Tried Wisp nasal mask but air gets in my mouth

[ellen1159]

Got my machine two months ago and still struggling to get mask right. I started out with two full face masks, Quattro FX and Amara, but found I couldnt' stop leaks without a liner, and often I felt claustrophobic or that the air was too warm (even with humidifier turned off). Haven't been able to manage more than a couple of brief naps.

Went to see the sleep doc after six weeks and he and his staff are wonderful, very reassuring, told me it can take a year to get things running smoothly with CPAP machines.. First thing he did was put me on Nasonex spray and OTC allergy meds twice a day to deal with nasal congestion (seasonal allergic rhinitis plus reflux that causes nasal congestion). He encouraged me to continue with losing weight through diet and exercise (I've lost 11 lbs. over the past month). I told the doc about my mental anxiety about the machine and problems getting the mask to not leak when I'm lying down, problems getting comfortable enough to sleep. He asked me if I had a tv in my bedroom (no) or recliner (no).

His nurse gave me a nasal mask (Wisp) to try at home and she adjusted the exhale pressure settings on my machine (My pressures are really high, 25/15). I was surprised she wanted me to try the nasal mask with my pressure settings. I asked about my mouth staying shut and she said I would adjust and "learn" to keep my mouth closed. She discouraged me from using tape or denture cream to seal my lips shut in case of a power failure, that I wouldn't be able to automatically open my mouth to breathe in an emergency. She also said a chin strap wouldnt' keep my mouth closed all the way.

Adjusting the exhale pressure or resistance (sorry, I can't remember what it's called) helped with my feeling of being overwhelmed by the pressure settings. The Wisp mask was certainly an improvement over a full face, and it's positioning seemed to keep my upper lip pressed down to keep my mouth closed at least while I was sitting up. However, when I attempted a nap yesterday, I became aware of my mouth filling with air and 'burping" out of my lips. I couldn't get comfortable with the headgear lying on my side so I tried supine but with four pillows under my head so I was almost at a 45 degree angle. This was more comfortable but I still got air in my mouth. A couple of times I felt like I was choking on it and had to cough. It was really frustrating because I was exhausted and really needed a nap. After an hour of this my head hurt as well as my jaws from the effort of keeping my mouth closed, and I just gave up and took off the mask.

I think I'm going to have to go back to the Quattro and try to figure out a sleeping position that works. I am scouring Craigslist for a reclining chair for my bedroom. I figure any sleep is better than none.

has anyone else had a problem with their mouth filling with air with a nasal mask? Perhaps it's the high pressure settings? The mask stays on, and doesn't leak that badly, but I still can't sleep with it on.

[chunkyfrog]

"Chipmunk cheeks", yep, I've had it.
Maybe you could try chin up strips.
http://www.chinupstrip.com/
Note: the models are not wearing them correctly; put the bottom up just to the edge of the lower lip,
and pull the lower lip up, bulldog style, before securing the ends.
I even cut my own out of 3M delicate painters tape:

[lc96]

I had leaks with the wisp, too. I really wanted to like it because of how light and small it is. Someone at work recommended the Activa LT and that worked much better for me. The silicone on it really grips my skin (in a good way and almost no leaks. I start out sleeping on my side but then seem to move to my back and also the other side and still on readjustment of the mask is necessary. It sounds like you have an equipment provider who is willing to work with you in finding the right mask, so that is good. I think I went through 4 other masks before I found the right one.

Chin strap didn't work for me. I use about an inch long piece of the softest, most removable first aid tape on my lips. It doesn't cover all of my lips from side-to-side, just enough of the middle to remind me not to open my mouth. We have power outages at least twice a year and the sides of my mouth can still breathe so that isn't a worry for me at all.

[ellen1159]

Thanks for the tips. Went to the Chinup strip site. it is worth a try. I also liked the Wisp mask and if I can stop the venting through the mouth I might have a fighting chance!

I'm also getting a cheap used recliner tomorrow to see if I can get some CPAP shut-eye in a semi-reclining position.

I am fortunate to have a sleep doc who is really willing to work with me, as well as an office administrator who knows more about the machines than the docs and the techs combined.

[loopylooloo]

I'd love to know what you find out. I would like to use this mask as well over the Quattro...but I also can't keep my mouth closed.

[tuzacat]

I use the Wisp mask most nights and have issues with puffing air out of my mouth. If I just use a chin strap I puff and wake myself up. If I just tape without the chinstrap I puff behind the tape and wake myself up. I find I have to use both the tape and a chinstrap to resolve the puffing issue. The down side is it's a lot of stuff on my face. the up side is the concocted chinstrap I use pads my cheeks from the Wisp headgear.

[chunkyfrog]

I was able to flex a little bit of curve into my silicone frame, just by gently bending the sides at room temperature.
It was suddenly more comfortable. I wish that P/R would supply directions for this adjustment,
--as I was afraid I'd break it; but I HAD to do something.

[ellen1159]

I was able to flex a little bit of curve into my silicone frame, just by gently bending the sides at room temperature.
It was suddenly more comfortable. I wish that P/R would supply directions for this adjustment,
--as I was afraid I'd break it; but I HAD to do something.

how did you do it? can you describe?

[chunkyfrog]

I very carefully flexed each front bar along its entire length, gently, several times.
I changed the perfectly straight line to a slight curve around my cheek.
This could be risky; I have no idea what material is the hard clear plastic inside, but I hoped it would not snap.
I actually stopped bending before I really wanted to, but upon wearing it, I think I "lucked out"--like Goldilocks.

[DJD52]

I very carefully flexed each front bar along its entire length, gently, several times.
I changed the perfectly straight line to a slight curve around my cheek.
This could be risky; I have no idea what material is the hard clear plastic inside, but I hoped it would not snap.
I actually stopped bending before I really wanted to, but upon wearing it, I think I "lucked out"--like Goldilocks.

This is interesting. I'm going to "gently" try this.

[Florida]

Started CPAP last month with a WISP headgear. I adjusted more quickly than I had expected but now when I move at all air leaks out from the sides no matter how carefully I try to adjust it. Sometimes I feel as if I am a balloon being blown up, very uncomfortable. Any suggestions

[oak]

Florida I am a newbie who also uses the Wisp at times, and the first thing that came to my head was "maybe florida needs a new nasal piece." possible to have it leak after a month from what I have read.

[Janknitz]

One thing your note seems to indicate that you fit the mask sitting up, and then it didn't seal as well lying down. When fitting a mask, it should always be done LYING DOWN, at full pressure, and preferably in the position you sleep in. Gravity does weird things to our face when we are lying down, so a mask fit when you are sitting up will inevitably leak when you are lying down.

I always recommend making the mask straps very loose, lying down, turning the machine on, and then tightening the straps just enough to get a seal that will permit you to move your head around in the bed without springing a leak. Then check the fit in your normal sleep position.

The machine MUST be turned on so that the nasal cushion fills completely with air. Ideally, your machine should be turned up to your highest pressure when you are fitting your mask. I don't know if your BiPAP has a mask fit setting, if not, Pugsy and others can tell you how to set it on a fixed pressure just for the purposes of mask fitting, then restore the settings your sleep doctor wants you to have.

The trick to not having your mouth fill up with air and get "lip farts" is to seal off the airway from your mouth with your tongue. You do this by resting with the tongue on the roof of the mouth. I thought it would be hard to learn this but it really was not. The trick is to practice all day. If you are not eating or talking, your tongue should be "glued to the roof of your mouth behind the front teeth.