New User: Bearded Mouth Breather

Hello everyone!

I am an ex-pat American enjoying the French life and socialist health care system. This means I can finally afford to treat my sleep apnea. As such, I have been using my CPAP machine for about 6 months now and I have tried about 12 masks. However, I cannot find a mask that works with me.

FIrst of all, I am using a machine I didn't see listed in the options. It is a "DreamStar Auto Evolve" http://www.sefam-medical.com/dreamstar- ... tions.html.

I had an apnea of 17 and my pressures are set between 4 and 12.
Before the CPAP, I tried a dental guard that holds the jaw foward; while that did help some with the sleep, it really bothered my jaw muscles.

I sleep on my side only -- I've never been able to sleep on my back with any masks, as I inevitably choke awake every time.
I have a beard although it's currently missing. I'm living with a mustache and I hate it. I've tried both with and without a beard and lately I'm not sleeping either way.
Also, I am bald. I mention this because I seem to have a lot of issues with getting the harness right on my head. Either it cuts into my scalp (because it's too tight or I'm sleeping on my side in such a way that I put pressure on it) OR it slips and slides around.

I have a few questions.
1) I would like to try a nasal mask. However, the chin strap they gave me is a like a shoestring. It cuts into my head and, since I have no hair, it has nothing to hold it in place and it slides off while I sleep. I am thinking about getting a better chinstrap. Specifically, I'm thinking about getting the ruby one on the cpap webstore. https://www.cpap.com/productpage/ruby-s ... strap.html Does anyone have any advice or opinions? I just would like to try a chinstrap that has more of a harness to keep it in place.

2) I read on here that some people experience a "pulsing" when using the CPAP. They changed my machine a few months ago and I am aware when I am falling asleep that the mask seems to pulse against my face. I can't say for certain that this happened before, but I think I would have noticed it right away. Yet it seems new. Is this something to be concerned about? I will be talking with a technician next week about it, but I don't know what to ask.

3) I have used both the Resmed Mirage Quatro and the Respironics comfort gel masks. They are supposedly good for bearded guys. The Resmed seems to leak no matter what I do. The Respironics cut badly into the bridge of my nose. I've also tried masks that cover from the bridge of the nose to under the chin, but these too, cut into the bridge of my nose.

So, I am getting a bit desperate. I don't like how I look now that I've shaved my beard. I am not sleeping well. And I am wondering what to do. Should I buy the chin strap? Is the pulsing a sign of something else going on? Is there a middle ground between leaks and hurting the bridge of your nose?

Any help or advice would be appreciated. I know I am probably missing some information that I should include in this post, so let me know.

Thank you.

Check out the PapCap for the chin strap. Also look at the TapPap interface - it has a molded silicone mouthpiece that fits over the top teeth -with no straps. I have a full beard and use one. Alternatively, maybe something as simple as mask liners, and gel nose pads that go over the bridge of the nose. Also, check out the Padacheek web site to see if there is some kind of strap cover that would help. Of course, I have no idea if any of this is available in France.

I second the vote on the Tap Pap. It has no straps and it really allows you the freedom to sleep on your side. It took a bit of tries to get the "bite" right and a few more tweaks with locating the cushions, but once all that was done it is great. I still use my Swift FX. It has one Silicon strap that goes over the crown on my head and a velcro strap at the back of the head, but one important thing to remember is that to work best, the FX has to be "comfortably loose" you should be able to slide a couple of fingers in between either strap. If you have it on and look in a mirror and see a "piggy" nose, it is too tight.

-tino

How does the TAP PAP keep your mouth closed? I understand that the mouthguard keeps the nasal pillows in place, but when I sleep, my mouth drops open.
For the Swift FX -- one problem I have is that I have a shaved head that's always smooth. So anything with just a strap going over the crown does not stay in place -- it slides right off. Perhaps with the velcro strip in the back it wouldn't be a problem.

Also, I suppose I should note (and maybe go back and edit) -- I have a limited choice in masks. All of the masks I get are free, but I don't think I can choose any particular one that I want. Here in France, the CPAP and masks are completely covered by the health insurance. It is all regulated by a 3rd party company that have been very helpful and pleasant to work with. They come right into your home and set things up. My french isn't fluent though, so it can be a bit difficult expressing the finer troubles I've been having.

Just sent you a PM.

I should think that a Papcap would work for you as a chinstrap and a way for you to keep the headgear straps in place.... you might have to get creative and use velcro - hotglue or sew it onto the cap and strap once you determine where you need it.

silverdrop wrote:How does the TAP PAP keep your mouth closed? <snip>

It doesn't. You have to train your brain to do that. When I first started wearing my FX (nasal pillow) I used a Ruby Adjustable chin strap. At first it was tight. My jaw could only drop if I really forced it. After a while (month or so) I started loosening the strap, after 4 months I forgot it at my cabin and discovered I didn't need it anymore. Even so, some mornings I wake up with a Sahara mouth (usually when wine is involved the prior evening). As Jimmy Buffett says "Breathe in, Breathe out, Move on"

-tino

I'm not so sure I can train my brain to keep my mouth closed when I sleep. As I fall asleep, I clench my jaw pretty tightly. The second I drift off, it opens, usually waking me up because I start mouth breathing. Also, I wear a small night guard to prevent against teeth grinding, as apparently I do that in my sleep as well.

I've seen talk of making mask covers from old t-shirts. Has anyone had much success with that?

Have you ever tried a hybrid mask?
Both styles shown have a cushion for the mouth and nasal pillows up top.
https://www.cpap.com/cpap-masks/hybrid-cpap-mask.php