Try a chin strap before you go with a FFM. Especially if you like the mask you have. If all you need is to hold your mouth closed, then you can get away with some of the minimalistic ones. Or you can make your own out of an Ace bandage. You want it tight enough that your mouth does not open when you are relaxed but not so tight you cannot chew without effort. Sometimes all it takes is wearing the chin strap a short time and the brain/body gets used to keeping the mouth closed.
The other thing is to prevent yourself from rolling onto your back. You could try a backward t-shirt with a tennis ball in the pocket. Or sew a pocket with a tennis ball in it. Or wear a backpack with stuff in it. Or whatever else you can come up with.
PaulaO2
Apnea Board Moderator
www.ApneaBoard.com
Breathe deeply and count to zen.
INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
Thank you very much. I'll call my supplier on Monday. They've been very good to me so far. I wanted to buy a ClimateLine hose, but they just handed me one at no charge and said they hope it helps. So I'm sure they will provide me with a chin strap.
I have a full face mask, and use a chinstrap. That's because I still get a bad dry mouth without it. That's why I may get a nasal mask, because I have to have chinstrap, anyway.
I do the same thing unless I wear a chinstrap. Not quite got the hang of nasal without one but do fine with one. They arent that big a deal to wear really once you have it adjusted.
Seems like the chin strap pulls the jaw back, but I have a bit of an overbite so that could be coming into play, as my upper, and lower teeth do not line up. It also seems that my mask pushes my jaw down, and the strap tries to compensate for that. Tried a smaller size mask, but did not work.
Salty, you may want to look into the PAPcap. It can be fitted to pull the jaw up vs back.
There are a few others that also do that. Look for ones that have less of a chin cup.
PaulaO2
Apnea Board Moderator
www.ApneaBoard.com
Breathe deeply and count to zen.
INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
The Respironics Premium chin strap will pull your jaw straight up not back. Adjusted right it sits more forward on your head and the rear strap keeps it in place very well. It is a wide strap but its comfortable. I can usually get by with a thinner chin strap now but when I first went to nasal the Premium Strap was a Godsend. You put that sucker on and adjust it and your jaw aint comin open.
I dont have but two teeth upper and lower that actually meet each other an basically no front teeth. If the thing can stop my mouth leaks it should stop anyones.
). It's similar to a sports one but it has a fitting for the top and bottom portions of your teeth. You heat to make an imprint and it's suppose to keep your jaw together. (They have and air whole through the top and bottom so you can still breathe, but if your main problem is your jaw opening, this might be a solution)
