sleeping w/mouth open

pagirl117 · Post by **pagirl117** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 11:10 am

The last 2 nights i keep breathing out of my mouth i called my respitory therapist and she told me i can either sleep w/full face mask or w/chinstrap.Is the full facemask comfortable or is chinstrap better?She said i'm losing the effects of cpap by mouth breathing because current mask only covers the nose.I'd like to know what other people have had best results with.Thanks a bunch!

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 11:25 am

She is partly correct, you are loseing your treatment. A FF mask is one answer, Tapeing is another. A chin strap is the most useless solution. (Doesn't help much) You have to work with a FF mask sometimes to correct leaks, but it can be done. Check the Light Bulb, lots of iedas there. Jim

inacpapfog · Post by **inacpapfog** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 11:50 am

I hate to tell you that ,for most, chin straps do not solve the mouth leak issue. Do check out the links on this board to read more opinions about this so you can judge for yourself.

curtcurt46 · Post by **curtcurt46** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 12:11 pm

The above comments are correct, however there are other opinions and you have to find what works for you.
I have used both a full face mask and or a nasal mask with chin strap. I have also used tape. I found that I like the chin strap the best. You need to try the various options to see what works best for you. I am getting consistent AHI's of 1.2 and below using the activa mask and sullivan chin strap. I still leak a tiny bit from my mouth, but it does not impact my therapy as you can see.
See what works for you.
P.S. I hated mouth taping.

Maryb · Post by **Maryb** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 12:22 pm

Aah, The dreaded "mouth leaks".
I tried taping (didn't work for me).
I tried polygrip strips (didn't work for me).
I also added a chin strap on top of either the tape or the polygrips strips (didn't work for me).
The only think that worked for me was the hybrid mask which is a type of full-face mask.
Good luck figuring out what works for you.
Be sure to use the search function and look for "mouth leaks" to see previous posts on this topic. Then it's just a matter of trying out some of the different options.

Mary.

Offerocker · Post by **Offerocker** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 12:22 pm

In this case, everyone's opinion will be correct!
That's why we each have different machines, different masks, and some, if not many of us have more than one mask!

I found the chin strap to be too slippery for me.
Mouth taping has been succesful for me. I use a strip just down the middle of mouth, from bottom of nose to mid-chin.

snoregirl wrote:I don't especially love taping either, but I like the full face mask less.

During your 'search', you will find many brands of tapes, and different makers or solutions to chin straps.

All in all, you must do the research and decide what you want to try, and in what order, etc. (Try the least-expensive first)

It's an adventure to be sure.

snoregirl · Post by **snoregirl** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 12:24 pm

While I sympathize with the post above about hating mouth taping. For some of us it is the only way to use a nasal interface. Some are lucky and need nothing, others can successfully use a chin strap, others like myself need to support the chin AND tape.

I don't especially love taping either, but I like the full face mask less. Others are happy with their full face mask.

You need to explore all the options and will find what is best for you.

Your RT just didn't mention the one thing that works best for many of us -- taping. May not sound lovely, but don't knock it until you've tried it.

BY the way you don't have to stick with a commercially made chin strap. You can experiment with any stretchy material that you can get in the correct position to do the job.

Bamalady · Post by **Bamalady** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 12:43 pm

Hi-

You will find many different opinions / fixes because we are all different, but keep trying and surely you will find something that works for you.

Taping didn't work for me. I still got 'chipmunk cheeks' .... air filling my mouth. The chinstap I got from the DME was useless for me as well. I got a roll of 3 inch Ace Bandage and made a chinstrap that works really well. I made it tight enough to keep my chin in place (it drops when I relax) but loose enough to cough or yawn. I added a strap of 1/2 inch elastic to go around the back of the head to it. The elastic helps keep it in place. It stopped the puffy cheeks as well.

Good luck.

oldgearhead · Post by **oldgearhead** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 2:49 pm

Lately, I have had to use my nasal pillow mask, instead of the Hybrid, because of gum surgery, I have been taping again with the a 5" piece of the 2" paper Micropore tape. I cope with the "Blowfish" by expelling the trapped air out through the tape (It will pass air). Just don't forget to put Chapstick on your lips before applying the tape.

I use hot water to help remove the tape. However, some people have reported the "hot water' trick leaves too much residue. But since I shave afterwards, its not a problem for me.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 4:44 pm

I've been taping my lips securely and completely closed for almost 4 years. If I didn't do that, I'd have to wear FF masks that are very uncomfortable and leaky for me, instead of the nasal pillows masks I prefer.

Here's a clickable link to see the pros and cons of mouth taping, as well as other ways some people use to stop mouth air leaks during cpap treatment:

Links to: Mouth leaks - Air Leaks - Tape - DIY Guard

birdshell · Post by **birdshell** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 4:58 pm

Here is one of the most informative postings on mouth taping, IMO. Rooster (while possibly a distant relative) is not a member of my immediate family, nor has he paid me to post this again!

Just One Man’s Very Successful Mouth Taping Procedure

I personally have added a few modifications:

1. I smear a little bit of milk of magnesia on my skin, which helps prevent any uncomfortable irritation from ripping off the mouth tape.

2. I use 1-2 vertical strips of tape.

Best wishes. Welcome to the fold.

TurboHonda · Post by **TurboHonda** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 5:32 pm

My Doctor prescribed a full face mask for me, because I was a mouth breather. I suppose that was easier than helping me find out WHY I was a mouth breather.

I broke my nose about 20 years ago and ended up with a deviated septum. I had it surgically corrected about 2 years ago but over time I had developed the habit of mouth breathing, because there was less resistance when breathing through the mouth. An internet search of mouth breathing will explain the problems of mouth breathing and some ways it can be corrected.

Well, after trying 2 different FF masks without success, I set out to find some way to be able to use a nose mask or nasal pillow. I tried taping and it worked, although it wasn’t convenient. I tried a chin strap and it worked only under certain conditions. If I tried to sleep on my back, my tongue would fall back and air would escape through my lips, no matter how tight the chin strap was.

I discovered that by sleeping on my side with a chin strap, and consciously putting my tongue against the roof of my mouth, just behind my teeth, I created a vacuum that sealed my lips together. The chin strap slid around on my hair and didn’t stay in place, so I made a solid foundation for the chin strap by wearing a “do rag” like the bikers wear. Now the chin strap stays in place and the lips are sealed.

Like all things tried, it won’t work for everyone. That’s why this forum is so valuable.

aussie_hosehead · Post by **aussie_hosehead** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 6:24 pm

Hi there, yes I am a mouth breather too.

Fortunately I found out the solution during my titration study when the tech tried firstly a chin strap which had absolutely no effect at all then a full face mask which made rather embarrassing farting noises and then finally tape.

The taping works really well and even though it sounds a bit like a form of medieval torture isn't at all bad.

I guess though we all have to find out what works best for us individually. Best of luck with solving your mouth breathing problem.

becktrev · Post by **becktrev** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 6:44 pm

Echo what was already said - vertical taping works - remember to leave a bit free left and right of center, for the odd time you wake up with a partly blocked nose and need a fast breath through the sides before having time to rip off the tape.

Fascinating was the discovery (after years of use) that it is easy to drink a glass of water whilst still under full nasal pressure.

Offerocker · Post by **Offerocker** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 6:59 pm

becktrev wrote:Fascinating was the discovery (after years of use) that it is easy to drink a glass of water whilst still under full nasal pressure.

Sounds like a "Class Act" deserving of "The Gong Show"

Makes me wonder what other 'talents' are out there? Hmmmm

sleeping w/mouth open

sleeping w/mouth open

Tape

Re: Tape