How can i stop mouth puffs ???

[Uncle_Bob]

I am currently using a Swift LT and PapCap chin strap and am mostly getting 0.0 - 0.2 AIs and HIs in the 0 - 7 range but i recently been waking up with mouth puffing. I think this is causing my occasional leak rates of 0.10 - 0.20. I recently raised my pressure from 12 to 13.4 and I wonder if other people have noticed mouth puffs as a result of pressure increases?

I have recently tried the chin-up strips (the strongest ones) as a replacement for the PapCap but they do not work in keeping my jaw closed. I am now trying to use the PapCap, chin-up straps and 3M micropore tape combination but i still wake up having mouth puffed the lot off my mouth. I found the chin-up strap is a helpful base layer for the micropore tape to stick too. I cannot tighten my PapCap anymore as it make my jaw very sore in the morning.

the chin-up strips :
http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod. ... aid=332800

Cheers
Bob

[Gerald]

Bob.....

The answer is a piece of 2" wide Blue 3M Delicate Release #2080 Painter's Tape 10" long...from Lowe's. In addition, fabricate a band of panty-hose-tights to fit over the tape. The tights are used to push down on the tape......to help it seal (maintain its adhesion) and not "blow-out". Because the adhesive is gentle, the tights help.

The band is made from the leg of panty-hose-tights......placed over the tape....and around the back of the neck. A stabilizing band (the other leg) attaches just ahead of the ear....goes over the top of the head....and attaches just ahead of the ear on the other side. Use hot glue....or super-glue instead of sewing (the tights are difficult to sew---because they're stretchy).

I find this rig very comfortable.....and I dnn't need a chin strap. My average pressure is about 10.5-cm....and my AHI is nearly always below 1.0. Last night it was 0.2....the night before 0.1.

Blue Tape is highly recommended. Just remember to remove by pulling parallel to your face....not straight out (90-degrees......that's uncomfortable).

Gerald

[roster]

Use a full face mask.

[Guest]

Use a full face mask.

Best advice I've heard in months!!!!
<glof clap Rooster>

[DoriC]

Uncle_Bob, just wondering why you increased your pressure when you've been getting such good results? You know the old motto, "if it ain't broken......."?

[Apnatic]

WOW-Blue tape and panty hose!!
Now for mouth puffs, I have them more since my pressure is 17. I had them when I was a 10, but not often.
The only way to stop them-or a full blow out of the mask-is for me to sleep holding my (full face) mask on the side.
I have slept with one hand on my mask for 11 yrs. I began with the nose only, the graduated to full face mask-each time seemed the head gear was too big, so I kept my hand holding mask all night, it works for me. When I am not holding it and the puffs wake me, I press the ramp button to lower the blast, then hold mask and back to sleep.

If anyone knows how to stop this let me know. I have asked DME and dr, nurses, and they say with pressure of 17, it is more or less a given to have this. Wish I could help, but I can let you know you are not alone...
I purchased a chin strap, waste of money, I woke up with my jaws hurting from the pressure I had to have it on.

Have a great week!
Rejoice in the Lord Alway, and again I say rejoice. Philippians 4:4

[roster]

...........
If anyone knows how to stop this let me know. ........

If you want decent advice, fill out your equipment profile ("Text" option) so members can see what you are using. It can make a big difference.

God bless you if you held that mask all those years.

[NC_David]

I have occaiosnal 'mouth puffs' and tend to mouth breathe. I also sleep on my back and seldom move. What works for me is to roll a bath towel and lay it on my throat... sorta wedged between my chin and upper chest. This has worked well for me and didn't require strapping my jaw or taping my mouth closed (I had that 'punishment' as a child in school for talking too much!) I don't know if it would work for you if you sleep in other positions or move around in your sleep.

[tattooyu]

Hey, Bob!

For me, besides the PapCap, I have also trained my tongue to stay on the roof of my mouth to create a seal. I have woken in the night with my mouth open a little, but my tongue was still in place somehow!

[Uncle_Bob]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'm not sure i want my sons to see me wearing blue tape and pantyhose though

DoriC I increased my pressure just because i felt like doing it as i was getting some nights of higher AHI numbers.

Recently i have been frustrated by the pur-sleep PapCap as the stitching fell apart so i could not use it, they sent me a replacement and it fell apart again in the same place. They have been reasonable and admitted to issues in quality control and manufacturing and have sent me back a repaired cap.

After a few bad nights with a Quattro mask about a month ago I decided to give it another go last night as i am finding the juggle with the Swift LT,PapCap and mouth taping/chin up straps too frustrating. Last night i got a zero leak rate and 0.2 AI and 3.4 AHI with the quattro which is just amazing compared to dumping the mask and getting really high leaks rates the last time i tried.

Also today i had my 6 month check with the dentist and another checkup with my sleep doctor. The dentist noticed some cracks on my teeth and said i need a crown. She asked if i had been teeth grinding and i said no, but i then explained about the chin strap and how tight i had to have it. She recommended using a mouth guard as well however when i told the sleep doctor this he said there was no way i could have it tight enough to cause the cracking? So I don't know what to make of that

So its quattro again tonight. Anybody know what mask type you have to set on the Elite II for the Quattro ?

Cheers
Bob

[roster]

....... The dentist noticed some cracks on my teeth and said i need a crown. She asked if i had been teeth grinding and i said no, .......

With untreated sleep apnea, the body struggles mightily to breathe. Think about being in a wrestling match with an overpowering opponent. As you try to wrestle against him you might grit your teeth. This (bruxism) is what many people do when struggling against the apneas. And you can't know you are doing it because you are asleep.

I am hoping you obtained the cracks prior to CPAP treatment and will not incur any more cracks.

[plr66]

I'm not sure I see anyone who has written these comments on your thread, so will mention my thoughts on the chin strap.

It wouldn't matter if you had a steel chin strap cranked down tight enough to crack your teeth. You could still easily "mouth puff." Try it. Just clench your teeth and blow. Logical now that chin straps are not a solution to mouth breathing?

Another myth, I believe, is that training ourselves to keep tongue against roof of mouth will prevent mouth breathing. Not so. Try the same experiment. Yes you can easily breathe through your mouth, regardless. I also know from years of having kept my tongue on the roof of my mouth for TMJ issues & treatment instructions--when you are sleeping, your muscles are going to relax! Despite your self-talk and "training." I know that when I begin to awaken, my tongue does go back to the roof of my mouth, as I have consciously caught it misbehaving. True.

[roster]

......
Another myth, I believe, is that training ourselves to keep tongue against roof of mouth will prevent mouth breathing. Not so. Try the same experiment. Yes you can easily breathe through your mouth, regardless. I also know from years of having kept my tongue on the roof of my mouth for TMJ issues & treatment instructions--when you are sleeping, your muscles are going to relax! Despite your self-talk and "training." I know that when I begin to awaken, my tongue does go back to the roof of my mouth, as I have consciously caught it misbehaving. True.

You got that one right, but several on here will continue to argue that they have that tongue trained.

I trained my dog to point birds. But he can't do it when he is asleep.

[ttg]

Anybody know what mask type you have to set on the Elite II for the Quattro ?

Bob, The owner's manual says: "Select ‘Mir Full’ or ‘Full Face’ as the mask option when using the Mirage Quattro with ResMed flow generators that have mask setting options." Hope that helps!

[Roberta]

I had been using a neck pillow as suggested in another thread. It helped a lot but tried the rolled up towel last night and it was even better. I also connect the 2 ends with a piece of elastic to help it stay in place.