Masks and mustaches/beards

ckcrocker · Post by **ckcrocker** » Sun Feb 27, 2005 8:07 pm

I have a mirage mask and although the seal works ok, the nose portion presses down on the mustache hairs and becomes very irritating. I have been on cpap for only 9 days and haven't got used to it. Although I do feel better (being rested), I still don't sleep through the night and wake up often because of the mask. When I sleep on my back, it seems to be better. But I can't sleep that way as I have always slept on my side. The pressure of the pillow moves the mask and breaks the suction. Also I have a slight hearing loss (due to years of riding my Harley) and I hear my breathing in my head more loudly. Any suggestions? Different mask?

meister · Post by **meister** » Sun Feb 27, 2005 8:41 pm

My ResMed FF is usually farting or whistling Dixie all night. Since my
wife stays up all night complaining, I got tired of hearing them both, so
I got the plugs. Now I can't hear the old ball-n-chain, or the whistling
Dixie, so I get some sleep. Well, I can't hear the alarm clock or the fire alarm either. I used to have to get up to let the dog out to pee, but now I
can't hear the dog either. Anyone hear that hose gurgling stuff? Not me!

Liam1965 · Post by **Liam1965** » Sun Feb 27, 2005 8:52 pm

I haven't had any real facial-hair related issues, and in the winter I always grow a full beard to try to keep my face warm (and because being fairly bald on top, it makes my head look like it's on upside-down).

When I get leaks from the Ultra Mirage, they don't seem to be particularly beard-related, and certainly no problems from the Swift.

Liam, the Swift hirsutes him fine.

Pohtaytoh · Post by **Pohtaytoh** » Mon Feb 28, 2005 7:44 am

I currently have a full beard (although I keep it short) and am very successful with a full face mask. Even though everyone I talked to told me it wouldn't work. I went from mustache, to clean shaven, to a goatee, and now to a full beard. Ironically, I have had the most success with the full beard and full face mask. But everyone is different and what may work for one won't work for all.

I have been through the various nasal masks, even tried a Respironics FF and did not have much luck with any of them. However, I currently use a ResMed Mirage Series 2 FF Mask. Not only is it the best fitting mask I've had, I have had it for over a year and a half and it is still holding up fine.

But just to be fair, I have not tried the nasal pillows. A lot of people on this forum really like them. I can't offer an opinion on them, sorry.

One thing I have found though with a FF is that you don't have to crank down on the straps to prevent the leaks. In fact, I have found that the tighter I tried to make it the more leaks I got.

You just have to do what you are doing...ask for opinions, and then try different interfaces until you find out what works for you. Be patient, adjusting the straps on the FF is a learned art form and may take a couple of tries. But, at least for me, when you get it right it's zzzzzzzzzz time.

Later,
Tater

LDuyer · Post by **LDuyer** » Mon Feb 28, 2005 7:47 am

Pohtaytoh,

Well hello! Finally, another fellow near-Washingtonian! Haven't seen many of those on this forum. Welcome!

Linda

Pohtaytoh · Post by **Pohtaytoh** » Mon Feb 28, 2005 8:04 am

Hi Linda,
Thanks. I have been on here for a couple months, I am just the silent minority that weighs in only on occasion.

I live in Winchester and work in Alexandria, so I am very familiar with the Northern VA area.

Later,
Tater

LDuyer · Post by **LDuyer** » Mon Feb 28, 2005 8:09 am

Pohtaytoh wrote:Hi Linda,
Thanks. I have been on here for a couple months, I am just the silent minority that weighs in only on occasion.

I live in Winchester and work in Alexandria, so I am very familiar with the Northern VA area.

Wow. That must be quite a commute!
I also work in Alexandria, off of Edsall Road, just off of 395, just inside the beltway. I have the fun task of driving across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge into Maryland (Upper Marlboro) after work. And I get a small part of the Mixing Bowl too. Bummer. .......Sorry, I probably shouldn't be using the forum's topic for this.

Great to meet a fellow Washingtonian.

Linda

dwells2 · Post by **dwells2** » Mon Feb 28, 2005 10:32 am

I have a full beard and moustache and am a restless side sleeper. I have and use both the Resmed Swift (nasal pillows) and the Innomed Nasal Aire II (nasal prongs). I find both very comfortable and they never leak, except for an occasional tiny leak that can be fixed with a mere nudge of the interface. Absolutely no problems with the facial hair causing problems with the interfaces or the interfaces causing irritation because of the hair.

Some have said these interfaces are noisy. I don't find either noisy, but I have a partial hearing loss and tinnitus.

Tiredmolly · Post by **Tiredmolly** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 8:06 am

When I lived in Idaho there was a medical supply store where I went to try on masks until I found one that felt comfortable. Now I am in Alexandria, VA and need a new mask as my prev one is no longer comfortable (I have to cinch it down so tight to get a seal I can't sleep). I can't find a store/med supply place where I can go try on different brands/sizes/styles of masks. Anybody know of one?

Tiredmolly

WillSucceed · Post by **WillSucceed** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 9:56 am

ckcrocker:
I'm a bit surprised that your equipment supplier did not suggest a nasal pillows system given that you have the 'stache & beard.

I have 'stache and goatee ->I'm having great success with a Breeze; the leak rate shown in the data analysis software (Silverlining) is very low.

I have used an Activa and found that if I combed my 'stache, so that the hair was very flat, and put the mask on such that I was not 'fluffing-up' the flatness of the 'stache hair, the mask would seal well. I think that same would aply for beard hair.

If possible, go back to you supplier and try out a nasal pillow system (Breeze, Swift, etc.,) while lying down, rolling around, with the CPAP attached, blowing at your prescribed pressure. I have found the Swift to be fairly easy to fit, and comfortable to wear. The Breeze can be pretty tricky to get correctly fitted, but gives me an excellent seal even though I rock & roll a great deal during the night. For me, spending the time to get the Breeze adjusted correctly, and then applying some tape to keep it in perfect adjustment, was well worth the effort.

mikemoran · Post by **mikemoran** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 10:23 am

I have the beard and stache too. Moving to the Aura solved all the problems. No pressure on the lip and easy to sleep on side and back. However, I do switch to my Activa for a break and found it generally keeps a good seal. To cope with it pressing on my stache I shaved a clear line under my nose so the bottom of the mask is on flesh instead of hair. The stache is a little thinner but it really isn't noticeable

Liam1965 · Post by **Liam1965** » Fri Oct 28, 2005 5:40 am

I have a beard and 'stache too. I solved the problem by being utterly unable to sleep with a CPAP machine strapped to my face, thus giving up and rendering the entire situation moot.

Liam, who after months in absentia, actually got a "topic reply notification" and had to stop in and be a pain, especially for those who never got to experience his... well, let's just call it "wit"... firsthand.

CarolinaBlueMax · Post by **CarolinaBlueMax** » Fri Oct 28, 2005 6:24 am

I have used quite few masks and have recently been using the Ultra Mirage full face mask with allot of success. I believe it's going to be the "keeper" for me. I tried everything to keep air from blowing out of my mouth with no avail...more could be said about this LOL. The DME sized me with the large size but after a night of attempted rest it failed to hold a good seal. I went back to DME he held up the sizing templates and insisted that was the size for me LOL luv it but I kept on him to let me try a medium....It worked! one thing I do is wear a chin strap, it isolates your mouth and chin from moving around...seems to help me IMHO good luck

Masks and mustaches/beards

Masks and mustaches/beards

I use industrial strength ear plugs while I sleep

Hi

Any stores in Alexandria, VA to try masks on?

Machine	Mask

Machine	Mask

Machine	Mask

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