Chin strap or oral plug?

DreamDiver · Post by **DreamDiver** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 4:26 pm

I'm new to having a CPAP, but I'm liking the results. My pressure is a 7. My headaches are better and I'm not sleeping all day.
I've been looking at the results over the last week and see a trend towards fewer apneas, but the hypopneas remain relatively constant.

I've also noticed that as I get more comfortable with the machine, I tend to relax my mouth. The nasal pillows are very comfortable, but when the back of my throat relaxes, suddenly I've got air escaping from out of my mouth like an unending sigh. It's kind of freaky. Two nights ago, my mouth was open for over a half an hour and became a desert.

Last night I put a hand towel wrapped up into a prop under my chin to keep my mouth closed. That helped some, but still I can tell that for me to get a truly good night's sleep, my mouth is going to have to be lax.

I'm getting a chin strap to try that out. But I noticed last night that even with my teeth against each other, the back of my throat can still relax and let air seep between my teeth. Also, I suspect a chin strap will make my beard itch.

Well what I really want is -- for lack of a better word -- a mouth plug. I've seen the Oracle Mask - a mouth only mask.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage.php?PNum=1551&PAID=468
It doesn't get raves as a mask, but it looks like a comfortable interface for the lips, and if you plugged up the hose end, it might be great as a mouth plug. I just don't want to spend $85 on the oral equivalent of an ear plug.

I'm a little uncomfortable having something plugging my mouth from a safety standpoint, but hey, if they make a cpap mouth mask to be used with nose plugs, why can't someone make an inexpensive mouth plug for nasal cpap? It has got to be more comfortable than a chin strap.

Maybe if I hurry, I can get patent rights!

Sleepdeprived · Post by **Sleepdeprived** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 4:35 pm

[quote="DreamDiver"]I'm new to having a CPAP, but I'm liking the results. My pressure is a 7. My headaches are better and I'm not sleeping all day.
I've been looking at the results over the last week and see a trend towards fewer apneas, but the hypopneas remain relatively constant.

I've also noticed that as I get more comfortable with the machine, I tend to relax my mouth. The nasal pillows are very comfortable, but when the back of my throat relaxes, suddenly I've got air escaping from out of my mouth like an unending sigh. It's kind of freaky. Two nights ago, my mouth was open for over a half an hour and became a desert.

Last night I put a hand towel wrapped up into a prop under my chin to keep my mouth closed. That helped some, but still I can tell that for me to get a truly good night's sleep, my mouth is going to have to be lax.

I'm getting a chin strap to try that out. But I noticed last night that even with my teeth against each other, the back of my throat can still relax and let air seep between my teeth. Also, I suspect a chin strap will make my beard itch.

Well what I really want is -- for lack of a better word -- a mouth plug. I've seen the Oracle Mask - a mouth only mask.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage.php?PNum=1551&PAID=468
It doesn't get raves as a mask, but it looks like a comfortable interface for the lips, and if you plugged up the hose end, it might be great as a mouth plug. I just don't want to spend $85 on the oral equivalent of an ear plug.

I'm a little uncomfortable having something plugging my mouth from a safety standpoint, but hey, if they make a cpap mouth mask to be used with nose plugs, why can't someone make an inexpensive mouth plug for nasal cpap? It has got to be more comfortable than a chin strap.

Maybe if I hurry, I can get patent rights!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 4:41 pm

Too late for the patent. It's called a "ball gag" in the BDSM community...

LOL,
Barbara

Dgrendahl · Post by **Dgrendahl** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 4:41 pm

I too have tried the polygrip route but have a hard time getting it off in the a.m. It seems to be sticky in places and gooey or something like that. Maybe someone here has explained the "how to" and I've missed it. So, how do you get it off cleanly?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 4:51 pm

You get it off with oil. I suggest a nice edible oil, like Olive or Canola or Grapeseed. Rub in well, massage until the adhesive comes off.

Will take time. I personally don't like the time it takes to get it off.

BTW, oil disolves adhesive. This works on skin, cars, tupperware, basically anything. But it does take some time. Soaking, rubbing, and time.

