Mask crisis: stomach sleeper with a beard!

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
reubkov
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Joined: Thu Oct 14, 2004 5:41 pm

Mask crisis: stomach sleeper with a beard!

Post by reubkov » Thu Oct 14, 2004 5:51 pm

I could really use some advice. I'm about to get my first CPAP and need to select a mask. I was going to go with the Activa, but I called ResMed and they said that because I have a beard and moustache, the active gel seal won't work for me. In fact, they said, most if not all nasal masks won't work for me. The breeze is an option, I guess, but the hard plastic headgear looks brutal and, although I tend to be a stomach sleeper, with the tube going down the back of the head, it looks like sleeping on my back would be out of the question. Uggh.

The masks that I had been considering were:

Mirage Activa
Ultra Mirage
Comfort Gel
Comfort Select
Breeze
Mirage Swift

I could really use some advice, since I'm supposed to pick up the CPAP - and choose the mask - on Monday.

Much thanks,

reubkov

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JudyAnn
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Post by JudyAnn » Fri Oct 15, 2004 7:25 am

I am new to this too (3 months) but I have the Activa and the Swift Pillows and I don't have a beard or moustache.

I am sure that someone on this list, especially the old timers with facial hair, will have a suggestion for you. I feel for you though as I know that getting used to the CPAP is hard enough and finding the right mask is so important.

Let us know when you find one you like and how you are doing. This list is a great source of support, information and help.

Judy

Edie
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Joined: Fri Oct 08, 2004 11:05 am
Location: West Central Florida

Re: Mask crisis: stomach sleeper with a beard!

Post by Edie » Fri Oct 15, 2004 7:59 pm

reubkov wrote:The breeze is an option, I guess, but the hard plastic headgear looks brutal and, although I tend to be a stomach sleeper, with the tube going down the back of the head, it looks like sleeping on my back would be out of the question.
I use the Breeze and love it! Although I don't have facial hair (since I am a woman) I think it might be a very good choice for your situation.

The Breeze is very comfortable; the hard plastic frame only makes contact in three places: your nose/lip, your head just above your forehead, and the back of your head.

The tube doesn't really go down your back unless you are sitting or standing upright. The straps attach just above the forehead, then the hose is held in place by a small clip on each side about three inches above the strap. That's the last place the tube is attached and it's free to move from there.
I got used to wearing contacts & braces, and now I'm used to CPAP, too.

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Kristy5550
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Location: Cheyenne, Wy.

Here is my suggestion................

Post by Kristy5550 » Sat Oct 16, 2004 5:06 pm

https://www.cpap.com/productpage.php?PNum=1495
I have tried several different masks and this is #1 by far for me.
You can wear it over your head or down the front. You can sleep on your sides, stomach or back.
Good luck.
Sweet dreams,
Kris :-)

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rested gal
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Where are the men with beards?

Post by rested gal » Sat Oct 16, 2004 11:39 pm

reubkov, I have to admit to not having a beard or mustache...I'm yet another woman answering your post. Where are the guys?

The Breeze is extremely popular with good reason. It suits a lot of people, mustache or not. I think you'd be surprised at how comfortable it is. As Edie pointed out, the hose does not hang down your back when you are in bed. Also, I do believe the Activa would be worth your trying it, despite what the ResMed rep said about nasal masks in general possibly not suiting you. The Activa is amazingly leakproof. In a contest between a mustache and the Activa, I'd bet on the Activa.

Yoga

Swift

Post by Yoga » Sun Oct 17, 2004 4:22 pm

Julie Ann,

What do you think of the Swift versus the Resmed Activa?

Any comments from anyone else.

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rested gal
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Swift and Activa

Post by rested gal » Sun Oct 17, 2004 4:46 pm

Hi Yoga,

As an "anyone else" my comment would be that both interfaces are good. To compare them though, would be a little like comparing apples and oranges. They are two totally different kinds of "mask". The ResMed Activa is a nasal mask (covers the entire nose). The ResMed Swift is a nasal pillows interface - doesn't cover the nose at all. So, a lot depends on which type of air delivery system you find most comfortable.... a traditional type of mask covering the nose, or a pillows type of device sitting at the entrance to your nose. The gear to hold either one on is very different too.

Personally, I like the idea of having more than one type of interface (mask) so I can switch around depending on what I want to use on any particular night. I heard another cpap'er once say, "We don't wear the same pair of shoes every day." I think that applies to masks as well. Being able to switch between two or three equally comfortable masks on different nights is nice, especially if one begins to cause any irritation. If irritation is going to happen at all (with only the Activa and the Swift being considered) it usually comes from the pillows of any nasal pillow interface rubbing just inside the nares. Not a problem for me, but some people have to use Ayr gel, for example, to relieve sensitive noses when nasal pillows are used several nights in a row.

