95% leak rate equals ZERO
Yes, I have attained a zero 95% leak rate. In fact, I have had 12 days like that in the last month. All but 4 days were 2 or less l/min.
Want the secret to my success? I know mouth leaks are the hardest part with pillows but they can be overcome.
Practice, practice, practice along with patience, patience, patience.
I am sure raising EPR helps along my relative lower pressures. However, at numerous times throughout the day I have caught myself with my mouth shut, tongue against my teeth forcing all air through my nose.
If this keeps up, I will try to give up the chin strap.
CPAP is a journey like “The Wizard of Oz”. It’s a long slow journey. You will face many problems and pick up many friends along the way. Just because you reach the poppies, it doesn’t mean you are in Kansas.
RE: 95% leak rate equals ZERO
Good for you!
Mouth Breathing is hard to overcome for so many, and it looks like you’ve been able to do just that.
RE: 95% leak rate equals ZERO
I am 100% sure I could not use a nasal pillow. I am a mouth breather, all day, every day.
RE: 95% leak rate equals ZERO
(07-25-2019, 07:40 PM)Sleepy8989 Wrote: I am 100% sure I could not use a nasal pillow. I am a mouth breather, all day, every day.
I was 100% sure I could not use a full face mask also. You have to use what works. Went through 3 collars, and 2 chin straps. Still use a simple chin strap to keep my jaw closed but nothing to keep my lips together.
What I do find myself doing is practicing holding my jaw closed breathe through my nose all day long.
Thanks for the replies.
CPAP is a journey like “The Wizard of Oz”. It’s a long slow journey. You will face many problems and pick up many friends along the way. Just because you reach the poppies, it doesn’t mean you are in Kansas.
RE: 95% leak rate equals ZERO
I was a mouth breather, but I trained myself to breath through my nose. However, stopping leaks through lips is a big problem, especially when the pressure is a bit higher.
I am NOT a doctor. I try to help, but do not take what I say as medical advice.
Every journey, however large or small starts with the first step.
RE: 95% leak rate equals ZERO
So you're saying, if a mouth breather in a meat suit can find success, anyone can!
Congrats!!
RE: 95% leak rate equals ZERO
That 3M tape over my mouth doesn't bother me at all. I thought it would but I was wrong
RE: 95% leak rate equals ZERO
(07-25-2019, 08:56 AM)Rcgop Wrote: can
If this keeps up, I will try to give up the chin strap.
For many people the chin strap is a temporary measure, used as a training device. Others find they never need one, still others find they don't work for them.
It's important, in my opinion, to distinguish between mouth breathing and mouth leaking. A mouth breather has a congested nose, and often the pressure from the CPAP machine is enough to clear that congestion, allowing them to breathe through their nose. But mouth leaking can occur when there's no congestion. The CPAP-pressurized air escapes through the mouth, ruining the CPAP therapy.
For many of us a full face mask is the only solution. If you look at your leak graph and see extended periods of time where the leak rate is greatly elevated compared to the baseline, that's an indicator of mouth leaking. For me, this is what finally got rid of that tired-all-the-time feeling. Mouth leaking can ruin a good night's sleep.
Sleepster
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