Beards and Masks

Someone who has a beard, talk to me about what mask you are using, please. Would love to hear some practical experience from someone.


i have currently a "pillow"

the one mask that covered over my nose constantly leaked into my eye (can you say annoying?)

would love a full mask but there is no way i am ever shaving my beard/mustache.

I have never seen a mask with a beard.

Have you looked at the Tap Pap? It does not have a beard and probably wouldn't notice if you do.

First of all see my response here to you in this thread
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=101002&p=942498#p942498
You still have the wrong equipment showing in your profile.
With your model 460 machine these are the correct choices..you need to change it and be sure to click on "submit" for the changes to stick.
Machine....PR System One 60 Series Pro CPAP
Humidifier...PR System One 60 Series Heated tube humidifier with heated tube (even if aren't using the optional heated hose).

The reason why it is important to have correct equipment showing is that people need to know what you have available at your disposal to monitor leaks...namely software or information on the machine's LCD screen.
The model you have chosen right now is the 260 model and the humidifier you have chosen won't even work with a 60 series machine.
People will spend more time telling you to get a full data machine than they will with helping you about the mask because it's kinda important to know if a mask is leaking or not. People sleep through some massive leaks....been there and done that myself.

Which mask was it that "covered your nose but leaked into the eyes"?
Some are better than others in terms of leak control....maybe you had one that wasn't so great.

I can't help with full face mask ideas...never used one and don't have a beard but people with beards do successfully use full face masks...but they are a challenge (even without a beard they can be a challenge).

FWIW...there are also better nasal pillow masks than the OptiLife. I have tried almost all the available nasal pillow models and the Optilife isn't the best out there IMHO.

Do a search for Forma FF mask on Cpap.com - it has worked for some...

Hi Revanon,

I currently have a goatee, but have had a full beard at times.
I use the PMI Probasics Zzz fullface mask (the original version, NOT the SG version) - it has always worked great for me with, no matter what my facial hair situation...mind you, I have never had a super long beard so I can't speak to those issues.

Revanon wrote:Someone who has a beard, talk to me about what mask you are using, please. Would love to hear some practical experience from someone.


i have currently a "pillow"

the one mask that covered over my nose constantly leaked into my eye (can you say annoying?)

would love a full mask but there is no way i am ever shaving my beard/mustache.

I guess you don't want to hear what I have to say then.

I haven't had a beard in about 18 years and would never grow another one......especially since I value my therapy and health over my appearance (which a beard didn't improve). And, besides, my wife didn't like my beard when I had one anyway.


Den

.

I have a beard, and the best mask that I've used is the F&P FlexiFit HC432 which covers the nose, mouth and extends under the chin. I rarely get leaks around the beard area or if I do it is very minor.

Wulfman... wrote: I haven't had a beard in about 18 years and would never grow another one......especially since I value my therapy and health over my appearance
.

I guess I should consider myself lucky that I don't have a beard that, ummmmm. .. err.... shows a wanton disregard for my health and therapy.
Luckily my husband prefers me with a bead....

I have a goatee. I used to use a FFM and had leak problems. I don't know to what extent the beard contributed to my leak problems, but I suspect very little. The only contact with the beard was at the bottom of the mask, and my leaks seemed to be from the sides and top. Now I've switched to a nasal mask and my leak problems have vanished. The bottom of my nasal mask irritated the top of my mustache though, so now I'm trimming back the top third of my mustache. Looks a little odd to me, but I'll get used to it. No more discomfort, no more leaks.

I think leaking into the eyes is generally a sign that the bottom straps are too tight, causing the top of the mask to tip outward, away from the face. With nasal pillows, though? I didn't think such a mask could leak upwards, into the eyes. It's hard to know whether any adjustments you might make are working if you don't check your data, though. You should monitor the data from day to day so you can see the effect of any changes you make.

I have a mustache and beard. Quattro Air works fine for me as long as I use a liner.

- Flappy

Wulfman... wrote:

Revanon wrote:Someone who has a beard, talk to me about what mask you are using, please. Would love to hear some practical experience from someone.


i have currently a "pillow"

the one mask that covered over my nose constantly leaked into my eye (can you say annoying?)

would love a full mask but there is no way i am ever shaving my beard/mustache.

I guess you don't want to hear what I have to say then.

I haven't had a beard in about 18 years and would never grow another one......especially since I value my therapy and health over my appearance (which a beard didn't improve). And, besides, my wife didn't like my beard when I had one anyway.


Den

.

I would shave any facial hair to get my therapy right. After all it will & does grow back - change can be a good thing.

If you are going to be that stubborn then try any or all of these until you give in....
Nasal Pillows Resmed P10 is the most recent craze
Oracle Mask
Tap Pap another recent craze
or just save up for a casket and a place to put it
or an Urn is another option.

Happy Trails

Also have had a beard and mustache forever, and wouldn't shave them off either. I'd suggest the AirFit P10 or Swift FX nasal pillow mask. Both of these have worked for me, the AirFit P10 is better for me of the two. I tried the Opus 360 nasal pillow mask that you're using, and found it uncomfortable and noisy, couldn't sleep wearing it, so I understand your problem *smile*.

If you want to try out a new mask, and can't get it on a 30-day trial from your DME, or aren't due for a new mask from your insurance company, then cpap.com has "return insurance", where you pay a nominal amount for the privilege of returning a mask within 30 days if it doesn't work for you. This has been very helpful for me. since I'm usually trying new masks before my DME gets them...The Swift FX has been out a long time, though, so your DME should have it.

I went in to change my mask during the 30 day trial. But I didn't bring back my old one. I actually love it. But I want a ful mask and a nasal one. My DME said he/she needs to write that it was returned then they throw them away.
He/she gave me a nasal pillow anyway. I need to return my old old one but now I have two kinds of masks.
Only thing is the nasal mask I got doesn't fit my tubing connector.
I will call and get a new one. Resmed p10
Is that the newest and best nasal out there?
Just be super nice to your DME.
By the way do they make commission?

I grew a beard for an under cover episode. My wife said I really did look like a wino. I suspect I did because when I laid down in the gutter with a bottle of Boones-farm, no one would make eye contact. Now that I'm retired, I recently grew one and my wife said I looked like a wino.... so I shaved it and I have a goatee. I use the Resmed Airfit F10 and the Respironics Total Face mask as a backup.... no leaks.

Sheriff