FINALLY Found A Chinstrap That WORKS!

[lucynethel1998]

Mine came in the mail this morning and I intend to start using one of them tonight.

This evening, I'll pull my card and do a print-out of my AHI numbers for the past week....and then compare my AHI experience for the next week using the strap system.

If my AHI numbers are about the same (average is under 1.0) or if I see an improvement, I'll chunk the 2" 3M #2080-EL Tape and use only the strap. One way or the other, I'll report back.

G

I know how you feel. For myself, I would have let my numbers get far WORSE as long as I could stay at 5.0 or less as long as I could toss all my full face masks! I had literally said no more to my APAP till I tried this that night. I even told my wife to lock her door to her room and I was sleeping in the computer room. I was SO convinced that the way this thing looked I would have complete panic attacks, combat flash backs, you name it. But when I literally passed out within 5 minutes? The only scary thing was when she crept in to see if I had died an hour or so later! I damned near had another heart attack.....THEN she locked her door!

[lucynethel1998]

I didn't think about the ultimate chin strap being too large! I had my wife try it on, and it just swallowed her!! There is no way she could wear it. I hope the inventor will work at designing a smaller model. My top strap tends to migrate forward, but I've found that using bobby pins solved this problem. All the hoses, masks, chin straps, bobby pins . . . life is interesting!!

In my case when I first put it on it slid forward over my forehead a couple times. Then I remembered I had forgot to put on my Ventilator cap first. The minute I did that I was fine. But I also don't place mine as the inventor does in HIS video. I place mine on top of my head WAY back at a very rearward position. In this way the straps literally cover my ears which again, I thought I would hate. Instead I found I even liked that so I don't hear my cats Lucy & Ethel causing trouble all night, and I also don't hear my wife snoring which almost rattles the windows. Plus, It just felt more comfy to my old self. I wouldn't hesitate to experiment. I also just noticed the reason mine may be staying put is I see the top mesh of my Ventilator cap is wearing. In other words, looks like some of that excess Velcro is snagging & attaching to my mesh cap top. I don't care as long as it keeps working.

[lucynethel1998]

I didn't think about the ultimate chin strap being too large! I had my wife try it on, and it just swallowed her!! There is no way she could wear it. I hope the inventor will work at designing a smaller model.

After reading all these comments re: size problems I got to wondering how aware Russ is of these concerns, so I emailed the link for this thread to him. Here is his answer:

Thank you for your comments. I am not an active member on the cpaptalk forum but do understand that there is some sizing concerns. This concern is something that we are actively working on to provide a solution for those people that require a smaller chinstrap. I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to send me the link and give me a heads up. As soon as we have a solution, I will let you know. Please let me know if you have any additional questions and/or feedback.

Thanks again,
Russ

Keep your fingers crossed for a good solution soon.

I am a bit naive and don't sew but my wife sews, quilts, serges, you name it! Seems like you could just cut off excess? I don't know. Maybe I am just a FATHEAD! My old wife has called me far worse....

[rested gal]

I also don't hear my wife snoring which almost rattles the windows.

I guess you've talked with her about going to get a sleep study herself.

[lucynethel1998]

I also don't hear my wife snoring which almost rattles the windows.

I guess you've talked with her about going to get a sleep study herself.

Well......I have tried to no end. If it is ME???? Well it's off to the MAYO Clinic or face the wrath of a thousand endless screaming meemies. But HER? Uh, forget it. But she is also struggling with Cancer and I am juggling so many weights of love vs understanding vs hope vs prayer vs, well, just trying to keep her as happy as I can. I love her too much to fight, but too much to watch what I feel is yet another nail in her you know what. Sometimes this old man just locks himself in a bathroom, puts his face in a towel & cries with the shower running when nobody can hear & just hope for the best for BOTH of us.

A much shorter answer is, yes, I TRIED....

[Gerald]

We received (2) chin straps yesterday....and tried them out last night.

My wife liked hers......and I removed mine after 1-hour.

