Boil & Bite mouthpiece reduced AHI/press requirement
Boil & Bite mouthpiece reduced AHI/press requirement
FWIW----YMMV
After 13 mos of frustration, I decided, as a last resort, to try using my old "boil and bite" mouthpiece in conjunction with my chinstrap and Swift LT in an effort to get my AHI and pressure requirement under control. I ordered the mouthpiece prior to my sleep study to try and remedy a dry mouth condition. Prior to using the mouthpiece, I was running a pressure of 8/12 in auto with an AHI of 4-5 with some nights AHI as high as 7-9. In auto, the pressure was constantly near 12, often bumping the max (12). I tried increasing the auto setting to 8/13 and my AHI jumped to >11.0.
The first night I used the mouthpiece, my AHI dropped to <1.0. I have since switched to cpap mode and slowly reduced my pressure to 7.0, which appears to be the optimum. So now, I am running a cpap pressure of 7.0 which gives me an AHI of <1.0. I have also switched to my Swift FX which works great with this setup.
I can only assume that the mouthpiece acts somewhat similar to an Orthodontic Dental Appliance in that it apparently holds my lower jaw and tongue in a position that helps maintain airway clearance. Whatever it is doing is fantastic as far as I am concerned, and I now plan to look into the possibility of having a Dental Appliance made. Sure would like to be able to toss the hose altogether.
I think another secret to my success is my home-made chin strap which actually holds my chin up. The PapCap, the Ultimate Chin Strap, and all the others I have tried did not work for me.
After 13 mos of frustration, I decided, as a last resort, to try using my old "boil and bite" mouthpiece in conjunction with my chinstrap and Swift LT in an effort to get my AHI and pressure requirement under control. I ordered the mouthpiece prior to my sleep study to try and remedy a dry mouth condition. Prior to using the mouthpiece, I was running a pressure of 8/12 in auto with an AHI of 4-5 with some nights AHI as high as 7-9. In auto, the pressure was constantly near 12, often bumping the max (12). I tried increasing the auto setting to 8/13 and my AHI jumped to >11.0.
The first night I used the mouthpiece, my AHI dropped to <1.0. I have since switched to cpap mode and slowly reduced my pressure to 7.0, which appears to be the optimum. So now, I am running a cpap pressure of 7.0 which gives me an AHI of <1.0. I have also switched to my Swift FX which works great with this setup.
I can only assume that the mouthpiece acts somewhat similar to an Orthodontic Dental Appliance in that it apparently holds my lower jaw and tongue in a position that helps maintain airway clearance. Whatever it is doing is fantastic as far as I am concerned, and I now plan to look into the possibility of having a Dental Appliance made. Sure would like to be able to toss the hose altogether.
I think another secret to my success is my home-made chin strap which actually holds my chin up. The PapCap, the Ultimate Chin Strap, and all the others I have tried did not work for me.
ResMed S9 Autoset
ResMed AirFit F20 mask with headgear
ResMed AirFit F20 mask with headgear
- Lizistired
- Posts: 2835
- Joined: Tue Dec 14, 2010 10:47 pm
- Location: Indiana
Re: Boil & Bite mouthpiece reduced AHI/press requirement
That's great jonnybee. I haven't had any luck keeping the boil and bite in my mouth all night. Seems too big and I got tired of messing with it. Maybe I need to try again or another kind.
What kind of chin strap did you make?
What kind of chin strap did you make?
_________________
| Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control |
| Additional Comments: Swift FX sometimes, CMS-50F, Cervical collar sometimes, White noise, Zeo... I'm not well, but I'm better. |
ResScan: http://www.resmed.com/int/assets/html/s ... c=patients
ResScan Tutorial- http://montfordhouse.com/cpap/resscan_tutorial/
Machines Video: http://www.cpaplibrary.com/machine-education
ResScan Tutorial- http://montfordhouse.com/cpap/resscan_tutorial/
Machines Video: http://www.cpaplibrary.com/machine-education
Re: Boil & Bite mouthpiece reduced AHI/press requirement
Liz
Just buy a cheap $5 mouthguard and follow the directions to mold it to your mouth. I bought a clear one, youth size, did the boil and bite thingy, and it works. If it works for you great, if it doesn't....your only out $5 .
Just buy a cheap $5 mouthguard and follow the directions to mold it to your mouth. I bought a clear one, youth size, did the boil and bite thingy, and it works. If it works for you great, if it doesn't....your only out $5 .
