New TAP PAP mask review

[Pugsy]

Pugsy, did you love it again last night?

Yes.
No problems at all. Slept well.
Looking at my report showed a couple of times where I may have done a little bit of mouth breathing but only about 5 minutes right at 24 L/min line.
One instance where I turned over in bed and the long hose got caught on something and short hose came out of the long hose.
That's the first time that has occurred. I probably didn't have the short hose inserted snugly.

I have come up with a quick way to wash the mouth guard in the AM that I am comfortable with.
Just a quick little scrubbing with a toothbrush and toothpaste foam under running cold water. The nasal pillows get a quick rinse at the same time. I don't take anything apart. Probably once a week I will take the nasal pillows out and do a hot water wash. I don't use any Lansinoh or anything like that anymore so I am good with the cold water rinse.

The snugness of the mouth guard is really the only thing that I notice and that is quickly becoming shorter...when I first put it on I notice it a bit. It isn't uncomfortable at all but it is a foreign object in my mouth and that is a total first for me.
I go straight away to sleep though.....just like with the Swift FX. Couple of minutes and I barely notice it.

So far I haven't found anything about this mask that I dislike. The biggest thing for me is the mouth guard adjustment mainly because I have zero past experience with anything like that in my mouth..no braces as a kid or anything.
It's comfortable...but I know its there for a little while...no different really than anything I first notice when turning the machine on. The brain quickly tunes it out. Just like it does with the hurricane first couple of breaths that become a gentle breeze by breath number 5. Or the inhale and exhale noise I hear for a few breaths.
The brain quickly says "Oh, this is normal" and everything fades to the back ground and becomes a non issue.

Still no leaks at the pillows that I can feel...for sure none that wake me up like the first night.

I do love the freedom though. I don't think that we can ever really expect to wear a mask and say we truly don't know it's there but as long as its presence is so minimal that I don't have to dwell on the idea that something is stuck on my face then I am happy. After having it on for a couple of minutes...its presence totally recedes into the background.

[park_ridge_dave]

Night Two and Three on the TAP PAP

Pugsy has been fielding the majority of the questions and I concur with her answers 1000%

A few minor differences if you read my first night's summary, but, by and large Pugsy and I have the same set-ups (she has a few more options RE: machines).

I tried no Chinstrap last night (I woke up once with my mouth open) and it looks promising. I am practicing "Mouth Breathing" during my meditation periods with the mouthpiece on (yikes! does it look ugly!!). Too early to tell, but, it appears to be working as I usually dropped my mandible as soon as I got to sleep in the past. I'll post on this in a week or two when I've had sufficient experience.

The fit on the mask is, if anything, a little too tight, but, I am going to wait a week to see what happens (also you can remold/spread it easily). When I first got my anti-bruxing mouthpiece it seemed too tight also, but I got used to it. Even though the mouthpiece seems a little "snug" it is very comfortable. I can sleep on my side and roll over NO PROBLEM!

No tooth pain in the morning (BIG BIG Plus!).

It seems to me that I may be able to train myself to get rid of the chinstrap long term. The breathing excercises are helping. I did order the matching chinstrap JIC!

I use a "CozyHose Boss" (tm) hose management system that attaches to the headboard. I am using the heated hose PR System one Series 60 APAP machine and it is very comfortable, as it keeps the hose up and out of the way. This system is as close as I have come to having on no mask at all! And I do believe that the heated hose is preventing the "rain out" as I have none.

Again, to sum up.

1.) I brux so with the TAP PAP I get a much smaller device to prevent it ( I also lose the sores that I sometimes get on the inside of my mouth using the old anti-brux appliance and the FF Mask) and replacement pieces are available at reasonable prices.(edited for clarity)
2.) The pillows are much more comfortable than my Mirage Quattro FF (probably not a fair comparison but for a FF the Mirage is comfortable and I will use it if I get a cold).
3.) The mouthpiece also serves as a mouth breathing "training aid" hopefully weaning me off the chinstrap/tape treadmill.
4.) Did I mention that it's like wearing no mask at all??????
5.) The included headgear gives you a velcro strap on top to route the hose up and out of the way.
6.) Mask insurance is "free".
7.) Instructional videos are easy to follow and the fitting is easy.

So if you use an appliance for bruxing (or even if you don't) or you want to try pillows it's a no-brainer to try it with no risk (IMHO).

Cheers,

Dave

[bbbmmmlll]

I used this mask last night with no straps.

Initial thoughts:
- molding the mouth guard was pretty straight forward
- the overall design is very simple
- easy mask to fit - basically just loosen the single bolt and move into place. the pillows can be rotated if needed.
- i was able to sleep on my side without problems and it seems to stay in place better than any previous mask
- no wake ups from leaks
- no air in my eyes or eye discomfort (i do wear a silicone sleep shield, but it doesn't fit well)
- very comfortable
- the mouth guard snaps into my upper teeth and seems pretty secure. it takes a little effort to put it on or remove it. i don't enjoy this step.
- teeth slightly sore this morning, but very minor.
- air vents straight out which i dislike, but didn't seem as loud as my Swift FX or Swift LT
- basic sleep numbers seem fine

One night isn't enough time to make a judgement, but so far so good.

[jdm2857]

I'm afraid the mask might take some of my (very expensive) dental work with it when removed.

[tye]

Would this work for someone with bridge work in the mouth?????

[Hivoltfl]

Lots of questions about dental work, ummmmm what about no teeth or large partials?

