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Hey - I don't think I'll ever stop being a mouth breather. I'm just trying to get better sleep and training myself to stop being one never worked before. I'm happy for those who ihave overcome their mouth breathing! Kudos!

Anatomically, we are all different and I if mouth breathing is a habit and something that can be controlled, then maybe we can change it, but I don't think it is! I have had buck teeth, a mouth full of big teeth, sinus problems, a repaired deviated septum, etc., and have tried using my nasal mask without a chin strap. I'm in a dead sleep and wake up with my mouth wide open and no seal whatsoever. When I try to keep it shut, I have to suck in my cheeks and end up biting my cheeks. So, I use my chin strap! It works and that is one less thing on my "sleep worry list!"

Happy New Year sapphireskye and I hope you can find a solution to your issues! -

Keep smiling!
sleepyred

Thanks for the kind response. Funny you mention buck teeth. My front teeth are large and crooked. Been like that since I was a kid. I also have a large overbite which I am sure doesn't help. I am interested in learning more about turbinate issues and finding out if that is part of my sinus problems. I guess I have to see a specialist for that.

Happy New Year

Wow, lots of responses. First off thanks for for all them. I really dont know how I can overcome sleeping with my mouth open. If im a sleeping I dont really have any control over what im doing.

I am pretty sure that i have mouth open due to the no improvement and I also( dont laugh now) slobber a bit when I sleep.

I may try the tape tonight though. This apnea is getting stranger and stranger as I learn more about it. Who would have ever thought that I would be taping my damn mouth shut. LOL

Well, I don't like to leave Snorenomore alone on this topic. Just want to jump in and say that I too was a mouth-breather before XPAP, as evidenced by dry cotton mouth and sore throat upon awakening.

But as soon as I strapped on a mask....my mouth stayed closed. I clamp down pretty hard when I start to sleep, my tongue position is on the roof of my mouth just behind the upper teeth....and yep, air passing through your mouth is pretty unpleasant on XPAP, so my mouth has been staying closed.

So I agree...don't just suppose once a mouth-breather, always a mouth-breather. That behavior can be changed in at least some circumstances...

Jan in Colo.

Im with Jan........... I was a consistent mouth breather while sleeping until I started on CPAP a week ago. I just made a conscious effort to close my mouth and keep it that way. So far it has worked for me. I do have the occasional flops, but they awaken me immediately and I just shut it again with no fanfare.

Dittos on most of what Jan and Griff said. (I don't recall having a sore throat from it though)

If and when I DO open my mouth, the shot of air wakes me up.

(Like Jan said) I just position my tongue on the roof of my mouth and behind my teeth and it stays there.....and my mouth stays shut.....and I breathe through my nose.

Den

I am most very new to this CPAP stuff but I seem to have "the best of both worlds" with my flexifit 431 ff mask.

When my sinus's are clear (which is about half the nights) I can push my chin deeper into the mask and tighten the bottom straps a bit and that keeps my mouth closed for full nasal therapy.

When my sinus's are clogged/closed up (which is the other half of the nights) I can possition my chin towards the outer edge of the mask which props my mouth open and I still get some CPAP therapy relief (and still keep a good seal)

If you dont have regular sinus issues and are a mouth breathing sleeper you might try a chin strap?

My goal is to get my sinus fixed up so that I can have access to nasal pillow interface and supplement that with a mouth piece (to help pull my lower jaw forward and hopefully keeping my tongue from falling back and closing my throat) and chin strap.

Damac, I'm not sure how having to sleep with a FF mask every night is getting "the best of both worlds". The biggest advantage I know of for using a nasal mask is to NOT have to sleep with a larger, heavier, leakier FF mask.

I used to be a mouth breather and because of sinus problems, I went to an ENT. He told me I have a deviated septum, narrow nasal airways, inflamed turbinates, a collapsed nasal valve and should have turbinate reduction surgery and a grafts to create a flaring structure on the inside of my nose.

I guess with a diagnosis like that, I have all the excuses I need to say I can't breath through my nose with CPAP. However, instead of subjecting myself to those invasive procedures, I started using Rhinocort Aqua nasal spray twice a day. After a few weeks, it really started working fine for me.. at least for now. I use the Ultra Mirage nasal mask.

The docs haven't convinced me I have to sleep with my mouth open... neither have the very well intended and caring advisors on this forum. And since there is no current law in Florida requiring me to breath through my mouth at night, I have chosen to breath through my nose since the nasal mask was much more comfortable than my FF mask.

At the end of the day, you will have to decide what type of treatment you want to live with.

SnoreNoMore2005

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): mirage, CPAP

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): mirage, CPAP

Well I have tried the red "duct" tape on my mouth for 3 days.
Oh my god what a treat. (joke) First off it just feels completely shitty like im being snuffed out, but I overcame that.

