Creativity in C-pappery

I am still on chapter one. How to be comfortable with paraphernalia on your face whilst forcing fake air through one part of your body while trying not to blow up like a ballon.

Last night was chipmunk cheek night. Not one. But all night long. The mask is comfortable but my mouth just is not bonding with all that extra air (or whatever passage it is or isn't going into thus turning me into a continual rodent.

I had my tape/mouth very sealed. Like no air was coming out come hell or high water. Well, some drool would escape the sides. This is all such a lovely and appealing experience. Eeesh.

Numbers were ok. So tonight I will continue with creativity . My leak numbers were very tolerable. But the bulging exploding cheeks did not make for good sleeping.

So I am using 47 pony tails (or 2) to keep my headstraps from becoming a forehead tourniquet. The jury is still out on the ps3 thing. will try it one more time. It seems easier to expel. almost too easy (if I even know what I am saying).

Think I will try the head band thing again in some combination with ponytails, 1/2 tape. Maybe cervical collar. Or not. Feel like I am dressing in uniform just to go to bed. Sigh.

But I am thinking something on my mouth to contain some air from escaping, but something porous so I am not losing gales of air.

Well isn't this fun?

How bad is the aerophagia?

lliann wrote:.... I had my tape/mouth very sealed. Like no air was coming out come hell or high water. Well, some drool would escape the sides. ....

Well isn't this fun?

I solved the drool problem (i.e., loosens the tape) with PolyGrip Strips, after I read a thread by Ms ChunkyFrog. I cut a strip in half, lengthwise. Then divide one of the halves. These (1 & 1/2 pieces) can then be shaped into curves using your fingers. Dampen and place on lips. Takes a few nights to find the optimum placement. Good luck.

Poly grip strips work pretty good until the weird morning when you wake up with one on the pillow--
And no idea where the other piece is until you look in the mirror.

I have had chipmunk cheeks since I started treatment over two years ago. I have learned to live with it. I have found I get a better mask seal with them than without them. When I was first tested twenty years ago, the only mask they had available in the sleep lab was a nasal mask. Every time I would doze off, air would start coming out between my lips and sounded much worse than any mask fart I have had since actually starting treatment a little over two years ago.

I understand you have a nasal mask, so it covers your nose, but your mouth is exposed. The CPAP increases the pressure in your nose, throught, and if given a chance, your mouth. The key is to close off your mouth using your tongue at the BACK of your tongue. Place your tongue up on the roof of your mouth, with the tip at the roots of your upper front teeth, but relaxed. Pinch your nose and try to breath. You will find that even with your mouth open, with your tongue in that position, no air will come out. Your cheeks will not puff, even with your lips closed. Practice this lots while awake, even with the machine on watching tv, etc. Lots of people can learn to maintain the tongue seal this way, even while sleeping, no tape required. It does take a while, and leaks will probably wake you up often while learning. Hope this helps!
Jim

jim22 wrote:I understand you have a nasal mask, so it covers your nose, but your mouth is exposed. The CPAP increases the pressure in your nose, throught, and if given a chance, your mouth. The key is to close off your mouth using your tongue at the BACK of your tongue. Place your tongue up on the roof of your mouth, with the tip at the roots of your upper front teeth, but relaxed. Pinch your nose and try to breath. You will find that even with your mouth open, with your tongue in that position, no air will come out. Your cheeks will not puff, even with your lips closed. Practice this lots while awake, even with the machine on watching tv, etc. Lots of people can learn to maintain the tongue seal this way, even while sleeping, no tape required. It does take a while, and leaks will probably wake you up often while learning. Hope this helps!
Jim

True, this works.

Sheepy wrote:

jim22 wrote:I understand you have a nasal mask, so it covers your nose, but your mouth is exposed. The CPAP increases the pressure in your nose, throught, and if given a chance, your mouth. The key is to close off your mouth using your tongue at the BACK of your tongue. Place your tongue up on the roof of your mouth, with the tip at the roots of your upper front teeth, but relaxed. Pinch your nose and try to breath. You will find that even with your mouth open, with your tongue in that position, no air will come out. Your cheeks will not puff, even with your lips closed. Practice this lots while awake, even with the machine on watching tv, etc. Lots of people can learn to maintain the tongue seal this way, even while sleeping, no tape required. It does take a while, and leaks will probably wake you up often while learning. Hope this helps!
Jim

True, this works.

Been trying it. I need my subconscious to get the memo because it works when I am awake.

lliann wrote:.... Been trying it. I need my subconscious to get the memo because it works when I am awake.

Yes, this technique should come with a big "your mileage may vary" label.