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Still tired and tips for keeping mouth closed - Printable Version

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Still tired and tips for keeping mouth closed - Mike Parker - 11-14-2021

After 2 years on my CPAP still feeling tired and finding it impossible to keep my mouth closed while asleep. I am presuming this is not helping with my ongoing fatigue. 

Anyone suffering the same and any tips that might help ? I am using nasal pillows, pressure set to 7 although it records 6.9 and AHI fluctuates between 0.1 to 1.2.

Machine is YUELL brand. I should add my arteries are not functioning at above an estimated 50% which obviously does'nt help but after 8-9 hours asleep wake tired.


RE: Still tired and tips for keeping mouth closed - Gideon - 11-14-2021

Welcome to the forum. I am not familiar with your machine at all and I doubt anyone here is either.
Read the Mask Primer section on Mouth Breathing. See link in my signature

The goal is to master the tongue technique, basically keeping the tongue on the roof of the mouth to seal off the oral cavity.
Try a soft cervical collar to keep the chin raised,
In my humble opinion, a chin strap that pulls UP, and not back.
Tape

Keep in mind that none of these techniques will stop you from opening your mouth, your jaw muscle is just too strong for that.


RE: Still tired and tips for keeping mouth closed - clownbell - 11-14-2021

Mike - it took me a long time to learn the tongue trick, but it is very worthwhile. Keep at it, be determined, and it will likely be very helpful to you.


RE: Still tired and tips for keeping mouth closed - Mike Parker - 11-15-2021

(11-14-2021, 11:42 PM)clownbell Wrote: Mike - it took me a long time to learn the tongue trick, but it is very worthwhile. Keep at it, be determined, and it will likely be very helpful to you.

Thank you for reply .Have even thought of using masking tape to close it. Obviously need more work


RE: Still tired and tips for keeping mouth closed - Mike Parker - 11-16-2021

Thank you for your very detailed report ,a lot to take in there, I'm on to it. 

Tempted to try taping mouth closed for a prolonged period and actually just had a nap using basic masking tape which remarkably stayed put and peeled of without any discomfort. Willing to try anything and if taping solves the problem would like to hear from anyone who feels it is a solution


RE: Still tired and tips for keeping mouth closed - upsman - 11-16-2021

Two other options for keeping your chin from dropping.
A chinstrap specifically designed for CPAP users. Search Amazon. They are fairly inexpensive.
A soft cervical pillow. Also found on Amazon.

Also, there is special tape to use for keeping your mouth closed that should work much better than masking tape.
Search for SomniFix mouth tape. 

Good luck.


RE: Still tired and tips for keeping mouth closed - Cpapian - 11-16-2021

It really doesn't matter if your mouth is open or closed. What matters is where is your tongue. If you get your tongue in the right position you can open your mouth as wide as you like and nothing will escape.

Not only that, but that is where your tongue should be. Being in the correct position facilitates easy breathing. Let's your nose do it's job. Healthier all round.

The tongue trick is your best long term solution. But. It takes willpower and dedication for a couple of days to get it working.

I practiced it while on the treadmill. At first it's kind of like what they say about walking and chewing gum ... but the treadmill and tongue trick together seemed to help reinforce the tongue position learning. The treadmill could be replaced by anything, watching tv, whatever. Just make your tongue sit in the correct position for some activity. Make a conscious effort. Then when you go to bed remember to do it again. If you wake up, put it back where it belongs.

Rumour has it, with the tongue in the right position, it can prevent one's foot from falling out!!!


RE: Still tired and tips for keeping mouth closed - Mike Parker - 11-18-2021

Thanks for all the suggestions....much appreciated. Being in Chiang Mai, Thailand Sleep disorder specialists are a bit thin on the ground


RE: Still tired and tips for keeping mouth closed - AndyB - 11-18-2021

(11-16-2021, 05:10 AM)Mike Parker Wrote: Thank you for your very detailed report ,a lot to take in there, I'm on to it. 

Tempted to try taping mouth closed for a prolonged period and actually just had a nap using basic masking tape which remarkably stayed put and peeled of without any discomfort. Willing to try anything and if taping solves the problem would like to hear from anyone who feels it is a solution

Mike, I tried for years to combat mouth leaks with the tongue technique, cervical collar, chin strap and full face mask.  I'm now a convert to mouth taping.

I've used Somnifix strips and they work well as long as you make sure to clean the area around your mouth well before applying the strips -- facial oil or a scruffy beard will interfere with the strip's ability to adhere to your face.

I've recently shifted to a low-cost alternative that also works very well: Cover-Roll Stretch tape by Leukoplast.  It comes in a 2" x 10 yard roll and each evening I cut  a 3" long piece which I then trim to a piece that is 1.5" wide.  I fold the piece in half and cut a small oval opening in the middle about 0.25" at it's widest, just in case I need to breath through my mouth for some reason during the night (e.g., nasal congestion).  I fold a tiny bit of one corner over to give me a finger-hold in the morning to make removal easy.

I find both the Somnifix strips and the Cover-Roll Stretch tape comfortable to use.

Somnifix strips are super easy to use because each strip is already cut to size and has a little hole in the middle, but a box of 28 strips costs about $20.  Using Cover-Roll Stretch tape is a little fussier because you have to create the strips yourself from the roll, but after a few nights you get the cutting to size, etc. down and it's really pretty quick (a minute or so for me), and each roll goes a very long way (10 yards = 120 strips of 3").  I got 2 rolls for about $20 online.

There are some on the forum who strongly advocate against mouth taping, but for me it has solved my years-long battle with mouth leaks.  There are several videos online that discuss this topic; you may find it useful to watch them.

Good luck!

AndyB


RE: Still tired and tips for keeping mouth closed - AndyB - 11-18-2021

Further info from a 10/19/2021 post by CorruptAlligator in another thread about full face masks:

"RE: Full face mask thoughts?
Maybe I've run into the same issue recently as I've loat some weight. I started to get air in my mouth.

I use this medical tape to tape my mouth. IMO, nasal masks perform better than FFM. I would recommend trying tape.

Smith and Nephew/BSN Cover-Roll... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F9JFBBY?ref...b_ap_share