Cheers,
Barbara

DreamDiver · Post by **DreamDiver** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 4:59 pm

Babbette,

I'd forgotten about that. I dread the idea of getting on a jet with BDSM gear stowed as medical equipment. You know that's got to raise eyebrows.

All stigmas aside, I doubt a ball gag is really comfortable. (I googled ball gag. Yeah -- it can't be comfortable...) Heck, they're probably not meant to be comfortable. <thumb and index finger to chin, musing> Not being familiar with the medium, if it were comfortable, I'd probably consider it.

Sleepdeprived

Polygrip! I hadn't thought of that. It makes me think of insects breaking out of a cocoon. I wonder how that's got to be when you need water. I don't think I could do the tape with a beard.

Update: Looking at your previous posts, I think I'll try the Polygrip strips. It's worth a shot!

Babette · Post by **Babette** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 7:35 pm

Hey, I have a dirty mind. I can't help it - I'm not bad, I'm just drawn that way.

But seriously, I've never experienced the ball gag. My.. er.. top, preferred listening to me scream... Past tense. Been there, done that, recycled the t-shirt to Goodwill already.

Do try the PoliGrip. I hate futzing with it, and I like my little sips of water in the night, so I prefer my chinstrap. But lots of people here report great success with it.

I like the Tiara Brand Topaz chinstrap. It's adjustable, vs. the Sapphire and the Ruby, same brand.

I don't have the problems with mandibular shift that others have mentioned. I say it's worth a try. If it doesn't work for you, sell it on CPAPAuction.com.

Good luck!
Babs

Sleepdeprived · Post by **Sleepdeprived** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 5:58 am

Dgrendahl wrote:I too have tried the polygrip route but have a hard time getting it off in the a.m. It seems to be sticky in places and gooey or something like that. Maybe someone here has explained the "how to" and I've missed it. So, how do you get it off cleanly?

Hi It pretty much can be peeled off by hand. If more is needed a tissue or a little water will do the trick. By the time my teeth are brushed all stickiness is gone

Sleepdeprived

Sleepdeprived · Post by **Sleepdeprived** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 6:04 am

DreamDiver wrote:Babbette,

I'd forgotten about that. I dread the idea of getting on a jet with BDSM gear stowed as medical equipment. You know that's got to raise eyebrows.

All stigmas aside, I doubt a ball gag is really comfortable. (I googled ball gag. Yeah -- it can't be comfortable...) Heck, they're probably not meant to be comfortable. <thumb and index finger to chin, musing> Not being familiar with the medium, if it were comfortable, I'd probably consider it.

Sleepdeprived

Polygrip! I hadn't thought of that. It makes me think of insects breaking out of a cocoon. I wonder how that's got to be when you need water. I don't think I could do the tape with a beard.

Update: Looking at your previous posts, I think I'll try the Polygrip strips. It's worth a shot!

Hi the poligrip strips do not cover the whole lip area so if need be you can get a straw in and sip water.

But I have not found the need

If your lips stay sealed and you are not mouth leaking your mouth should not get so dry

Sleepdeprived

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 9:16 am

There are a few things that have been invented:

viewtopic.php?p=213604#213604

Also,

http://www.sleepzone.com.au/

A pitiful few. I still use paper tape (which works really, really well btw), but may be interested in the Vent Free in the future.

Jen

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 9:51 am

For more ideas than a person could possibly want to wade through:

LINKS to: Mouth leaks - Air Leaks - Tape - DIY Guard
viewtopic.php?t=8011

oceanpearl · Post by **oceanpearl** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 9:54 am

Have I stumbled onto a porn forum?

Babette · Post by **Babette** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 9:55 am

Naw, just Babs being Bad-ette again.
B.

oceanpearl · Post by **oceanpearl** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 10:02 am

Babette wrote:Naw, just Babs being Bad-ette again.
B.

I would be willing to bet that even when Babs is bad she is good.

Babette · Post by **Babette** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 10:04 am

Aw Shucks... Thanks OP! I'm sure it's not true though. I talk a good game, but I'm usually too tired by bedtime to pull it off.

LOL,
B.

Chin strap or oral plug?

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