Product Challenge Chinstraps Fail To Please CPAP Users

I also use the Swift LT mask and Unfortunately have the need for a chin strap due to mouth Breathing Issues. I have used at least Five Different Chin Straps and have yet to find the Perfect one to eliminate the Mouth Breathing totally. I, Too would like to Try the PapCap should there be a Challenge against the PapCap. As for the thought of the PapCap being overly warm in the summer month I will just turn up the A/C Somewhere out there has to be the perfect chin strap and the PapCan might very well just be the one. I hate the thought of using Full Face Masks as I am Claustrophobic.

I also posted this on SleepGuy's Thread:

SleepGuy,

Since you emailed me and asked me to put my comments in this discussion, I will, although I can see that it won't be popular.

I am in the position of haveing tried all three of the chinstraps mentioned in this thread.

First, I tried the Resmed/Sullivan single band chinstrap. What a ridiculous design that is. I had to make pony tails in my hair and thread it through to keep it in place. It didn't matter that the material was softer or that it had a little white arrow to tell the front from the back. It wouldn't stay put on the head and should never have been put on the market to further frustrate people who are already struggling with a lot of new equipment.

So, I was excited to try the PapCap, which I used for many months. It was better than the Sullivan but not perfect. It is cotton and lightweight but if you suffer from night sweats, like I do, having a cap strapped to your head and mashing your hair down is pure misery. It was tolerable in the winter but even wiith air conditioning and a fan blowing on me it wasn't going to work in the summer. Even worse than the heat was the flaps in the back. There is a flap coming down and two flaps that cross over each other all in the same place in the back of my head. The two cross straps have velcro attached, making a lump of five thicknesses in one spot. Being a back sleeper, this was very uncomfortable. The underchin strap is straight and does not cup the chin. It's a couple of inches wide and dug into my neck, leaving a line that took a couple of hours to go away. I am not overweight, so I can imagine it would be worse for those who are.

A couple of months ago, my DME gave me the Respironics chinstrap with back stabilizing strap. I let it sit for a few weeks and then as the weather warmed, decided to try it. I like it a lot. Even though it is a little big for me and there is a lot of strap left over at the top, it doesn't bother me. The underchin strap is also a little big and comes all the way up to the bottom of my Activa, firmly pressing down on the 2 inch tape that I use to keep the air from escaping my lips. The Activa holds down the top of the tape, as it covers my upper lip. The tape actually protects my lips from the silicone and the chinstrap, making them more tolerable to me. I'm very sensitive to things touching my face so this whole process has been difficult. This premium chinstrap is much cooler, allowing my hair to be free and heat to escape from the top of my head. There is only one smooth strap going around the back of my head which causes no discomfort. I have not had any problem with the material separating as some mentioned in the trials. I have never had this chinstrap move or come off during the night. The strap is designed to keep the chin up without any backwards pull.

This is only my personal opinion and, of course everyone is different, but from my experience, the Respironics Premium chinstrap is clearly the best of the three that I have tried. And much cheaper than the PapCap, if that makes a difference to anyone besides me.

Bev

Howdy CPAPtalkers,

The first time we reviewed the papCAP, we had concerns that it pushed the jaw back instead of up. There is a new version out and we have requested samples from Bret. We are going to take another look.

The APSS trade show is coming up and we will be working on PC10 and those that follow.

Johnny

Hi All,

I have a PapCap and it worked well at keeping my mouth shut. But all is not perfect. As Bret noted, it can slip forward.
I have woken up with it over my eyes like a blindfold. Eventhough it is cotton it can get hot.
Because of the way the velcro strap attaches to the cap it can be difficult to get my Swift LT mask on.

I just got the Respironics Chin Strap that was tested here. As Johnny said, "no chinstrap is perfect".
It could be better but so far it is cooler than the PapCap and it is easier to put my mask on.

Everyone's facial architecture is different so what works for someone else may not work for you.
I think the answer is a customer made chinstrap or customization of an existing unit.

Mark

I'm a mouth breather and have used paper tape to sidestep it. I've never tried a chinstrap.

A question about the papCAP: How well will it work for someone with a very weak chin/underbite? I generally like my OptiLife mask but have always had trouble with the stabilizing chin strap slipping off my chin in my sleep. I usually find it under my lower lip.

Comments?

I have never participated in a challenge, but just decided that I'm going to try a chinstrap for mouth-breathing. How does one sign up for the challenges? Is this something I could do?

sleepyprm wrote:I have never participated in a challenge, but just decided that I'm going to try a chinstrap for mouth-breathing. How does one sign up for the challenges? Is this something I could do?

