Taping Lips - is it safe

[silversnore]

Hi Guys,

 
I am five days into my therapy and need some advice.  I started with the Resmed P10 mask and loved it.  In the course of a few days I found that my mouth would open causing large leaks, etc.  I went back to the DME and they gave me a Resmed F10, I have tried adjusting it and everything else, I can't get the thing to seal.  So, I went back to the P10, I used the Listerene Breath Strips and they worked part of the time however was still having my mouth open at times.  Last night I used the breath strips plus taped my lips as well. No leaks, AHI of 0.26, problem solved.
 
I researched taping lips etc. and found stories of power outages and other interruptions and the threat of suffocation.  I like my new therapy, I am feeling great but I don't want to wake up dead!  Is it possible to suffocate by taping your lips?  Thanks
 
Mark

Here is data with lip taping



Here is data without lip taping 

[Gideon]

Without question taping of lips is one of if not the most controversial of the techniques to manage "mouth breathing".
Possible yes. Likely no. It is possible for you to suffocate with a pillow (Not a mask) over your head. Likely -- no.

Remember ALL PAP masks have vents to allow co2 to be flushed.

Test it

I regularly use P10 nasal pillows mask plus taping my lips to control my mouth breathing.


Tape you lips put on your xpap
All is good
Now turn it off.
Can you breathe?
Can you remove the mask and tape?

Ok. Take it a step further.
Repeat the above but after you are asleep have your partner turn off your PAP.

What happened.

[silversnore]

Great advice thanks, should have figured the solution out myself!!

Fred, did you see what happened to my CA's?  Any correlation?

[Gideon]

Your CAs may be correlated to the 1cmH2O increase in your IPAP which was driven by your change in PS from 3 to 4. Change your PS to 3

Keep an eye on that.

[Sleeprider]

Good catch Fred. Silversnore, if you did not execute that change in PS, it may have been initiated by the DME remotely. Since your results have been proven with PS at 3.0 you may want to leave a message with your doctor that the lower PS is more effective for you, and that the prescription should be revised. This will prevent the DME from making changes again. Alternatively turn the machine on Airplane mode.

tom

[silversnore]

Sleeprider, I made the changes based on your recommendation.  I talked to my DMP and told them I changed the machine and they were fine with it.  they did ask
why and I told them about an apnea guru in Australia, haha

PS I  have cchanged my profile the other day for reflect the change