New OptiLife mask is the Mutt's!

[Gaspin]

I received my new Respironics Optilife mask yesterday, and tried it last night - what a dream of a mask! (pun intended )

I think I've got it a tad tight at the mo', because it pinched my septum (the bit between my nostrils) a bit between the pillows. I'll adjust the nice soft, comfy straps tonight and try again.

http://www.cpap-supply.com/PhotoGallery.asp?ProductCode=1036800

[SteveP]

Looks good!

Is the chin strap OK to keep your mount closed? How does it feel if you move from sleeping on your back to sleeping on the side? Do you need to adjust the straps?

Good luck! And please post a full report when you have time.

Are you the guy on the last photo on the right ?


SteveP

[Joe McManus]

Nice mask Gaspin. I've not seen it in the UK before, did you order it form the States or get it from a hospital?

[Gaspin]

I ordered it from www.cpap-supply.com from the USA. Took 4 days.
No, that's not me in the pic - he looks far too peaceful

The chin strap helps a bit in keeping my mouth closed, although its primary function is to balance out the pull from the head straps, so that the pressure on the nose is neutralised. Once the chin and head straps are adjusted to optimum tightness, it's so light you hardly notice it's there.

Also, now I've tweaked the strap tension, the nasal pillows aren't pinching my nose.

I find it much better for sleeping on my side. No pushing out of the way by the pillow. When the straps are just right for side-sleeping, there can be a tiny leak at the front of the nostrils when back-sleeping, but that is cured by a gentle push up into the schnoz.

My other half says it's quieter from her side of the bed - not so "whistley" as the Comfort Light.
The sore on the bridge of my nose has cleared up already, as has the one on my top lip

[SteveP]

Thanks for the details. Sounds like a great mask.

I am really interested in this type of mask because I too suffer the bridge of nose problem. I am trying a Comfort Lite 2 at the moment. I will keep the Optilife in mind just in case...

SteveP

[rayj103152]

Respironics OptiLife

I have used CPAP for about 5 years and the Respironics Optilife mask for about 6 months. I love the nose part but I can't figure out how to keep my mouth closed without making the nose uncomfortably tight.

My doctor replaced the OptiLife chin strap with a standard single strap over the head chin strap and tucked it into the holes where the OptiLife chin strap should go. It works so so, sort of keeps my mouth closed and makes the nose sort of tight. I have used this configuration for about a month, but it just doesn't work well enough.

I thought the OptiLife was fantastic when the chin strap was only tight enough to balance the nasal pillow on my head. But then something at night happens and my throat gets very dry.

My first mask was the ResMed Ultra Mirage. Worked well for a while, then added a separate chin strap. Then the bridge of my nose got sore and tried a Mirage Swift nasal pillow. I used that for about 6 months and liked it except that the Swift is unbalanced it always pulls to one side or the other because the hose was so off balanced. I thought if I could modify it so the hose attached to both sides that might help.

Next I tried the OptiLife. It is the most comfortable of all, but I still have a problem with my mouth coming open.

What I noticed about the picture of the OptiLife and OptiLife on my head is that I must have a very weak chin, because I had to shorten the chin strap as short as possible.

[puffin]

I've been using a full face for nearly six months, about six weeks ago I had a very sticky cold. Now I am finding that I am waking up with the top pallet of my mouth as dry as a tram drivers left glove! As I've got a review on Wednesday I'm going to ask about it. See if a chin strap or heated humidifer will do the trick!

[Joe McManus]

BTW Respironics have a good mini-site on this mask: http://optilife.respironics.com/faqs.aspx

When ordering some more disposable filters for my REMstar I was told this mask will be available on CPAP Europe in the next few weeks. *EDIT: it is already: Respironics OptiLife