Tape

[Maxie]

Please stop reading now if you are opposed to taping your mouth to keep it closed when sleeping with your CPAP equipment.

I have found some tapes that work really well and I wanted to pass along the information. 3M has a silicone tape that comes off painlessly called Kind Removal. I also found a Johnson and Johnson tape that will not hurt when removed. I use about a 12 inch single strip of the 2" wide tape and it works well with no pulling, etc. I found the the longer length works because while the tape works well it is not as sticky as other tape. I tuck under the ends and it comes off very easily. I do have a power failure alarm so I won't suffocate.

I am a nose breather and I always had trouble sleeping if I couldn't breathe through my nose. With allergies this has at time been a challenge but I thought I was managing so I was surprised that I open my mouth during sleep. In addition to the tape I have an elastic chin strap that I put on snugly but not tight at all. Maybe my body just needs the tape and chin strap to remember to do what it is supposed to do. With the tape I look forward to going to sleep, knowing I will be getting a good night's sleep with my CPAP therapy. It hasn't taken quite two months but now I'm very happy with all aspects of the therapy! (BTW I tried a couple of FFM and I am totally happy with nasal pillows and tape.)

[squid13]

I've used tape at times also but don't forget to put chap stick on your lips.

[BoomersRock]

I am trying another FFM, ComfortGel, and so far it seems to be working. There were times that I had the chinstrap and tape and I would get frustrated! Especially when, even though I was using Milk of Magnesia, I would rip off some skin. Ugh!

[gasparama]

I've taped for a few years. Last summer, I started developing a rash around my mouth. Sometimes, large hunks of skin came off with the tape. One doctor suggested that moisturizer be used under the tape. That helped with the skin that was coming off, but the rash remained. My hairdresser said, "Why don't you use a tablet of Benadryl before you go to bed. That worked wonderfully. I use the 3m 2inch micropore tape.

[archangle]

It would be improper to recommend taping while deliberately neglecting to mention the risks. If anyone makes an informed decision to tape, they have my blessings and best wishes.

Taping your mouth risks suffocation or other problems if the machine quits blowing and you don't wake up while wearing a nasal mask. You will be rebreathing your own exhaled air. Oxygen will decrease and CO2 will increase. This can cause you to sink deeper into unconsciousness and stop breathing. This is why all full face masks to have an anti-asphyxia valve.

Most people will wake up and be able to take the mask or tape off, but it's not a sure thing.

There is a risk of aspiration pneumonia if you vomit before you can get the tape off. Aspiration pneumonia is very bad. Google it.

Many people tape anyway despite the risks and have no problems. The risk may be small, but you'll probably be doing this for the rest of your life so risks add up.

[rested gal]

There are risks to anything in life. Including the risk of not being able to use CPAP at all, if a comfortable mask cannot be found.

In order to use the types of masks (nasal pillows) that allow me to sleep comfortably, I have used tape over my mouth for the past 7 years or more. Every night.


LINKS to: Mouth leaks - Air Leaks - Tape - DIY Guard
viewtopic.php?t=8011

[CarolCulmer]

I have used tape now for about 6 months (since starting CPAP) and all I do is use a little 1/2 " to 3/4" wide piece that I put, top to bottom vertically, over my mouth kind of directly under my nose. The tape I have (sorry don't know the kind - it was something old we had on hand) comes off very nicely. I have found on a few occasions that I have awakened myself with my lips parted on one side and breathing through my mouth but by and large this little bit of tape keeps my mouth shut. I don't fear suffocating because I know that my mouth would open if need be. Anyone that tapes their whole mouth shut should try this method and see if it works. It's very simple and easy.

[kempo]

It would be improper to recommend taping while deliberately neglecting to mention the risks. If anyone makes an informed decision to tape, they have my blessings and best wishes.

Taping your mouth risks suffocation or other problems if the machine quits blowing and you don't wake up while wearing a nasal mask. You will be rebreathing your own exhaled air. Oxygen will decrease and CO2 will increase. This can cause you to sink deeper into unconsciousness and stop breathing. This is why all full face masks to have an anti-asphyxia valve.

Most people will wake up and be able to take the mask or tape off, but it's not a sure thing.

There is a risk of aspiration pneumonia if you vomit before you can get the tape off. Aspiration pneumonia is very bad. Google it.

