11-18-2021, 07:34 PM
(This post was last modified: 11-18-2021, 07:35 PM by mesenteria.)
RE: Still tired and tips for keeping mouth closed
Mike, my very first night using straight 8 cm CPAP was a nightmare. I was awakened every few minutes with air blasting out of my open mouth. I called my therapist the next morning and asked a cleaner version that WTF?!?!?
She said some use straps, some tape. She didn't recommend taping, just said that some have to resort to it. Another therapist told me and my dad, who was fitted a few months after I began CPAP therapy, that taping is risky. As we age, our skin becomes a lot weaker and easier to damage. She had had patients with torn skin and open sores. What does the tape adhere to...now? And how good will the sleep for the ensuing several nights be? A distinct worry.
I have tried hockey/sports tape, and would give it a 6/10. I soon tried 3M NexCare 'water resistant' white medical tape. Pressed firmly against the skin around the mouth, it works pretty darned well. I have used it, and only it, ever since. I hear good things about Somnifix as well, but have not needed to try it. Whatever you get, DO NOT use the 3M tan coloured tape. That stuff will pull chunks out of your drywall when you go to lift it. I had one good night with a piece of it, but the rest of the roll went into the trash. Not a pleasant task getting it off the next day.
Remember, place it well, with enough length to get at least 1 cm past the corners of the mouth, and then press it firmly into place using stiffened finger tips.
She said some use straps, some tape. She didn't recommend taping, just said that some have to resort to it. Another therapist told me and my dad, who was fitted a few months after I began CPAP therapy, that taping is risky. As we age, our skin becomes a lot weaker and easier to damage. She had had patients with torn skin and open sores. What does the tape adhere to...now? And how good will the sleep for the ensuing several nights be? A distinct worry.
I have tried hockey/sports tape, and would give it a 6/10. I soon tried 3M NexCare 'water resistant' white medical tape. Pressed firmly against the skin around the mouth, it works pretty darned well. I have used it, and only it, ever since. I hear good things about Somnifix as well, but have not needed to try it. Whatever you get, DO NOT use the 3M tan coloured tape. That stuff will pull chunks out of your drywall when you go to lift it. I had one good night with a piece of it, but the rest of the roll went into the trash. Not a pleasant task getting it off the next day.
Remember, place it well, with enough length to get at least 1 cm past the corners of the mouth, and then press it firmly into place using stiffened finger tips.
