air escaping settings [mouth leaking]

[somnia16]

I seem to have air blowing out of my mouth (I use nasal pillows) even when I use a Ruby chin strap and even when I tape my mouth (on occasion my taped mouth has blown up like a balloon). I tried lowering the settings to 7.4 max (it was 8.6 before) and 6.6 min (it was 6.8 before). Last night, the air in the mouth seemed better just with the chin strap (I am not at all sure taping the mouth is safe...) but my AHI went up to 2 (it had been less). I don't have the sleepyhead program installed yet. Am I right to think that it is the second number that would control the output of air that comes through the mouth? Thanks

[OpalRose]

somnia16,
The sooner you download #SleepyHead software and post a couple days data here, then we would be able to look at your pressure settings and leak rates to see if changes need to be made.  

It’s important that you learn to control the air escaping through your mouth. If you are breathing air in through your nose, but the air is escaping out of your mouth, then it’s not going down your throat where it needs to go to keep the throat tissues from collapsing.  

If you want less pressure when exhaling, then use the EPR feature on your Cpap.

Have you tried to use a soft cervical collar?  This supports your chin/mouth from dropping open at night and has helped many here on the forum.

Also, there is the tongue technique that many of us have learned to utilize. This takes time and practice, but is worth it if you can master it.

Tongue Suck Technique:
Place your tongue to the roof of your mouth with tip of tongue behind front teeth.  Slowly suck upwards and back.  This places the tongue in a natural position, with the back of tongue sealing the back of the throat so that if you open your mouth/jaw while sleeping, no air will escape.

If all else fails, you may have to consider using a full face mask.

[somnia16]

Thanks for the response. Am researching cervical collars. Do you recommend a 2.5 or 3 inch or does it depend on your weight/height?

[Crimson Nape]

Do you recommend a 2.5 or 3 inch or does it depend on your weight/height?

I believe that it depends more on your neck length.

[PaulaO2]

If lip leaking, try the PAPCap. http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-...-Pur-Sleep

A chin strap will not help (much) with lip leaking. It is more for those who open their mouth vs mouth closed, air coming out lips.

You may also want to wear the mask with the machine on during the day. Practice the tongue thing that OpalRose suggested.

And SleepyHead reports would really help us to assist you in figuring out what to do. As for the AHI, 2 is great. Anything below 5 is the goal. But that AHI is invalid if you have a lot of leaks. Which we (and you) don't know without SleepyHead.