Many people tape anyway despite the risks and have no problems. The risk may be small, but you'll probably be doing this for the rest of your life so risks add up.

I can remove the tape faster than I can remove a full face mask. That argument BS. Nuff said.

[archangle]

I can remove the tape faster than I can remove a full face mask. That argument BS. Nuff said.

Thanks for all you risk deniers for helping me educate newbies about the risks before they foolishly put their lives at risk without being aware of the risks.

Kempo, obviously, you've considered the risks and have made sure the tape you use comes off quickly, and think you have no risk of aspiration pneumonia. You are also assuming a full face mask poses the same risk of aspiration as tape. Not true. If you vomit into a full face mask, much of the material produced would go into the mask or down the hose instead of going into your lungs.

You're also assuming you're awake enough to remove the tape. Aspiration often occurs when some other medical problem such as a seizure or stroke occurs. You might not be awake. Lots of otherwise normal people occasionally experience sleep paralysis and can't move.

You're also ignoring the risk that O2/CO2 problems will render some people unconscious and you will die without ever waking up. Not everyone will wake up and take the mask off. You yourself might not wake up yourself some night if you are particularly tired, in certain sleep stages, on certain prescription (or non-prescription) drugs, drunk, aged, suffering from certain medical conditions, etc. 100% healthy normal awake people can die in an oxygen deprived environment without ever noticing anything is wrong. Google "confined space" and read on the safety hazards where people may enter a low oxygen environment and lose consciousness without ever realizing what's happening.

[kempo]

I can remove the tape faster than I can remove a full face mask. That argument BS. Nuff said.

Thanks for all you risk deniers for helping me educate newbies about the risks before they foolishly put their lives at risk without being aware of the risks.

Kempo, obviously, you've considered the risks and have made sure the tape you use comes off quickly, and think you have no risk of aspiration pneumonia. You are also assuming a full face mask poses the same risk of aspiration as tape. Not true. If you vomit into a full face mask, much of the material produced would go into the mask or down the hose instead of going into your lungs.

You're also assuming you're awake enough to remove the tape. Aspiration often occurs when some other medical problem such as a seizure or stroke occurs. You might not be awake. Lots of otherwise normal people occasionally experience sleep paralysis and can't move.

You're also ignoring the risk that O2/CO2 problems will render some people unconscious and you will die without ever waking up. Not everyone will wake up and take the mask off. You yourself might not wake up yourself some night if you are particularly tired, in certain sleep stages, on certain prescription (or non-prescription) drugs, drunk, aged, suffering from certain medical conditions, etc. 100% healthy normal awake people can die in an oxygen deprived environment without ever noticing anything is wrong. Google "confined space" and read on the safety hazards where people may enter a low oxygen environment and lose consciousness without ever realizing what's happening.

Yea, and you can also slip in the bath tub and break your neck. Life is just full of bugger bears.

[archangle]

Yea, and you can also slip in the bath tub and break your neck. Life is just full of bugger bears.

If someone came from another country without slippery porcelain bathtubs, would you object to warning them to be careful in our slippery US style bathtubs?

Would you object to recommending people to get their aging parents who have trouble walking a non-slip bath mat?

[Lizistired]

Oh, let it go Arch.

[archangle]

Oh, let it go Arch.

Why don't you let it go and let people make an informed decision?

[Pugsy]

I believe that the OP has indeed evaluated the possible risks and didn't need or really want additional comments about the risks and probably didn't want this thread to become another pissing contest for those who want to fight about taping.

Please stop reading now if you are opposed to taping your mouth to keep it closed when sleeping with your CPAP equipment.

[Country4ever]

Thanks for the info Maxie.
I have been using 3M blue painters tape for several years and it works great.........but I do worry about any toxicity. But I suppose even the Kind removal tape might not be meant for mouth use. I'm sure any tape comes in contact with the inside of our mouths occasionally.
I agree with Rested Gal...........sometimes its a matter of the lesser of 2 evils. If I had to quit using tape, I would get sick immediately from my cpap being ineffective. Chin straps just don't work on all of us.
I have used paper tapes by various companies that were supposed to be very gentle on the skin, and they either tore my mouth up, or I had glue around my mouth all day. I'll check out the tapes you mentioned and hopefully they work well.