Taping Mouth?

Ok, I keep reading here about people who tape their mouths. At first I thought it had to be a rare or odd thing, or maybe even a joke, but no, lots of you talk about it!

So, questions: What kind of tape? Like bandage tape? And why tape instead of a full face mask or chin strap? And how do you do it? Tape like an X across your mouth, or taping your upper and lower lips together, or just one strip across?

I suggest that you experiment with 3M Blue #2080 Delicate Release 2" Painter's Tape from Lowe's. Use a 10" strip, fold the ends over with 1/2" handles....and tape straight across. During removal, pull parallel to your face...not at a 90-degree angle.

For me, tape is a better solution to leaks than a full face mask would be. I use a nasal mask....and my comfort level is excellent. I've been taping for a couple of years....and no way would I consider doing without it.

I use a nasal pillow mask and tape every night to prevent mouth leaks. When I started doing this, there was a small but definitely noticeable difference in how well rested I feel in the morning and during the day. Once in a while, I don't tape and the next day I don't feel quite as good. I know this is not scientific, but I really can feel a difference.

I like the pillow style mask and really wouldn't consider a full face mask.

I've been taping for a number of years now. I find that a nasal pillow mask gives me a better seal with fewer mask marks. I use Roosters method of taping, found here;

viewtopic.php?t=9653&highlight=one+mans+taping


Brenda

I use tape because otherwise air leaks through my lips (even with my mouth closed). I have two FFMs and they both leak considerably more than my nasal masks, and to me they are not as comfortable. The leaks keep me awake, they mess with my AHI and I just don't like them.

I have also added a polygrip strip to my taping routine because one corner of my mouth is hard to seal, even with the tape. I tear the strip in half, place one half at each corner of my mouth, and put the tape over the whole affair. My leaks have been minimal and my therapy has been very good since I started doing this.

I think taping is a very individual decision--just as what type of mask works best is very individual. I don't always tape when I nap even though I always use my CPAP when I nap, and when I look at the info, there is definitely a difference for me.

For new readers who might be wondering, "Tape?" "Tape covering the mouth??!!!" "What??!!"

Here are links to a ton of discussions about controlling mouth air leaks or mouth breathing if a person can't or doesn't want to use a Full Face mask, and finds that chin straps simply don't stop their mouth air leaks:

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

I've been using tape over my mouth for about six years. I do that so I can wear the nasal pillows masks I find to be much more comfortable for me than any FF mask I've tried.

sonyat wrote:Ok, I keep reading here about people who tape their mouths. At first I thought it had to be a rare or odd thing, or maybe even a joke, but no, lots of you talk about it!

So, questions: What kind of tape? Like bandage tape? And why tape instead of a full face mask or chin strap? And how do you do it? Tape like an X across your mouth, or taping your upper and lower lips together, or just one strip across?

The reason I tape is because I need to. I use a chin strap plus tape. Without tape, mouth leaking can degrade your therapy and/or wake you up ruining your sleep. I use Swift LT pillows and love it. Very comfortable and no leaking (except for mouth). Nasal masks murder my nose and leaked. Hybrid (oral and pillow) also leaked badly.

I'm no expert (only doing this for 3 months) but I think people at high pressures have trouble getting masks to seal, especially if their face is thin. Pillows seal easily.

Taping isn't for everyone! I tried taping for 1 night, but my sensitive skin rebelled--I had irritation for more than 2 weeks! So I use the Hybrid mask and mouthbreathing is not a problem.

brazospearl wrote:Taping isn't for everyone! I tried taping for 1 night, but my sensitive skin rebelled--I had irritation for more than 2 weeks! So I use the Hybrid mask and mouthbreathing is not a problem.

This is why I haven't tried taping. A bandaid can cause my skin to break out. I can't imagine putting tape on my face.

Gerald wrote:I suggest that you experiment with 3M Blue #2080 Delicate Release 2" Painter's Tape from Lowe's. Use a 10" strip, fold the ends over with 1/2" handles....and tape straight across. During removal, pull parallel to your face...not at a 90-degree angle.

I would bet the adhesive in that blue painter's tape came from China or India. Has it been checked for lead, cadmium and arsenic? These contaminants are being found in many industrial, and a few consumer, products from Asia.

You might want to "stick" with a medical tape from a well known company like 3M.