_________________
| Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier |
| Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Started cpap in 2010.. still at it with great results.
Re: Boil & Bite mouthpiece reduced AHI/press requirement
Nan, where do you buy this mouthguard?nanwilson wrote:Liz
Just buy a cheap $5 mouthguard and follow the directions to mold it to your mouth. I bought a clear one, youth size, did the boil and bite thingy, and it works. If it works for you great, if it doesn't....your only out $5 .
_________________
| Mask: Swift™ FX For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear |
| Additional Comments: Started 9/15/2011, Using Sleepyhead open source software, PR Premium Chinstrap. |
The little cutie I use for my avatar is orphan squirrel I had in rehab. Some day, when my OSA is under control, I will be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, too. 
Re: Boil & Bite mouthpiece reduced AHI/press requirement
I'm on my third chin strap right now. Could you describe your home-made one?jonnybee wrote:
I think another secret to my success is my home-made chin strap which actually holds my chin up. The PapCap, the Ultimate Chin Strap, and all the others I have tried did not work for me.
BTW, I love your dog, and I'm sure you think he's worth more than 2 cents.
_________________
| Mask: Swift™ FX For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear |
| Additional Comments: Started 9/15/2011, Using Sleepyhead open source software, PR Premium Chinstrap. |
The little cutie I use for my avatar is orphan squirrel I had in rehab. Some day, when my OSA is under control, I will be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, too. 
Re: Boil & Bite mouthpiece reduced AHI/press requirement
Cnewcnew wrote:Nan, where do you buy this mouthguard?nanwilson wrote:Liz
Just buy a cheap $5 mouthguard and follow the directions to mold it to your mouth. I bought a clear one, youth size, did the boil and bite thingy, and it works. If it works for you great, if it doesn't....your only out $5 .
I live in a very small town so went to my local pharmacy, but Walmart or sports stores carry them. They are used by kids for sports to protect their teeth. The one I have fits on my upper teeth only.
_________________
| Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier |
| Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Started cpap in 2010.. still at it with great results.
- Lizistired
- Posts: 2835
- Joined: Tue Dec 14, 2010 10:47 pm
- Location: Indiana
Re: Boil & Bite mouthpiece reduced AHI/press requirement
Walmart had them in youth sizes for 97 cents. I bought extras so I just need to mess with them again. I really don't want to use a chin strap. I'm not mouth breathing much but hate waking up with dry mouth.
_________________
| Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control |
| Additional Comments: Swift FX sometimes, CMS-50F, Cervical collar sometimes, White noise, Zeo... I'm not well, but I'm better. |
ResScan: http://www.resmed.com/int/assets/html/s ... c=patients
ResScan Tutorial- http://montfordhouse.com/cpap/resscan_tutorial/
Machines Video: http://www.cpaplibrary.com/machine-education
ResScan Tutorial- http://montfordhouse.com/cpap/resscan_tutorial/
Machines Video: http://www.cpaplibrary.com/machine-education
Re: Boil & Bite mouthpiece reduced AHI/press requirement
I bought mine from Amazon.com. It is both upper and lower and I think I paid about $25 for it.cnew wrote:Nan, where do you buy this mouthguard?nanwilson wrote:Liz
Just buy a cheap $5 mouthguard and follow the directions to mold it to your mouth. I bought a clear one, youth size, did the boil and bite thingy, and it works. If it works for you great, if it doesn't....your only out $5 .
ResMed S9 Autoset
ResMed AirFit F20 mask with headgear
ResMed AirFit F20 mask with headgear
Re: Boil & Bite mouthpiece reduced AHI/press requirement
jonnybee wrote:I bought mine from Amazon.com. It is both upper and lower and I think I paid about $25 for it.cnew wrote:Nan, where do you buy this mouthguard?nanwilson wrote:Liz
Just buy a cheap $5 mouthguard and follow the directions to mold it to your mouth. I bought a clear one, youth size, did the boil and bite thingy, and it works. If it works for you great, if it doesn't....your only out $5 .
Thanks so much! My papcap slips down over my eyes...frightening when I wake up! I shall try this.
Great Bike!
DaveL
Toronto
_________________
| Mask: DreamWear Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear |
| Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control |
| Additional Comments: S8 Ellite II Cpap Machine as backup |
Regards,
DaveL Toronto
DaveL Toronto

