Chin Strap Reducing OSA?

I have been using cpap for about a year now. I stopped using it when I lost 40 lbs and lifted weights for about 9 months. I stopped the weight lifting and put back about 10 lbs then got a nasty cold one night and realized I was having OSA because I felt like crap. So I started using it again. Last night I decided not to use it because I do get lots of leaks/ drymouth and seem to wake up many times during the night. I woke up after 7 hours feeling wide awake without the cpap but here is what I am thinking.

I may have in the last few weeks using it again trained myself to keep my mouth shut for most of the night. Perhaps keeping my mouth shut is all I need to stop the apnias. I was wondering is anyone else can shed some light on this. My thinking is if just a chin strap can cut down or eliminate the apnias maby I don't nee the cpap?

I wish to buy a oximeter to monitor my apnias when I dont weare the mask and when I do. I do have the data card and encore software but it won't tell me if just a chin strap is working or not. I see oximeters need a prescription as well unless someone knows how I can get one.

when you use a chinstrap you reduce/eliminate the air leak giving you the full amount of air pressure thus being more beneficial to you. Just keeping your mouth closed while not wearing cpap isnt adequate for stopping apneas. the amount of weight loss you have had could be enough to reduce your index to no longer have the need for using cpap.

maybe you should consider another sleep study to see if there is a difference in your AHI now since the weight loss

Yes a good chinstrap does help.

I use a Respironics Premium & never go without it. What it helps to do is position your jaw. When in deep sleep, many of us relax our jaw which can then move back & can contibute to the throat collapse associated with Obstructive Aponea.

I am sure that for some people, a chinstrap alone will be all they need.

I do notice that any alcohol intake contributes markedly to the relaxed jaw problem & a chinstrap needs to be tight to work in such circumstances.

Cheers

DSM