I'm not taping, I'm not using a chinstrap, I'm...

[SleepingUgly]

...Well, I'm not sure what to call it...how about mouth strapping?

First of all, I'd like to give a shoutout to Bright Choice, whose double loop self-adhering Ace bandage chinstrap/mouth cover technique spawned my strapping idea. Here's how she does it:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=59156&p=556665&hili ... op#p556665

and

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=64301&p=601443&hili ... th#p601443

I attempted to copy her idea but it didn't work well until I bought the exact same Ace bandage she was using: Walgreen's 2" self-adhering bandage. I had some problems making her technique work with the Swift FX, because the Ace seemed to kind of scrunch my face up and into the pillows more. So with the double loop safety pinned the way it was for her technique, I covered my mouth with it so it was going horizontally around the back of my neck and over my mouth (doubled). Two nights with it and leaks look good. No more "lip flutters" or air poofing out of my mouth. It's a great alternative to taping and chin straps for me because I develop aerophagia and have to burp at times, which I can't do when I tape. Also it's easily removed or adjusted and doesn't make me feel as trapped as tape does. With the chin strap I was not only more uncomfortable, I was having air escape my lips at times. I hope this will continue to work well for me and I hope this will help someone else.

[lars4life]

First off, you have a great mask. I love the Swift FX. I still use a chin strap.
I stopped using the Halo chin strap by BreatheWare. I now use a Respironics Premium Chin Strap.
It is sweet! I've tried taping my mouth with tape, it worked, but I did not like the feeling of having
my mouth sealed. I like a chin strap where I can open my mouth and cough, sip water, etc.
My chin strap will allow this, but it is just enough tightness to keep my jaw from dropping.
I thought I was almost trained to keep my jaw closed, but now I don't think I ever will?

[SleepingUgly]

Lars, does your chinstrap have a seam in the chin? The one I was using (the Ruby adjustable) does, and it seems like the stupidest place for one. Very irritating.

[FatiguedMe]

Hey Ug,
Can you possibly post a photo of your mouth "mask". I can't picture this from reading. I would really appreciate it!
Thanks
Susan

[lars4life]

Yes, my Respironics chin strap has a seam in the chin, but, it is super comfortable, it is contoured to fit your chin.
The strap has an adjustment at the top of the head like the basic chin straps, so it will fit any head size. It is the
best chin strap I've encountered. It also has an adjustable strap with velcro that goes behind the head to keep
it in place. It's only 20+ bucks and not too much to try out. Look it up, search it here on this
forum and on google. I'm sure you will be happy with it.! This is my third chin strap and my last, as it is
right on, spot on, solid, a good thing.

[SleepingUgly]

I can't picture this from reading.

Using the Walgreen's self-adhering bandage (2", although I may at some point try 3"), start at the back of your neck and loop it horizontally (parallel to the floor) across your mouth and behind your neck again. If you thought one loop was enough, you could stop there. Otherwise, do it again. Leave a little extra material and cut it off. If it seems like it would stay, you don't have to safety pin it, but I had it safety pinned and haven't moved it.

[chunkyfrog]

I have the cheapie ResMed chinstrap that slid off my head within minutes--couldn't use the wretched thing at all.
Recently, I cut the ends in half lengthwise down to about an inch above my ears, thus forming two skinny straps.
This actually works, and stays in place all night.
I have a home-made custom chin-ups pattern I made from a dummy credit card (the ones they keep mailing me),
which I use to cut an angled u-shape piece of 1.5" blue painter's tape.
This enables me to use my beloved FX.
I do hate the seam in the center of the chin strap--would it kill them to put the bulk OUTSIDE the cup--duh!

[Bright Choice]

I have a barely used Respironics Premium chinstrap. It didn't work for me. PM me if you'd like me to mail it to you.

I'm also a "self-adhering ace" gal. Many ways to do the wrap. It is secure and comfy - I go to bed feeling like a nicely wrapped mummy. Works super with Swift FX. It can work as "mouth only" or with a double loop, "mouth + chin".

I too thought I was almost done with strapping at all, but I don't think I'll get there.

[OutaSync]

I do hate the seam in the center of the chin strap--would it kill them to put the bulk OUTSIDE the cup--duh!

Can you turn it inside out? With the seam on the outside?

[SleepingUgly]

I have the cheapie ResMed chinstrap that slid off my head within minutes--couldn't use the wretched thing at all.
Recently, I cut the ends in half lengthwise down to about an inch above my ears, thus forming two skinny straps.
This actually works, and stays in place all night.

Do you mean that thin little white one?

[lars4life]

I don't get the problem with a seam in the chin area? Maybe because female skin is more delicate?

[SleepingUgly]

The seam annoys me. But even padding it with fleece, whenever I start a new chin strap, I get a very sensitive spot just off from the seam. No idea why. Anyway, I'm hoping I can stick with my Ace (ultimately I'd love to not need anything), as it's more comfortable than the chin strap. (Still can't figure out whether chinstrap is one word or two...)

[FatiguedMe]

Thank you Ug. I get it now! I tried the regular Ace last night, that was all I had. I am off tomorrow to buy the sticky kind.
I am hoping it works for me because I am tired of covering my head. I love my papcap, but a break would be great.
It did great for most of the night, but I did wakeup once with my mouth uncovered,on my back UGH! I found this very comfortable, versus the tape.Hoping it will work with my Nasal mask.
Thank you
Susan

[SleepingUgly]

Thank you Ug. I get it now! I tried the regular Ace last night, that was all I had. I am off tomorrow to buy the sticky kind.
I am hoping it works for me because I am tired of covering my head. I love my papcap, but a break would be great.
It did great for most of the night, but I did wakeup once with my mouth uncovered,on my back UGH! I found this very comfortable, versus the tape.Hoping it will work with my Nasal mask.
Thank you
Susan

If you have a Walgreen's by you, go straight for that one: "Self-adhering bandage". I don't think you'll find that it moves much at night, unlike a regular Ace. I am not sure if that's due to the fact that I have two loops around, and they are sticking to each other, or if it would work OK with one. Something to explore in the future... For now I'm trying to keep things constant.

[poppi2]

If you have a Walgreen's by you, go straight for that one: "Self-adhering bandage". I don't think you'll find that it moves much at night, unlike a regular Ace. I am not sure if that's due to the fact that I have two loops around, and they are sticking to each other, or if it would work OK with one. Something to explore in the future... For now I'm trying to keep things constant.

[/quote]

I ran out at lunch to pick up some Walgreen's 2" self-adhering bandage, but no joy. I was told by the stocker they had discontinued the 2". I got the 3" which looks a little wide. I'm hoping that the stocker was misinformed. Earl