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When using a nasal cpap machine, my mouth fills up with air ?
Sleep Health | Last Active: Mar 6 8:28am | Replies (31)Comment receiving replies
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.
Replies to "Not sure what to do. Happy to have found you all. I just started with my..."
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.
@jmgall
I started off with nasal pillows and that did not work for me. The full face mask works whether I am breathing through my nose or mouth and I do not get dry mouth. The size and fit of the mask makes a huge difference. Small is too small and large too large so I seem to do best with medium. Had to change a couple times while trying what works best. It took me a while to get used to breathing with the mask on and had to adjust the straps to fit comfortably but not let air escape. I am now comfortable with using it every night and it does help me sleep better and not be as tired when I wake up. I have figured out how to change sleeping sides and even stomach sleep with the mask staying on and head tilted to side. It is a bit of an obstacle course for me maneuvering around my cats that all want to sleep near my head!😹 😂😹
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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.