Vulegnarts

Congratulations Sierra on your triumph over mouth leaks and consequent emancipation from chin straps. If you were half as vexed as I was by this problem then you may well regard it as a significant turning point in your relationship with PAP therapy. It was for me!

Hey Sierra. Let me try to restate that more convincingly: Flimsy headgear + nasal pillows + high pressure = Leaks.

My very first mask was a Swift FX. It seemed alright to a newbie waiting for my first Titration Study, after which my prescribed pressure was bumped up from 5 to 15. The limitations of this mask (on my admittedly unusual face, not on yours) became glaringly obvious. It was unusable at this higher pressure. I must add that I could not describe the Swift FX headgear as sturdy by any stretch (pun intended).

I'm concerned that if you're still getting significant leak rates with your mouth taped firmly shut (yet to be determined, yes?) and you need to radically modify your headgear and rely on a chin strap to hold everything in place...well, perhaps you are working with the wrong mask/headgear combo.

I don't fold over part of the tape. I suppose because I'm confident that, in an urgency or emergency, clawing wildly at the tape would save me. I do my best clawing when confused and panicked anyway.

Mefix adheres very well. It is thin and it flexes and conforms to facial features. It breathes too, which is nice. How firmly one presses down while applying seems to determine how firmly it holds - a necessary step for me with my rough face but not for everyone. I briefly hold a hot face cloth to the tape each morning to ease removal but then again I've removed it "cold" countless times too. I like that it leaves little or no residue and that it has no strong acrylic odour as most tapes do.

There's so much I could say about masks! Flimsy headgear is useless for restless sleepers and nasal pillows can't handle higher pressures without leaking. Well, that has been my experience, not everyone will agree.

You are most welcome. I think, reasonably, you will need to try Mefix for a while before deciding if it's right for you.

Fuller reply later.

That's the 2.5 cm width. Thin strips do not work for me. I get the 10cm width from Starkmans but I think it’s widely available. Here's the manufacturer's website:

https://www.molnlycke.ca/products-solutions/mefix/

Hey Sierra. No, I cut off about 6cm and apply it 10cm horizontally x 6cm vertically starting just under my nose down to the bottom of my chin and completely across my mouth. (I'm a tough case so full coverage is required!) I need to be clean shaven (razor or electric shaver) or reasonably so is alright. Full face shave not required, just that area. I wash my face before applying and press firmly to eliminate any sneaky leaks. Lately I've been marking and cutting a small slit so that I can sip water through a straw or take a pill during the night. This is easily done: I just cut a piece from the roll, as usual, hold it to my face (paper backing still on) mark and cut a tiny vertical slit, put that piece aside until I'm actually falling asleep then peel off the paper and apply it. Such a joy!

Chin straps are a non-starter for me. Simply unbearable.

I used to be a frustrated mouth taper. Now I use Mefix Surgical Tape. Honestly, I could effuse about this stuff! What once seemed impossible is now easy peasy. For me (your experience may vary) it has made taping simple, dependable and highly effective against mouth leaks. I buy 10cm x 10m rolls (other sizes are available) and pay about $13 Canadian with tax at a nearby surgical supply store. Too cheap imo.

Thanks. No worries.

Sierra's latest advice seems apt and well worth heeding.

I didn't read this (see my earlier link) from a Patent Litigation perspective. Figuratively speaking, even if the bath water strikes some as murky must the baby be thrown out too?

Read thoughtfully, I had hoped some might discern valid, pertinent and useful recommendations regarding melatonin.

I have considerable personal experience with taking melatonin and find it helpful - in prudently small doses - for falling and staying asleep with CPAP. Isn't that the trick?

This is the advice I follow:

http://news.mit.edu/2005/melatonin