Any mouth breathers successfully use nasal mask?

I do a mix of nasal breathing and mouth breathing. I notice I tend to mouth breathe when I am getting really relaxed. I have a full face mask, but I am having to tighten my straps really tight in order for the mask not to leak when I mouth breathe. My question is...has anybody successfully used a nasal mask/prong and be a mouth breather? I want the best of both worlds. I do like the ability to open my mouth. I don't like it that most of my face is under the mask and I can't scratch without having to move my mask out of the way and then have to readjust. Also, my full face mask tends to leak, sound like a horn, and poot when I get real relaxed. It scared my poor chihuahua so badly last night that I fear she is severely traumatized

I tried the nasal pillow and put it in the drawer because when I turned over, the pillows moved aware from my nares. It was a constant battle. I have ordered the nasal aire which has prongs, so I am hoping that they will at least stay in place.

When I do use the nasal prong, is some mouth breathing acceptable? Is anybody out there mouth breathers and are able to use the nasal mask/prongs? I know about the hybrid which is the best of both worlds, but I noticed from the reviews, that the mouth mask part also is hard to seal.

Thank you for your help!

I use nasal pillows and on occasion mouth breathe. There are actually seveal options that work for many people. You can use a chin strap ot tape you mouth shut. You can also "train" yourself to not breate through you mouth.

Another option is the hybrid/Liberty mask. It uses nasal pillows and has a part that covers your mouth. It is not quite as "bad" as a FF mask.

I tried the hybreid, but it did not work for me (and my partner did not like the exhaust ports). I have pretty much trained myself to not breathe through my mouth, but on occasion I have to resort to taping to help "re-train".

Hope that helps.

Jas, mouth breathing is not okay with a nasal mask of any kind, since all that pressured air will be blowing out of your mouth and not splinting your airway to keep you from apnea events. If you do not want to consider taping your mouth, the Hybrid at least comes with all 3 sizes for you to mix & match for the best seal.

I would expect that those who use tape, poligrip and whatever means they can think of to keep their mouth shut, are mouth breathers who are determined to use nasal masks or pillows.... They make it work because they have their own reasons for not wanting to use full face.

Sometimes with enough motivations, we do things we never thought we would do.

I am not a mouth breather but I did have some mouth leakage issues that were pretty significant when I started therapy. I never breathe through my mouth during the day. I don't have sinus issues normally. I think I had the habit of gasping for air during the night with the events, so I had a bad habit. I did use a chin strap and tape and tried polygrip for about 3 weeks early on. Then I started randomly not taping. I found that the major leaks have ceased. On a rare night I will notice the lips fluttering a bit (mostly on my back) but for the most part I don't have many snores or any significant leaks. Mouth not particularly dry any more. I think I got rid of the bad habit and created a good habit of keeping my mouth shut.

It can be done. Others have done it. Others continue to tape every night. You won't know for sure till you try but you have to give it some time and be diligent.

Thanks for the response. I guess I was wanting to know if anybody successfully was able to "train" their self to not mouth breathe as 2flamingos posted that she/he did.

I am not opposed to the Hybid, but I love the idea of the nasal prong. To not have something covering your mouth... I do miss those days.

I am just fact gathering, before I carry on my mask hunt.

A hint about the nasal prongs. BTW gotta keep the mouth shut with ANY nasal mask system....

These prongs must fit snugly. They will inflate to a point but smaller is not necessarily better. They must inflate to the size of your nostril so that no air will leak out. Don't expect to wear the same size in prongs that you do in pillows. They do feel a bit weird at first because they go up inside the nostril instead of resting on the nostril.
I had a minor (very minor) bit of tenderness when I tried them.

It's absolutely worth seeing if you can train yourself to nosebreathe.
I was a mouth breather, mostly because of allergy issues.
I started with the Swift and Poligrip Strips and chinstrap, and for a while, a rectangle of dental wax across the front of my teeth.

I don't remember how long it took, but first the wax, then the Poligrip, then the chinstrap were given up. My brain has figured out that there's actually air coming in my nose now, and my mouth stays closed, even during the day.

You'll like the NasalAire II. Let us know how it works for you.
Another option is the Headrest - I find that it goes nowhere when I turn in my sleep. (and I found it on sale recently for $59).

Shari

jasminechichi wrote:. I guess I was wanting to know if anybody successfully was able to "train" their self to not mouth breathe as 2flamingos posted that she/he did.

I've been successfully using nasal pillows even though I was a dedicated mouth breather prior to treatment. I have retrained myself to breath through my nose.

The combination of using Flonase, the humidification, and the increased air flow through my nose has been enough to convince my brain that it's okay to close my mouth. I had one bad night of breathing through my mouth, felt like poop the next day & thought I was going to have to start taping my mouth. But it passed. Now when I do open my mouth, the sound of the air escaping through it wakes me up.

jasminechichi, As is being shared, mouth breathing can be worked on and overcome to varying degrees of success to allow successful use of nasal masks. It takes time though. Combined use of re-training how we can convert to nose breathing/then how to keep our mouth closed, and experimenting with "helpers" till we find what works best, is critical.

