Hybrid flap and aerophagia

I've been using the large hybrid cushion (medium pillows) with the chin flap on for the past ~ month and it's been working well enough. Two days ago I thought I would try playing with the medium cushion with the chin flap cut off. I had tried that configuration once I first got the hybrid but found the medium cushion was a bit too small. Anyway, I tried it again and found that the medium cushion was still too small (although I had it cranked on so tight that I got no leaks) but interestingly I had WAY LESS AEROPHAGIA the next two mornings after using this configuration than with the fully flapped large cushion. The only explanation I could think of for this is that the presence of the flap really keeps my mouth shut so that I tend to swallow air more. Whereas with the flap removed, my mouth can open more easily so air can leak out.
Has anyone else observed this?

Maryb

The medium mouth-piece, without the flap, holds my mouth closed much
better than the large mouth-piece with the flap. For me the chin-flap
is worthless, like a chin-strap.

Try this:
1) Put your finger under you chin and open your mouth. Easy right?

2) Put your index finger just above the chin on the lower gum line, and
push toward your ears. Much harder to open your mouth, right?

The medium mouth-piece, without the flap applies pressure to both the
upper and lower gum lines, thus making it more difficult,for me, to open
my mouth. The large mouth-piece, with the chin-flap, is not as effective,
because the chin flap moves the pressure point from the gum line to the
chin.

oldgearhead wrote:Try this:
1) Put your finger under you chin and open your mouth. Easy right?

2) Put your index finger just above the chin on the lower gum line, and
push toward your ears. Much harder to open your mouth, right?

You have mentioned this before and I tried it then and I have just tried it again ... I always get the opposite result.

You are not some kind of space alien are you? Your picture just doesn't look quite normal.

- roberto

OGH-That maneuver doesn't work for me either-I get the opposite effect.

Mary-I have less aerophagia with the Hybrid even with the chin flap. But more sinus pressure-guess because the air is more "directed". With my F & P 406 & a chin strap I have more aerophagia and less sinus pressure. I may end up alternating masks to allow either sinus or GI relief-whatever is needed.

actually I know that the large cushion with the flap on just clamps my jaw shut. I can barely jam my chin into the flap--it's a tight fit. In the morning, my lips are sort of stuck together.
Without the flap, my mouth was open alot more and the next morning my mouth and lips were dry. It's easier to open my mouth with the flap off.
I guess that my aerophagia observation must be just me. There are so many variables with this therapy and most people react differently. It seems that we each have to find the right combination for us. That said, it's been a relief to be able to go to this message board and see how others are dealing with it and it's been a great source of information.

Maryb