Mouth Taping Discussed with Physician???

beneyw · Post by **beneyw** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 12:02 pm

Has anyone actually discussed mouth taping with a pulmonologist or sleep doc?

I would be curious to hear what they might say about taping AFTER trials with the chinstrap and ff mask fail. As for me, being away from my sleep doc, I am unable to communicate with him without going through a secretary from hell. All she says..."you will need another appointment." Tough to do when I am 1600 miles away...Ahh, medical care is great sometimes.

Snoozin' Bluezzz · Post by **Snoozin' Bluezzz** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 12:14 pm

I mentioned it to my Sleep Doc and he just looked at me, didn't say a word.

David

cpapjack · Post by **cpapjack** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 12:23 pm

I mentioned it to me RT from my DME provider and he just laughed saying it's not natural.

bsil · Post by **bsil** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 12:25 pm

I did discuss this briefly with my allergist. Although he is not the prescribing physician, he did voice concerns about situations where one might get stomache flu in the middle of the night and have to vomit. He was concerned about the possibility of aspirating stomach contents into the lungs. Something to think about...however,I'm still currently using the Polident strips.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 1:16 pm

I mentioned my nightly mouth taping to both the doctor from the sleep clinic and my GP. Neither has expressed any concerns. The only reaction I received was from the clinician from my DME. He felt that taping was an extreme measure to take, but then again, he wears a full face mask with his CPAP so I'm not sure his is the advice I'd most likely follow.

As someone who has chronic stomach problems, I can't really see how even a sudden bout of the flu could cause an issue with taping, unless you were so groggy you couldn't get the tape off. As for me, I'm painfully aware of the need to vomit for at least 5-10 minutes before it actually occurs and would think that the lead-up symptoms would definitely wake me from the soundest sleep. Honestly, I'd be more concerned about forgetting that I was hooked up to the CPAP and rushing in to the bathroom trailing the machine by the hose!

Kurtchan

ladytonya · Post by **ladytonya** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 1:50 pm

cpapjack's response from the RT struck me as funny. It's just not natural. Gee, let's see, wearing a mask attached by a long funny looking hose is oh-so-natural!

roster · Post by **roster** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 2:04 pm

I told the "CPAP Director" at my sleep lab and she commented: "If taping works for you, it is OK with us."

I then saw the sleep doctor and he commented: "They just don't make a comfortable FF mask."

So I don't think my sleep lab is promoting mouth taping but they recognize some patients may find it to be a good solution.

idahogal · Post by **idahogal** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 2:13 pm

bsil wrote:I did discuss this briefly with my allergist. Although he is not the prescribing physician, he did voice concerns about situations where one might get stomache flu in the middle of the night and have to vomit. He was concerned about the possibility of aspirating stomach contents into the lungs. Something to think about...however,I'm still currently using the Polident strips.

I can see from a medical stand point the concern the doctors, providers etc would have. Initially this would have been my first thought as well. However, I can only speak for myself but, I have never in my life thrown up before I was awakened by an upset stomach first. Maybe I am just lucky but after 38 years I would tend to think it would be ok for me, myself to tape or use polident stips.

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 2:16 pm

cpapjack wrote:I mentioned it to me RT from my DME provider and he just laughed saying it's not natural.

As opposed to sleeping with a mask on your face, which is very natural....

O.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 2:40 pm

Not to be disgusting, but, in college my roomate was sleeping off a heavy night of drinking. I awoke to gurgling sounds, as he was vomiting in his sleep. If I hadn't turned him over, I'm sure he would have drowned in his own vomit! So as long as we all avoid the alcohol stupor, hopefully we should be OK.

Maryb · Post by **Maryb** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 3:56 pm

My RT said that taping was dangerous and he was shocked.
On the other hand at my annual physical today, my doctor said "what ever works for you and I'm glad that the XPAP therapy is working".,

Maryb

josh · Post by **josh** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 4:03 pm

What does everyone mean my taping?

Forgive me if I am a NOOB...

RedThunder94 · Post by **RedThunder94** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 4:06 pm

i am speaking from a personal experience, i almost got pneumonia one time when i threw up and aspirated some of the vomit before i even was even awake enough to know what happened, i just shot up out of bed and realized i could not breath no matter how hard i tried and almost passed out before i could, that royally sucked, and i had not been drinking at all before it happened, it was just one of those things that happen with no prior warning and for no good reason, so i shy away from taping because it can happen and it could be extremely bad if it does and you are taped up,

when you are forced awake from a very deep sleep state, you are still too groggy to think of a viable solution to the problem at the drop of a pin, it's like this, you throw up into your mouth while being very asleep and aspirate some of it, then all of a sudden you are awakened by a strong sharp pain in your throat and have very bad chest pains, and cannot breathe no matter how hard you try, that's all you know that's going on, you don't know what happened, it takes time to realize what has happened and then it takes a second to think of a solution to the problem, it's not like wow, i guess i'm throwing up and it is going into my lungs, i guess i'll just rip that tape off and take a breath, it's an extremely panicky situation,

just like in the movies when some people have a homicidal maniac fixing to give them a really bad time and they run to the car only to not be able to get the key into the ignition cause they are scared half to death and maybe even drop the keys in the process, it's like that.

RedThunder94 · Post by **RedThunder94** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 4:07 pm

josh wrote:What does everyone mean my taping?

Forgive me if I am a NOOB...

they mean actually taping the lips closed to prevent mouth breathing while asleep.

Maryb · Post by **Maryb** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 4:14 pm

those of us using nasal masks or nasal pillows often find that air leaks out of our mouths. When these "mouth leaks" happen, it throws the therapy all off. Your machine goes like crazy trying to drive the pressure up to compensate. Your mouth gets all dried out from the air going in your nose andpouring out your mouth. And of course that air that goes out your mouth is not going down your throat and stopping the apneas. There are several ways around this if it happens to you. You can get a full face mask or you can try various ways to keep your mouth closed (e.g., dental devices, chin straps, polident strips on your lips or simply taping your mouth shut using various kinds of tape.). There has been lots of discussion on this board about ways to keep your mouth closed, and taping your mouth shut works for alot of people. Personally I use the polident strips. You should do a search for "taping" or "mouth taping" and you will turn up all kinds of useful tips. Also, there is a new mask out, the "hybrid" that is designed such that mouth leaks won't be a problem (I have one of these on order and can't wait to get it).

Maryb

Mask

Additional Comments: cpap pressure: 12