> [in 2015]...it didn't work out
Why not? Lots of people mouth breathe and use CPAP without difficulty.
>What is your experience with a chinstrap?
They work great. I've tried a few different ones. The cheap neoprene ones lose their elasticity very quickly and don't allow any movement front to back. The one I like is actually cheap too. It covers the ears, which may be a problem for some. Because it's just a simple band, it can be placed father back on the jaw, which I find more comfortable.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006O8LVX2/
> Swift FX/chinstrap combo may work out
Any nasal mask plus a chinstrap is great if you can get enough air through your nose. The chinstrap is the easy part, but finding the right mask is tough and I suspect it's the primary reason why most people quit CPAP. Perhaps hit up your DME for a mask fitting and try out a range of masks? The Swift FX is popular, but so are the Philips Dreamwear and Resmed P10.
If you're having trouble getting enough air through the nose, maybe check with your doc or an ENT. A simple nasal rinse before bed can make a difference. Also, drugs like azelastine (Rx) and fluticasone (now available OTC) can help. Of course there's also surgery.
I've tried a few and this cheap one ($12) is the best so far:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006O8LVX2
The material is soft and stretchy and I like that it is wide enough to actually wrap around my chin. It is a bit warm and may be too bulky for your requirements, but it's definitely not itchy. It comes with a smaller 1" wide velcro strip that can go behind your head to keep the larger portion from slipping forward, but I haven't needed it.
Finding a mask that you like is really tough, so if you're happy with the P10, then maybe try a different chin strap? I went through a couple before finding this cheap one that seems to work best. It's really wide, so it forms over your whole jaw, not just the chin. Also, it has a headband part if you want added support.
https://www.amazon.com/Premium-White-Support-AG-Industries/dp/B006O8LVX2
As a package, I'm not impressed. None of these are a viable alternative to CPAP. I've used 4 of the 5 items with some small success, but I see no reason to pay their astronomical prices for such mediocre products. Better products are available for less money on Amazon.
The pacifier thing I haven't used, but it doesn't seem to do much to actually open the airway. Even when custom made and medically supervised, these TRD devices aren't very effective. If you're seriously looking for an alternative to CPAP, look into some real oral appliances by checking with an ENT or oral surgeon who specializes in "sleep medicine". Keep in mind that these are all second line treatments to CPAP and that they aren't as effective with severe sleep apnea. Here's a couple examples:
http://finder.tapintosleep.com/patients-treatment-options-tap-therapy/
The chinstrap may be useful in combination with CPAP. Perhaps this could make CPAP more tolerable if it were more comfortable? Sometimes a chin strap can help people who breathe through their mouth use a nasal mask (which is less cumbersome and easier to use). I like the simple wide band variety that's $12:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006O8LVX2/
The eye mask looks cheap. It doesn't have deep sockets, so you eyelashes are going to hit the mask - something I can't tolerate. I've used this $8 mask and it works great with a full face mask (but not a nasal):
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016OQYNL0/
For a nasal mask, this one is a luxury item at $50 but it's worth it. There really aren't many alternatives that can compete with this:
The little nose things can help get more air through the nose but don't expect miracles. The ones in the package could be adequate, but they only provide a single size of a single type. There may be better ones, but here's the assortment I've tried, which is a great way to see which size and type actually fits:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MSWZW0U/
Lastly, the earplugs look generic. It is absolutely nuts to pay $50 for something that's under $5 at any drugstore. Here's a better option:
https://www.amazon.com/Macks-Pillow-Soft-Silicone-Earplugs/dp/B003LZQGN6/
PS: with all the money you've saved, get a decent soundbar for your bedroom and get some ambient noise going. This is what I've been using:
Copypasta just to be sure nobody gets taken on this crap:
As a package, I'm not impressed. None of these are a viable alternative to CPAP. I've used 4 of the 5 items with some small success, but I see no reason to pay their astronomical prices for such mediocre products. Better products are available for less money on Amazon.
The pacifier thing I haven't used, but it doesn't seem to do much to actually open the airway. Even when custom made and medically supervised, these TRD devices aren't very effective. If you're seriously looking for an alternative to CPAP, look into some real oral appliances by checking with an ENT or oral surgeon who specializes in "sleep medicine". Keep in mind that these are all second line treatments to CPAP and that they aren't as effective with severe sleep apnea. Here's a couple examples:
http://finder.tapintosleep.com/patients-treatment-options-tap-therapy/
The chinstrap may be useful in combination with CPAP. Perhaps this could make CPAP more tolerable if it were more comfortable? Sometimes a chin strap can help people who breathe through their mouth use a nasal mask (which is less cumbersome and easier to use). I like the simple wide band variety that's $12:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006O8LVX2/
The eye mask looks cheap. It doesn't have deep sockets, so you eyelashes are going to hit the mask - something I can't tolerate. I've used this $8 mask and it works great with a full face mask (but not a nasal):
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016OQYNL0/
For a nasal mask, this one is a luxury item at $50 but it's worth it. There really aren't many alternatives that can compete with this:
The little nose things can help get more air through the nose but don't expect miracles. The ones in the package could be adequate, but they only provide a single size of a single type. There may be better ones, but here's the assortment I've tried, which is a great way to see which size and type actually fits:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MSWZW0U/
Lastly, the earplugs look generic. It is absolutely nuts to pay $50 for something that's under $5 at any drugstore. Here's a better option:
https://www.amazon.com/Macks-Pillow-Soft-Silicone-Earplugs/dp/B003LZQGN6/
PS: with all the money you've saved, get a decent soundbar for your bedroom and get some ambient noise going. This is what I've been using:
PRIMADA Premium White Chin Strap with Extra Support by AG Industries https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006O8LVX2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_cHjqFbGMVBQD8
I had Septoplasty and a turbinate reduction.
