help with tape

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
saskman
Posts: 17
Joined: Wed Aug 04, 2010 5:27 pm
Location: Saskatchewan Canada

help with tape

Post by saskman » Mon Sep 06, 2010 6:46 am

Hey there I found that while sleeping i am breathing through my mouth, so I searched the forum and tried taping my mouth I really like this (and so does the wife she finally shut me up) but half way through the night my drool loosened the tape. Is there any tape that will stick if I drool? would this cause a danger? please help

nanwilson
Posts: 3463
Joined: Tue Apr 13, 2010 10:35 am
Location: Southern Alberta

Re: help with tape

Post by nanwilson » Mon Sep 06, 2010 9:02 am

Hi there
Micropore 1 inch, tape your whole mouth side to side, but overlap each edge so that you have a tab to help pull it off with. This is a paper type tape and is the easiest to pull off, and won't automatically peel off if you drool. There is not a problem using it, I have sneezed & coughed with it on. If you ever throw up it comes off faster than unhooking a quattro mask. Some people use sports tape, blue painters tape or transpore tape. But micropore seems to be the mildest and uses the least problematic "stickum", some of them cause tape burn or if you are allergic to tape a whole other batch of problems.
Good luck
N
Started cpap in 2010.. still at it with great results.

User avatar
Marietjie
Posts: 572
Joined: Tue May 13, 2008 7:30 am
Location: Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Re: help with tape

Post by Marietjie » Mon Sep 06, 2010 12:38 pm

nanwilson wrote:Micropore 1 inch, tape your whole mouth side to side
saskman - The micropore is excellent! but I tape differently - instead of taping the whole mouth, I tape vertically (1inch) that keeps
the corners of my mouth untaped. I found that if the tape becomes wet, it irratates my (corners) skin. A good tip is to use Lansinoh
Cream (tiny bit) on your lips before taping.
Best among people are those who benefit mankind

User avatar
sleepymama
Posts: 228
Joined: Mon Aug 02, 2010 6:46 pm
Location: Canada

Re: help with tape

Post by sleepymama » Mon Sep 06, 2010 12:43 pm

i am currently using medical tape (the kind you would put over top fabric wrap bandages to keep it secure). however it does tend to give me a waxing job lol

_________________
Mask: Opus 360 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: Using chinstrap plus taping mouth for mouth breathing. on my 5th mask...
~~SleepyMama~~
Diagnosed with OSA July 4/10
Titration Aug. 8/10
Treatment Started Aug. 25/10

Trying to find the right one...mask!

User avatar
LoQ
Posts: 1475
Joined: Sun Apr 06, 2008 1:59 pm
Location: America

Re: help with tape

Post by LoQ » Mon Sep 06, 2010 1:17 pm

saskman wrote:Hey there I found that while sleeping i am breathing through my mouth, so I searched the forum and tried taping my mouth I really like this (and so does the wife she finally shut me up) but half way through the night my drool loosened the tape. Is there any tape that will stick if I drool? would this cause a danger? please help

The technique is probably more important than the kind of tape. Before you place the tape over your mouth, suck your lips in between your teeth HARD, then tape, then relax your lips. You'll make a nearly waterproof seal out of your lips that way.

User avatar
torontoCPAPguy
Posts: 1015
Joined: Mon Dec 28, 2009 11:27 am
Location: Toronto Ontario/Buffalo NY

Re: help with tape

Post by torontoCPAPguy » Mon Sep 06, 2010 1:21 pm

Ductape. Ductape and WD40 should be in every CPAP kit.
I've gone to a full face mask if there is any hint of nasal congestion which is the main cause of my mouth breathing. Works wonderfully and there are nights that I don't even bother to switch back to the nose mask.

_________________
Mask: Mirage Quattro™ Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: Respironics Everflo Q infusing O2 into APAP line to maintain 95% SaO2; MaxTec Maxflo2 Oxygen Analyzer; Contec CMS50E Recording Pulse Oxymeter
Fall colours. One of God's gifts. Life is fragile and short, savour every moment no matter what your problems may be. These stunning fall colours from my first outing after surviving a month on life support due to H1N1.

dtsm
Posts: 1097
Joined: Sun Mar 08, 2009 8:34 am
Location: CT

Re: help with tape

Post by dtsm » Mon Sep 06, 2010 7:43 pm

LoQ wrote:The technique is probably more important.... Before you place the tape over your mouth, suck your lips in between your teeth HARD, then tape, then relax your lips.
LOL

For me, 8-10 inch long strip, 2 inch wide blue painter's tape, not the medical micropore type works best. I still get occasional leaks, in fact when I get 0 leak my Ai!

