Mouth leaks

I've been using cpap therapy since May 13. Started out with nasal pillows but had to switch to a nasal mask because it felt like I was suffocating. The mask has been working great for me and I've been getting my restful sleep in. This past week things have changed. I started leaking and waking myself up. I caught myself doing it this morning. My jaw doesn't come open but I am leaking from my lips. I have not had to get up during the night to use the bathroom but had to get up twice last night. Both times because I woke myself up with the leaks. A chin strap would not help me as my jaw stays shut. I suppose I'll have to go to a full face mask. What do you think? It sure dries my mouth shut when this happens. I bet a FF mask will be even worse.

It sounds like you are having more trouble than I had, but it is possible that you may learn to keep your mouth sealed by keeping your tongue in contact with the roof of your mouth over time, even while asleep. I rarely have sustained problems any more. It took a couple months to "learn". I'm sure you will get other suggestions, maybe to use a little tape on your lips. There are people here that use a full face mask for this reason, but they seem harder to fit. I tried a FFM, but when my jaw relaxed, it leaked something aweful.
Jim

I had the same issue and it took three or four attempts with a chin strap (https://www.cpap.com/productpage/ruby-s ... strap.html) to get it right but it keeps my leaks at almost zero now.

My jaw is not coming open. In fact, it has stayed closed ever since May. It's just now that my lips come open and the air leaks out. UGH!

packdonkey wrote:I've been using cpap therapy since May 13. Started out with nasal pillows but had to switch to a nasal mask because it felt like I was suffocating. The mask has been working great for me and I've been getting my restful sleep in. This past week things have changed. I started leaking and waking myself up. I caught myself doing it this morning. My jaw doesn't come open but I am leaking from my lips. I have not had to get up during the night to use the bathroom but had to get up twice last night. Both times because I woke myself up with the leaks. A chin strap would not help me as my jaw stays shut. I suppose I'll have to go to a full face mask. What do you think? It sure dries my mouth shut when this happens. I bet a FF mask will be even worse.

First off do you mean May 13th 2015 or May of 2013? Have you tried a chin strap? (Your jaw might be coming slight enough to let air though and you not really notice and worst case you return it ) You might want to also check with your doctor, your pressure could just need adjusted. And if all that doesn't help then yeah you might need a full face. I am just going off what I learned though research because I do not have CPAP... yet

packdonkey wrote: A chin strap would not help me as my jaw stays shut. I suppose I'll have to go to a full face mask. What do you think? It sure dries my mouth shut when this happens. I bet a FF mask will be even worse.

I have spent my first three 'CPAP months' successfully chasing the goals of comfort and low leak rate.

It took a while to recognize the first problem - I'm sensitive to headgear straps across my lower skull and neck area - they give me severe headaches. This was solved by using a TAP PAP which has NO straps and stays in position with a dental retainer.

Tap Pap was comfortable, gave a big AHI improvement, and also revealed the cause of my Large Leaks - flappy lips. To quell them I tried first Poligrip then bandage tape. The tape really helped! However the dental retainer protrusion proved too difficult to completely seal with Poligrip or tape.

Finally, the AirFit P10 pillow mask proved awesomely comfortable. With no protruding support, a la the Tap Pap, I was able to tape my lips securely closed.

A single length of CVS bandage tape from ear to ear now takes care of my lip leaks, the P10 handles my somewhat high pressures, and my weekly AHI average has dropped to less than 5.0.

For me this is a far better solution than full-face masks.

Which tape specifically are you using? I have tried two micropores and still seem to blow through them during the night, creating a mouth leak, unless I dont put anything on my lips to keep the tape from feeling like its ripping them off in the morning. I wish there was a tape that would stick like crazy until some specific substance was put on it in the morning that would break the adhesive immediately.

hifiaudio wrote:Which tape specifically are you using?

The tape I use is the CVS ALL PURPOSE CLOTH TAPE 2" wide which costs about $6.00 for 10 yards.

A few things which have made a difference for me:
• before applying the tape I wipe my cheeks and lips firmly with a dry wash cloth to remove skin oils and moisture;
• a generous length of tape works best - I go ear-to-ear in the Jack Bauer fashion;
• pressing, stretching and smoothing the tape down to my skin reduces the likelihood of it coming unstuck;
and possibly most important,
• pressing your (dry) lips firmly together as you stretch and press the tape over them prevents moisture from escaping and degrading the adhesive while you sleep.

I hope this is helpful for you, and that you work out your own successful method.

N.B. My local CVS has just this week begun stocking 4 varieties of 2" PAPER TAPE, including one specifically for sensitive skin.
I've not yet had the opportunity to try these, however they may prove useful for someone.

Awesome, thanks. I have been having a bad regression in my therapy... cannot seem to stand the FFM anymore.. tried multiple nights for a long time.. no dice.

And the taping I was doing for the nasal mask is not working anymore.. I keep blowing through it.

Oddly enough, this seems to coincide with me losing some weight. Maybe my face is becoming more angular. I dropped about 15 lbs from around 185 to 170.