Poligrip Strips Failure - I Quit

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 5:09 am

For months I've struggled with using Poligrip strips. In the beginning they helped some, and I experienced a number of apnea-free nights. But I've just never been able to get the strips to reliably keep my mouth shut all night. I've tried different ways to attach the strips, but never could resolve the problem. Always, within the first hour after falling asleep, the Encore leak data would indicate a brief large leak. I've finally concluded that I'm a committed mouth-leaker. Not enough air to disrupt the therapy, mind you, but enough to show up in the leak data with Encore Pro, and occasionally enough to show up as large leaks. Lately the leaks had gotten worse though, enough so that my wife even started complaining about it. For the past month, the data with the strips is every bit as bad as it was before I started using the strips. Both the Encore Pro data and the oximeter show the same thing.

I finally decided to go without the strips a few nights ago, and didn't notice much difference that night. The next night there was a big difference, with high AHI and poor oximeter data. However, subsequent nights haven't registered any significant difference, and last night the data was better than it's been at any time in over a month. Since I feel pretty good, I have no motivation at all to go back to using the Poligrip strips.

It just seems like I'm a determined mouth-leaker, not a mouth-breather, per-se, just a few little leaks that don't seem to have much effect on therapy. Usually, it doesn't even dry my mouth out. Oh well . . ., maybe I should just be glad I'm not a drooler.

Anybody else experience a similar problem?

Regards,
Bill (who gets shivers just thinking about the prospect of mouth-taping)

TerryB · Post by **TerryB** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 5:31 am

Hi Bill,
I have been using the strips for several months. I started two days after they showed up in this forum. But, I have always used a homebrew chin strap too. I think of the strips for the lips and the strap for the jaw. Just trying to do the best I can. I tried to get my Mom on the strap but it musses her hair. Since I don't have much hair, I don't have much problem. I use a "universal" bandage sold at Wal-Mart in the foot stuff section for ankle/wrist/hand. It's about 30" long with a velcro closure. Works for me any leaks I have are mask interface.

Good Luck,

TerryB

Snoozin' Bluezzz · Post by **Snoozin' Bluezzz** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 6:39 am

Bill,

If you feel OK and the numbers are good I don't think I would worry about it. These mouth leaks are only a problem if you notice they are affecting your therapy in some way.

I use them all the time and sometimes I notice that placement will make a big difference as to whether I have a leak or not but even for me I don't think the small leaks make a difference. It is the cavern mouth that creates a problem for me and the strips prevent that.

Good Luck

David

linda b · Post by **linda b** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 9:12 am

I've been using Poligrip strips since about the second night of my therapy and had a leak problem on only one occasion. That was a night my husband insisted on asking a couple of questions that I simply had to answer with more than a mumbled gutteral sound. I was too tired to get up to reseal.

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 9:15 am

get a full face mask, it is what we all end up going to. tape works for short term but even it becomes a hassle every night.

mouth leaks have a bigger impact on our therapy than any thing else you can do.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 10:14 am

I tried the polygrip strips and discarded. Just not for me.

I am a tape person. Occasionally with the tape I have a drooly night (don't know why but you mentioned drool in the original note so I thought I would let you know you are not alone).

The drool bothers me in the corner of my mouth and I end up retaping with fresh tape. I am one of those people who can't stand bodily fluids so the drool gets to me.

I tried my full face mask recently and would so much rather deal with the tape, homemade chinstrap and drool any day.

Offerocker · Post by **Offerocker** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 11:28 am

Anonymous wrote:I tried the polygrip strips and discarded. Just not for me.

I am a tape person. Occasionally with the tape I have a drooly night (don't know why but you mentioned drool in the original note so I thought I would let you know you are not alone).

The drool bothers me in the corner of my mouth and I end up retaping with fresh tape. I am one of those people who can't stand bodily fluids so the drool gets to me.

I tried my full face mask recently and would so much rather deal with the tape, homemade chinstrap and drool any day.

I too am a dedicated 'taper'! One strip down the middle of mouth does it!
Do a search, and you'll find many different technicques and tapes.
Also, I cannot tolerate, or get successful non-leaks with a full-face mask: the larger the area that touches the face, the more likely one is to have leaks, in my opinion.
Keep trying alternatives!

Snoozin' Bluezzz · Post by **Snoozin' Bluezzz** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 11:43 am

Anonymous wrote:I tried my full face mask recently and would so much rather deal with the tape, homemade chinstrap and drool any day.

Contrary to another's wide sweeping generalization about what "we all do" I am with you. I don't believe there is any inevitability about a FF Interface for "all" of us. I will continue to avoid a FF interface (other than Hybrid). In the past 9 months Poli-Grip and tape have worked fine for me. They seem to have worked fine for Rested Gal much longer than that and many others that chime in here so I don't think "we all" have to go to a FF interface except for colds or other congestion issues. I am also skeptical, but open to being convinced otherwise, that small mouth leaks are an issue for our therapy unless they result in arousals that are non OSA related. Some people find that mouth leaks wake them up and that this is just as distruptive for them as Apneas or Hypopneas

David

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 12:12 pm

Snoredog wrote:get a full face mask, it is what we all end up going to.

Actually, Snoredog, I started out with a full-face mask, but found out that it pushed my lower jaw back enough to increase my apnea at pressures well below therapeutic for me. And, raising pressure rapidly made the apnea worse.

Although I started with the Ultra Mirage FFM, I've investigated all the others as well, and it looks to me like none of them would exert any less pressure on the lower jaw than the UMFF does, so I stick with nasal interfaces. I'll admit though that going to a nasal interface was a real challenge for me until I figured out how to get my chronic congestion under control.

So, in my own way I guess I've already fulfilled your prophecy, Snoredog, but perhaps in reverse order from what you intended, and found out that nasal interfaces work much better for me than full-face interfaces.

Regards,
Bill

dllfo · Post by **dllfo** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 12:36 pm

Sorry Bill, I can't help you here, wish I could....sort of repay you for all the good help you have given me.

I have read these threads and wondered WHY some of us can sleep with our mouths closed and others don't....is it mental? Physical...a muscle is weak?
I will occaisionally wake up with a dry mouth, but due to all the asthma type drugs I take, I am never sure if it is the drugs or I opened my mouth a little.

I assumer you have already tried the strap. I was given a really nice soft strap to put under my chin and around the top of my head if I need it. Never needed it. Good luck Bill...hope you have it solved.