But ... what about the "beard"?

rwalther · Post by **rwalther** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 11:16 pm

The "What do you wish you'd known" thread was wonderful. Thanks to everyone that documented their lessons learned. I've got a long list of things to ponder tomorrow when my APAP, Mask, and Humidifier arrive.

Just one remaining question ... at least for now.

What about my beard? Now that I've had a chance to read a bunch, I'm worried about leaking. I think I did a few things right ... like buying a APAP to keep ambient pressure down, and getting a full-face mask since I'm a "mouth-breather" ... but my question is ... does anyone out there successfully get their "gadgets" to work around a bunch of facial hair?

I have more "chins" than a Chinese Phone Book ... so I'd like to keep it if possible, but will sacrifice it for a good night's sleep.

Any advice?

Rusty

JeffH · Post by **JeffH** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 11:26 pm

I have a full beard and am a mouth breather.

That being said, here's what I do to make this all work.

I use the Adams nasal pillow mask. I use polident strips to seal my mouth. I have a home made strap that I put across my mouth every night to keep from having the blowfish effect some get with sealing their mouth. That will wake you up as quick as anything, I've found.

My AHI is usually under 2 and my leak rate is usually under 30. My pressure is 12.

Just checked my average AHI for the last three months and is 1.2. On August 13th I switched from running my machine from APAP to CPAP and have done much better that way.

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): nasal pillow, AHI, seal

GumbyCT · Post by **GumbyCT** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 11:54 pm

I say shave the beard - after all it will grow back. Don't they make firemen shave so their masks don't leak? It's life or death for them too.

But as you can see Jeff has a different approach. If you are intending to use a nasal sure but I certainly can't see trying to seal a mask with a beard. But that's me.

Good Luck,
GumbyCT

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 12:11 am

I wouldn't let a beard hamper my treatment, My life comes first. When your dead your beard will be the least of your problems. Jim

wolftracker · Post by **wolftracker** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 7:39 am

hi,

i have a beard and stach ... use the hybrid mask for over 12 months
and have leak problems...

i guess it depends on how long the hair is.

I keep my relative short ...

you can make it work if you want to.

my .02
wolf

BigGayBert · Post by **BigGayBert** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 8:22 am

I have a goatee and my Resmed Mirage Activa seals over it without any leakage at all. I have no idea how or why, but it does. I am convinced that it is magic or voodoo or something. (Okay, actually it kind of folds the hair down, if that makes sense). It's a nasal mask, though, so it won't help mouth breathing. I find that using my Resmed chinstrap helps, although sometimes it comes off in the middle of the night.

The Resmed Quattro full-face mask seals great for me at pressures 15cm and below, but I am on a very high pressure (20cm) and it leaks around my cheeks. Otherwise, it is a very comfortable and quiet mask and I would highly recommend it.

Best of luck to you!

jsmythe · Post by **jsmythe** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 12:05 pm

[quote="BigGayBert"]I have a goatee and my Resmed Mirage Activa seals over it without any leakage at all. I have no idea how or why, but it does. I am convinced that it is magic or voodoo or something. (Okay, actually it kind of folds the hair down, if that makes sense). It's a nasal mask, though, so it won't help mouth breathing. I find that using my Resmed chinstrap helps, although sometimes it comes off in the middle of the night.

The Resmed Quattro full-face mask seals great for me at pressures 15cm and below, but I am on a very high pressure (20cm) and it leaks around my cheeks. Otherwise, it is a very comfortable and quiet mask and I would highly recommend it.

Best of luck to you!

BigGayBert · Post by **BigGayBert** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 12:13 pm

jsmythe wrote: I have a question Bert, I always thought a goatee was on the chin. If you use an Activa nasal mask, how is it sealing over your chin and goatee? It only touches just above the upper lip......

Oops, I should have clarified: I have a goatee and mustache "combo". I'm not sure what that's called! The Activa seals over my mustache just fine. The Quattro seals around my mouth very well, it's just the cheeks that don't seal for me.

jsmythe · Post by **jsmythe** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 12:21 pm

BigGayBert wrote:
jsmythe wrote: I have a question Bert, I always thought a goatee was on the chin. If you use an Activa nasal mask, how is it sealing over your chin and goatee? It only touches just above the upper lip......
Oops, I should have clarified: I have a goatee and mustache "combo". I'm not sure what that's called! The Activa seals over my mustache just fine. The Quattro seals around my mouth very well, it's just the cheeks that don't seal for me.

BigGayBert · Post by **BigGayBert** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 12:26 pm

jsmythe wrote:lolol... thanks for clarifying... I was wondering how it stretched down to your chin....

I told you it was magic or something.

LavenderMist · Post by **LavenderMist** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 1:05 pm

Well, we've been complaining about those Activas coming down too low, lol!

sleepycarol · Post by **sleepycarol** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 4:54 pm

Hey Bert if matters I KNEW what you were talking about as I have 4 brothers and one or two always have the "duo" and I have 3 sons that at least 2 of them at any one time has the "duo". When I think of goatee I think combo!!

soulrhythm · Post by **soulrhythm** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 12:20 pm

I have a full Gotee as well and have not had any probems with leaks around my mouth (my leaks come through the nasal pillows). I keep it pretty finely trimed so that might make the difference. For me, being sure that I have a clean mask and a clean face is the key to a good seal around the mouth. I use Johnson's Baby Wash.

rwalther · Post by **rwalther** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 12:29 pm

... were really good. The mask formed around my beard really well. See my other post for more info on my first night experience.

Pilot_Ron · Post by **Pilot_Ron** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 4:26 pm

I also have a goatee or as another member pointed out, a Van Dyke... I posted the same question about a week and a half ago. Since then, I have gone for my Titration study and purchased a machine, which I started on last night. I have used the Activa mask, the Ultra Mirage II, and the Swift II. I have not experienced leaks with any of these masks, just different levels of discomfort for each of them. I found that the Swift II nasal pillow is the most comfortable and I believe that I should be fully acustomed to the treatment within a few days. Today I took a nap with the Swift II, and had no trouble falling asleep, and staying asleep. The only difference with facial hair and a clean shaved face is how tight the head gear needs to be. The swift nasal pillow has no interfearence with facial hair, so it doesn't need to be any tighter than that with someone who has no facial hair.

Hope this helps

Ron

But ... what about the "beard"?

But ... what about the "beard"?

hybrid

Activa!

Re: Activa!

Re: Activa!

Re: Activa!

Re: Activa!

First night results ...

Mask

Additional Comments: Equipment isn't correct, S9 ASV w/H5i

Humidifier

Additional Comments: Remstar Auto A-Flex Aussie Heated Hose Auto 8-15 cm H2O pressure A-Flex 2 Backup Remstar Plus w/C-Flex