Some chinstraps do feel terrible.
this one does not at least to me.
I find that its enough to only have light tension on the chinstrap. If you open your mouth an inch and relax and the chinstrap gets your jaw back to closed, that is good enough. Jaw muscles are so strong anything more than that is unreasonable.
The mask I use is [this](www.amazon.com/Large-Cushion-Dreamwear-Nasal-Mask-cushion/dp/B016N6Y0F0) is the style of dreamwear I'm talking about
I find the gel ones quite uncomfortable. You should try both styles though.
The simplified data the machine gives is not very helpful imo. I use OSCAR (formerly sleepyhead). The machine would give what looked like good numbers on the lcd, but it was only because it was oversimplified. With OSCAR its fairly clear I need the chinstrap.
I think my machine is just reporting the percent of time spent in large leak. As a large leak is a leak the machine cant compensate for, that's good enough right? not really.
The problem is that subtle things add up. more detailed data really shows what the lcd won't. I actually got a wifi sd card to make it easier to look at my data when I discovered sleepyhead. At that point I checked my numbers every day (or any time I make any change)
The chinstrap, at least as I wear it helps keep my frame in the right spot without requiring too much pressure on my nose. I'm actually less comfortable if I don't use the chinstrap.
If you have the headgear straps so tight that it doesn't slide back/down a little without the chinstrap in the way, you probably need the next size up in frame. Another good way to tell is how much adjustment room you have. If it barely fits and you cant make it any looser, you def need the next size up.
Tinkering with stuff like this can actually be a pretty big deal. Once you get it dialed in it makes a world of difference so keep tweaking until you get there.
PRIMADA Premium White Chin Strap with Extra Support by AG Industries https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006O8LVX2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_AH6oEbZ3QYKRB
Amazon link $10
Try using this chinstrap:
It sounds like there are 2 problems: she needs a better fitting mask and the mask you currently have is defective. Finding the right mask is essential. If she was happy with her previous nasal(?) mask, she could just add a chin strap to keep her mouth closed. Here's the one I like:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006O8LVX2/
If you're shopping for a different mask, the best way is to check with your DME to see if they can do a fitting session. There you'll be able to try out a bunch of different masks with your own machine to see what fits you best. If you're buying on your own, check for "mask insurance" that will let you return the mask for any reason, without cost. Also, many masks will have a sizing guide (example) or a "fit pack" with various sized cushions/pillows (example).
Maybe try using a chin strap? I like this basic one better than the more expensive ones:
>You had an AHI of 0.67, which is considered pretty darn good You machine was on for 7 hours, 25 minutes and 36 seconds. You had significant periods of major mask leakage. Your CPAP machine blasted you with a constant 11cmH2O of air
This is just the summary. You really need to go into the daily tab, click on a specific day, and look at the "Leak Rate" row. This will show when the leaks are occurring. Most of us get the mask fitting fine when we first go to sleep, but tossing and turning often leads to leaks. What constitutes a "large leak" depends on your machine and is open to some interpretation. ResMed uses 24 L/min, Philips Respironics uses 50 L/min. Leak rates above these threshold compromise the effectiveness of the machine. Also, large leaks mean less reliable data, so if you have a large leak for a lot of time, then the AHI becomes meaningless.
Next, check if your machine has a mask fitting option. This will let you check for leaks while you are awake. There might also be a leak alarm that will wake you up if the leak rate crosses a threshold. These things may require digging into the clinician menu (that's usually hidden). This shows most models:
Finding the perfect mask fit can be tough. For full face masks, I'm really impressed with the ResMed Airfit F20. The cushion is large, flexible, and seems to fit a wide range of faces. The only downside is the headgear has sharp edges, but they can be covered with a sweatband if needed.
No matter what mask you're on, liners like these can help:
This lanolin cream can also help (find it near the diapers). A pea-sized blob is plenty:
http://shop.lansinoh.com/product/lansinohr-hpar-lanolin
Also, you might want to consider a different type of mask entirely if you can tolerate it. Nasal masks and nasal pillows tend to have fewer leaks because there's less contact. The pillows are ideal for a beard. For us mouthbreathers, sometimes a chip strap can be used to ensure our jaws don't drop open. (Some people even tape their mouth shut.) Here's the cheap chin strap that I like:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006O8LVX2/
Good luck