Mouth leaks with a beard

How can I stop air leaking from my mouth when you have a beard? Shaving is not an option. I've tried Fisher & Paykel FF mask which didn't work, too many leaks. And I've tried the oral mask which lasted an hour before I threw it across the room. Now I'm using a nasal mask which seems to work the best. Even with a chin strap, air still parts my lips. So what I have to do is use an ace bandage wrapped around my head in such a way that it holds my chin up and also holds my lips together, preventing air from leaking out. But being wrapped up like that is too warm in the summer and a royal pain! Anyone out there with the same problem who has found a solution ? And don't say shave !

Ok, don't shave, pull them out one at a time with visegrips. A beard means nothing, just get a note pad and write down what you had at your last meal.

Getting the treatment working is what matters, whatever it takes, a swim in De-Nile isn't going to help. Our problem is killing us by inches.

It matters little, when we are in that Box, "He looks so Natural, in that Beard", too bad he thought more of it, than his health and family. Jim

beards wrote:Shaving is not an option.

Who are you.....Hank Williams, Jr.?....or one of the guys in ZZ Top?....William Lee Golden?

I've had my mustache for 32 years.....but if it was a question of IT or my health, it would be gone in a heartbeat!

Egotism aside.....
Many people on the forum have reported having good luck with using Polident dental pads for keeping their lips together at night. Maybe you can try that if you're mouth-leaking. Might work better than taping your mouth shut, in your case. Chin straps haven't worked worth a darn for most people.

Best wishes,

Den

I have a thick, bushy goatee and a moustache, that I've had nearly all of my adult life. Now that I'm a hosehead, I've had to consider its impact on both my OSA as well as my treatment for it. However, I've been one of the fortunate (well, blessed really) few who has been able to adjust to nasal treatment with little difficulty. I've ALWAYS thought of myself as a mouth breather. I remember a school-marm aunt scolding me as we were riding a city bus when I was a young child for being a mouth breather.

But with my diagnosis, I have undertaken xPAP treatment using first an Activa and finally a Mirage Swift, with GREAT results. I have been able to train myself to sleep with my mouth shut without the use of chin-straps, taping or PoliDent strips, all of which sound like royal pains in the butt. I've ALWAYS suffered from a stuffy/congested nose, and allergy season has been a real challenge. I find with nasal CPAP using the Swift, my nose is clear ALL of the time, unlike its been in YEARS. I no longer use or need Claritin, pseudoephedrines or nasal steroids.

I've become so good at parking my tongue in the right place in my mouth that I can easily drink while I'm using the Swift, and even carry on a conversation. I also have NO aerophagia. My Swift has become a DEAR FRIEND!!!

Now, I recently picked up a Fisher&Paykel HC431A full-face mask just in case I got a complete nose blockage from allergies or cold, or someone socks me in the nose. I tried several dozen FF masks at my DME and the HC431 was the best of the worst. Its true that the beard necessarily limits the usefulness of a full-face mask. And for that reason, if you can't train yourself to use nasal xPAP, you'll need to make your choices, as others here have said.

But don't give up!!! It can be done to train yourself to use nasal xPAP very successfully without any of the rigamarole. I was blessed in that it was easy for me. It may take you more time with smaller steps. BUT IT CAN BE DONE!!!!!

Chuck

BTW, my leakage last night using my Swift with no straps, strips or tape was 0.00L/s, according to my ResMed S8 AutoSet Vantage.

I have a stache and use a UltraMirage FF without problem, about the only thing I can use, tried a goatee no workie, gave up on goatee, couldn't stand those nasal pillow masks.

With a beard nasal pillows using Nasalaire, Breeze, or Swift is about your only choice left. But ALL of these are noisy and uncomfortable compared to other interfaces.

I would suggest the Swift and ear plugs or a trache if your beard is long enough it should cover up the hole, but then you wouldn't need cpap with the hole would ya

I have a beard and tape but it is not a "heavy" beard and there is enough facial real estate on my cheeks and either side of the "soul patch" for tape to adhere. I also use the Poligrip strips. When I gave up on chin straps, training, etc and taped I relaxed, my therapy began to take off in a positive way and haven't looked back. It has been simple and effective for me. It really looks as stupid as it might sound but I did not want to shave either so....whatever works.

David

For me leaking from a FF mask has never been caused by my beard. Sure I get a little leakage where the facial hair is, but the amount has been easily accomodated by both my APAP and CPAP. The majority of my leaks have always occurred around the briedge of my nose leaking into my eyes.

I just saw the Hybrid on another thread, which seems to be a combination of oral mask with nasal pillows. Unlike the Oracle the mask does not insert into the mouth. This may be just what you were looking for.

I have to agree completely with Mike. The biggest leakage I get is at the bridge of my nose. I was actually able to fix this by loosening the mask. I get a small amount of leakage with my beard but it is not enough to compromise my treatment or to keep me awake at night.

I also saw this "hybrid", I really do hope it is for real. It looks like just what I would build for myself if I had the talents to do it.