Trying APAP, no sleep study, mouth exhaling

I have not done a sleep study but wanted to test out an APAP to see if it helps. I have breathing issues on my back.
The CPAP helps with inhaling through my nose, however I continue to have full obstruction while trying to exhale through my nose - it all comes out through the mouth.
Even if I tape my mouth shut, then I simply can't exhale at all, the CPAP does not seem to help in this case. Should it?
In reality the air eventually leaks through my taped lips and that's how I'm able to exhale

Would a full face mask be of much benefit even if I continue to exhale through the mouth?

ignign0ktcpap wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 28, 2021 4:38 pm

I have not done a sleep study but wanted to test out an APAP to see if it helps. I have breathing issues on my back.
The CPAP helps with inhaling through my nose, however I continue to have full obstruction while trying to exhale through my nose - it all comes out through the mouth.
Even if I tape my mouth shut, then I simply can't exhale at all, the CPAP does not seem to help in this case. Should it?
In reality the air eventually leaks through my taped lips and that's how I'm able to exhale

Would a full face mask be of much benefit even if I continue to exhale through the mouth?

welcome to the zoo!

which cpap? if you have filled out your profile, be advised that the software isn't showing the equipment on anyone's profile. most of us just put it in our signature files.

we don't all have the same machine. we also don't all use the same pressures. if you can tell us what those are, that would be helpful too.

at a guess(and i mean an extreme guess) your pressure isn't set right.

anyway, let us know the particulars so we can help.

good luck!

Yes, it would keep the air in, however useful it might be at opening your airway (the point of using Cpap). But if you don't have an appropriate machine, if you don't know how to set pressures or tweak them if that needs doing or imagine you're doing well when you might have issues not immediately 'felt' using the machine, you could be wasting your time. What machine do you have (model, not just brand name)?

Download Oscar, post results in this thread and we can help you find out if apnea is your problem, and suggest what to do from there. Just randomly having a machine without knowing if you even need that - or possibly not getting therapy you do need - is kind of pointless and may take time away from treatment you need.

There's no reason to sleep on your back unless you're comfortable there.

I have an AirSense 10
I don't have an SD card yet so I don't have data to share. I have it on Auto and the machine shows an average of 6 for pressure though

Since I likely need a full mask anyway, regardless of exhaling through the mouth, I ordered one.
I'd like to find a good chin mask or something to keep my jaw up since my jaw is open when I sleep and doubt the mask will seal

As for side sleeping, it's not comfortable and I toss and turn. I'd like to sleep on my back so I hope this is my solution lol.

Any strap suggestions for keeping my jaw shut?

ignign0ktcpap wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 29, 2021 6:29 pm

Any strap suggestions for keeping my jaw shut?

not strap, but firm foam cervical collar to keep your jaw up. found in any drugstore in the home care aisle. or from amazon-
https://www.amazon.com/Coreline-Cervica ... 308&sr=8-9

that's the one i use.

Thanks I was looking at straps and they don't look designed very well or comfortable. Most seem to pull the jaw back instead of lifting it up

I'll try one of those out