So Well.........

Since so many of us are using the 3M #2080 Blue Tape, we'd all really appreciate it if you'd do the research to see if it has any lead, arsenic, or cadnium in the adhesive. I'm sure 3M will give you a full environmental statement if you request it.....and let you know if any part of it comes from China or India.

Thanks so very much for your concern. Please let us know what you find out.

Gerald

With all due respect an opinion here from the newbie. I had a friend who was a jewellery store owner and was held up years ago. He and all of his employees were bound and had their mouths taped shut. My friend, under stress, threw up and choked to death on his own vomit.

My point is simply this... if you are going to tape, don't go and use ductape, etc. Make sure you are comfortable with the speed with which you are able to remove the tape or force your mouth open in an emergency.

DO NOT be tempted to go to a stronger and stronger tape if you are sweating at night and have it coming loose. The suggestion of using blue easy release painters' tape with folded over 'handles' at the ends is an excellent one.

Because of my experience, if I ever had to deal with mouth leaks, I would go with a full face mask and quick release headgear. That's what they had me on in the hospital when I was on life support but not yet intubated and after intubation was removed. It was comfy and no leaks. I could poke my finger under the edge of the mask (setting off all the alarms and having the nurses and doctors come running) and life it up in order to speak to my 24/7 nurse at the foot of my bed (critical care). And what was so important that I had to remove the mask? I had to ask what time it was every time I came back to this world.... I was unconscious for three weeks and on life support for almost a month.... but it seemed like minutes and a nap. I had no idea that I was comotose. First thing I did when I got home was get a projection style clock so that all I need to do to see what time it is during the night is look up at the ceiling (or wherever I aim it at).

Whatever you do; be safe. THINK about what you are doing. I really should go back to the critical care department and find out what make/model full face mask they were using cuz it was comfy and no leaks at all. It was pushing oxygen into me and then sucking it back out... the most frustrating thing in the world to keep time with.

Today I must wear my CPAP/APAP whenever I lay down in case I fall asleep deeply as my blood pressure skyrockets as my blood oxygen saturation falls due to shallow breather and impaired lung capacity due to H1N1 and pneumonia. If you know of any friends that DO NOT snore but wake up in a sweat at night get them to a respirologist immediately; my BP ran so high they were afraid that after I had licked everything else I would succumb to my Aorta popping right off my heart, etc.

Don't know if blue tape is covered by insurance but am sure it will be worth every penny. Especially if you have some painting to do.

Well, since I don't think I'll be experiencing a "holdup" while undergoing CPAP therapy....and because I have enough reasoning ability to know that it's stupid to wear tape if I feel "nausiated"....I'll continue to wear it. For me, the "plusses" (derived from wearing the tape) far, far outweigh the "minuses" (derived from not wearing it).

Gerald wrote:Well, since I don't think I'll be experiencing a "holdup" while undergoing CPAP therapy....and because I have enough reasoning ability to know that it's stupid to wear tape if I feel "nausiated"....I'll continue to wear it. For me, the "plusses" (derived from wearing the tape) far, far outweigh the "minuses" (derived from not wearing it).

Cranky are we?
I am just suggesting that you be cautious when taping and driving home the point. As far as being smart enough to know that it's stupid to wear tape if you feel nausiated; most often folks will go to sleep feeling fine and awaken in a run to the bathroom to throw up - I am suggesting that you want to ensure that you can get the tape off in time. Benefits derived from this therapy are quickly negated during that one time that it kills you dead from misinformation or lack of knowledge or just 'doing a stupid' - but since you seem to know everything I think you may find yourself on ignore lists and miss out on plenty of great information that could come your way. YOU need to sort the wheat from the chaff, so to speak. But IMHO, it is worth the effort and it is worth refraining from bopping over the head those that speak their minds for YOUR benefit. This is the learning experience on this forum and I, for one, have benefited greatly from it over the past several months. Bopping heads is definitely not going to be of advantage to your long term health and information feed.

P.S. The family of our departed friend here in Toronto also wishes to thank you for your sensitivity to their sudden loss of their husband, father and son, who died a most horrific death, drowning in his own vomit.

And hey everyone (I'll post this in the appropriate thread too - but I am so excited) I slept in until 6:30 a.m. this morning! Working on 7:00 a.m. and I will be happy.