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beard and cpap
#1
beard and cpap
[b]When I had my sleep test I had a full goatee . At the suggestion of another sleep clinic I shaved . Ever since Ive been plagued with leaks , face flubbering and eardrum popping .

Just a thought from my pea brain , Could it be that the clinic set the pressure to allow for the whiskers and now that I have scratched them off the durn pressure is too high ???

[Image: P82A0720_zps458d77d5.jpg]

[Image: a5d645e3-781b-4215-808c-4f7e4348310a_zpsfd1afb3c.jpg]
Heavy Equipment Relocation Specialist
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#2
RE: beard and cpap
Good question! Are you sure you don't need to readjust the straps to take into account the missing facial shrubbery? I too am bearded (the kids here think I am Sammi Claus with my lovely grey beard) but I wear a nasal pillow. I tried a face mask and it leaked terribly because of the beard, so I can guess the opposite might also be true.

The pressure is not set, so far as I know ever to account for facial hair, since it has no clinical significance. That sort of thing is taken care of with the straps on the mask. But your pressure may be too high anyway. Try adjusting the fit first, see if that takes care of the problem, and if not, go see the doc who fitted you out to see if you need to adjust the pressure a bit.
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#3
RE: beard and cpap
Tiny, too bad you shaved off the beard - you make a very good Santa.

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SuperSleeper
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#4
RE: beard and cpap
What type mask did they use at your titration? What pressure setting?
Have you adjusted your mask since shaving to tighten the seal?
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#5
RE: beard and cpap
I have a goatee and the only mask that I found that did not leak terribly is the Pillairo (nasal pillow) and that is because it inflates to hold onto the nose.
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#6
RE: beard and cpap
I tested with Quattro , using a Forma now . both full face
Heavy Equipment Relocation Specialist
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#7
RE: beard and cpap
I shaved it all off and have ZERO leaks now.

I use a full face mask with my S9 Elite.
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#8
RE: beard and cpap
I fluctuate between a full beard (October - April) and a goatee (April - October). The only mask I found that work well for me are nasal pillows from Philips Respironics (Optilife).

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#9
RE: beard and cpap
(04-23-2013, 10:42 PM)Tiny Wrote: When I had my sleep test I had a full goatee . At the suggestion of another sleep clinic I shaved . Ever since Ive been plagued with leaks , face flubbering and eardrum popping .
...
Could it be that the clinic set the pressure to allow for the whiskers and now that I have scratched them off the durn pressure is too high ???


Hi Tiny, welcome to the forum!

The presence of a beard often causes large leak, but the titration could not have proceeded if the technician was unable to get the mask adjusted well enough to bring the leaks down to an acceptable level. I don't think it likely that the leaks during your titration could have lead to the pressure being set higher than needed.

Eliminating leaks can be one of the hardest things. What I have found is it is very important to use plenty of soap & water to wash off all oils from the mask every morning and let the mask and headgear dry well during the day, and to wash my face with soap until it is squeaky clean before I go to bed.

I also use a RemZzzs mask liner or a ResMed Gecko nose pad to help eliminate leaks.

Good luck,
--- Vaughn
The Advisory Member group provides advice and suggestions to Apnea Board administrators and staff on matters concerning Apnea Board operation and administrative policies.  Membership in the Advisory Member group should not be understood as in any way implying medical expertise or qualification for advising Sleep Apnea patients concerning their treatment.
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