having a few problems, need input.

jsmith1984 · Post by **jsmith1984** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 8:18 am

Well I have been on apap therapy for about a month. I was having quite a few problems for the first week or so. I was still snoring, and feeling tired. I adjusted the settings for the pressure ranges, changed humidifier settings, everything I could think of. I finally ended at the prescribed pressure (5-15) but I kept the humidifier low ( like 3 or so). This has worked good so far. Then I started having a problem with the pressure blowing my mouth open. I tried taping, but I couldn't get comfortable. I bought a chin strap, and this has actually helped quite a bit. But now every couple of nights my girlfriend wakes me up because she thinks the hose has come undone. She said thats what it sounds like... A lot of air blowing. Last night I admit when she woke me up, I was on my side and my mouth WAS open. Im just wondering if me sleeping on my side is causing my mouth to come open??? Other than that I have been sleeping better and better over the past 2 weeks. Thanks for the help.

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 3:00 pm

Chin straps may keep the mouth from falling open but won't stop the lips from allowing the air to get out. Have you tried Roosters method of taping?

Just One Man's Very Successful Mouth Taping Procedure Updated 6/2/2006

I tried chinstraps for the first two months and although they kept my mouth closed I would wake up from apnea episodes due to the pressure leaking out through my lips. Taping the mouth sounded stupid and hideous to me but I tried it, it works beautifully for me and it is quite comfortable (the chinstraps were hot and uncomfortable!). Here's the procedure that works for me (My mask is the Swift nasal pillows and I am quite happy with it):

Mouth taping

Tape: Nexcare Gentle Paper Tape (3M Micropore Surgical Tape) 2-inches wide (available from many internet suppliers; I buy mine from Walgreen’s - $6.99 for 360 inches).

Nightly routine:
1. Notify family silent for 8 hours (phone calls – take message).
2. Wash thoroughly and dry face.
3. Apply Chapstick (generic brand) to lips.
4. Roll under about 1/16 inch of tape end to form tab for easy/quick removal of tape in morning.
5. Cut length of tape to cover lips plus about ¾ inch on each side of lips.
6. Turn lips in slightly (opposite of puckering) and center and apply tape horizontally across lips.

It doesn’t sound like it, but there is almost no discomfort wearing the tape and zero mouth leaks. There is slight discomfort when removing the tape, but the Chapstick stops the tape from adhering to the sensitive lip tissue. I find that occasionally tape adhesive is left on my face in the mornings. This can be rubbed off gently with alcohol swabs which are under $2.00 for 100 at about any pharmacy.

So far the only downside for me is the occasional night when I awaken and need to take an Ibuprofen and glass of water for muscle aches or headache. Then I need to remove the tape and retape.

I should add that I have sneezed quite forcefully right through the Swift nasal pillow and the mouth tape held.

I have now coughed a few times through the Swift nasal pillow and that was a little bit scary. The mouth tape held and the cough seemed to blow back through my nose and almost blew the Swift interface off. Oh well, I lived and now it won’t be so scary when I have to cough again.

Note: Some have expressed a concern about a power failure with the mouth taped. I have turned my machine off to test this and I could easily breathe through the exhaust ports on the Swift nasal pillow. Of course if you continue to sleep when the power goes off you are getting no therapy and apnea episodes will occur.

Note: Other brands and types of tape may be just as good. I haven’t tried any because I am satisfied with the 3M type listed.

I follow these instructions every night and have no leaks!

Brenda