SleepGuy wrote:DreamOn wrote:I was in denial about my mouthleaking problem before developing this chinstrap--I think everybody must experience it at least some of the time.
What was happening for me is that my machine was showing there were leaks. I could visually see them with the software too. The leak number was small and within normal limits, but I wanted to get to the root of it (being the perfectionist that I am).
My mask wasn't leaking (that I knew of), so I figured it must be coming from my mouth. While still awake I would occasionally have puffs of air escape from my mouth and very rarely more forceful bursts of air, but that didn't seem to completely account for the leak rate. Over time I figured out that the therapy air was escaping from my mouth during deep/REM sleep, and I was apparently sleeping right through it. My mouth started to become dry. I think this started to happen more and more as my sleep quality was improving and I had more REM sleep, when the muscles (including the jaw) fully relax.
My machine pressure is low, so it's possible that is why a chinstrap works so well for me in preventing mouth leaks. I also think that my tongue is a bit larger than some, so that probably helps to block the airway. All I know is that since I started using the chinstrap the leak rate immediately went to zero and has stayed that way. One of these days I'm going to try sleeping
without the chinstrap and see if the leak rate goes up again. But I don't think I'll stop using my PAPCap. It has the added benefit of keeping my head warm in the winter!
~ DreamOn
P.S. I do not know Bret personally. I'm just a satisfied customer and want to share what's worked for
me, in the hope that it'll help some others as well. We need all the help we can get to make therapy comfortable and most effective!
