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After nearly 14 years of using a cpap (https://theprogrammingbutler.com/blog/archives/2014/02/13/sl...) and then bipap religiously I was able to switch away recently.

All I do now is use now is a piece of kinesthetic tape to make sure my mouth stays closed and that somehow works. I’d just done another sleep study to see if I had options other than the bipap because it’s been filling me with air since I was intubated and put on life support overnight a few years ago. I’ve been miserable the past few years and doctors couldn’t figure out how to fix it. Bipap helped a bit but not completely.

I’d even turned down the cpap and then bipap to the lowest settings, which was enough to help me have a great night of sleep, but still the balloon effect. Then I was chatting with a family member and they mentioned trying and liking taping, something they saw on TikTok, and I told them it was a terrible idea. They assured me it was helping them avoid the snore and they woke up less dehydrated and better rested.

So I gave it a go. I wear my Apple Watch when I sleep and have been able to confirm on at least 3 occasions before I started taping that the sleep apnea stats always lined up with when I was experiencing the effects of apnea. The first night I taped but still used the mask and was fine the next day albeit filled up with air. Then I tried a night taping without my cpap and someone to monitor me and make sure I didn’t die and I couldn’t believe when I woke up in the morning completely rested and not feeling awful from the balloon effect.

I’m not suggesting what worked for me will work for anyone else, but thought I’d share as my quality of life has gone way up the past few months.



A similar fix for me was a nasal steroid taken every night. Got me off the CPAP


Any long term side-effects from that?


Not that I could find, and the doctors seemed pretty happy with it (and it was one who suggested I try it). I'm taking Fluticasone Propionate.


I took my first spritz today of F.P.

Last week I asked my PCP about a middle-ear blockage, and he said the F.P. should do the trick, and perhaps also relieve the dry, itchy eyes I've been suffering.

I suspect that I have been dealing with OSA for several years now, so... the nighttime dosing seems like a good idea. We'll see how it goes!


My understanding is it’ll take a little while for the effect to build up. Good luck!




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