Chin Strap with Full face masks

[edwar368]

Hi All,

first time here, and I cant believe I have been a CPAP user for over 2 years and gone through a lot of the problems I have read about on this forum, without even thinking about looking for a site like yours. My daughter put me on to this, and after reading the first few pages, am kicking myself for being so late to the forums.

Anyhow... I suffer from some of the leaky mask problems so many others suffer from. My approach up until now has been to move to the "limpet approach" and have it tight to my face. I still get the occasional leak, but its not to bad. But what is now starting to become an issue, having been doing this for so long, is I have a blister forming on the bridge of my nose whnere I have the mask so tight. My approach up until now has been to try Elastoplast (I use the long rolls and cut them into strips). This has been a bit of a help, but not perfect. Having read about the Remzz, am going to try those out (so thanks for all the posst about that)

So on to the question in the title of the post, on the Remzz site, I noticed the Chin straps mentioned. My mouth falls open when I drop off and this is the numbr one cause of my leakage, so I was wondering if the Chin straps work and more importantly, are they suitable for the full face masks?

Despite all the porblems over the last few years, I still consider my CPAP machine to be a "life changer" as my problem went beyond lots of yawning and got to the point of me falling asleep at my desk at work.

Sorry for the long ramble, but its so nice to wake up to the fact I am not alone

[Tigers Fan]

You bet they do!

Hi edwar368

and a belated welcome!

I'd suggest you try a simple chin strap first - assess how useful to you at lowest cost. My first strap - and currently in use - was a Resmed (I think they only do the one).

Getting a less-than-limpet seal will help you long term.

TF

[ElleCee]

Hi Edwar,

I have just (yesterday!) had to get another mask because the full face one I have been using started to cause a pressure sore on the bridge of my nose.

I called the hospital and they said to come straight down and they gave me a nasal pillow mask. They also said that I must NOT wear that mask again until my nose has completely healed.

As I also open my mouth when asleep, I asked if they had a chin strap I could try, which they duly gave me.
I put it on last night but had to take it off again as it was not helping at all and just made sleep uncomfortable.
I found that during the night I actually did keep my mouth closed which was great. I had a few leaks so as I am a great RemZzz fan, who has used the liners to stop leaks and make the mask gentler on my face, I am going to try and make a liner for the new nasal mask. who nose? (LOL) it may just work.
I will let you know how I get on.
Regards
Lorraine

[gargler]

Hi Edward

May I suggest you look into asking your PCT for a new mask as they should be replaced every year on average. The rubber perishes over time and will not give a perfect seal necessary for your treatment.

Steve

[edwar368]

Hi All,

Thanks for all the feedback. Well I have ordered some Remmzz and also just tonight ordered a Chin Strap. (Must admit I never considered asking my PCT Doh!). I am not sure if I could use a Nasal mask as I am a life long mouth breather (having borken my nose as a small child), so I am pinning my hoppes on a combination of the Remmzz + the Chin strap allowing me to loosen off the mask slightly and reduce the pressure on the bridge of my nose.

Will let you know how things work out

Thanks again for the responses

[OldCrow]

Sore nose I understand

I too have had all sorts of mask leaks and clamping it down just leads to sores on the nose. currently I've had my mask adjusted but it's still either sore nose or chin leaks. I've looked at some of the mask suppliers and it sems you can just buy the headgear which I might try as a chinstrap would do the job I'd say. Meanwhile I'm going to have to tape something over the bridge of my nose or I'm going to have problems.

[edwar368]

Well I have to say, first impressions are not good for either the Remmzzs or the Chinstrap
The Remzzs do make the mask a bit more comforatble against the skin, but I would not say they stop the leaks, maybe just maybe, they reduce it a little. So the decision for me is "is the ongoing expense justified versus the limited benefit"
The Chinstrap was even worse, though I have only tried it one night so far and wil try another few nights yet.
But essentially, last night was the worst night of sleep I can remember since I started my CPAP 2 and half years ago. The Chin strap did not seem to work for most of the night and was uncomforatble to boot. When I say it did not work, I mean it did not stop my mouth from falling open. Early this morning it woke me up fully and I decided to really tighten it to stop my mouth falling open. It worked in that respect, but (a) Its was slightly claustrophic because I really couldnt move my mouth and (b) I woke up with a sore under my chin where I had the strap so tight.
On top of this, my wife reported that I snored almost constantly during the night whilst wearing the chin strap.
As I said, I will have another few nights trying to find the right balance of tightness versus uncomfortableness, but at the moment, I am not to hopefull