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Sleep Apnoea Forum Bringing Help + Support to the Patient

ive just been told i have sleep apnoea and im still trying to get to grips with it,i had the full mask to begin with cos i breath through my mouth.  This was changed to a nasal mask,altho comfy everytime i fall asleep i wake up cos my mouth is open,is there any other mask i can use that covers my mouth as well,i cant pay for one cos there so expensive,so it would nhs,also i like to sleep on my side(i like to toss and turn to get to sleep) also my nose is getting blocked,what can i use for that,should i get in touch with the sleep clinic nurses cos im not using my cpap cos of these probs..thank you in advance

                                                           jane x

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Jane, there will be lots of things you can get from this website, if you have a look at some of the other discussions. I tried both all types of masks and finally ended up with a full fcae mask and stuck to it and love it. You don't say why you changed away from it. Even with the FFM, I use a chinstrap which is supposed to keep your mouth closed but I found my mouth still opened when I was a sleep. I used to toss and turn and jump etc but don't now as I can breathe, I hardly even move and now normally sleep on my back. With your blocked nose, you can try Breathe strips but the are reasonably expensive, I use a smear of Vick Vapour Rub under my nose and it seems to keep my nostrils open. Make sure you keep at it, my saying is it's a marathon not a sprint and for most of us it takes time but it is well worth it. You are probably aware of the problems untreated sleep apnea can cause. I'm sure Kath will have some more advice for you. Keep asking use questions if you don't get advise from your nurse, we're all in this together.

Hi Jane.  You've come to the right place for support, so glad you've found us.  Like Terry says, "why have you changed from a full face mask?"  These are much better for mouth breathers.  However, those that can't tolerate them when they're new to CPAP definitely need to use a chin strap, which your hospital should be able to provide.  Are you using a humidifier for your nasal stuffiness?  If not, then your hospital should provide this too.  Again, like Terry says, the Breathe Right strips are helpful for a lot of people and if you check in Asda, Morrisons and Boots, they often do offers.  My last special offer was from Asda.  I use these all the time, as it's so important to get your nose clear for good CPAP therapy.  I put this link on another discussion the other day, but here it is again...... a link to a free Ebook to clear your nose from Dr Park's and when you check out the link, there's lots of helpful things on his website regarding sleep apnoea LINK

You'll see Dr Park's has a brilliant book "Sleep Interrupted" which is currently out of print.  However, I've managed to persuade him to bring it out in paperback, which should be available soon.  Check out our website too, where there's lots of information and reasonably priced comfort products.... www.hope2sleep.co.uk

hi guys,i changed from a full mask cos i couldnt sleep on my side ect,but thought i was mouth breather cos my nose seems to block up at night,so i thought if i just used a nose mask then that would stop me from breathing through my mouth when i sleep(sounds better in my head lol)i was given a humidifer (are these suppost to leak water all over the floor) but it dosnt help with the nasal stuffiness.i was at the castle hill hospital and the nurse there wasnt very helpful at all,she also gave me a chin strap but i can still open my mouth and it just falls off,maybe im doing it wrong,i think ive been suffering sleep apnoea for a long time and i long to feel alive again during the day.

Try raising the humidity. This may help with your sinus and mouth breathing issues.

i had it on 7

hi jane

    i am very new to this game and kath knows how much of a problems it is to me and ended up having to take mask of for a few days i know i sound not have done but i had just got to the end of my teather but ive now been back with the mask for 3 days cos i know i have to keep trying and this time i arnt going to give in but this time i arnt getting stressed looking for reason for it not to work my bit of advise is keep useing here cos thay are all brill . the nurses at chh are always there if you need advise and listen to the ones on cpap cos thay are the experts . and take one day at a time and we have to do is for us no one else you will get people saying oh stop useing etc tell them to look on line as to why we have to carry on . hope this does not sound negative  . hope all goes well just do not let it get on top of you ring hospital or talk on here x

I use a chin-strap with a nasal mask but, because of the shape of my jaw, my mouth still stays open a bit.
To remedy this, I tuck a folded linen handkerchief into the chin-strap, so that it lays over my lips and holds them closed.

I've been doing this for over twenty years now, so I guess it's working well enough!

There are also different styles of chin-strap available, as well as the usual simple strappy one.
They have more complicated fastenings, and/or a small 'cup' for the chin, helping to hold the chin more firmly.

They are available to purchase on-line if your Sleep Clinic cannot provide one.
 

Take a look at the Hope2Sleep website shop, there are some good chin-straps on there.

http://www.hope2sleep.co.uk/products

 

Studies suggest that, over time, patients often do learn to position their tongue and soft palate in such a way that their air pathway to the lungs, via the nose, is maintained, thus cutting down on air leaking through the mouth. However, patients who have had surgery on the soft palate, (such as a UPPP operation to reduce snoring), may find it harder to do this, and for them a chin-strap or a full-face mask may be the answer.

From Chapter 3     "CPAP and Ventilator Secrets"      www.hope2sleep.co.uk/products/71

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