Keep at it as you are! You'll come to the solution; search the forum for "mouth breathing", and the "Our Collective Wisdom" if you haven't had a chance to yet - the guys n' gals here are the best - FANTASTIC - and have been-there-done-that as well as continually coming up with new siituations & suggestions...all together we are living organism working together for the combined good - right!?

patzee

jasminechichi wrote: ....... I have a full face mask, but I am having to tighten my straps really tight in order for the mask not to leak when I mouth breathe. .......
............

That mask is not designed to be adjusted tightly. Tight adjustment can cause leaks. Try adjusting it lightly. Start a new post with the mask name in the subject line and some users will give you tips on adjusting and preventing leaks. The mask you are using is one of the most popular full face masks that many people use successfully.

jasminechichi wrote: ................I do like the ability to open my mouth.
............

If the mouth is open while using a nasal mask, the therapeutic pressure escapes and you can be having just as many events as without CPAP. With a full face mask the pressure is maintained when the mouth is open and you keep breathing.

Often when we open our mouth while asleep it is because we are not getting enough air through the nasal airway. Small amounts of congestion or other blockage in the nasal passage cause us to open our mouth to get more air to the lungs. Under these conditions, mouthbreathing is a good thing if you are using a full face mask.

jasminechichi wrote: ................
........ I know about the hybrid which is the best of both worlds, but I noticed from the reviews, that the mouth mask part also is hard to seal.

............

The footprint of the Hybrid mask's mouthpiece is very small and very easy to seal. I have used a Hyrbid for three years this month and leaks are never a problem. Note that I sleep in the most difficult positions to maintain a seal: tummy and sides.

If you commit to a Hybrid, I can help with tips on using and adjusting.

Before CPAP I would breathe through my mouth. I even bought a FFM as well as a nasal pillows to start. Something changed for me when I started CPAP. I stopped breathing through my mouth right away. My theory, such as it is, is that having the positive air pressure keep my throat open made it unnecessary to breathe through my mouth. At first I remember waking up with sore jaws from clenching them shut all night. Then I realized my tongue somehow had learned to form a seal with the roof of my mouth. In the last months, I often wake up to find my lower jaw pushed forward which opens the airway even more. Magic.

The only time I had any mouth breathing was after I had surgery and was full of drugs for pain. I had to sleep on my back because of the surgery and my mouth would fall open and the surge of air would make me come awake.That only lasted about 3 nights anyway. I can sleep on my back now without problems, so I blame that mouth-breathing on the drugs.

I use a Headrest mask, modified by removing the headgear and using homemade straps.

Catnapper - Joanie

I've only been on cpap for about six months now ,I started with nasal pillows and a chin strap ,I no long have to use the chin strap as my mouth stays closed,I'm still going to get a
FFM for the up coming allergy season when no matter what I do or take my sinues are clogged tight and I have no choice but to breath thru my mouth ,otherwise the nasal pillows work just great for me!

Wax lips work for me.


Truthfully, I use both the UMFF and the Hybrid too. If you have trouble with either the UMFF or the Hybrid, you might try the alternatives: Quattro is an alternative for the UMFF. Liberty is an aternative for the Hybrid. People tend to gravitate toward either UMFF or Quattro, either Hybrid or Liberty due to differences in facial structure. I can't wear a Liberty to save my life. It leaks badly, but the Hybrid seals smooth as a cork in any sleeping position.

You might also want to try your existing UMFF with a pap-cap. I removed the original straps and use only the pap-cap with my UMFF and have an even snugger seal than with the straps that came with the mask. Again, this combination seals well in any sleeping position for me.

You can train yourself to sleep standing up. I've seen my uncle do it on several occasions. He learned how to do it in the Navy. But how much rest can you really get if part of your brain is having to think about standing? Likewise, how much rest are you really getting if part of your brain is having to remain remotely conscious about mouth position? When I sleep, I want to go as slack as possible. A nasal mask doesn't allow that. People use tape, etc. because they don't want to buy a full face mask or a hybrid.

Nasal mask wearers don't want to buy these for any number of reasons, but the two most common, I suspect, are fear of enclosure and vanity.

Nasal masks are pushed by the DME industry for no other reason than because they tend to be cheaper than full face masks. They make more profit when selling you the cheaper mask. They invariably try to sell you the cheapest mask they have first.

rooster wrote:If you commit to a Hybrid, I can help with tips on using and adjusting.

Rooster, I have had a Hybrid for many months that I've only used 2-3X ,and have been meaning to ask you for links to your past discussions of fine-tuning it. I just can't figure how to keep the cushion "floating" on your face rather than cranked down....but still not have easy leaking when moving about while sleeping. Even the idea of using tights seems like it would mash the hard frame against the face. So any re-cap of your ideas will be welcome.

plr66 wrote:

rooster wrote:If you commit to a Hybrid, I can help with tips on using and adjusting.

Rooster, I have had a Hybrid for many months that I've only used 2-3X ,and have been meaning to ask you for links to your past discussions of fine-tuning it. I just can't figure how to keep the cushion "floating" on your face rather than cranked down....but still not have easy leaking when moving about while sleeping. Even the idea of using tights seems like it would mash the hard frame against the face. So any re-cap of your ideas will be welcome.

The way I use the tights they don't even touch the frame so they can't "mash" it hard against the face. As far as the mouth cushion floating, this is too loose. I like a snug (but not tight) adjustment of the mouth cushion against the face.

Anyway, here is the link to the techniques I use: viewtopic.php?t=14422&highlight=