There are a number of reasons why I will not be using the chin strap.
1. Strap material uncomfortably thick
2. Can't use Lansenoh on my nares
3. Changes geometry & fit of Headrest Mask
4. Affects fit of Headrest mask nosepiece
5. Too hot

All of my reasons for rejecting the chin strap are "subjective"....my opinions. My wife likes hers, but I didn't like using mine. As for trying to "tough-it-out" and wearing it all night, I could tell with certainty after 1-hour that the system was not for me.

I pulled it off, reached for my 3M Blue 3" #2080-EL Painter's Tape....installed my normal 10" strip....and immediately went to sleep.

For me, installing a strip of tape is far easier than installation of the chin strap. For me, there's a big difference in comfort between the chin strap and the tape.

I intend to keep both chin straps....I won't ask for a refund....because my wife will end up using them....and I wanted to experiment.

G

[lucynethel1998]

We received (2) chin straps yesterday....and tried them out last night.

My wife liked hers......and I removed mine after 1-hour.

There are a number of reasons why I will not be using the chin strap.
1. Strap material uncomfortably thick
2. Can't use Lansenoh on my nares
3. Changes geometry & fit of Headrest Mask
4. Affects fit of Headrest mask nosepiece
5. Too hot

All of my reasons for rejecting the chin strap are "subjective"....my opinions. My wife likes hers, but I didn't like using mine. As for trying to "tough-it-out" and wearing it all night, I could tell with certainty after 1-hour that the system was not for me.

I pulled it off, reached for my 3M Blue 3" #2080-EL Painter's Tape....installed my normal 10" strip....and immediately went to sleep.

For me, installing a strip of tape is far easier than installation of the chin strap. For me, there's a big difference in comfort between the chin strap and the tape.

I intend to keep both chin straps....I won't ask for a refund....because my wife will end up using them....and I wanted to experiment.

G

Since I am using Ayres gel with no problem while using this chinstrap I wonder...why can't you use it wearing this? And is the item below what you use? I keep looking for the BEST solution to dryness, Is this what you mean:
http://www.amazon.com/Lansinoh-Lanolin- ... 66787011_3

[Gerald]

I've used Lansinoh for a long time and it helps in a couple of ways. It helps seal the nasal bellows to my nares so that my leaks there are minimal...and...it helps with comfort.

I apply Lansinoh "liberally" and it would quickly make that chin strap a greasy mess just below my nose.

Also, the thickness of the strap in the area just below my nose causes the bellows to be misaligned with my nares....causing leaks and discomfort.

I had a pretty serious dislike for the thing after about an hour.

Even though I pride myself in making things "work"......I can innovate and rig just about anything.....I couldn't see how I could overcome the discomfort I was experiencing because of the basic design of the product. It'll work nicely for some people.....but, it's just not for me.

[jimnsc]

I won't be lengthy. Too big - too thick - top strap slides down my face - could not seal bottom of my Mirage FX.

Perception - Nicely made but for me would have to be tailored just for me in all dimensions to work.

Won't return - used less than one hour - bargain - PM me.

The bright side - I have been successful with my MIrage FX using no strap or tape and enjoyed my personal best AHI ever last night - 0.6

P.S. Seven days into Shingles and these things still hurt!

[Guest]

I've used Lansinoh for a long time and it helps in a couple of ways. It helps seal the nasal bellows to my nares so that my leaks there are minimal...and...it helps with comfort.

I apply Lansinoh "liberally" and it would quickly make that chin strap a greasy mess just below my nose.

Also, the thickness of the strap in the area just below my nose causes the bellows to be misaligned with my nares....causing leaks and discomfort.

I had a pretty serious dislike for the thing after about an hour.

Even though I pride myself in making things "work"......I can innovate and rig just about anything.....I couldn't see how I could overcome the discomfort I was experiencing because of the basic design of the product. It'll work nicely for some people.....but, it's just not for me.

