Hello All!  My husband started with Bi-pap a few weeks ago.  He was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea and his pressure is at 20/16.  He initally started with a Mirage Quattro.  A week later he tried the Mirage Liberty.  The Liberty lasted less than one night and he went back to the Quattro.  The problem with the Quatrro - he sleeps on his side and fights the mask all night.  The problem with the Liberty - can't get a good seal at all.  I believe part of the problem with the Quattro is he can't get comfortable because he sleeps on his side and he ends up awake most of the night.  Once awake he fights the high pressure.  He then resets the machine (ramp pressure) ..falls asleep...then the processes starts all over again.

I know this has to have been asked a million and one times...but here goes again since new masks come out all the time....

My husband has a beard and needs a mask that will suit the high pressure and sleeping on his side.  

Any and all suggestions are welcome.  Thanks for your time!
April

This is a hard one, I also have a beard, and I am currently on BiPAP with O2 at 2l, although I will in the next few days be on VPAP.  Anyway the high pressures present a problem beard or no beard! I have found the Hybid mask works the best for me, I have had to modify it a bit,  ( Check threads on Hybrid Mask last Oct.) I have tried so many different masks, nothing really works well with a beard, I ended up shaving part of it so the mask would seal better, but when they raise my pressure up to 20/16 it didn't make any difference, I did get the Doc to lower it to 18/14, but still could not get a seal, so I grew all my whiskers back, at least with the whiskers, you can 't feel the air leaking against your skin as much. The doc once put it to me this way," it's your beard or your life! What is more important?" I had other problems though, with every increase in pressure my central apneas would go up, thus now I am being put on VPAP, If I have to shave my beloved beard again I will!  I really  don't like the alternative! Good Luck to you and your husband, and don't let him give up, as I said I have tried God knows how many different masks, I originally started on CPAP, and about 17 months ago, so it can be a bit of a challenge, but just keep at it, There are alot of people here in these forums that can provide support and suggestions to help you, your sure not alone, in this Sleep Apnea adventure!

I also have some face fur, but just a 'stash and goatee.  I use a Quattro and find it seals 'pretty good.'  I also find it fairly comfortable.  I do notice that, on the weekends when I don't shave, that I do get more leaks and it's harder to keep the mask in place.  I think the stubble acts as a lubricant for the mask so it can slip easier.  I wish your DH luck and I hope he hits on a mask that works for him - I know I tried quite a few before settling on the Quattro.  And even now, I find I need to make constant little tweaks of the headgear/nose thing to keep it comfortable and sealed.

-Philomath, a small town in western Oregon

many manage OK with a beard and some trimming where mask contacts face

the nasal pillows type mask has 2 prongs that stick in the nostrils and he could try one of these

most new machine usere need a positive attitude and you should give him lots of encouragement


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respironics comfort gell mask,resmed S6 lightweight CPAP, pressure 10 no humidifier
NO DOCTOR EVER ASKED ME IF I SNORED