Which facemask with a short beard?

I just had a second sleep study yesterday, my first was about 7 years ago. It was the take home kind. This was the real deal. Anyway, the pressure on my old machine was not doing the trick. I was still tired in the morning and very cranky. My stats got alot worse and my doctor is going to prescribe an APAP. My primary question is what type of mask do you wear with a beard (short). I currently use the gel full mask and that one works but I would like something better. I have tried the gel pillow nasal mask and really like the concept but the pillow for my right nostril hits the cartilage in my nose and gets painful during the night. What are other bearded people using? Thanks for the advice.

If you can't wear nasal pillows try a nasal mask such as Activa. Any FFM with beard will encounter hair to seal but if you must I would try the Ultra Mirage FFM.

Good Luck,
GumbyCT

I've tried a nasal mask, don't remember the brand or type, but I have a slight overbite (very slight), and the pressure on my upper teeth seems to bother me when trying to sleep.

Then I recommend -
http://www.aeiomed.com/products/headrest.php
The Movie - http://www.aeiomed.com/video_product_in ... adrest.php

fwiw - mask test drives going on:
viewtopic/t35761/phpBBFolk.php?mode=sea ... 20drive%22

Good Luck,
GumbyCT

I agree with Gumby's suggestions. Having a beard myself, I also had good luck with the Breeze because it applies pressure from the top. I am currently trying the new Swift LT and I am liking it more every night. The large pillows negate a lot of the pressure on the nose.

<<<<as you can see from my avatar i'm the worst at keeping the scruff trimmed lol. i use the fisher &paykel 431mask. it rests under your chin so it doesn't slide around a lot when i'm rolling around.i tend to nasaal breathe when i'm not plugged up. that is where the good sleep is fer me. it comes twith small , med , and large seals(unlike the 432 which is ordered by individual size)so you should have no problems getting a fit. just to note with a beard you'll have to sinch it just a bit tighter for the perfect seal. but mine is still confy.it's tough to find the right one this is just my preference. i've had several ff masks that no matter how tight i get them just slide aaround.
good luck finding the right one. if you use a dme they may be able to let you try different ones out as many manufacturers have a do not fit return policy. also cpap .com(the parent of this forum ) offers an insurance (for a fee) that lets you return masks. it doesn't take much of a leak to ruin a good nights sleep!!!!!!!
reguards

fuzzy

I hate to say this but I ended up shaving my beard off that I wore for 38 years. I miss it, but I am sleeping and breathing for a change. I think it is an OK trade, except I think I look weird now. I'll get used to it.

Dale, The Beardless.

deerhound wrote:I hate to say this but I ended up shaving my beard off that I wore for 38 years. I miss it, but I am sleeping and breathing for a change. I think it is an OK trade, except I think I look weird now. I'll get used to it.

Dale, The Beardless.

Shaving should ALWAYS be an option. Life before ego.
Looking pretty in the casket?? They'll always remember how good he looked, ha!!

See my beard - I keep it pretty short (1.5 crewcut option)

I was using a UMFF mask but switched to a Quattro (better adjustments) - it works very well for me with nowhere near the trouble I had with the UMFF.

Good luck

DSM

Masks I have tried with little or no success for me include:

Quattro - Leaked like a sieve on both sides of my nose. Nothing to do with my beard, it just leaked.
Ultra Mirage - Also leaked like crazy.
Comfort Gel - Leaks around the nose and eyes.
ComfortFull 2 - Leaked and major blisters on my nose after about an hour of use on the second night.
Liberty - Leaks a little but it is the best for me so far.

I still want to try the Zzz FF mask as well as the Hans Rudolph 7600 V2 and my RT is attempting to get the head office to order them for me. I need a full face mask and am getting so frustrated that I am about ready to lose my beard, it will always grow back. I have also tried many nasal masks as well as pillow masks and they just will not work for me (mouth breather and serious dry mouth issues).

One of the above masks may be just what you need, every face is different. I am still looking..

Phil