Shaved

Mark_Ferman · Post by **Mark_Ferman** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 7:54 am

After a year of living the fairytale c-pap life things have started to get weird.
I have had the same machine/mask for over a year. Slept well from day one, and felt better after 2 or 3 weeks and have never looked back. AHI has been in the 0.9-1.0 level almost the whole year. Sure the leak rate seemed on the high end, but I have had a full beard/mustache all that time.

Now after 23 years I finally shaved off my beard and mustache and the problems began. I am now constantly waking up and restrapping down the mask to to tighten it. I am getting leaks down my chin and up through the top. Sure I can rationalize the chin leaks as being no different that before, but now I don't have the hair to deaden the air running down my face, but I never had leaks into my eyes before and now I keep getting them.

The mask seems to still be resiliant (it seems to form a suction well when I start out - full blast at 15) so I don't think it is the mask but I am wondering why I might be having this problem. Is there something that you people without beards do that I don't know about (I doubt it but I am wondering what might be wrong).

Could it be that masks just don't last for more than a year, and it is all a great big consipracy (my shaving and the mask going the same day) to annoy me? Should I just try another mask and stop complaining?

Thanks.

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 8:01 am

replace the cushion.

CentralScrutinizer · Post by **CentralScrutinizer** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 8:04 am

I've been told that Blue Cross and Blue Shield will pay for a mask every 90 days... and that this is the same policy as Medicare... So, insurance companies and/or Medicare apparently think that masks can wear out in as little as 3 months...

Pineapple · Post by **Pineapple** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 8:17 am

Mark_Ferman wrote:I am now constantly waking up and restrapping down the mask to to tighten it.

You'll be amazed how different a new cushion will feel, but I'm also wondering if your headgear has streched out. I believe most insurance replace the headgear at 6 months.

Mark_Ferman · Post by **Mark_Ferman** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 8:43 am

I happen to have another unopened mask still in its box that I will pull out and try tonight. Thanks for the comments.

I guess the interesting part of this is that the combination of my beard and mask worked so well for so long. Very interesting in fact.

travismcgee · Post by **travismcgee** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 8:53 am

I agree with the "replace the cushion crowd". I replace mine every 3 months. My insurance pays for one every 6 months. So I end up buying 2 cushions out of pocket but it is worth it. New cushion makes a huge difference and I have a full beard and mustache.

Mark_Ferman · Post by **Mark_Ferman** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 8:59 am

I got so many supplies from the DME when I first got the machine, I have not needed any supplies yet. I will contact them now after a year and have them order me a new cushion, and I will use my new mask till I get them in.

Bet they will be surprised to hear from me, since I now own the machine, but my insurance is still renting the O2 machine and I haven't seen them since I sent back my smartcard for compliance validation after the first month.

Great suggestion. My advice to people with beards, don't shave! LOL.

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): DME

xyz · Post by **xyz** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 12:06 pm

tm:
> My insurance pays for one every 6 months. So I end up buying 2 cushions out of pocket

Who is your DME?

Medicare (and most commercial insurance) schedule:

full face mask _cushion_: 1/mo
mask (minus headgear): 1/3 mo
mask (with headgear): 1/6 mo

travismcgee · Post by **travismcgee** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 3:39 pm

I have Healthpartners here in Minnesota.

Bookbear · Post by **Bookbear** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 8:35 pm

Yes, replace the cushion. They get brittle and much less flexible as they age and absorb skin oils (no matter how carefully you wash your face, you will oil up some as you sleep).

Replace the headgear. Most insurance plans will replace cushions at 3 months, masks at six, and headgear yearly. The plastic body of the mask istelf is often sturdy and will last longer than the other parts. Weak points there seem to be hose swivels and attachment points for the headgear.

Good luck!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 9:26 pm

Since you shaved that mustache and beard off, the mask is now too big!

Try your new one and if all fails, just grow it all back

Goodluck

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu May 01, 2008 9:31 am

Bookbear also votes for growing the beard back, but that's just me

.

Mark_Ferman · Post by **Mark_Ferman** » Thu May 01, 2008 10:10 am

It was a short term necessity. I totally plan on growing it back.
The things I do for "theater"

miggity · Post by **miggity** » Fri May 02, 2008 5:45 pm

my insurance company reimburses for 2 mask cushions per month. isn't this stuff standardized by law/precedent?

Shaved

Shaved

Re: Shaved

Sounds good

insurance

replacement parts

Machine	Mask

Additional Comments: Avg. AHI .4

Mask