Newbie with a beard

[SleepyBraz]

Hi I was wondering if anyone could help me> I have the AirSense 10 with heated humidifier and tubing. I can't seem to get a good seal to last. I do have a beard that Is kept relatively short. I am using the Fisher Paykel Simplus FFM. Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

[cands]

Shave it off! Sorry, I had to. It was a very strange after 30+ years of having facial hair.

My leak rate is (usually) much less now that I am clean shaven. Oh, and now I shave just before bed-time.

Good luck with the leaks, and the treatment.

[MyIdaho]

I trim my beard to a 1/4 inch length. Leaking is not a problem for me. I do use a Padacheek anti-leak strap which puts a slight downward pressure on the center of the mask. This strap may help you. As a test, when you're laying on your back with the CPAP on, press down lightly on the center of the mask. If the leaking stops, then anti-leak strip will likely help you. JMO as a satisfied user. Good luck!

[Okie bipap]

Have you tried using a liner? When I did my first titration study, I had a full beard that I kept about 1/2 inch long. They used a remzzz liner on the mask and it sealed pretty well. I have since shaved the beard after having it for over 30 years. I started the beard when I went on terminal leave before I retired from the Air Force. The day I retired, I had 45 days of beard growth and long hair. I did not look like military at all. If you want to try making a mask liner, this is a link to the pattern I used to make mine when I was using the simplus FFM, http://montfordhouse.com/cpap/diy-cotton-mask-liner.pdf. I made the liners out of an old well-worn tee shirt. We throw them in the washing machine with the white clothes in a small bag my wife crocheted and iron them dry instead of running them through the dryer. The liner will fit a small or medium face mask. If you need to, you can enlarge the pattern.

[70sSanO]

I had a beard for a year and a half without problems. I had to keep if pretty short, less than 6mm, and my pressure is not that high... but it was a FFM.

You may have to tighten it more than normal to get it to seal.

John

[RogerSC]

Sometimes people use an FFM because they were titrated using one, or their DME gave it to them with their cpap machine. A nasal pillow mask, like the Swift FX or AirFit P10 may work for you, unless you've already tried it and found that it didn't. I also have a beard, but no problem with the TAP PAP at the moment, or the other two nasal pillow masks that I mentioned. I don't recommend the TAP PAP to a beginner (if you are), it's a little difficult to get started with. There are other nasal pillow masks, but I think that the FX and P10 are the most populars ones at the moment.

If you buy either the Swift FX or AirFit P10 (or both) from cpap.com, you get free "return insurance", which means that you can return a mask that isn't working for you within 30 days and your money will be fully refunded. 30 days, for me, is plenty of time to tell if a mask will not work for me.

[Sir NoddinOff]

Length of facial hair isn't the big issue. Try mask liners like Padacheek or Remzzz.

[glarnold]

Been b-papping over ten years, now, with a full beard, and full face masks. No desire to shave it off. Adjusting the fit carefully (looser, not tighter) and using the right pillow (from mypillow.com) has eliminated any leak problems for me. Good luck.

[cands]

Length of facial hair isn't the big issue. Try mask liners like Padacheek or Remzzz.

Thanks to all the posters who have said I did not need to shave. I have just ordered liners from both Padacheek and Remzzz. I'm still new to this and shaved out of desperation! My leak rate is still often unacceptable, so I will keep trying and possibly grow my beard back. I miss it!

[Okie bipap]

I missed my beard for a while. However, the hot weather we have been having the past few weeks makes me kind of glad I don't have it right now.

[SmokeChaser426]

I have a full beard and use a DreamWear mask. I trim a quarter inch of moustache under my nose and have a good seal with
minimal leaks. I don't use a liner and tension of the mask is really important. Mask selection is a big part of therapy. Comfort
so you can fall asleep and keep up with your treatment. Many on the site have been through a number of masks so don't get
locked into just one. Someone had mentioned that there is a CPAP equipment site will give you a 30 day trial.

Good luck with your treatment...

[CapnLoki]

I've been growing out my beard this summer - used to be "stubble" but now is 13 mm and still no problem with the quattro air mask and a pad-a-cheek liner. at pressure 10. The beard only touches to mask at the corners of my mouth and under my lip, so it wouldn't be hard to trim those areas a bit shorter, but so far I haven't had the need.