I switch between the Breeze (nasal pillows) and the Activa. Essentially the same thing as switching between the Swift on some nights and the Activa other nights. All three of those are top notch interfaces.

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JudyAnn
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Post by JudyAnn » Mon Oct 18, 2004 10:44 am

Hi Yoga,

I just was saying in another post that when I first got the Mirage Activa, I liked the softness of it and it was comfortable but I hated the fact that so much stuff was on my face. It made me claustraphobic and that is why I wanted the Swift because there is hardly anything on your face. I like both and use both but as far as the quieter of the two, the Activa is the most quiet. The Swift has "air noise" when you breath in and out and if I cannot fall asleep right away, I prefer the Activa. I like the fact that I have both now and that I have some sort of choice at night.

Like Rested Gal says, having different masks is the name of the game. Eventually, I would like to get a couple more also. Since we have to wear all this gear, we might as well have choices and be comfortable.

Hope this helps.

Judy

txlxk
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Joined: Tue Oct 19, 2004 8:35 pm
Location: Escondido, CA

A guy answer

Post by txlxk » Tue Oct 19, 2004 8:44 pm

I have the Activa with a moustache and a short goatee, and generally it works OK unless I let the hair nearest my nose get too long. However, I'm about ready to glue the mask to the *(#$% frame as it seems to pop off at the most annoying moments, usually when I'm dog tired and really don't feel like farting around with it.

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JudyAnn
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Post by JudyAnn » Wed Oct 20, 2004 10:10 am

That's unusual. Mine has never popped off unless it wasn't completely snapped into the plactic frame. One time, I did not have the little blue plastic insert in right and it had the loudest air leak sound until I realized what it was.

Judy

txlxk
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Location: Escondido, CA

Activa pop-off

Post by txlxk » Wed Oct 20, 2004 12:30 pm

Maybe I toss & turn too much and end up putting lateral pressure on the mask. In any case, the blue plastic tabs don't pop off, the flexible portion itself becomes detached from the blue plastic frame that attaches to the fixed portion of the mask.

In any case, this is by far the most comfortable mask I've had, and it doesn't irritate my skin the way some others have. (I've had dumb-***** respiratory therapists insist that there's no difference in the silicone between one mask and the next, but my face isn't peeling off with the Activa where it was with masks that I have used previously... )

FG McCallum
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Joined: Wed Oct 20, 2004 12:57 pm

Bearded CPAP user.

Post by FG McCallum » Wed Oct 20, 2004 1:05 pm

I have a full beard & have been using a ResMed CPAP with a ResMed mask (the small one that covers the nose only. I have no problem with leakage & have been using my machine for several years.

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JudyAnn
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Post by JudyAnn » Wed Oct 20, 2004 1:05 pm

You must really be restless if the blue thingy comes completely out of the mask. Now I know what you mean when you said you needed some "glue".

As far as the Activa goes, though, I say Amen to that. Comfort in this disorder is the name of the game. When I first had to wear a mask (7/04) I thought I was suffocating. I thought I would never get used to this treatment but eventually I did as I was so determined to conquer it. I started out on a CPAP but they changed me to an Autopap and I like that much better (if we have to like any of this at all) than CPAP.

I do notice with my Swift when I wear it that it does tend to move more and I get more leaks than with the Activa.

Judy

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rested gal
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mask popping out

Post by rested gal » Wed Oct 20, 2004 3:38 pm

hi txlxk,

Don'tcha' just love it when the experts insist there's "no difference" when you know well and good from your own experience, there is! heheh

I don't know if this has anything to do with your mask coming apart sometimes when you're sleeping.....but... have you ever taken that mask apart to clean it or something? I've got a theory which may be all wrong - I've got a feeling that taking masks apart to clean them is a bad idea. I think just rinsing a mask out and keeping the cushion clean of skin oils is enough maintenance. The more they are disassembled and reassembled, the more chance that some parts just aren't going to fit together as snugly anymore.

If you've never disassembled it though, that wouldn't be the problem with your mask. Dunno.

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rock and roll
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Location: Texas

Facial hair and mask

Post by rock and roll » Mon Nov 01, 2004 8:25 pm

I have facial hair and alternate between the Activa and the Nasal-Aire just fine. My brother likes the Breeze with his. Just don't go for full face, they won't seal.