Wearing a sleep apnea mask?

[Complete Turf Care]

I haven't got my sleep machine yet, but I have a couple questions for you veterans.

1. Can I keep my mustache? I've had it for about 35 years now, and I don't remember how to shave it.

2. What happens when you catch a cold, or a sinus infection? Can you still wear the mask?

 

[k0ua]

I haven't got my sleep machine yet, but I have a couple questions for you veterans.

1. Can I keep my mustache? I've had it for about 35 years now, and I don't remember how to shave it.

2. What happens when you catch a cold, or a sinus infection? Can you still wear the mask?

Depends on the mask.. A full face mask would be no problem unless it extended very wide to the sealing edges. Nasal pillows would probably work OK, but I havent worn those for years. The rest of the face needs to be close shaved. If you have a cold, I have found it will "blow it open" in a few minutes..usually. Once you are addicted to the CPAP, you will not be able to sleep without it.

 

[check]

"Addicted". There's an interesting idea. I mysleft can't sleep withou mine, and I am now wondering if long-term use creates some kind of dependency, whereby your muscles don't work the same way.

I can still sleep sitting up, however, such as if I am driving and I need a short nap. I will just pull over and just rest my head as upright as I can, for a short snooze. Does anyone else to this?

 

[check]

BTW, I have a moustache, and no problem. Oi use the comfort fit model, which just goes around my nose. The soft silicone skirt of the mask seems to seal quite nicely above the moustache and below the nostrils.

 

[DKCDKC]

I haven't got my sleep machine yet, but I have a couple questions for you veterans.

1. Can I keep my mustache? I've had it for about 35 years now, and I don't remember how to shave it.

2. What happens when you catch a cold, or a sinus infection? Can you still wear the mask?

I had a full beard when I started to use a CPAP and still have a bushy mustache. I use a ResMed pillow type mask that just covers the nose. I've never had a problem with the mask sealing over the mustache. Actually, when the mask starts to get old - about 3 to 5 months, I get leaks near the eyes instead. I did try a full face mask once because I have a problem sometimes with mouth breathing, but it made my cheeks bulge unmercifully and I had to give it up right away. I now sometimes use a chin strap and really have no issue.

As for colds and such, I use an extra fine filter on my machine and, I don't know if that's the cause or not, but I have not had a serious cold in the 12 years since I have used CPAP. When I get some allergies or sniffles and worry the nose will close, I put on one of those Breathe-Right strips and have never failed to get it all to work. I think the filter really helps my allergies, though, because I have problems with those only in the morning when I get up.

I am trying to lose weight, but doubt I'll be able to go off the CPAP. However, I can sleep now on my side without the machine, but rarely do.

 

[Wood_Butcher_Dav]

Yes, i'm one of those that are addicted. Even take mine tent camping using battery and AC inverter. Seems that i get less colds and no heart burn when on machine. Can't take naps during the day anymore because i'm not tired, but come late evening lights out, sleep about 5-6 hours straight.

Dave

 

[DennisArrow]

I have a full beard and mustache and have for maybe 40 years. Being a "mouth breather" I use a full face mask, ResMed. Sometimes, I would, in the middle of the night have the machine seemingly blowing full blast that caused leakage. I would reach over and do a stop/start and the problem would go away. The problem might reoccur again that night but usually was happening 3 to 4 nights per week.....I talked with my sleep therapist about this and he got me some mask liners...........Since then, have never had the problem again. The liners are the consistency of an OLD t-shirt and are more or less shaped to go around the edge of the mask that touches one's face.
So, beard a problem.........NO for sure..............Good luck and better sleeping.......God bless.........Dennis

Oh yes.....Been using my mask for going on 3 years now.....KNOCK ON WOOD....but NO colds or sniffles in that time. Perhaps, as someone above observed, the machine may blow and clear one's sinus cavities and nose by just using it......HMMM.....now that I think of it, I have a couple of times gotten a sore throat from drainage caused by fall or spring pollen and stuff. Yes, sometimes, when I get up in the morning I just about "fill up" a paper towel "tissue" after blowing my nose a few times. Why NONE at night?????

 

[5030]

This summer with haying, my allergies got so bad I could not sleep with my mask on. Interestingly, I'm so trained (15 years now) and 25,313 hours (as of last night) on my original machine (I have 3 just in case) that I was able to sleep by taking a benydrl before bed. My wife told me I slept just like I had my mask on and I actually had deams....

I'm back on my mask now.....

I wonder how long a machine lasts? I think I'll start a sister thread on that......

 

[Complete Turf Care]

Got a bill from the sleep center for my sleep study. $3818!!!!!!. It said 'do not pay this'. Waiting to see how much Blue Cross/Blue Shield will cover. My deductible is $5600, but some of this may be covered.

 

[Bird]

Got a bill from the sleep center for my sleep study. $3818!!!!!!. It said 'do not pay this'. Waiting to see how much Blue Cross/Blue Shield will cover. My deductible is $5600, but some of this may be covered.

The first night I went and slept while being monitored. They billed Medicare $7623.75 for that night and Medicare approved $834.18. Then a week later I went back and tried sleeping with a CPAP device and that time they billed Medicare $8046.75 and Medicare approved $833.11. Usually all doctors and hospitals bill Medicare for 2 to 3 times what Medicare will approve, but 9 or 10 times seems a little excessive. But of course they accept what Medicare approves.