fleece band (similar to a pad-a-cheek product)on the bottom half. That did away with the material pattern I'd have on my face every morning.

[RosemaryB]

Babette, I did try the deluxe and it slipped around a lot more than the topaz, but I plan to give it another try when the weather gets hot. The Topaz is fine for the winter, cuz it keeps me warm and toasty , but in the summer warm and toasty becomes more swamplike. StevenJ, I like the idea of using a pad-a-cheek for the chin strap.

[Babette]

Hi Rosemary!

I found with the Deluxe I really have to get the back strap adjusted just right, but that I don't even need the front strap.

I've gone so far as to sew the back strap into place.

The one thing I'll say about it - it doesn't last me more than 6 months. It stretches out and turns grey and pill-y.

Cheers,
B.