mouth tape and nose pillow OR full face mask, pros and cons?

[HalfAsleep]

These days, many FFM’s are hybrids, and not nearly as cumbersome as full-fledged FFM’s or hybrids. You could investigate those? Check out the Resmeds.

You might also post an Oscar chart or two. Leakage and pressure interact and can make for some very disrupted sleep. IMO at least consider the possibility that you need more air, and so your mouth is creating leaks. A quick look at your Oscar chart will determine that.

[cdplatt]

I think the difference is in the "eye of the beholder."  Comfort and results with mouth tape vs full face mask is a highly individual question.  There isn't any right answer.  People say what works best for them.  Give it a try, if it works best for you stick with it.  

I started with a full face mask - some discomfort; got over it.  ALWAYS had an uncomfortably dry mouth with the FFM - even with humidification cranked up.  Don't know why.  My first attempt with tape was with the full face mask.  Dry mouth was gone instantly.  That led me to try a nasal mask again that I had originally rejected due to leaks and all the air blowing out of my mouth.  Tape made the nasal mask comfortable, but still objectionable red marks on the bridge of my nose. Tried nasal cushion with tape.  That was the final answer.  I did try a cervical collar - found it uncomfortable AND I just ended up blowing raspberry's through by closed but un-taped lips. 

I don't use a small strip of tape.  I cover my whole mouth - weld it shut.  Anything less and the air leaks out.  There, that's what works best for me.

[SeePak]

Sorry folks, i am not explaining myself properly with this post.
Aussie is coming the closest to what i am thinking, here goes again, i hope !?

When i use hybrid full face, and my lips open, the inspiration pressure comes in 2 ways, nasal AND mouth. That pressure does something in my airways different i think then if only thru the nasal? 
On exhalation, the CPAP pressure comes out my mouth maybe? unstenting airway somewhere maybe?
That's what i am trying to envision whats happening there.

When i use nasal only, on inspiration pressure comes in my nose, but out my mouth as well, causing what?
and on expiration, comes out my mouth possibly only and not my nose?

Thats what i'm trying to work out!


thanx again, for all the help on the ins and outs of using all the equipment and tape and such.
I am really looking for the pathways that the pressure goes and the resulting symptoms etc.

[cdplatt]

Hmm.  It seems that your questioned has morphed a bit from the original which was pros and cons of the two different systems and what is our experience.  You've had several good answers to that question.

Now you're focusing on how the inspiration and expiration pressures are moving through your respiratory tract depending on which mask you use and whether/how you tape.  I think you've answered your own question already - differently.

Is your concern what is going to be most comfortable and effective for you?   You're the one with that answer.

[Narcil]

Exhaling also stents your airway, more than inhaling at the same pressure. because if the mask is at 8cm, your pharyngeal pressure is at ~6 while inhaling and around ~10 when exhaling. also it doesn't matter if it's your mouth or nose that does the breathing when using a full face, as long as the pressure inside your airway is maintained.

mouth breathing is only an issue if the air leaks out and your airway drops to atmospheric pressure then the airway will not be stented anymore. same thing happens with mask leaks or anything that breaks the seal.

[HalfAsleep]

IMO the question has changed since the original post.

However, it's important to set your unit according to the style of mask you use. The unit accommodates for the space in the airway. Also, note that a mask (e.g. F40) may use different settings than you'd think likely. The packaging on the mask would be the authority on this.

[tobiathan]

I’m wondering how you manage to exhale through your mouth when using a nasal mask, without also winding up inhaling through your mouth at least some of the time. I find if my mouth opens it tends to stay open a while, at least with the FFM (I seem not to open my mouth with the nasal pillows mask).

I didn’t realize how much I hated struggling with nose breathing (deviated septum, sinus congestion) until I tried a FFM. Suddenly I could just breathe effortlessly, and I love that. My numbers are not as good overall and I’m seeing more CAs, so right now I’m switching around trying to figure out what works best for me.

[cjep2000]

Typically I've heard that CPAP users can tolerate nasal pillows better than BiPAP users and that BiPAP users more commonly end up having to go the full face route for whatever reason. I would guess because it is more common for BiPAP users to have higher pressures that cause more mouth leaks

[Phaleronic]

"When i use nasal only, on inspiration pressure comes in my nose, but out my mouth as well, causing what?"

This is causing a decrease in therapy pressure to your airway (collapse)-hence the need for mouth tape or a chin strap. I could not handle nasal pillows and I can't handle hybrids, I'm a full face mask guy, and I can't tape because of my mustache and beard.

[SeePak]

Hi folks, got some results testing Dreamware full face vs Dreamware nasal with chinstrap vs Dreamware nasal full mouth tape.

This was done to highlight mouth breathing with various headgear and how it might affect CPAP results.

I did slow breathing exercises before bed for last 2 screen shots.


       Dreamware Full Face Hybrid     Caldera neck collar    Nose Strip    Secaris nose gel


        Dreamware Nasal             Chin Strap   neck collar     No Nose Strip   Secaris nose gel


         Dreamware Nasal            Mouth Tape, neck collar ,  EPR=0 !   


Due to file restrictions, i could not show the exact progression from Full face to nasal and mouth tape.

But last night was best AHI result in a long long time!
Will take time to sort out the waking espisodes, (3hrs at a time sleeping), and get my body back to rested without daytime tiredness and fatigue which still exists.

Have to run for now, will comment further once i see some of your comments.
Thankyou all so much.
Sorry to ALL who had comments about the post changing, i did not realize that would be a problem, but now i do!