Ruby Red Adjustable Chin Strap XL

[apw5746]

Since I'm a huge mouth breather, I got the chin strap mentioned in the subject line to aid in keeping my mouth closed when I sleep. However, the way to wear it, especially how to put it on, adjusting it to fit, not having the velcro rub the back of my neck, head etc., is not explained very well. As I'm bald the velcro is felt much more than if I had a full head of hair.

Has anyone found a video that shows exactly how it's worn, and how it adjusted for correct fit? The illustration that came with the chin strap looks like my cat created it. Which is a polite way of saying it sucked. Due to my being super claustrophobic, I can't wear a FFM, so I alternate between the Swift FX Nasal Pillows, and the WISP Nasal Mask, but end up with dry mouth in the morning.

Any help, especially referencing the proper way to put it on would be greatly appreciated. I've had the darn thing for several months now, and it's gathering dust.

[Tino2You]

Hi apw;

When I wore my Ruby Chin Strap a long time ago, I would start with the lower strap. I would pull it back till my lower jaw just started to pull back and then pressed the Velcro closed. I tried to not change my bite position, if that makes any sense. I then pulled the top strap up as tight as I wanted to pull my teeth together. Here is a picture from way back when.

[url=http://s1152.photobucket.com/user/Tino2 ... 4.jpg.html]

Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words, in this case it''l most likely cause nightmares.

Also, I used it for about 4 or 5 months. After about month three, I started experimenting with the top strap tightness. I started to loosen it a little every 3 days or so. All the while looking at my SleepyHead graphs. When the leaks rose, I would tighten it up a bit for a few more days. In the end, I found that I had trained my brain to keep my trap shut at night (for the most part). I still sometimes wake in the night with a dry mouth. I get a sip of water and go back to sleep.

Take the above advice for what it's worth

[avi123]

I use this kind of a chinstrap:



It's CareFusion extra large # TMS-09-ADJXL which I order at Amazon.

I have four of them. Over time the back Velcro stops grabbing and then I throw the strap away.

I staple the top part of the strap which goes over my head to make the strap fit my head with the right elastic pull tension. So I use the back Velcro only to mount and remove the strap over my head.

When I sweat at night the chinstrap gets wet so I replace it with a dry one.

Often I skip wearing the chinstrap, especially if it's a worm night, but then my leak graph shows it.

Here are ResScan graphs from last night when I skipped the chinstrap. You can see that the Leak graph shows quite a bit of mouth breathing (those "M" shapes in the leak graph). But none of them exceeded the red line by much and the S9 machine is rugged to do its treatment with no problems:

[apw5746]

Hi apw;

When I wore my Ruby Chin Strap a long time ago, I would start with the lower strap. I would pull it back till my lower jaw just started to pull back and then pressed the Velcro closed. I tried to not change my bite position, if that makes any sense. I then pulled the top strap up as tight as I wanted to pull my teeth together. Here is a picture from way back when.

[url=http://s1152.photobucket.com/user/Tino2 ... 4.jpg.html]

Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words, in this case it''l most likely cause nightmares.

Also, I used it for about 4 or 5 months. After about month three, I started experimenting with the top strap tightness. I started to loosen it a little every 3 days or so. All the while looking at my SleepyHead graphs. When the leaks rose, I would tighten it up a bit for a few more days. In the end, I found that I had trained my brain to keep my trap shut at night (for the most part). I still sometimes wake in the night with a dry mouth. I get a sip of water and go back to sleep.

Take the above advice for what it's worth

Thanks for the picture. And yes, it's worth a thousand words, but I don't think it will give me nightmares.

We wear the exact same chin strap and mask. Obviously since you've got hair you don't feel the velcro, probably not at all, like I do. I do the chin first like. After my post last night, I got the contraption to finally fit. I think. The big portion with the label goes in the back and the small strap on top? Did the top strap bunch up when tightened? My cheeks look like a chipmunk that's storing up nuts for the winter when I've got it on. I do the same routine you do with the water. Since I've had my prostate removed I usually get up for a bathroom break 3-4 times a night.

I've got SleepyHead software too, but I use a Mac. I've yet to interpret the graphs though. I started to read Pugsy's pointers, but she's go a PC, so I quit reading

As I said in the subject line on my post, I've got the XL. What size is your's as it seems to fit better than mine? Also, when I tighten the back straps on the mask to prevent leaks, my nostrils begin to flair, and push up. It appears you don't have that problem, and we both wear medium mask cushions.

I'd send a picture with this PM, but using photo bucket is daunting for me, and I a few years older. The kids call dad computer illiterate. However, I have learned to do a selfie.

Pat

[palerider]

I staple the top part of the strap which goes over my head to make the strap fit my head

NOTE for anyone new, we here at cpaptalk.com do not generally recommend stapling chinstraps to your head!

[SleepyInIndy]

If the velcro is causing discomfort on your head, you might want to investigate the papcap. No velcro touches your skin.

[chunkyfrog]

The PapCap was the most comfortable chinstrap for me--the Ruby gave ME claustrophobia!
I have also used the Resmed Sullivan chinstrap, but split the strap from about an inch above my ears,
so it would span the roundest part of my head:
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... hleak.html
Like others, I have noticed my mouth leaks have diminished over time to a point where I no longer need a chinstrap.

[Tigerlily]

Like others, I have noticed my mouth leaks have diminished over time to a point where I no longer need a chinstrap.

I am still waiting for this day, it's been a year and half for me now.