I do get a better nights sleep and sleep way , way less. 5hrs today which is no way in hell day for me normally(normally 10-12hrs) and feel pretty good , but have to get active before I get tired again.

The only problem is that I mouth breath so bad that it eventually leaks through the tape somewhere LOL and it drives the g/f crazy. I woke up and she was staring at me trying to press the tape in spots that it was leaking.

AFter that it would wake me up if it leaked.

Its really shitty , cuz this new mask I really like and dont want to switch. I am going to call my sleep machine guy(what do u call those guys anyway) and ask for a full mask

Damn I hate this apnea b/s.

On a good note when I have noticed it, it really seemed to make a difference.

THE ONLY PROBLEM I STILL HAVE IS FALLING A SLEEP. I have been taking sleeping pills for 4 yrs now triazolam and with out them I have a hell of a time sleeping no matter if i have been up for 20hrs.

Is this normal? I also buy them from a friend , so I usually dont have enough to get me throug a month and result in over the counter sleep eze which really mess me up.

Does anyone take a sleep pill to sleep and have the same problem? I have a high tolerence for these things now too, so its hard to get a prescription for anything I bet. 1 should knock u on ur ass and used too. Now it takes 3.


MODERATORS:If my light swearing is offending please let me know , but I type as though im talking and I type pretty fast. I try not to be offensive , but if the mild swearing I do use affects anyone I will have to go over posts and edit.

Thank You , Everyone so far.

I must say there are two in one household that does not like the Ultra Mirage Full Face mask do to all the obscene noises it makes for us.

We both adjusted and readjusted and did everything forward and backward to get this mask to work.

I use the Hans Rudolph Full Face Mask and I love it.

My L/S is nearly always 0 with an occassional .14L/S

I have always said and will say not all masks are for everyone.

All masks be it Nasal or Full Face everyone is a trial and error.

Snorenomore, you'd make a great drill instructor!

[quote="SnoreNoMore2005"]Damac, I'm not sure how having to sleep with a FF mask every night is getting "the best of both worlds". The biggest advantage I know of for using a nasal mask is to NOT have to sleep with a larger, heavier, leakier FF mask.

I used to be a mouth breather and because of sinus problems, I went to an ENT. He told me I have a deviated septum, narrow nasal airways, inflamed turbinates, a collapsed nasal valve and should have turbinate reduction surgery and a grafts to create a flaring structure on the inside of my nose.

I guess with a diagnosis like that, I have all the excuses I need to say I can't breath through my nose with CPAP. However, instead of subjecting myself to those invasive procedures, I started using Rhinocort Aqua nasal spray twice a day. After a few weeks, it really started working fine for me.. at least for now. I use the Ultra Mirage nasal mask.

The docs haven't convinced me I have to sleep with my mouth open... neither have the very well intended and caring advisors on this forum. And since there is no current law in Florida requiring me to breath through my mouth at night, I have chosen to breath through my nose since the nasal mask was much more comfortable than my FF mask.

At the end of the day, you will have to decide what type of treatment you want to live with.

SnoreNoMore2005

THE ONLY PROBLEM I STILL HAVE IS FALLING A SLEEP. I have been taking sleeping pills for 4 yrs now triazolam and with out them I have a hell of a time sleeping no matter if i have been up for 20hrs.

Off topic:

Triazolam is a benzodiazepine. They are addicitive, and withdrawing from them is difficult.

Check this site for more info: http://www.benzo.org.uk

O.

damac, do you sleep more on your sides, or on your back? The reason I ask is, you mentioned you're planning to get a Breeze. I like the Breeze a lot. It's great for sleeping on one's side and turning from side to side, but it can be a rather uncomfortable and/or leaky interface if you sleep on your back much.

If you're going to try a nasal pillows interface and you spend a good bit of time sleeping on your back, you might want to get Aeiomed's "Headrest" (formerly called the "Aura" - my favorite for sleeping in any position) or ResMed's Swift. Just a thought.

rested gal wrote:damac, do you sleep more on your sides, or on your back? The reason I ask is, you mentioned you're planning to get a Breeze. I like the Breeze a lot. It's great for sleeping on one's side and turning from side to side, but it can be a rather uncomfortable and/or leaky interface if you sleep on your back much.

If you're going to try a nasal pillows interface and you spend a good bit of time sleeping on your back, you might want to get Aeiomed's "Headrest" (formerly called the "Aura" - my favorite for sleeping in any position) or ResMed's Swift. Just a thought.

Thanks for the input. I picked the breeze just because it was the least complicated looking one in the pics that were displayed lol.

I go to sleep on my sides, I usually wake up on my sides but I have no clue what goes on inbetween.

I'll take a peek at the "headrest" "aura". I looked at the swift but the hose placement looked like it might get in the way.