mustache problem

stillawake · Post by **stillawake** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 1:49 am

I have been using one of these torture devices from hell for about a week now, and have gotten less sleep than ever. The mask is the kind that fits over the nose. I can only get it to seal for a little while, sometimes, if I lay flat on my back and stare straight up at the ceiling. If I move my head at all, I lose the seal. And forget about rolling onto my side. I've tightened the straps so much my skull is in danger of becoming deformed, but nothing seems to help. The worst part is how it irritates over my mustache.

I know the obvious solution is to shave the 'stache. But I just don't want to. I shaved it off once, about 25 years ago, and I just looked goofy without it. Call it vanity. Call it stupidity. Call it stubbornness. I just don't want to get rid of it if there is any way to avoid it. Any suggestions?

wolftracker · Post by **wolftracker** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 2:10 am

please fill out your profile so we can see what equipment you have
mask, machine ...et al.

that will give us an idea of where to start with thought
or comments.

i can not sleep tonite either
and work is coming shortly

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 7:24 am

stillawake, see if you can get a Respironics ComfortLite 2 with the "nasal pillows" and whichever other option you want to try -- "direct seal" or "simple cushion". You get two options with the ComfortLite 2, and several sizes of both options.

Another mask to consider is my favorite -- Aeiomed's "Headrest" (formerly called the "Aura".) Comes with medium and large nasal pillows.

The Breeze with nasal pillows is also a good one if you hardly ever sleep on your back.

Those nasal pillows interfaces might be your best bet since they wouldn't have a cushion edge sitting on your mustache. The nasal pillows masks seal against the nostril openings instead of having a traditional mask cushion trying to seal against your upper lip.

An exception might be the Swift which, even though it's a pillows interface, might not work as well as the others since it has a bulky cylinder at the upper lip area holding the nasal pillows. Might sit raised up too much if the mustache is very thick.

GoofyUT · Post by **GoofyUT** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 7:37 am

Just as a note, I have a thick moustache and I have experienced no problem using the Swift. I use the Swift as my primary mask.

Hope this helps.

Chuck

northernlights · Post by **northernlights** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 7:48 am

Let me put my 2 cents worth in! I've been on the machine for about 3 months now. I also have a mustache and have very little problems with my nasal mask. I'm using a Respironics Comfort Classic (which I think a lot of people here think is archaic!) and it works fine for me. I find I can sleep on either side and my back with very few problems. I just takes a few days to get the tension on the headgear right. Best of luck!

Steve.

dv · Post by dv » Mon Jul 17, 2006 8:26 am

I also have a moustache, I'd call it medium, not large. But I shave a little space under my nose and use an Activa. Viola! Success and no leaks. Works great - use the single edge on the back side of those newfangled five blade razors and it's easy.

Snoozin' Bluezzz · Post by **Snoozin' Bluezzz** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 8:45 am

We do need to know your equipment to begin to start helping you. I have a full beard which I keep trimmed close and generally I have had few problems, that I can attribute to the beard and 'stache, with any interface I have used.

My primary interface is the Resmed Mirage Swift though I may be switching back and forth to the Hybrid if it continues to perform well for me. The Swift has not been a problem with my mustache.

David

stillawake · Post by **stillawake** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 9:17 am

Thanks for all the advice.

I've filled in the profile information as best I could. (I didn't even notice the profile questions when I created the user name last night. Must have been tired.) I have a Resmed mask, and since there is only one Resmed model on the list, I guess that must be what I have.

Arizona Willie · Post by **Arizona Willie** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 4:41 pm

I had a mustache and goatee since '75 most of the time anyway. Took it off once for the last wife for a few years but grew it agin after the split.

Anyway, my Activa seemed to pull the hairs a bit and so I just bit the bullet and shaved.

Boy does a stache and goatee cover a double ton of ugly!! Wheeeuuuuuu

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 5:24 pm

rested gal wrote:stillawake, see if you can get a Respironics ComfortLite 2 with the "nasal pillows" and whichever other option you want to try -- "direct seal" or "simple cushion". You get two options with the ComfortLite 2, and several sizes of both options.

Another mask to consider is my favorite -- Aeiomed's "Headrest" (formerly called the "Aura".) Comes with medium and large nasal pillows.

The Breeze with nasal pillows is also a good one if you hardly ever sleep on your back.

Those nasal pillows interfaces might be your best bet since they wouldn't have a cushion edge sitting on your mustache. The nasal pillows masks seal against the nostril openings instead of having a traditional mask cushion trying to seal against your upper lip.

An exception might be the Swift which, even though it's a pillows interface, might not work as well as the others since it has a bulky cylinder at the upper lip area holding the nasal pillows. Might sit raised up too much if the mustache is very thick.

now when was the last time you had a mustache problem? got pics?

zebrajeb · Post by **zebrajeb** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 10:15 pm

Another option - Ultra Mirage Full Face Mask! Mask doesn't touch or bother my short mustache. I could use the Swift as well, but bottom of my nose is not "flat" so the Swift wears a sore on it when tight enough to seal.

kurrykid · Post by **kurrykid** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 10:39 pm

Make sure you don't over tighten your mask!

I have used the swift pillows very successfully and I have a mustache. I also use the activa which does cause you to realize your mustache is in the way a lot more but I usually get a good seal. I just can't get it to quit rubbing on the bottom of my nose (between the nostrils) and it hurts the bone under my mustache because of the weight. Even though I have complaints, it is still a pretty effective mask.

stillawake · Post by **stillawake** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 8:39 am

My mustache is not especially thick, but I've always kept it trimmed with scissors along the upper lip line. Yesterday, I had a barber trim it with clippers, so even the hairs closest to my nose are no more than a quarter inch or so in length. The mask was less uncomfortable, but sleeping was still no walk in the park.

I looked at the information about the Comfortlite 2, suggested by rested gal, and saw pictures of it on line. That looks like the one for me. I just have to figure out how to get my insurance company to pay for it.

Thanks again to all who responded.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 11:38 am

Guest wrote:now when was the last time you had a mustache problem? got pics?

Lemme think... nah...no mustache, no problem, no pics. At least not any pics as good as the walrus picture a regular guest over on TAS used to post when Innomed's "Nasal-pap Freestyle" mask came out a few years back.

Might not be the same walrus, but still makes me laugh.

Paul B · Post by **Paul B** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 11:20 pm

I also have a mustache and use the Activa standard mask from Resmed and the Aura(Headrest) mask from Aieomed and they both work, although rested gal is right in that the Aura has absolutely no interference at all. The Activa works fine, but requires a little fine tuning to work perfectly.

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