FitLife Total face Mask for beardies who sleep on their sides?

[swindonstu]

Hi All

Has anyone tried the fitlife full face mask, and would it be good for me as a bearded man who sleeps on his side?

Actually I said it all in the title didn't I? LOL

[Tigers Fan]

FitLifes leak at the forehead by design butr, of course, many people love them. Well, some people.

TF

[Sparticus]

Masks

Maybe someone can do a post with a picture list of all the different mask with a rating next to them and maybe comments. Although there does seem to be an awfull lot of them.

[swindonstu]

FitLifes leak at the forehead by design butr, of course, many people love them. Well, some people.

TF

You say 'by design' - does that mean they are supposed to leak at the forehead?

[swindonstu]

Maybe someone can do a post with a picture list of all the different mask with a rating next to them and maybe comments. Although there does seem to be an awfull lot of them.

This is a link to the page for the fitlife I have mentioned

http://www.respironicsonline.co.uk/PublishedService?pageID=9&itemcode=fitlife

[Sparticus]

FitLife
Hard-to-fit patients with facial hair, dentures, facial irregularities, nasal bridge breakdown, or even claustrophobia need a comfortable mask—and you need a total solutions product that can help you easily fit these patients. Our FitLife total face mask is the perfect solution for you and your patients.

FitLife provides a quick, robust seal around the less pressure-sensitive areas of the face, while allowing an unrestricted view. Sizing is easy as our large mask fits most patients. As a result, you can rest assured that you are providing your patients with the comfort and seal they deserve.

[Tigers Fan]

No, not supposed to - just can't help but leak because of the design. They can be sealed, of course, but the slightest nudge, the slightest over or under tensioning and the chill factor at your forehead is noticeable, to say the least. I gave up on mine and sold it on - but some folk love them..

TF

[Sparticus]

Fault

I have not tried one of these but like TF says the design looks flawed, there are no vents for the air to escape so some lifting seems unavoidable. In the Quattro there is a constant release of air from the vents which will stop the mask from lifting. Is this an old design?

[swindonstu]

I have not tried one of these but like TF says the design looks flawed, there are no vents for the air to escape so some lifting seems unavoidable. In the Quattro there is a constant release of air from the vents which will stop the mask from lifting. Is this an old design?

Looking at the blurb on it, the vents are where the elbow meets the mask, and blows air sideways to avoid sleep partners...

[Sparticus]

Looking at the blurb on it, the vents are where the elbow meets the mask, and blows air sideways to avoid sleep partners...

It looks like thats the only place they can be maybe TF can inlighten us as he has had one. The design does look strange and Im thinking it must be an old type of mask?

[swindonstu]

Just thought I'd give a quick update in that my local hospital has ordered one for me to try!!! Yay!

[dravidio]

I think it was me that Tiger sold the mask on to. I had some early success with it, but then found leaking problems and it resides in the drawer along with all the other masks I have tried. Of late I have been having some limited success with a Sleepweaver - since I have lost three stones in weight and stopped drinking alcohol completely my BM! is now 22 - and I now can use a nasal mask without mouth breathing. I surmise from that the alcohol and weight caused my jaw to drop open when sleeping. I wonder if I need CPAP at all any more and will have to do a sleep test to find out.

[Barely Awake]

Since giving up alcohol the amount of money I have saved is regularly making my job drop!

[Grumpy]

Shaving works!

Sorry!

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[WiltshireEric]

FitLife Total face mask

Hi SwindonStu, looks like we are near neighbours, I was given a FitLife Total face mask at GWH a few months ago because I had a few nosebleeds and severe catarrh so I needed to be able to mouth breath as well. I only use it when I need it because it is a little heavy and cumbersome but does exactly what it says on the tin so the minor hassle is worth it. I expect you have settled in with yours by now but if you haven't you nay have noticed that a normal 22mm tube does not fit the swivel although the sleep nurse said it would, it came in a sealed pack so nothing was missing. I found the answer on one of the forums - a simple hose connector costing £7.50 delivered to Swindon - the link is http://www.eu-pap.co.uk/universal-sw...e-coupler.html . I don't have a beard but as the seal is inflated when in use I would have thought it would be fine. The only problem I have found is that unlike a nasal mask I cannot put it on and then turn the machine on and attach the tubing and reverse when getting up - I have to have everything attached and turned on before I put the FitLife on (and vice versa) because there is a non-return flap valve on the air intake which will cause CO2 problems in no time - luckilly the mask is fitted with quick release straps but I am thinking of cutting out the non-return flap - no other of my masks have one.