Beard problems - nasal pillow works best

[hillbilly1979]

I have been growing a beard on and off for years. When I let my mustache grow I always have issues with comfort and seal. I have been using nasal masks for quite a while. I finally discovered that nasal pillows work really well for people sporting the mustache. If you haven’t given that a try, you should.

[zonker]

I have been growing a beard on and off for years. When I let my mustache grow I always have issues with comfort and seal. I have been using nasal masks for quite a while. I finally discovered that nasal pillows work really well for people sporting the mustache. If you haven’t given that a try, you should.

this is precisely why i'm on the p10 nasal pillow mask. i was a bit confused when i first came to both cpap and this forum. i didn't really see anyone promoting(at that time) pillow mask. so i tried a full face, nasal mask twice then finally settled on the p10.

still, it was hard. and i've had to do a lot of modifications to get it to work. what worked best for me was-

viewtopic/p1089718/viewtopic.php?f=1&t= ... s#p1086296

because i was leaking like a sieve through my mouth. but i got it together in pretty short order. i'm now experiencing ahi hovering around 1.

so yeah, it's definitely the way to go!

[chunkyfrog]

I would bet a silicone lily pad that nasal pillows outsell any other style of mask,
At least among experienced pappers.
Less is more.
Comfortable.
Too many newbies get started on the wrong mask because of ignorance or greed.

[prodigyplace]

I would bet a silicone lily pad that nasal pillows outsell any other style of mask,
At least among experienced pappers.
Less is more.
Comfortable.
Too many newbies get started on the wrong mask because of ignorance or greed.

The Bleep Dreamport is rising in numbers though because it is even less. It has no headgear.

[chunkyfrog]

The Bleep certainly LOOKS like a nasal pillow.
You realize that not everybody can tolerate or afford the adhesive . . .
At my age (72), my skin is unusually moist, but stripping off the natural oils
to facilitate taping every night causes trauma.
I have seen it happen with my CGM, but my arm skin is tougher than my face.

[Pugsy]

The Bleep certainly LOOKS like a nasal pillow.
You realize that not everybody can tolerate or afford the adhesive . . .
At my age (72), my skin is unusually moist, but stripping off the natural oils
to facilitate taping every night causes trauma.
I have seen it happen with my CGM, but my arm skin is tougher than my face.

The Bleep does look like a nasal pillow but it lacks that inner cone thing. It fits more like individual cushions that just touch the nostril opening area. Weird little hybrid.
Yes, they are expensive and some people won't be able to afford them....that has already been discussed but insurance will pay for them if we can just get the lazy ass DMEs to file. Unless someone has a high deductible or no insurance...it's doable.

As for skin...I am 67 years old. Skin is starting to thin a bit and my nose is more dry than it is oily.
I get no trauma to my skin using the Bleep and I just lather on the moisturizer in the morning to offset any drying effect.

No...the Bleep isn't for everyone but the lack of head gear is sure sweet and it doesn't leak or move around and for some of us any minor issues are more than offset by the pluses.

[chunkyfrog]

No inner cones--sounds appealing.
I might try it if I can find out if the adhesive is compatible with my face.
My DME is rather obliging, re: special requests, luckily.

[Jas_williams]

Pugsy could mail you a bit of offcut tape and stick it to your face overnight

[RogerSC]

Just recently switched to the AirFit N30, and it's working for me after an adjustment period. Very lightweight and quiet. I also have a full beard, and had been using nasal pillows since I started on CPAP, until they recently stopped working for me. I'm finding that the "nasal cradle" cushion is working well for me now. So if nasal pillows or the bleep don't work out, there's another possibility for you. Haven't tried the bleep myself, since I don't care for the idea of fiddling with adhesives...my skin has always been on the oily side, so seems like it might be a hassle to keep anything sticking to my nose all night. And the cost of the bleep seems a bit on the high side, as well.

Anyways, the N30 is working, so that's the one I'm going with for the time being *smile*.