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Weagle

Weagle
Joined Nov 2018
Bio

Colorado, USA

Weagle
Joined Nov 2018
Bio

Colorado, USA

I, too, suffer from Aerophagia (swallowing air). I started with a nasal pillow and could not keep my mouth closed all night. Then the DME gave me a DreamWear Full Face mask. That worked great for 1 night then my jaw decided to relax too much and slide back breaking the seal on my lower lip. The full face mask was no better than the nasal pillow after that. The DME was unwilling to work with me any further since my insurance company would only approve 2 masks in such a limited time. I ended up switching to another Sleep Doc and they gave me a different Full Face mask (air touch F20 or something) and that mask kept leaking at the bridge of my nose blowing air into my eyes. I couldn't even get to sleep with that mask on. I even tried taping my mouth shut one night with the nasal pillow mask and managed to break that seal on the tape and woke up just a couple hours into my sleep.

The only workable solution (as much as I hate it) was to use a chin-strap, underneath the DreamWear Full Face mask. I've reduced my leaks to virtually 0 since I went to this method. Even with the chinstrap, my lips open enough to allow me to breathe through my mouth in the Full Face mask. I'm not at all concerned about not being able to breathe. When I first started with the chin strap, each night before I fall asleep, I put my mask on before connecting it to the machine and verify that I can breathe, even if the machine were to stop working. I haven't had any issues. I've even woken up a coupe times laying face down on the mask drooling and still had no issues breathing. I did have some marks on my face from the mask, but with a shower and about an hour's worth of time that was gone.

Other's have mentioned a cervical collar and the Sleep Doc even mentioned an oral appliance. I don't see either of those being feasible for me. I couldn't tolerate a retainer after braces and can't imagine sleeping with a collar as much as I roll around in bed.

Well another weekend has gone by and I'm making progress ever so slowly towards getting a better night's sleep. I've found that a chin strap in conjunction with DreamWear Full Face mask seems to be the best fit for me. I'm still experimenting with the chin strap under or on top of the mask to see which works better.

When I put the chin strap on first, the frame of the mask is a bit tight but workable. I just have put pull the lower section by my chin out from under the seal of the mask. This give a great seal, since the chin strap also adds additional pressure keeping the lower section of the mask sealed to my chin when my mouth opens at night.

When I put the mask on first then put the chin strap over top, the frame of the mask fits great around my head. My concern is that where the chin strap goes over the frame of the mask that it may be pinching the tubes a bit lowering the pressure, especially when I lay on one side or the other. I don't think it's too badly impeeded though as the machine hasn't complained of any blockages.

Lastly I also ordered a different type of chin strap to try out. I'm still nto entirely sold on the neoprene one I have. it tend to pull my chin back while holding it closed. I ordered the PAP-CAP from CPAP.com I will report back how it works once it arrives.

Lastly I'm still also trying to get in touch with aa Dr. who can authorize a presssure change on my ASV machine. I get a full night's sleep about once a week. The rest of the week I get 4-5 hours and wake up completely bloated and uncomfortable due to air getting in my intestinal track. My ENT who prescribed the machine on the recommendation of the Dr who analyzed my sleep study isn't comfortable making the recommended changes himself. Nothing seems to be easy in this process.