Solving Lip Flutters

My husband always sleeps on his back.

He's currently using a Tap Pap.

He has a handlebar mustache and a full beard -- and no, shaving them is not an option.

And now he's waking me up with his lips fluttering, apparently breathing out through his mouth, but keeping his mouth closed on inhalation.

We don't yet have his machine so I can't check the leak rate to see what's happening.

With the beard and moustache, taping the lips isn't an option. He's using a six inch brandy keg, and his jaw isn't dropping open. It's the lips.

Any thoughts for a solution?

Shaving is definitely an option, if you can get him sufficiently medicated.

Polygrip strips on the lips?????

I did it years ago. Nasty taste though.

rcobourn wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 16, 2019 7:47 pm

Shaving is definitely an option, if you can get him sufficiently medicated.

No. Shaving is NOT an option. For one thing, the beard covers the 18 stitches from an auto accident.

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 16, 2019 7:50 pm

Polygrip strips on the lips?????

I did it years ago. Nasty taste though.

Mmm. I'll suggest it. It may not fly, though, until I have actual data to show him.

Engineers, you know.

I used poli grip strips, and imo, taste is very subtle-did not bother me.
Now the stickiness was another matter.
I woke one morning with a piece stuck to my chin.
Still would do it again if needed--effective, but somewhat silly.

Kiralynx wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 16, 2019 9:52 pm

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 16, 2019 7:50 pm

Polygrip strips on the lips?????

I did it years ago. Nasty taste though.

Mmm. I'll suggest it. It may not fly, though, until I have actual data to show him.

Engineers, you know.

I'm a hopeless mouth breather and have the lip flutter problem when I don't use my usual effective and comfortable method for dealing with it. It continually awakens me. Yes there is that initial "getting used to it" the first nights and some see danger in things, tape-like, that "seal" the mouth. (I did put an anti-asphyxiation valve in the air line at the outset and still use it, but as easy as it is to remove my sealing elements, I don't see it as really necessary after 1-2 years use of the method.) As a mouth breather I'm not supposed to be able to use my P10, which I learned long ago is the best mask for me.

The attached graphic shows my solution, just ignore the mostly white Deluxe chin strap I quit using years ago. Below the ruler is a piece of the Silipos Gel-E-Roll that came in the box, a 44 inch length of it. I think there is a way for your husband to use the two, items, if not just the brown one, which might slide down over facial hair. Worst case, the gel backed element may also slide down over hair. That being the case, then some form of suspenders--lots of ways to make them--for the mounted brown element could be fashioned--possibly, then with no need for the gel item.

The key idea/need I see is having a comfortable but effective lip compressing element for one's initially pursed lips, one that will stay in place. You do indicate that his jaw is held up (mine, too, with a cervical collar).

In the picture that mineral gel backed ACE-bandage-like piece lies on top of a longer brown item, a compression providing element that holds the gel piece directly against my lips (on a face that may not be shaved over the weekend, or longer, on occasion). The brown element is made from the top approximate 4" cut from an elastic compression stocking which will usually have a double thickness band at and around its top--double is important I think in providing more tension and compression pressure above and/or on the upper lip and less pressure elsewhere. When mounting the thing, I purse my lips. The seal at the outset will become stronger when the exhale air pressure that causes flutter rises and pushes the slightly inward folded lips outward.

The loop part of Velcro at the brown part's ends passes below the ear lobes and hooks together at the side of the neck at a point just behind and below the ear. Velcro holds and allows adjustment of tension, enough tension to hold the gel surface in place under my nose and enough so the brown part won't slide down over the clinging gel part. The gel part clings to but does not stick (like tape) to the face; with easily tolerable compression pressure there is no problem with movement for me; no need for suspenders for the brown retainer. With a full beard? Just have to try it.

I, no seamstress, made and used the pictured crude retainer for a long period and then had a sewing shop make another from my materials for $15. As to the gel element, it is elastic in the ear to ear dimension and inelastic in the up-down dimension--I use a longer piece than pictured which stretches nearly ear to ear. Recently, striving for near zero leaks, I've been dampening my face slightly just before mounting the gel and retainer. That moisture stays sealed in and it enhances the seal and the fixity of the two elements. It does not slip downward on me.

I wash the gel element infrequently using pure soap, warm water and gentle sliding of my fingers over it when it lies flat on the cabinet. The retainer, gets a more usual washing routine. The gel is non-allergenic. The woven one-way-elastic cloth surface the gel is bonded to is not slick, so that and the compression force help the retainer stay in place.

Sorry this is so long. Can't seem to be brief, but always want to give enough info for possible action on what I offer--especially when describing things that have really improved my sleep. Further, if you wanted to try this and need a piece of Gel-E-Roll or compression stocking to try, PM me and I'll send you some material.

ASB

AmSleepnBetta wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 19, 2019 3:25 am

I'm a hopeless mouth breather and have the lip flutter problem when I don't use my usual effective and comfortable method for dealing with it.

I was also a mouth breather, though intermittent, until I developed my "brandy keg." I couldn't tolerate a chin strap -- I'm claustrophobic, and the chin strap set me off, besides being intolerably HOT. Ditto a cervical collar.

I am a side-sleeper. The strap on this is half of an old Comfortlite 2 strap since I couldn't find strap material.The interior is a 4" diameter closed cell foam cylinder that I drilled a hole into for the strap to pass through. The cover was originally a piece of fleece, but this one is was made by Karen of Padacheek. It tucks under my chin and holds my jaw up.

You showed me some good ideas with your method -- I may be able to adapt some of it to our needs. Thank you.

rcobourn wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 16, 2019 7:47 pm

Shaving is definitely an option, if you can get him sufficiently medicated.

Yep, that DME is trying to get rid of you.