Question(s) about mouth leakage:

I haven't received my PR-1 yet, but I did recently switch from using an Optilife pillow mask to a Respironics Comfort Classic. I do like the new mask much better for comfort, but I strongly suspect I am getting severe leakage through my mouth. My throat is a little raw in the morning and I feel much less rested.

Question 1: although I have ordered a chin strap, I won't be able to use it for about a week because I am going out of town Monday. - is there a quick and dirty temporary alternative I can use til then? I have given some thought this morning to maybe jury rigging the strap from the Optilife as a chin strap.

Question 2: Is there a link to mouth leakage and aerophagia (sp?)? I have had that for a while, but it seems worse now - I have been banished to the questroom because of high decibel biological high pressure relief valve events.

Note: I could go back to the Optilife in the meantime, but would rather not if I can help it. I really like that new mask!

The Optilife chin strap part probably will not be strong enough. It really wasn't designed to be a chin strap to hold mouth closed, it was designed for mask stability and just happened to be enough support to keep mouth shut for some people.

Fix your own chinstrap with some Ace elastic wrap found in the medical aisle of any Walmart or drugstore. Some are self stick and the stickiness will last a few nights. Some people use a safety pin on top to hold it together.
Wide Ace wrap will give you more support and still be flexible enough to be comfortable..

Mouth breathing and aerophagia? People that don't mouth breathe can experience it but I suppose that it is also possible that mouth breathing makes it worse. Using something to keep mouth closed should clear up that mystery.
Worst case of aerophagia I ever had was when I tried to use the Hybrid (full face type of mask) and it allowed me to have my mouth open and I surely must have sucked in a mountain of air. Never had aerophagia with nasal pillow masks and taping mouth or even after I quit taping because I seemed to have learned to keep mouth shut.

Pugsy wrote:The Optilife chin strap part probably will not be strong enough. It really wasn't designed to be a chin strap to hold mouth closed, it was designed for mask stability and just happened to be enough support to keep mouth shut for some people.

Fix your own chinstrap with some Ace elastic wrap found in the medical aisle of any Walmart or drugstore. Some are self stick and the stickiness will last a few nights. Some people use a safety pin on top to hold it together.
Wide Ace wrap will give you more support and still be flexible enough to be comfortable..

Mouth breathing and aerophagia? People that don't mouth breathe can experience it but I suppose that it is also possible that mouth breathing makes it worse. Using something to keep mouth closed should clear up that mystery.
Worst case of aerophagia I ever had was when I tried to use the Hybrid (full face type of mask) and it allowed me to have my mouth open and I surely must have sucked in a mountain of air. Never had aerophagia with nasal pillow masks and taping mouth or even after I quit taping because I seemed to have learned to keep mouth shut.

Only through Herculean self-restraint was I able to refrain from commenting on a woman learning to keep her mouth shut.

Thanks for the tip on the Ace bandage - I am curious to see what that does to help abate my nocturnal fireworks. Out of curiosity, what DOES cause aerophagia?

I had a half dozen chin straps and they all failed me. I bought 6 full face masks I HATED, and had a hybrid I hated. Bought 3 different nasal pillows I loved but couldn't sleep more than 5-10 minutes without waking up with mouth leaks. I actually quit my APAP for 16 days till I solved it with my new chinstrap. The new one is from Russ Macmillan. Or see my post today for details? If I go on I will just sound like a commercial. But my review says it all and my AHI numbers can't lie. It has changed my life. The worst part is I thought it was the dumbest (even insane!) thing I had ever seen and was it's worst critic till trying it. And unlike ANY brand I had prior, he give you a 100% satisfaction guarantee. I just ordered a 2nd one last night. It honestly had changed (and probably SAVED) my life?

John M. Browning wrote:Only through Herculean self-restraint was I able to refrain from commenting on a woman learning to keep her mouth shut.

Thanks for the tip on the Ace bandage - I am curious to see what that does to help abate my nocturnal fireworks. Out of curiosity, what DOES cause aerophagia?

My husband had some interesting remarks about a woman keeping her mouth shut when I used tape. Not that I talked a lot when I went to bed. He thought it was quite funny. I fixed his smart mouth by relearning that habit of mouth breathing so that I no longer needed to tape..

Aerophagia causes? Why some people get it with just the least little pressure and others use gale force pressure and don't get it? With some it might be that the muscle that is at the entrance to the stomach at the distal end of esophagus is more lax in some people. Maybe damaged a bit by acid reflux. Thus allowing air going into the airway and esophagus into the stomach. You can google aerophagia and find some interesting reading. Why with some masks and not others? Who knows... You will find that with most of the cpap stuff there are a lot of "who knows" and "varies person to person".


wiki/index.php/Aerophagia

Pugsy wrote:

John M. Browning wrote:Only through Herculean self-restraint was I able to refrain from commenting on a woman learning to keep her mouth shut.

Thanks for the tip on the Ace bandage - I am curious to see what that does to help abate my nocturnal fireworks. Out of curiosity, what DOES cause aerophagia?

My husband had some interesting remarks about a woman keeping her mouth shut when I used tape. Not that I talked a lot when I went to bed. He thought it was quite funny. I fixed his smart mouth by relearning that habit of mouth breathing so that I no longer needed to tape..

