Why did Pugsy change Masks and Should I?

[DarrylM]

Pugsy

I am intrigued with the TAP PAP Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Stability Mouthpiece for the obvious reason that no headgear is involved. What factors might make one a good candidate for this option?

[OhHelpMe]

What factors might make one a good candidate for this option?

You need to prefer wearing things in your mouth instead of on your head.

[RogerSC]

If you're not happy with your current mask, or it's not serving your needs, then it makes sense to look for alternate masks. Or if a new mask comes along that you think that you might like, such as without any headgear *smile*, that could be worth trying just to have more sleeping comfort.

For the TAP PAP, you have to have no removable dental stuff in your upper teeth, since they're used for anchoring the mask. Your upper teeth need to be stable, and everything there needs to be permanent. And you need to be able to sleep with something in your mouth...it goes through your lips, so if that doesn't tend make you breath through your mouth, you should be good.

There was no cost return insurance at cpap.com last time I looked, so you can just try it and see how it goes for 30 days.

And there are videos on youtube on how to do the fitting, as well:

http://www.youtube.com/user/TAPAppliance?feature=watch

[chunkyfrog]

Tap Pap is one of my favorite alternate masks.
Don't be afraid to fit and refit the mouthpiece until, like Goldilocks, you consider it "just right"

[Pugsy]

I have always felt that if I was interested in how a mask looks and it seems interesting then for me that's good enough reason to try it. The fact that I want to is enough for me...just like the fact that there are some masks that I have zero interest in and zero desire to try and that's good enough reason for me not to try them. I simply don't want to and that's a valid reason.

It doesn't make any difference what the reason is...if someone wants to try something then they should try it.
You learn something for sure...you learn it was a good idea or a bad idea... but we learn.

Some people like to change things and try new stuff...some people don't. Whatever floats their boat works for me.

I was quite happy with the Swift FX but that didn't mean that I wouldn't try something else that looked interesting to me.
The lack of headgear was really appealing to me. Not that I had any real problems with the traditional headgear but the idea of no headgear really caught my attention. I have always had this thing for preferring less stuff on my face and head. That will never change.

[rosacer]

Hi Pugsy

Are you still doing good with the mask? No teeth problem or mouth breathing ? Now that you have been using it for a long time do you love it as in the beginning?

Thanks

Rosie

[DarrylM]

Thanks everybody.

I am having no problems with my current mask. I am just intrigued by the no-headgear possibility. So if I can pull off a free tryout I expect I shall do just that.

[ughwhatname]

Thanks everybody.

I am having no problems with my current mask. I am just intrigued by the no-headgear possibility. So if I can pull off a free tryout I expect I shall do just that.

I, like Pugsy, was happy with the Swift FX, though I had some troubles with the headgear needing to be pulled down in the back during the night, and sometimes, I like to sleep on my tummy, and I had a difficult time with leaks and/or trouble with shifting headgear with the FX.

I got the free return insurance, and once I formed the mold, I haven't looked back. I really really appreciate the lack of things on my face. I interact with my hose much less, nothing needs to be adjusted during the night, and my leak numbers are near zero.

Its a 10 for me and I'd recommend you try it if you lack dental issues with the front teeth.

[Sheriff Buford]

I'm always eyeballin' a full face mask. I would love to try one of those fabric-lined full face mask. Heck... I'm ordering supplies today... maybe I will....

Sheriff

[Pugsy]

I would love to try one of those fabric-lined full face mask. Heck... I'm ordering supplies today... maybe I will.

The SleepWeaver fabric mask? I don't think they make a full face mask in those models ...only the over the nose but hey...you might do well with it. I have one that someone gave me that you can have. I need to check which model but it is in camo colors. Send me a PM with your mailing address and I will send it to you.

Are you still doing good with the mask? No teeth problem or mouth breathing ? Now that you have been using it for a long time do you love it as in the beginning?

Hi Rosie,
Yep..still doing great with the Tap Pap. No problems now at all. I still probably do a little mouth breathing as evidence from some minor leak spikes and I know that the nasal pillows don't ever move so that only leaves the mouth as the likely culprit.
It's minor...doesn't wake me up...and rarely goes into large leak territory and if it does then it rarely stays there for more than a couple of minutes so I don't really care.

I woke up early this morning and it was probably just about daybreak. I remember just laying there breathing and I truly felt like I was breathing without any mask or machine being on. I didn't feel the girdle on my teeth or anything. I remember thinking how nice it was not to notice the mask or headgear at all.

The mouth guard for me was probably the greatest adjustment...remember I have never ever used one of any kind...never had braces as a kid or needed any sort of oral appliance so that was a totally new experience for me. Now once I put on the "girdle" over my teeth it takes all of 30 seconds for me to have it fade into the background and become part of me.
The nasal pillows simply don't move and they are so light and so forgiving that they never bother me at all. I am still using the very first set of mediums that came with the mask.

So I am still a happy camper with the Tap Pap. It's about as close to nothing as I can imagine having to wear.

[herefishy]

There was another thread about the dental appliances which reminded me of how uncomfortable it got for me to more my jaw forward - does the Tap Pap move your teeth, or when you fit it you have your mouth in a normal position?

[rosacer]

Pugsy,

That is AWESOME to have a mask which is so non intrusive WOW. I'm happy you found such a jewel.

I'm still with my Headrest modified. It is not perfect and I'm not able to sleep on my back, I start opening the mouth when I start to fall asleep.

One day I will maybe bite the bullet and order a Tap Pap it sounds very nice your experience with it.

Take care

Rosie

[DarrylM]

Several of you have mentioned the importance of not having issues with the front teeth. I do not have any removable dentures or a partial of anything like that. But I do have a ceramic filling on one of my front teeth. What do you all think. Should I steer clear of the TAP PAP or try it anyway and see what happens?

[G'night Gracie]

For me, the TapPap has been a game-changer, in the best of ways. Because there are no face or head straps, and because I do not mind the mouth piece, I sleep better, and longer, because while sleeping, I feel as if I'm not wearing any mask. I am a mouth breather, but have found a cheap and comfortable solution by wearing a soft, cervical collar to keep my lower jaw from dropping. Nirvana! I do have dental fillings, but nothing loose. I still have much to learn about apnea therapy, but this mask, for me, is a great benefit!

[Stormynights]

Well I just ordered the Tap Pap too. I don't think I am going to get anything from my insurance. They still haven't called back about the missing parts of the mask I got from them nearly two weeks ago.