Help: Major Leaking

[amanda]

Hi,  I am looking for some help.  I used my CPAP mask (P10) successfully for 7 months.  About a month ago, my leak rate increased to about 28L/min every night.  I cannot seem to figure out what the problem might be.  About a month before the leaking started I got a new mask (same kind). I have tried going back to my old mask in case something was wrong with the new one but it is not helping.  Every morning I still get the green smiley face saying my mask fit was good on my machine. I sometimes tape my mouth, but there seems to be no difference in my leak rate (maybe tape 1-2 days a week). I am definitely noticing I am not sleeping well because I am more irritable and my patience is low.  

Does anyone have any suggestions for me?

Thanks,

Amanda
Sleepy in Canada

[Gideon]

If you post your daily sleepyhead charts we may see a cause for the leak.  No guarantees though.

[amanda]

Hi,

Thank you for your quick reply.  I will try to attach some sleephead pictures.

Thanks again,

Amanda

[Sleep2Snore]

I suspect air is leaking out of your mouth. Do you have a dry mouth in the morning?

[amanda]

Ok thanks.  I think i'll try taping my mouth every night and see if there is any difference.

Amanda

[Big Guy]

As someone that is new to all this, what does "taping your mouth" mean? 

I mean other than the literal part of taping your mouth.

[amanda]

I am new too. But it is literally taping your mouth to prevent mouth breathing when you have don't have a full face mask.

[Big Guy]

So.....you actually tape your mouth shut? I'm a mouth breather and have been for as long as I can recall. 

With my mask on, I can breathe thru my nose if I try and work at it. But, it's not long before I forget and go back to mouth breathing. 

I just don't feel as if I'm getting enough air thru my nose when I breathe. 

[mesenteria]

I have replied to this in your other thread, Big Guy. You seal, or dam, your mouth using tape across the lips.  When your jaw sags, your lips also lose tone and the result is mouth leakage if you haven't mastered the 'tongue suck' technique.

[Big Guy]

Thanks! I must have somehow missed your reply in my other thread.

I'm not even going to ask you about the "tongue suck technique".