User avatar
Gerald
Posts: 1352
Joined: Thu Sep 07, 2006 6:32 pm
Location: Central Louisiana

Re: help with tape

Post by Gerald » Tue Sep 07, 2010 6:04 am

I've been using 2" Blue #2080 Delicate Release 3M Painter's tape for about 3-years.....and I can find nothing better.

For the past week, I've been experimenting with a new technique that helps prevent all leaks. I am now using (3) pieces of tape and application is done in a "H" pattern. The (2) vertical strips are applied first. Each is about 3" long and they are applied on either side of the nose....from cheek to just below my chin.

The horizontal piece is about 10" long and is applied on top of the vertical tape.

What caused my experiment was periodic "blow-outs" caused by a couple of things. I use Lansenoh on my nares....and some was getting under the tape and causing loss of adhesion. Additionally, with age, my face has acquired some big wrinkles (on either side of my nose and mouth) that sometimes allow "blow-outs". The short, vertical pieces have solved the problem....and my AHI is staying below 1.0 every night. Pressure is around 11-cm...depending on congestion and how the APAP handles that problem.

The trick to comfortably using tape is to remove it by pulling parallel to the face.....NOT at 90-degrees.

Gerald

User avatar
LoQ
Posts: 1475
Joined: Sun Apr 06, 2008 1:59 pm
Location: America

Re: help with tape

Post by LoQ » Tue Sep 07, 2010 10:05 am

dtsm wrote:
LoQ wrote:The technique is probably more important.... Before you place the tape over your mouth, suck your lips in between your teeth HARD, then tape, then relax your lips.
LOL

Actually, I was serious. Lest the OP assume it was a joke because you are laughing, let me assure hom this really works. I got this tip from Ro(o)ster's description of how to tape. It's the best tip of all of the taping tips out there.

When I was using a nasal mask and taping my mouth shut, I also used the painter's tape, but I selected a low tack tape. I think it is labeled "for delicate surfaces" or something like that. Painter's tape comes in a variety of stickiness.

Now I tape around my mouth (I use a FFM now), but I use the paper medical tape, which I coat with Milk of Magnesia before applying.

User avatar
sleepyprm
Posts: 103
Joined: Sat Apr 04, 2009 6:28 am
Location: Illinois

Re: help with tape

Post by sleepyprm » Tue Sep 07, 2010 8:19 pm

You are all amazing!!!! All the different techniques, and Milk of Magnesia - what does that do? I currently use tape, but alternate between the 3M Scotch Blue Painter's Tape and Micropore, as the painter's tape is easier for me to remove, but sometimes "blows out." The Micropore seems to be a little harsher upon removal (but will definitely try the horizontal removal method). I have also used the "Chin-Up Strips," but unless they are perfectly placed, tightly holding up my lower lip, I still have flapping lip leaks. I'll definitely try the "sucking in of the lips between the teeth" too.

This venue continues to offer a wealth of information. Thank you.

_________________
Mask: FlexiFit HC407 Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Other mask: Mirage Swift LT for Her Nasal Pillow Mask with Headgear

User avatar
HOG_Daddy
Posts: 17
Joined: Sun Aug 29, 2010 1:41 pm
Location: Annapolis, MD

Re: help with tape

Post by HOG_Daddy » Wed Sep 08, 2010 7:35 pm

I'll throw another technique in there... I use the nasal pillows, and wear a Pure Sleep mouth piece (wore it before starting CPAP)... I was having mouth breathing problems, so I started using self adhesive 2" ACE bandage as a chinstrap. Still leaking through the mouth. I then cut a piece that would bridge over my mouth, and adhere to the two vertical portions on either side of my cheeks. It might be similar to the "H" design mentioned above, but I don't have the adhesive problems. I can also use the same set-up for about a week without any problems.

Steve

_________________
Mask: Mirage Quattro™ Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: Pressure set to 9
Steve

First, exhaust the possible... then try the weird stuff

User avatar
chunkyfrog
Posts: 34545
Joined: Mon Jul 12, 2010 5:10 pm
Location: Nowhere special--this year in particular.

Re: help with tape

Post by chunkyfrog » Wed Sep 08, 2010 9:03 pm

Poli-grip strips? I couldn't believe it.
After a couple of nights using a 1/2 strip butted against each corner of my mouth,
I figured that was too gooey, and cut one strip in half lengthwise.
The skinny strip works well with my thin lips--
Now, I can tear the narrow strip in two, stick onto my wet lips,
and apply one piece of blue painter's tape vertically up and down over the gap.
In the morning, I pull the tape by holding the folded end of the tape, (ALWAYS fold the ends over!)
and lick the strips off my lips.

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Airsense 10 Autoset for Her