Best mask/device to use

[moustached snorer]

moustache

[Slinky]

The brand and model of device (CPAP) you use should not be affected at all by whether you do or don't have facial hair.

'Tis the mask that may require even more judicious than usual selection when one has facial hair. I would think that the nasal pillows style would be the least likely to work well if one has a moustache but that is pure speculation on my part.

[packitin]

Good answer, Slinky. (Incidentally, I appreciate your knowledge, and have copied and pasted several of your posts into a folder, along with others). But I sleep in a variation of the "freefaller" position, and wad the pillow up into a ball and place it under one shoulder. (see pic)

There are times when this is difficult to do with the original Resmed Mirage Swift pillow that I use. (I tried sleeping on my back, but the strap seems to grind into my head). So I use a FF mask when I am really tired and DO sleep on my back. Also, I grow a beard every fall because of a part I play every year in the Christmas Pageant, and I start about September so it will be thick for the part. So this creates a set of other problems. Most of the time I still use the pillow system then.
Thanks,
Jay (Sorry, JayC, I'm a Jay C. also, and I've the name a long, long time. Don't ask.)

[birdshell]

For a "freefall" sleeper, or prone sleeper, the Headrest (formerly called the Aura and the Twilight NP) mask my be useful. Headrest Mask

I know that there are several users who find they can bury a good part of their face in the pillow. The exhaust is directed upward from the forehead level if one is upright. Please note that this is a nasal mask, not a full-faced one. You may want to see the decapitation technique that Rested Gal invented, too!

All of that said, I was once a prone sleeper. When my back started to give me problems, I learned to sleep on my sides. It can be done!

Sincerely,

Karen

[Wulfman]

moustache

Me, too. My preferred mask is in my profile......the ResMed Ultra Mirage Full Face (UMFF).

Den

[rested gal]

Adding my recommendation to Karen's for Aeiomed's Headrest nasal pillows interface for tummy sleeping - or sleeping in any position.

You can find a lot of topics about the Headrest here:
LINKS to HeadRest nasal pillows mask topics (same mask has had other names: Aeiomed Aura, then Headrest, then Invacare Twilight NP, then back to Headrest again.)
viewtopic.php?t=3098

Creative Lab Rat fixes for it (and other interfaces) are here:
LINKS to Lab Rat Trophy awards
viewtopic.php?t=15104

[jnk]

I have a fairly bushy mustache and am a side-sleeper with occasional freefalling, and I find that my Swift II works well for me. In fact, I have at times put a sports-style headband around my neck/cheeks/mouth to prevent lip-flutters, and that headband has gone over my mustache and up against the bottom of my nose--and the nasal pillows still stay seated for me. I find that the angle of the pillows can be aimed somewhat "into" the face, not just straight up, and still work OK. So, IMO, I think nasal pillows may be worth a try even if you have a mustache. YMMV.

jnk

[swavey]

I use the Swift LT nasal pillow system with my moustache. I did shave the stache some just under the nose for more comfort and it works fine.