When using a nasal cpap machine, my mouth fills up with air ?

It is an Airfit Nasal mask. It goes right under the nose. I think that the Airfit F20 goes around the nose. I'm not sure how well it works so maybe someone will let us know. When I did the tape, I covered the entire mouth and no air came out and it was quite comfortable. I just used what I had on hand. The problem with the tape verses the chin guard, is that you can't speak. However, one night I pulled the tape off about 5 times to speak to my husband and it resealed up fine again.

This has been going on for 9 years now. Been using CPAP for 13 years. I finally had to order a special chin strap from the UK called the Nightsbridge chin strap (The one you can get in the US is complete trash). I love the fact that it makes my hair look great the next day unlike most straps, but it also really hurts my ears, so I have to wear padding over my ears, and I have to pull the straps so tight that I have to pad under my chin also. So much to wear on my face. Last week, I went back to trying the same FF mask (Air touch F20) and it works well but even if I loosen the straps, my eyes swell badly. I mean, I'm unrecognizable for a couple of days. I can say that having a chin strap that works made me realize where my tongue needs to be to stop the mouth filling with air but sometimes it still does. Plus, yes, I definitely have to wear this particular strap to slow it down. I have reached out to my sleep clinic to try and get a fitting for the F30i mask since that one will not affect the eyes and it gets really good reviews. The only thing with that one is it has a lot of different parts that come in different sizes and from what I can tell, no size chart to go by, therefore I want my clinic to help me with this. Of course, I have yet to hear back from them. They make all of this so hard for those of us who just can't get it right. Funny side note, early on, I had none of these problems because I was working and stressed out and used to clinch my teeth. It seems, this holds my tongue in place....lol. I waked off my job 9 years ago and have had problems ever since. Now, my jaw stays relaxed day and night, thus the tongue problem.

This hapoens when I first put it on. (Dreamwear nose cushion, not pillows.) I blow it out of my mouth for about 5 minutes at the start whuch doesn't affect the seal as I'm not really opening my mouth. Also if your tongue is on the roof of your mouth, you will never break the seal.

I am never a mouth breather and frankly, as someone who has have chemical pneumonitis from inhaling heartburn, taping your mouth, even for possible vomiting reasons, is dangerous tho I know someone who has done it for years. I feel very fortunate to be able to be very comfortable from day 1 (slept 8 hours. With long covid, it makes me breathe deeper raising my pulseox above 89 - and that's with oxygen connected to my cpap.

Better to blow it out than it end up in your stomach and pain, farting and loudly belching all day!

Not sure what to do. Happy to have found you all. I just started with my CPAP and am trying the nasal pillow. I find it okay the first time I fall asleep, but when my jaw relaxes and mouth opens, I find it a rather violent experience which then keeps me awake for hours. I try to fall back to sleep but if I start to my mouth fills with air or bubble exit my mouth. When I lose the seal/suction that keeps my mouth closed, it is a jerking experience when my mouth opens and air enters quickly. How on Earth does anyone manage with this? I hate the full-face mask idea but think that may be what I need. Have call into practitioner.

Welcome @jmgall, It can definitely be a struggle trying to find the CPAP mask that works the best for you and is comfortable. I've tried many different under the nose full face masks and nasal pillows without much success. I had similar problems because when I fall asleep I start breathing through my mouth so I ended up using a full face over the nose mask.

There are a couple of things you can try. One is a chin strap that keeps your jaw up and mouth closed and the other is medical tape to tape your mouth closed. I tried them both but had issues but many members have used mouth tape and head straps and may be able to share some suggestions.

Here is a discussion on using mouth tape that you might find helpful:
-- Mouth Tape Option: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mouth-tape-option/

Here is a link that lists discussions and comments on chin straps - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/discussions/?search=CPAP%20chin%20strap

Your practitioner or sleep medicine therapist should be able to help you find a solution.

Practice during the daytime helps, including relaxing your jaw and lips and letting air flow, or letting your cheeks bulge if air gets stopped that way. You'll get used to the latter with exposure. For the former, you must tape or use a chin strap. Again, daytime practice. You'll get used to the sensations eventually.

You're opening your mouth - have to keep it shut! I found a chin strap to be worthless and just another thing around my head. Have been using mouth tape for years and it works fine. I use kinesiology tape now after trying various brands of ready made mouth tapes which tend to be expensive. The brand I'm using is OK Tape, it comes in a box of 20 2" strips and I cut off about an inch so I get a lot of tapes. Generally I can use each one twice if I store it carefully along the edge of my night table. Pretty easy to peel off (but not if you have facial hair I'd bet!). Got this tape from Amazon.

Thank you for all the suggestions! I tried the chin strap which didn't solve the problem. Practitioner suggested full face mask so just picked that up yesterday. It has memory foam and is pretty comfortable all things considered. I think it might be better for me but need a larger size. Should pick up the medium sometime this week when it comes in. The whole thing is quite overwhelming. And soon the time change will throw its wrench into the generally sleepless night . . . . . sigh.

I hope it works, but I have read of accounts given by people who have tried scads of masks of various descriptions, including full facial, and they unfortunately don't solve the 'chipmunk cheeks' and open mouth/dry mouth problems a lot of the time. Just to let you know...it may still be disappointing.

Whatever u you use, the size and fit make a huge difference. Hope this does it for you!