Aerophagia causes? Why some people get it with just the least little pressure and others use gale force pressure and don't get it? With some it might be that the muscle that is at the entrance to the stomach at the distal end of esophagus is more lax in some people. Maybe damaged a bit by acid reflux. Thus allowing air going into the airway and esophagus into the stomach. You can google aerophagia and find some interesting reading. Why with some masks and not others? Who knows... You will find that with most of the cpap stuff there are a lot of "who knows" and "varies person to person".


wiki/index.php/Aerophagia

I am thinking about trying tape tonight. I have both duct tape and Gorilla tape in the garage, and am clean shaven. From experience, is there any reason why I can't use one of those, or is there a better alternative?

When we talk about tape its gentle tape not duct tape . Any sugical tape or blue painters tape---the optimum word is gentle. I have used 3m paper tape, it doesn't leave a glue residue nor does it rip my skin when I pull it off-----gently. Just do a search using the word tape and you will get a ton of replies and tips.
Good luck
Nan

John M. Browning wrote:

Pugsy wrote:

John M. Browning wrote:Only through Herculean self-restraint was I able to refrain from commenting on a woman learning to keep her mouth shut.

Thanks for the tip on the Ace bandage - I am curious to see what that does to help abate my nocturnal fireworks. Out of curiosity, what DOES cause aerophagia?

My husband had some interesting remarks about a woman keeping her mouth shut when I used tape. Not that I talked a lot when I went to bed. He thought it was quite funny. I fixed his smart mouth by relearning that habit of mouth breathing so that I no longer needed to tape..

Aerophagia causes? Why some people get it with just the least little pressure and others use gale force pressure and don't get it? With some it might be that the muscle that is at the entrance to the stomach at the distal end of esophagus is more lax in some people. Maybe damaged a bit by acid reflux. Thus allowing air going into the airway and esophagus into the stomach. You can google aerophagia and find some interesting reading. Why with some masks and not others? Who knows... You will find that with most of the cpap stuff there are a lot of "who knows" and "varies person to person".


wiki/index.php/Aerophagia

I am thinking about trying tape tonight. I have both duct tape and Gorilla tape in the garage, and am clean shaven. From experience, is there any reason why I can't use one of those, or is there a better alternative?

I tried this before finding my chin strap. I used several types. Paper tape was least painful. I tried EVERY trick but it riped my skin of badly. Even tried the "chin up" strips but they were even worse.

I used the regular wide blue painters tape. Wasn't the particular "delicate" one that is available. It was some I had left over from a painting job and I am a tight wad. I didn't find it to be hard on my skin at all but some people do. No sticky gooey residue left. Comes off easily.
Duct tape will work but I can pretty much guarantee that there will be an awful glue residue left as an extra little surprise that won't wash off easily. Polygrip works too but messy and tastes nasty. Gorilla tape? If it is anything like Gorilla glue, no way would I put that on my face. That glue stuff sets up like cement.

BTW first night I tried taping (after spending 2 weeks thinking "no way") I had a power outage. I woke up easily, no panic. Enough air moving not to kill me and I just pulled the mask and tape off. No big deal. The tape is secure but if a person tries with some force, the tape will dislodge when trying to open the mouth.

DON'T use duct tape!!

Duct tape is a folk remedy for wart removal, and it actually does work (studies to back it up and all). The reason is that some of the chemicals used in gray/traditional duct tape irritate the upper layers of skin, causing them to shed much more rapidly then usual, and causing the wart to lose anchor. Granted, it can take weeks to remove a wart, but on the sensitive skin of the lips and face...

*ouchie*

John M.............

My compliments to you on the design of the BAR....I've always admired the machine....just as Clyde did.

As for the tape, I can find nothing better than the following:
3M 2" Blue #2080-EL (Edge Lock). It is excellent.

I use (3) pieces to get the job done. Two of the pieces are 3" long each...and are applied vertically on either side of my nose...from cheeks to jaw. This helps prevent my mouth from opening...sorta like a chin strap.

The other piece is about 10" long...applied side to side...just under my nose.....centered over my lips....and layered on top of the other two pieces of tape...sorta like an "H" when I get through.

For removal, DO NOT pull straight away from your face (perpendicular)...'cause it'll be very uncomfortable. Pull parallel to your face....pulling the tape over itself...so that you are simply breaking the adhesive bond...and not pulling your skin. VERY comfortable.

Gerald wrote:John M.............

My compliments to you on the design of the BAR....I've always admired the machine....just as Clyde did.

Lol. Why am I not surprised that a son of Louisiana would recognize my nom de guerre?

I appreciate the tip on the tape, I will try that next.

Btw, my favorite of Mr. Browning's accomplishments is the 1911. Anyway, when I was registering here I was at a loss to come up with a suitable handle, so I used one from a completely different kind of forum I inhabit.

Being from LA., I suspect you will know where I am originally from when I say, "War Eagle!".

Thanks for the advice on the tape, and especially not to use the duct tape! The paper tape I bought was hard enoungh to get off this morning. Lol.

My data capable machine arrives today, according to tracking info, so I don't have a pretty graph to look at this morning, but I do feel pretty damned good for a change. I must have been leaking through my mouth like a screen door on a submarine.