Thanks for the info on Lansinoh. I had never heard of it. And the part number for painters tapes as well. I will buy some of both this weekend (if in budget) and try both. I always try EVERYTHING when it comes to cpap....It is really a miserable therapy for me anyway. I would LOVE it if I could just wear nothing more than my Swift FX if taping didn't rip my lip off! Do you put vasaline or anything on your lips area before taping?

[Guest]

We received (2) chin straps yesterday....and tried them out last night.

My wife liked hers......and I removed mine after 1-hour.

There are a number of reasons why I will not be using the chin strap.
1. Strap material uncomfortably thick
2. Can't use Lansenoh on my nares
3. Changes geometry & fit of Headrest Mask
4. Affects fit of Headrest mask nosepiece
5. Too hot

All of my reasons for rejecting the chin strap are "subjective"....my opinions. My wife likes hers, but I didn't like using mine. As for trying to "tough-it-out" and wearing it all night, I could tell with certainty after 1-hour that the system was not for me.

I pulled it off, reached for my 3M Blue 3" #2080-EL Painter's Tape....installed my normal 10" strip....and immediately went to sleep.

For me, installing a strip of tape is far easier than installation of the chin strap. For me, there's a big difference in comfort between the chin strap and the tape.

I intend to keep both chin straps....I won't ask for a refund....because my wife will end up using them....and I wanted to experiment.

G

About the taping....Do you mean 10 inches LONG? I can't imagine this as it would wrap probably ear to ear? I am going to try this but envision ripping my 5AM shadow off in a way that resembles waxing! I have to admit to being a sissy in my old age...

[Gerald]

Lucy.......

Yes...I use a 10" strip...ends folded 1/2" to make handles....Tape is 3" wide 3M #2080-EL Delicate Release Painter's Tape from Lowe's.

The extra length is there to prevent "blow-off".

Removal is painless provided the tape is NOT pulled directly away from the face. The tape should be pulled parallel with the face...folded over itself as it is removed.

Nothing else works for me. Last week, my AHI ranged from 0.20 to 0.60 and leak lines were almost level. These AHI "scores" are not unusual for me. With tape, Lansinoh, and my Headrest mask, my AHI is nearly always below 1.0. For me, minimum acceptable therapy is an AHI below 2.5.

G

[SleepingUgly]

Removal is painless provided the tape is NOT pulled directly away from the face. The tape should be pulled parallel with the face...folded over itself as it is removed.

I don't understand what parallel to the face means. It's parallel to your face when it's attached to your face, so how do you remove it without making the end at least somewhat perpendicular to the face?

[lucynethel1998]

Lucy.......

Yes...I use a 10" strip...ends folded 1/2" to make handles....Tape is 3" wide 3M #2080-EL Delicate Release Painter's Tape from Lowe's.

The extra length is there to prevent "blow-off".

Removal is painless provided the tape is NOT pulled directly away from the face. The tape should be pulled parallel with the face...folded over itself as it is removed.

Nothing else works for me. Last week, my AHI ranged from 0.20 to 0.60 and leak lines were almost level. These AHI "scores" are not unusual for me. With tape, Lansinoh, and my Headrest mask, my AHI is nearly always below 1.0. For me, minimum acceptable therapy is an AHI below 2.5.

G

Thank you. I may just go with 2 inch though? Seems like 3" may go from my nose to bottom of my chin? Amazon shows the 2" for a roll art about $11.17. Hope that is about the correct price? I have nothing to paint! So if it doesn't work I fear my wife will tape me to an anthill. My ahi is from .07 to 1.5 always as I am doing my PAP currently.

[SleepingUgly]

Thank you. I may just go with 2 inch though? Seems like 3" may go from my nose to bottom of my chin? Amazon shows the 2" for a roll art about $11.17. Hope that is about the correct price?

I found the 2" roll at Walmart for ~$10 or so. I'm a little concerned about using it given the chemical warnings we discussed on that other thread (that and I'd really like to not have to tape).