I am just getting up to speed after 9 years of CPAP use, found out I have a mouth breathing problem, got my best nights sleep (in six months or so) last night with tape,
but think there has to be a better way, tried the chinstrap from hell thing, the one I have will not do for me.

I have never tried the pillows, I use an activa nasal mask but reading these reviews I wonder does the mouth piece help eliminate mouth breathing?

11 more days till my next appointment to see about a new machine.

I have supplier stories from hell this time around, anyone ever heard of an S9 full of mold?

Puggsie thanks for all you have posted about the new nasal pillows.

[tchavalas]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Yes I have been trying different adjustment positions. Yes... I tried rotating the pillows. One night it was almost pain free... But other nights I get discomfort. I pretty much need to adjust it slightly every night to eliminate leaks. (My auto tends to run between 11-13.) But the main issue for me is the pillows are spaced a bit too close together for my septum... So no matter how I adjust it I get some level of misfit. It's a fine balance between leaking and discomfort. Somewhere in between is bliss.

The other thing I find a bit strange... It almost seems like the mouthpiece shrinks when cold. The mouth piece fits quite tightly on me at first. I usually run some hot tap water on it for a few seconds before putting it on. And it feels fin at first. Then after a few minutes It feels tighter on my teeth to the point of discomfort. I may need to boil and bite again to get a slightly looser fit.

Overall... I am really loving the fact I can get through the night without leaks and I don't wake up with embarrassing strap marks every morning. So I am highly motivated to make this thing work.

I also like the fact that this mask eliminates the need for a mouth guard. (For people who grind teeth.) It's a great concept. But the devil is in the details.

[Debijo]

Regarding teeth:

Users must have at least 8 original, permanent teeth on the upper jaw and no removable dnetures to use the TAP PAP.
Do not use TAP PAP with loose crowns or fillings or broken teeth.
A dental visit in the last 12 months is needed before using the TAP PAP.

[lopies]

Can you still use a chin strap with this mask?

Yes, a chin strap can easily be worn with this mask.

The only one that would be a problem would be the Hannibal Lector looking chin strap. the one that wraps around the lips and makes a person look like a mummy.

Thank you Pugsy. lol no mummy's aloud. I just ordered mine. Can't wait to see how it preforms for me.

[jdm2857]

.
Do not use TAP PAP with loose crowns or fillings or broken teeth.

I have removed crowns and inlays with dental floss and have had no idea they were loose (they must have been) in advance.

So while that warning covers the Tap Pap folks, it really isn't practical.

[Kitatonic]

Regarding teeth:

Users must have at least 8 original, permanent teeth on the upper jaw and no removable dnetures to use the TAP PAP.
Do not use TAP PAP with loose crowns or fillings or broken teeth.
A dental visit in the last 12 months is needed before using the TAP PAP.

Does original mean, non-crowned or veneered teeth? What about a few dental implants?

[SleepyToo2]

Thanks, everyone, for an excellent review. I just bought a new Aloha (after about 10 months). I have discovered low AHI values for the first time in a long time. I realize now that the problem with the Aloha is not so much the pillows, but the headgear getting bent out of shape and/or stretching. The TAP PAP seems like the answer to that. Just imagine how much one could save on getting new headgear every few months - that makes the initial cost seem very cheap! Next time I need a mask, I think this is the one I will go with. The anti-bruxing effect is going to be worth it for me. The Silent Nite piece works well, but as that is a hard structure and very expensive, it is difficult to use it every night. The TAP PAP seems to offer a great alternative.

[Pugsy]

FWIW....I have 4 crowns on my top front teeth...courtesy of old injury when I was a kid and my teeth ended up sticking out the bottom of my tongue...OUCH. Bit clean through the tongue and cracked my upper front teeth.

I also have a couple of crowns towards the top back which are also included in the mouth guard. They aren't loose to my knowledge. I suspect that is probably one of the reasons they suggest a recent dental visit...to eliminate possibility of unknown loose crown in this situation.

[ughwhatname]

I was hesitant to purchase because of a serious gag reflex. Based on Pugsy's input about having the same issue, I went ahead and purchased this morning at 7:00 a.m. At 8:40, our wonderful host, cpap.com had already shipped it out! Can't wait to try it.

[Pugsy]

Report from Friday night. Well....... 49er said she was sending the aliens back my way and they really messed with me last night.
AHI 6.07 and the central index was 2.51...a little over a third.
Thursday night AHI was 0.66....so just goes to show you that we all have bad nights even those of us using this stuff for years.

I knew this was going to be an ugly report before I ever got out of bed. It was just a poor night's sleep. I had some major hot flashes. Back pain was much worse than usual. Lots of awakenings that I remember. I don't remember any leaks but I sure had some. I suspect mouth breathing or at least some mouth opening. On my back a lot and that always causes more pain. Lots of tossing and turning that I remember. General overall quality of sleep with large number of awakenings...less than ideal for sure.

First time for some drool or slobber with the Tap Pap. Pretty much what I have also had in the past with my Swift FX on a few occasions so I don't necessarily put the blame on the mouth guard because I have had similar happening with Swift FX. I also think I did some pretty good grinding of my teeth for the first time last night. I had some minor discomfort in both my upper AND lower teeth when I got up this morning. Hubby said I had a bad night too. I had one episode where I had my arm over my head and turned over and tore the short hose out of the long hose....got all wrapped up in things..that shows up as a single spike on on SH at around 4:20 AM and short break in ResScan.

So here is the ugly mess and below it the night before. This was unrelated to the Tap Pap because I have had the very same bad night with the Swift FX. This is a rare night for me.


And this was the report from Thursday night. Go figure.