I have been told by by Dr. that I have sleep apnea.  I go for a follow-up overnight sleep appointment, I guess to calibrate my machine?  I have a beard.  will this be a problem with my mask?  Any other suggestions/advice about apnea will be greatly appreciated.

The single most important thing that you should understand about ANY information you get from this forum, is that while many personal experiences may be similar in nature - they are in fact individual personal experiences and are not necessarily universal.

My experience was that my mask(s) leaked air where it contacted my beard - and drove me absolutly nuts.  Having a smooth shaved face, allows me to create a good seal and thus makes it easier to sleep through the night.

I do know "hose-heads". however. who are able to wear a full beard.  I'm just not one of them.

Best of luck with your sleep study,
Mike

There are essentially two type of masks; a nasal mask that covers just the nose, and a full face mask that covers the nose and mouth.  A full face mask is needed by people who cannot breath through their nose or "mouth breath" while they sleep.

I have a full beard and mustache, and I use a nasal mask without a problem.  I have never worn a full face mask, but I understand that they are not beard friendly.

Let me share what I learned that deals a bit with your potential problem...by the way I do not have a beard, but I think I might have some information / advice that might help you.

You said you are going for your second sleep study, they will hook you all up again and this time you will sleep with a mask and the cpap machine to determine what air pressure is best for you.  When I did my 2nd study, they gave me a choice of masks to use with the study, they asked me if I was a nose breather or mouth breather when I slept, I was not sure so we tried the full face mask, now here was the problem they way I saw it.  My sleep study center used a nasel cannula to measure my respiration rate for the study, it was a small metal device that rested just inside my nose similiar to nasel cannula Oxygen, if you have ever seen that in the movies or anyone that required oxygen and carried the tank around with them with that thing up their nose.  This device was attached to a cord that was plugged in to their computers, and that cord made it difficult to get a good seal during the test, I still wonder if my settings are a little off because of this. I asked to just use the nasel mask (one that just covers your nose) but they said it would not work will with the device in my nose. When you add in the factor of your beard on top of it, you might have a hard time with air leaking during the test.  Shortly after the test I was on the hunt for the perfect mask, and since I found out I was a nose breather during sleep, I wanted to try the smallest mask that worked the best...and I think I found that mask in the res-med Swift II nasel pillow mask.  I have since switched to the Bravo (you can see my comparisons between the 2 masks further down in the forums).  If you are wanting to keep your beard and get the full effect of your cpap, I think you should look at this mask,  It will just fit inside your nasel cavities, it has 3 different sizes of Pillows and it should not interfere at all with any amout of beard you have.  The biggest problem I had with the Swift II was that it tended to push or rest on my upper lip and cause just a small amount of irritation, but with someone with a mustache, it might just be the perfect natural cushion for the problem I had.

So Lets see if I can sum up what I said.  It sounds like you dont want to get rid of the beard you have, and I will venture to guess that you will have a little problem at your next sleep test, with mask seal issues, there is nothing worse than trying to get to sleep and having to worry about air leaking around the mask... a mask that cost almost $200.  When you purchase you first machine you will have to choose a mask to go with it. ( I recommend sticking with ResMed)  You should discuss this Swift II mask with your sleep center Tech.  I think you will be able to keep the beard and get caught up on that sleep.  Please let me know how it goes for you.  Good luck!!!

Greg Thimgan  (gthimgan@neb.rr.com)

Thanks for resposes to my concerns.  They were all very helpful.  Since my first visit to the sleep specialist I have been reading all that I can find.  This sight is very informative.  Thanks again.  I am really looking forward to not being so tired all the time!

A lot depends on your beard.

Is it like this?



Or like this?!  





I keep mine close, like the first one and have no problems with either my nasal or full face mask.



And for what it's worth, I can pretty much GUARANTEE this guy doesn't use xPAP.  

Mine is like this one and I don't have any problems with a nasal mask, whether the cushion type or nasal pillows.

Bearded One wrote:

Mine is like this one and I don't have any problems with a nasal mask, whether the cushion type or nasal pillows.

But do you have the HAT to go with it?  

I have recently grown a mustach and use a mask that covers only my nose.  There is some small leakage through the mustach but this does not bother me.  I've been using CPAP for over 10 years now.  At one time, it probably would have bothered me but the mask connection is designed to leak to ensure that there is always a fresh air supply, so the little bit of additional leakage doesn't seem to hurt operation.

BarryKaraoke, I don't have hat like that -- that guy is a civil war re-enactor in costume.  I haven't done any re-enacting, but I have been invited by a few people to do so.  My beard is that shape and color, but it is a bit longer than that.

I have a full beard that isn't very long. I found that the regular full face masks had to be tighted till they hurt to stop the leaks. The solution for me is a mask that has nasal pillows and a mask that just covers my mouth. This one still leaks a little around my mouth but I hardly notice the leaks.


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Machine: ResMed S8 Elite
Humidifier: HumidAire 3i

I recieved my BiPAP machine last friday morning.  With it I got the nasal mask with cushions.  i realize that I have only slept using this mask or any mask for that matter for 3 nights.  But, I have already discovered to me a real problem.  I am a mouth breather when I sleep.  I have chronic sinus congestion that can be in one nostril, the other or both.  I am going to call tomorrow and ask for a full face mask.  I do have a beard, but will certainly shave it if it means comfort and sleep.  Any thoughts or suggestions.

A full face mask is smart if you are a mouth breather.

There are two different kinds.  The usual one covers the mouth and nose.  Another type for mouth breathers covers the mouth but uses nasal pillows at the nostrils instead of covering the nose.  Nasal pillows aren't for everyone, especially if your pressure is high.  Either type of full face mask may pose a problem with a beard.  But ask to see other brands too.  For example, most DMEs show the Respironics and Resmed full face masks.  But Fisher & Paykel have one too.  The more choices, the better.  Good luck!


Linda


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Click here for link to FAQ and topics
Click here for link to section on machines and masks

For me the biggests problem with the full face mask was the bridge of the nose, I have tried a bunch of different ones and have not found one that did not bother me!  But they do work well with a mustache, but the you really can't have a full beard! I have been using the Hybrid I shaved part of my beard where the mask touches the face around the bottom and sides of the lips, I will not shave my mustache! Anyway it worked pretty well till they increased my pressures, 20/16 BiPAP. Now I am on the VPAP Adapt SV Enhanced as of just last week, the Hybrid isn't recommended for this machine, and I have been using it anyway, ( I can get a new mask next month), but it is not working and I don't see any other option than to at least shave a portion of my beloved whiskers off! I had tried the nasal mask, but unfortunately I can not keep my mouth shut when I sleep, even with the chin strap, the air gushes out between my lips after I am asleep! But like my Doc once asked me what is more important, my Beard or my Life? Kind of puts things into perspective doesn't it?

I have a mustache and a goatee and use the hybrid mask.  I get very little leaks from the seal where it touches the beard.

Good luck