CPAP Supply USA Community

I started using a bi-pap with the Swift pillow system in July.  I tend to sleep with an open mouth so  a lot of air was escaping and I was making lot of hissing noise when I slept.  After a month the doctor suggested I use a chin strap to keep my mouth closed.  It seems to have helped but there are still some nights when my wife says it's quite noisy from escaping air.  Could it be the chin strap is not tight enough or should I consider a different type mask in lieu of the pillow system?

Also, a couple of months after starting with the bi-pap I started experiencing a strange salty taste in my mouth and I've not been unable to get rid of it.  It seems to be coming from sinus drainage but I've not experienced a fever or anything that would indicate an infection.  I asked my family doctor but he thought it would eventually go away.   My bi-pap does have a humidifier that uses distilled water.  Could the salty taste have anything to do with the bi-pap?

Thank You

Many CPAP/BIPAP users find that they are breathing some through their mouth.  Chin straps work okay in some people that their mouth just relaxes during sleep and droops.  True mouth breathers may need to use a full face mask and may actually be more comfortable.  If you are having to tighten a chin strap so tight that you are uncomfortable, I would recommend a full face mask.

As to the salty taste, unless you are using a new medication, My only thought is that the BIPAP with the humidifier may be adding more humidity and increasing sinus drainage.   

Debbie Shirley,RRT