Hi,

Since you're a member of the forum, if your profile is set up correctly for product trials, you will receive an email inviting you to participate and also there is an announcement on the forum.

Mindy

major_works wrote:I'm a mouth breather and have used paper tape to sidestep it. I've never tried a chinstrap.

A question about the papCAP: How well will it work for someone with a very weak chin/underbite? I generally like my OptiLife mask but have always had trouble with the stabilizing chin strap slipping off my chin in my sleep. I usually find it under my lower lip.

Comments?

I have a weak chin also. The PapCap worked very well.
The chin strap is very adjustable. Give it a try.

Disclaimer: My advice is worth every cent you paid for it.

Mark

The PapCap sounds what I am looking for. Where can I purchase one?

johncuse48 wrote:The PapCap sounds what I am looking for. Where can I purchase one?

At this time the only place to get one is on my website (below) though I would be very happy to see cpap.com pick up the product for distribution! They recently ordered some caps for evaluation (shipped today actually) so I would expect to see them on cpap.com by the end of next week at the earliest.

SleepGuy

A TESTIMONIAL....I have ben using a nasal mask and I recently realized that I needed to seal my lips from leaking air...my wife was complaining about the whistling. I did not think I would be comfortable with a FF mask or taping my lips. I read about the CPAP Chinstrap Challenge where there was no 'real' winner. I decided to try the PAPCAP. I received the product on 6/5 and have now used it for 2 weeks. I have had no problem falling asleep with this additional gear and my sleep patterns have really not changed...BUT...my wife says I no longer whistle at night. Initially I was confused by all the additional velcro attached to the cap, but, once I eliminated what I didn't need and trimmed some tabs, it fit comfortably. If you have tried other products or methods of sealing your lips, you might give the PAPCAP a try. It's a little more expensive, but, for me it was worth it.

johnnygoodman wrote:Howdy CPAPtalkers,

The first time we reviewed the papCAP, we had concerns that it pushed the jaw back instead of up. There is a new version out and we have requested samples from Bret. We are going to take another look.

The APSS trade show is coming up and we will be working on PC10 and those that follow.

Johnny

Hey Johnny,

I appreciate your willingness to take a second look at the latest model papCAP. I managed to find a string of posts from Snoredog about the forward-pull tension of the papCAP Chinstrap and thought you might be interested in reading through them as you consider the product for the new challenge.

search.php?keywords=pap+cap&terms=all&a ... mit=Search

I'm interested in the papCAP simply because I've just bought a chinstrap and it threatened to bring back my TMJ on the first night I wore it. The next night, I just used tape across my mouth. I thought I was being very creative, but I see this has been tried before! Anyhow, I gather that the tape solution doesn't work well forever, though it seemed fine the first night. I just registered with cpaptalk, and saw the opportunity to make myself available for product trials; so I filled out the form, but it seems to be limited to the USA. I'm in Canada. I spent $30 on my chinstrap and don't think I'll be able to use it. I'm not going to spend money on something else until I've actually tested it. SleepGuy, are you willing to provide a papCAP on trial to a Canadian? I'll sing your praises to all and sundry if it works for me! (and of course I'll buy one from you)

I'm on my fourth day using a Puritan Bennet Sandman Intro and a Fisher Paykel Flexifit 407 Nasal Mask. I am sleeping better, dreaming and have a great deal more energy. But, I am mouth breathing and decided to tape last night. I had shockingly good results. I found that I attempted to mouth breathe and woke up to a hanging jaw and a mouthful of air, but was very comfortable and rested. The results encouraged me to call my DME about exchanging my nasal mask for a full face - needless to say, they were extreemely reluctant - wanted a prescription from my Doctor, but were willing to send me a chinstrap immediately and wait for the prescription from my Dr.

I used, as recommended here, 3M Micropore Surgical tape, also known as NexCare Paper tape. I used the two inch wide tape and incorporated another suggestion to place tissue over my mouth to prevent tape directly on my lips. It worked amazingly well - no issues with removal and no styicky stuff on my yap in the morning (I cut out tissue in the shape of my lips and placed the cutout on the tape prior to application to my grill).

I will try the full face and the chin strap as they become available to me based on insurance formularies, but am so far very satisfied.

Bunkie/Bunky

Glad to hear things are going so well, Bunky! Keep up the good work

Mindy