Didn't want to hijack Moosey's thread........

I have the piece that fits right under my nose and forms a seal with the nostrils..... not going well for around a year now. I keep taking it off while sleeping. I will be bumping up the air I think right now at 7.....anywhere from 4 - 9 episodes and hour.

I've tried the pillows that fit against the nostrils--- no good. Also tried one that covers the nose -- no good

Anyone use one that covers the mouth and nose and have a beard ??

See your supplier. Try can show you options.

I switched from a mask that covered the nose to one that covers my nose and mouth several years ago. There is some adjustment to anything different, but I am very happy with the current situation. As above, work with your supplier to find what works best for you.

I've got the pillows that fit against the nostrils,it took some time to get used to it,I was taking mine off in my sleep.too.I had a friend who told me I didn't have the right size pillows for my nose,he gave me a few different sizes to try.One size fit perfectly and Ive been sleeping like a baby ever since.When I took the sleep test I stopped breathing 130 times in a hour,I was told I was an extreme case.I also had acid reflux which now has disappeared completely.

I couldn't use any of the different options for masks or nose pillows. At the hospital, I didn't have any troubles. I woke up twice and then went right back to sleep. Once I got my machine and tried it at home, I would wake up and tear the mask off because it felt like I was suffocating. This happened every night. I called the Cpap supplier and they basically said there was nothing they could do unless the doctor would allow them to adjust the pressure. The doctor said no to that. Why, I have no clue. They suggested nose pillows. Those didn't work because once I fell asleep my mouth opened and the air then gags me. I finally gave up and took all the stuff back. I never had trouble sleeping before I tried the Cpap and I don't have any trouble sleeping now. But, the month or so that I tried the Cpap was horrible. I was lucky to get 3 or 4 hours of unrestful sleep per night.

It's funny that I was asked if I ever fell asleep at a traffic light before I tried the Cpap. I never had. While trying the Cpap that month, I did indeed fall asleep at a traffic light and in the drive thru line at Wendy's. I wasn't getting any sleep because of the machine. Now that I stopped using it I'm not having any of those issues any more.

As Square said see your supplier or sleep therapist, I have a good lady who is my sleep therapist. They should be able to help you try different styles, sizes, and adjustments. This is not a one size or style fits all. There are a lot of variables as well as how the hose attaches. My brother hated it, quit using it but is now using different mask and attachment, he is able to use it now. It is an adjustment, but for me, I never slept, was irritable, would fall asleep in conversations, snored like a freight train. My doctor told me I would be dead in 10 years if I did not use this machine, that was 12 years ago.

My sleep study showed I woke up from 29-71 times an hour. Yup, I used to pull off the highway and sleep for 20 minutes. All the time.

I got the C-pap and it took 6-weeks to get used to it. my problem was that I kept tightening the straps, which then caused a painful crease in the bridge of my nose. One night I loosened the straps and it’s been a blessing ever since.

That's me!

I went with the mouth/nose one because my wife said I snored and grunted through both I was shown 2 types...one that has a silicone gasket around the outside and one that had foam. The silicone one seemed to fit and seal better than the other with my beard. At the time I had not trimmed my beard for quite a while and it was really bushy. A few days ago I trimmed it hack a little and the fit improved and I rarely have a leak.

I have only been on the Cpap for a little over a week but it has been a huge success for me. Slept in till 8 this morning and have not done that in recent memory. Wonderful Wife encouraged me to get an extra water reservoir, hose, and mask...just in case (and I still had more money to spend from my FSA).

So far, it is a huge success. I actually sleep go and it makes a difference with how I am through the day.

Moosetrot

I have what is known as the bi-pap unit for 10 years and have tried with ALL the different masks.

I have used the full mask WITH a beard most of the time, and while there is some leakage, just
tighten the straps as much as you can handle and put the air flow output at the max you can handle.

Mine is a Histronics unit and use a starting air pressure setting of 18 and ramps up to 23 maximum.

So some of them do work with a beard using the proper settings.

walleyed

I posted in the other thread also, But I use the pillows because that is what fits me best with a beard and mustache. It took several months to get used to. Also I watched U Tube videos on how to adjust the air pressure. After a while I got the pressure dialed in (just a few points different from the Dr's setting). Now I sleep all night and actually feel rested. Can't sleep or nap without it

Mind over matter. If you really want it to work it'll work.

I've been using the nose pillow version and get a great nights sleep or as good as possible since I'm on water pills to reduce the swelling in my legs , a different medical issue .

So when I do wake up in in the middle of the night for a bathroom break it doesn't normally take long to fall back asleep in short order .

The air meter is set on 4 if I remember correctly out of 10 , yes the straps need to be adjusted on occasion but even with facial hair it's not a big problem , my mask fits fairly loose and leaking air isn't a big problem to adjust for a better fit .

I use one that covers my mouth and fits tight under my nose but doesn’t cover my nose. Air can flow both to my nose and mouth. When the straps are adjusted right, it works good. Over time, you figure out what ‘adjusted right’ feels like.

It's your machine set the pressure wherever you want it. If there's not an easy adjustment on it, google how to adjust it.

You pulmonary doctor should adjust your air pressure.

There is a sim card in the machine recording everything.

And a loose fitting mask is best...

Not my 25 year old c-pap. lol

Yep, the provider can show me options. Been through three types so far…… was curious what others used. I believe I will have them up the pressure a little bit though tomorrow….. all done remotely. I was already reaching for a screwdriver when they said I couldn’t adjust it myself.

Appointment at the end of the month…..
Like others have mentioned things improved a bit after losing some weight. I’ve shed 25 pounds and have leveled out……manage to keep it on an average of four hours per night.