Need advice from guys with facial hair.

[Debjax]

Hubby went for his titration study on Friday night, they used a comfort gel nose mask on him and really clamped it down. He thinks it was because of his mustache.

For the guys with facial hair (mustache and beard) what masks to you use (nasal pillows are NOT an option for hubby, he can't stand anything in his nose), what masks do you use? His beard is not real bushy....but it may prevent a full face from sealing right.

[jda1000]

I use a Mirage Quattro full-face mask.

I've a short and relatively thin beard - full, not a goatee, not just a 'stache.

My leakage rate the first weak was 0.26 L/s, and recently climbed to 0.44 L/s when I set it so it went "fast" from EPR to normal, which I believe means it goes from a pressure of 7 to 4 and back as I inhale/exhale. But the lower number might vary.

My RT Friday said she wanted to send me a different mask, but didn't say why or which one. The leakage rate I was reporting then was 0.26; it went up over the weekend as I mucked about trying for better sleep.

I think the straps are stretching a bit, as the mask felt looser without any other known cause; in tightening, I changed the balance between my chin and the bridge of my nose - which balance seems controlled by the adjustable forehead brace.

Which, by the way, I got - two nights in a row of the longest and scientifically-finest sleep in a good long time.

Good luck!

[jnk]

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=36271&p=313589

[Debjax]

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=36271&p=313589

Thanks, that helped some....noticed that dsm's avatar shows pretty much the same beard and moustache style as my husbands. I know the nasal pillows are out, he has too many problems with his nostrils as it is, but this gives us some direction to look in.

[deerhound]

I have a mustache only. I use only full face masks and I cannot keep a seal if I don't shave and wash my face before going to bed. I shaved off a beard I wore for 38 years in order to be successful in using my bipap machine. When I tried a Liberty mask I shaved my mustache. The Liberty didn't work and the 'stache is back.

Dale, The Beardless.

[jnk]

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=36271&p=313589

Thanks, that helped some....noticed that dsm's avatar shows pretty much the same beard and moustache style as my husbands. I know the nasal pillows are out, he has too many problems with his nostrils as it is, but this gives us some direction to look in.

Well, if that one helped, maybe this one will too! (I just typed "beard" into the search box to get these . . .)

viewtopic/t38024/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=32 ... &sk=t&sd=a

[Wulfman]

Mustache only here. The UMFF is in my profile.

I think a lot of it has to do with how coarse the facial hair (beard) is and whether it would lay down under the seal or be like a Brillo soap pad and keep it from sealing well.

Den

[mhurley3]

When I went in for my titration sleep study, I was so desperate that I volunteered to shave my beard and moustache off. The techs said that probably would not be necessary and used the Soyala nasal mask which worked just fine. When I picked up my equipment they also recommended the Soyala, which is what I now have. The only place there might be a problem is just below the nose, of course, but I have never had a problem. Other places, yes, but not because of facial hair.

[dcryandc]

I have a full beard and moustache. I am also a mouth-taper. I use three strips of 3M surgical tape - the first along my lower lip line just over onto the top lip. The second goes over my moustache and overlaps the bottom strip - and this one I press down a little harder when applying, to kind of flatten the moustache underneath it. The third goes straight across the center of my lips to seal the other two.

I originally used a Comfort Gel nasal mask, which would seal over my taped moustache if I strapped it down pretty good. I just switched to the new Activa LT nasal mask, and it is MUCH better. I barely tighten it over my tape, and the seal is great, and the leaks are minimal. Last night I slept over 11 hours with it on, and had an AHI of 2.8!

Good luck!

[nate fry]

shave,your life is more important than a beard.

[goose]

Mustache and goatee here....Headrest is my mask of choice, but that's nasal pillows. With the XL pillows it's pretty comfy and I like it not being "in my face".....

I have a ComfortGel also. The size I was given at first was too large (medium) so I have a small now and it works ok. Does not need to be cranked down tight!!! I ended up trimming the upper part of the 'stache so it sits on skin just under my nose -- got tired of the hairs tickling my nose and not being able to scratch.... It just needs to be tight enough to stay in place. The membrane needs to be able to inflate to create a seal. It took a while to learn that technique.

I have just received and tried an Activa mask (Resmed). I like it!!!! Won't replace my headrest, but it will probably displace the ComfortGel as my backup. I have the "standard" size and it fits pretty similar to the CG, though it may be a tad lower on the bridge of the nose. Again, it needs to be fairly loose with the headgear just holding it in place. It uses what they call an "Active Cell" technology, and I have to tell ya, it works!!!! The membrane is connected to the frame with a section that allows the whole seal to move with you when you turn over or move around. I'm not particularly enamored with the little hose thingie that hangs down, but it's not a show stopper by any means. The exhaust is petty robust as well - wife doesn't particularly like it, but I've learned to move that direction without it blowing her off her side of the bed....
It seals well with the mustache as well....For me, it's a keeper!!

Hope this helps a bit
cheers
goose

[Patrick A]

I had a beard for a long time. I also have had and still have a mustache, I also had a goatee no problems.
Good luck

[roster]

I had a beard for a long time. I also have had and still have a mustache, I also had a goatee no problems.
Good luck

Hey Patrick,

Where did you go the last four months?

Regards,

[GuyK]

shave,your life is more important than a beard.

That's more or less what my somnodoc told me too -- I have a full beard.

I keep my beard very short, almost stubble, using clippers. I trim it back about every three weeks. I was getting some major leaking with my first mask (F&P 431 FFM), so my doctor suggested trying a Mirage Quattro. My leak rate went down instantly, into a more-normal range. Things have been fine since.

The last two days, I've had leak rates of 0.54 and 0.50 L/sec (fairly high), but my beard needs trimming again. After I trim it, I'll have a better idea if the leak rate is due to the beard.

Guy

[screamineagle]

I hope the following will help.

I've been on CPAP for a little over six months and have had to make some tough (at least to me) decisions. I have a full beard and moustache and have had for almost 40 years.

I had the same problems as your husband with keeping a seal. I used several FFM's but could not maintain a seal even when I shaved my beard to stubble. I had the same problem with the nasal masks. I also found that I was a part time mouth breather. I tried the nasal pillow masks even though I could not stand the feeling of something touching my nose. I got over that in less time than it took ro let my beard grow back to its normal length. I still had some leak issues with the Opti Life (chin strap put creases in the beard), Swift II broke seal when I rolled onto my side as did the Comfort Lite II.

At that point I really did consider shaving off the beard but I tried one more mask. That was the Swift LT. I'm so glad I did. Now, the beard's back to normal, I've trained myself not to breathe through my mouth (it CAN be done) and I have trained myself to tolerate something on my nose. I can also roll onto either side while sleeping.

My apnea index has never gone above 0.9 since and I've not experienced any large leaks since I started using the LT.

As long as you have to train yourself to use CPAP youself to tolerate having something touching your nose.

Good luck to your husband

Dale