cheek puffing causing me to open mouth
Hello,
Well I've been really trying to use all of the suggestions you all have shared with me on getting more sleep and using my machine more.
Good news is I had 6 hours on the machine last night, bad news only 4 hours of sleep with wakings. A couple of times these wakings were caused by my cheeks filling with air forcing me to mouth breath. I looked at my data this morning and it said 18L/MN, but because I don't have a fully data capable machine I have no way in knowing the exact extent of those leaks.
I'm feeling even more cognitively impaired as the days go by, be that true or just a result of the sleep deprivation and OSA is anyone's guess. I just want to do everything I can to make this therapy work, but feel like I'm failing in all areas.
I tried on a full face mask at the DME's, but it's too claustrophobic for me. Do any of you have any suggestions on how to stop this puffy cheek/mouth breathing?
One last thing is it normal to have air coming from the front of the mask?
I'm sorry if I'm posting too much, I don't mean to be a pest.
Thank you in advance.
RE: cheek puffing causing me to open mouth
You're going to have to train yourself to block the pressure using the back of your tongue against the soft palate. The best way is to wear the mask with the machine on a while when you are awake. Letting your tongue rest at the roof of your mouth behind your teeth will become second nature. Once you allow the pressure into your mouth, it will blow up your cheeks and emerge past your lips.
All masks exhaust some air to ensure you don't re-breath air, and the supply is fresh. On the P10 that exhaust is a fine mesh that quietly releases air from the mask body that holds the pillows.
RE: cheek puffing causing me to open mouth
My mask blows air out the front and keeps curious cats at bay. Love that about it.
RE: cheek puffing causing me to open mouth
There's a chin strap of sorts called the PAPcap that is designed to help cut down on the puff-cheek / lip leaking phenomenon. It does actually work. I used it for quite some time. My problem was though that I was having to sleep on my back which made the cap slip forward, releasing the tension. The Ruby chin strap kinda sorta worked for me but not enough. In the end, I just gave up and got a full face mask. I didn't lip leak for years and suddenly started. I think it is a teeth issue.
There are some tongue tricks to try and the PAPCap can help with that as you learn them.
Review thread:
http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-...-Pur-Sleep
PaulaO
Take a deep breath and count to zen.
RE: cheek puffing causing me to open mouth
(07-15-2015, 04:13 PM)Sleeprider Wrote: You're going to have to train yourself to block the pressure using the back of your tongue against the soft palate. The best way is to wear the mask with the machine on a while when you are awake. Letting your tongue rest at the roof of your mouth behind your teeth will become second nature. Once you allow the pressure into your mouth, it will blow up your cheeks and emerge past your lips.
All masks exhaust some air to ensure you don't re-breath air, and the supply is fresh. On the P10 that exhaust is a fine mesh that quietly releases air from the mask body that holds the pillows.
Thank you. I've been practicing that method, as I read it somewhere on here in another post. I guess I've not gotten it down pat yet.
Yes, that is the area that I was talking about that's leaking air, so I guess I'm ok in that matter.
RE: cheek puffing causing me to open mouth
(07-15-2015, 06:14 PM)PaulaO2 Wrote: There's a chin strap of sorts called the PAPcap that is designed to help cut down on the puff-cheek / lip leaking phenomenon. It does actually work. I used it for quite some time. My problem was though that I was having to sleep on my back which made the cap slip forward, releasing the tension. The Ruby chin strap kinda sorta worked for me but not enough. In the end, I just gave up and got a full face mask. I didn't lip leak for years and suddenly started. I think it is a teeth issue.
There are some tongue tricks to try and the PAPCap can help with that as you learn them.
Review thread:
http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-...-Pur-Sleep
Thank you for the link and the information on the PAPCap. I will look into it.
RE: cheek puffing causing me to open mouth
I have been experiencing the same thing lately and it's very annoying and wakes me up. I thought I was keeping my tongue at the roof of my mouth but I guess not. Either my tongue is getting tired of stayin' up there or I'm tired of keeping it up there. I feel as though I just started this but that's not true because I've been at this for several years. Tried a chin strap but couldn't deal with it, so I guess I have to try harder - don't like that it wakes me.
I've been reading your posts and you're doing really well. It's not easy when you first start, but I can tell you'll be just fine! Tongue at roof of mouth, right?  I just had to use one of those cute thingies, lol.
RE: cheek puffing causing me to open mouth
(07-16-2015, 12:46 AM)PositiveMe123 Wrote: I have been experiencing the same thing lately and it's very annoying and wakes me up. I thought I was keeping my tongue at the roof of my mouth but I guess not. Either my tongue is getting tired of stayin' up there or I'm tired of keeping it up there. I feel as though I just started this but that's not true because I've been at this for several years. Tried a chin strap but couldn't deal with it, so I guess I have to try harder - don't like that it wakes me.
I've been reading your posts and you're doing really well. It's not easy when you first start, but I can tell you'll be just fine! Tongue at roof of mouth, right? I just had to use one of those cute thingies, lol.
Thank you for your vote of confidence. Yes, this is definitely difficult to say the least. I'm struggling still with not getting enough sleep and therefore not getting all of the possible healing that I could be getting. But, I'm still here..still trying.
RE: cheek puffing causing me to open mouth
for some reason I thought you were taking your machine back and getting an auto or full data capable machine after you got a new script from your doctor. did I confuse you with someone else? If not, take it back and exchange it before it is too late. an auto could help with this problem along with a chin strap if necessary
RE: cheek puffing causing me to open mouth
Hi Dawn,
Have you tried any nasal masks? The reason I am asking is even before my septoplasty, I was able to use my elan cloth mask when I couldn't use nasal pillows. Perhaps it might be worth a shot?
Another thing to consider is the Aloha Nasal Pillow mask has alot more air than the P10. Perhaps that might be worth trying to see if that solves the problem?
You're absolutely not posting too much so please put that thought out of our mind.
49er
(07-15-2015, 04:04 PM)mzdawn74 Wrote: Hello,
Well I've been really trying to use all of the suggestions you all have shared with me on getting more sleep and using my machine more.
Good news is I had 6 hours on the machine last night, bad news only 4 hours of sleep with wakings. A couple of times these wakings were caused by my cheeks filling with air forcing me to mouth breath. I looked at my data this morning and it said 18L/MN, but because I don't have a fully data capable machine I have no way in knowing the exact extent of those leaks.
I'm feeling even more cognitively impaired as the days go by, be that true or just a result of the sleep deprivation and OSA is anyone's guess. I just want to do everything I can to make this therapy work, but feel like I'm failing in all areas.
I tried on a full face mask at the DME's, but it's too claustrophobic for me. Do any of you have any suggestions on how to stop this puffy cheek/mouth breathing?
One last thing is it normal to have air coming from the front of the mask?
I'm sorry if I'm posting too much, I don't mean to be a pest.
Thank you in advance.
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