Where to buy "gumby tape"?

[gasp]

I know so many here have posted they tape, but I think it is potentially very unsafe. I would not want my mouth taped in the event I have a power failure, or have some strange event of vomiting (highly unlikely) but hey, so is getting hit by lightening : )

[echo]

I know so many here have posted they tape, but I think it is potentially very unsafe. I would not want my mouth taped in the event I have a power failure, or have some strange event of vomiting (highly unlikely) but hey, so is getting hit by lightening : )

I was sleeping with my UMFF the other day... power went out.... according to the SW it took me more than *10* minutes to wake up after the power went out.
That's scary too! Imagine how much CO2 I must have re-inhaled before my brain finally took the cue...

[DigiSage]

I got some 3M micropore tape from the pharmacy. I'll try it tonight. Thanks everyone for the help!

I also feel I should address all the off-topic posts on this thread - specifically the ones about the pros & cons of taping. You might not have noticed that I did not ask any questions related to that. I simply asked where to purchase tape. I have already spent many, many hours reading probably 30 threads on this board and another regarding the pros & cons of taping and have already made the decision for myself based on my own personal situation. However, I do appreciate the concern expressed and thank you for your comments.

[echo]

Good luck DigiSage and let us know how it works out ! Happy sleeping...

[gasp]

I know so many here have posted they tape, but I think it is potentially very unsafe. I would not want my mouth taped in the event I have a power failure, or have some strange event of vomiting (highly unlikely) but hey, so is getting hit by lightening : )

I was sleeping with my UMFF the other day... power went out.... according to the SW it took me more than *10* minutes to wake up after the power went out.
That's scary too! Imagine how much CO2 I must have re-inhaled before my brain finally took the cue...

WOW! That's amazing. Glad you're OK too.

If the manufacturer's are paying attention, they could invent a very small CO2 sensor inside each mask that would blow the vent. Obviously nobody has died and had a relative sue yet.

[jsmythe]

I think the "Gumby tape" is all gone, I used it all up the last time I wrapped him up in it a couple of months ago......
RIght Gumby??

[DigiSage]

Well I tried taping last night and I'm very happy with the results. Absolutely no pain or discomfort of any kind. I had to wear the papcap very tight, near to the point of pain for it to seal properly (this is because I have a considerable overbite- the papcap otherwise is pretty good).

No vomiting or anxiety or asphyxiation I'm very happy with the results.

[birdshell]

I know that there is a segment of the population that believes the tape should run HORIZONTALLY! However, I have not always found that to work with my overbite and receding chin. (I'm pretty cute despite the descriptions...just watch out for the quills. )

It has not always been possible for me to tape horizontally, either, if I can only find the 1" wide tape. That happens fairly often when I seem to be running low on tape.

Because of the curvature of my mouth area, the horizontal tape (even if 2" wide) often doesn't stick. THUS, I have been known to tape VERTICALLY! If I use the 1" tape, it is easy to apply vertically, I get more coverage from being able to use slightly longer tape strips, and I actually find that applying two strips allows something of a "V" to be formed. The "V" keeps the contours of my face in contact with the tape without wrinkling.

I use various tapes, and have yet to try the blue painter's masking tape. My favorite is the rayon (?) type, followed by the paper and Micropore types. I put milk of magnesia on my skin, around the mouth. I also use chapstick on my lips, pull them inward, and further...if I do cough or sneeze, the tape (yes, even the superbly sticky Micropore) comes off. No doubt this is the effect of the milk of magnesia on reducing the tack of the tape.

Best wishes, and try to tape only when you are able to handle the tape. If drunk or otherwise impaired, it may not be something that is manageable due to lack of motor functions!

Another factor: quite a few of us have had the Nissen fundiplication surgery to help our GERD. One having had this surgery is unable to vomit. It is tough to aspirate anything that cannot come back up!

Karen,
Who is STILL waiting to see the research

[kathleenann51]

TAPING YOUR MOUTH SHUT SOUNDS REALLY SCARRY!! I use a soft down pillow that I am able to squish around under my chin so that my mouth rests on the pillow and doesn't open. Of course, I am a side sleeper. The pillow also allows me to manuever a space for my hose and mask also. This works very well for me and has for 3 yrs now. Try It! Kat

[DigiSage]

I also feel I should address all the off-topic posts on this thread - specifically the ones about the pros & cons of taping. You might not have noticed that I did not ask any questions related to that. I simply asked where to purchase tape. I have already spent many, many hours reading probably 30 threads on this board and another regarding the pros & cons of taping and have already made the decision for myself based on my own personal situation. However, I do appreciate the concern expressed and thank you for your comments.

[birdshell]

TAPING YOUR MOUTH SHUT SOUNDS REALLY SCARRY!! I use a soft down pillow that I am able to squish around under my chin so that my mouth rests on the pillow and doesn't open. Of course, I am a side sleeper. The pillow also allows me to manuever a space for my hose and mask also. This works very well for me and has for 3 yrs now. Try It! Kat

Kat, I am certain that you are trying to help. In several other posts on several other threads I have outlined my reasoning and experiences. I really do not wish to do so again in that kind of detail. If you will kindly go to the "Search" button and type in "mouth and taping" without the quotation marks you and anyone else may feel free to read the large number of posts on this topic.

I assure you that I have "tried it" along with many other "its". "It" has not worked for me and a very large number of others. It is quite difficult, nay impossible, to attain adequate pressures with one's mouth open.

Further, if we are to be following scientific and medical procedures, then there should be some research out there proving that taping the mouth is dangerous. Saying that it sounds scary is not enough. Sleeping without our CPAP therapy is also scary for most of us. Therefore, until I am shown well conducted and relevant research I will not be convinced.

We must all make our own decisions and take some responsibility in our own treatment. It is more scary for me to think of having no CPAP therapy than to make an adult decision for myself that provides adequate treatment for my apnea.

So, thank you for trying to help. However, I have made an informed decision...and politely request that you show me the research before I re-evaluate that decision.

Karen

[gasparama]

As I mentioned in another thread, my sleep doc approves. And during my recent hospital stay, one of the staff members said that she was going to recommend taping to other people who were having mouth leeks.

My sleep data indicates that there is a bigger risk to my health if my sleep therapy is compromised than if I tape my mouth closed.

However, I sympathize with those who are hesitant to try. I'm just thankful, ever so thankful, for learning about taping!

Jane

[mindy]

I was especially hesitant at first ... but also realized that it would take me longer to take off a FFM than the taping method I use. So yes, I do tape carefully.

Mindy

[DigiSage]

FYI, after many nights of taping, my AHI is now 0.7, it was 3.4 previously. And I'm feeling better

[gasp]

FYI, after many nights of taping, my AHI is now 0.7, it was 3.4 previously. And I'm feeling better

Glad you're feeling better! Wow, 0.7 not bad.