Sleepwhat? wrote:

Thanks guys.  I feel like such an idiot. i've been crying all morning.  I guess I"m feeling sorry for myself for all these stupid problems.  I guess i was hoping that my new mask would absolve me of all the aggravation.  I'll try to use the ayr gel tonight. i guess i thought that that would make it slippery, and then mess up the seal.  i did use the ayr saline drops and my prescription nose spray before i put the mask on last night.  If i'm supposed to wash these things every night, how is it supposed to dry?  As it is, I have droplets of water inside of it (i guess from the humidification thingy) that i can't get out. By the way, do i use warm water and dawn dishwashing soap?

You shouldn't feel that way.  Almost all of us have had lots of problems getting used to xpap... and even after getting used to it you will still occasionally run into problems.

Ayre Gel helped me when I was using the Hybrid with nasal pillows.

I never wash my mask, hose, etc. every night.  I'm just lazy I guess. My DME recommended a small amount of dishwashing liquid and warm water for cleaning.



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Acronyms and Often Used Forum Phrases
Respironics? M-Series Auto w/ HH & C-Flex; Flexfit? Hybrid? Mask, Encore Pro 1.8i

thanks hop!  what do you mean by xpap?  i know i am such a newbie.  i don't see myself washing this thing every day either. it's just not going to happen realistically.  also, i realized the thing comes off and that's how the droplets go away.  i didn't want to have to take the plastic pillows off,because it was adjusted yesterday by my sleep guy, but i guess there is no other way to get the water out. the last thing i want is a fungus growing in there. hopefully i'll know how what postition to put it tonight.  unfortunately,i didn't pay attention before i pulled it off. the video says to put it at a fortyfive degree angle. my guy said that wasn't right for me.  wish me luck

The ability to adjust the pillows on the blue plastic "wings" piece is the best part of the OptiLife mask...  you have so many options for fitting.  If the pillows are angled too far into your nose/face, rotate them forward a bit.  Too far forward, rotate back to the nose...not a big deal.

I wash my Opti nasal pillows every night because I have oily skin and keeping the pillows clean means a better seal for me.  A small drop of plain dishsoap and warm water, gently rubbing the pillows in the palm of my hand then rinse.  Shake out the water, pat outside dry with towel and put it back on the mask and go to sleep!  No sweat, no worries, no hassle.

Good luck!

-R

thank you R.  i will see how i do tonight.  i do have a tiny small red pimple right in the inner edge of my nostril.  is this a cause for concern?

Sleepwhat? wrote:

thanks hop!  what do you mean by xpap?

Xpap is the generic term for all types of paps:  cpap, bipap, autopap, etc. Any time you see an acronym you don't understand, just click on the link at the bottom of my post or at the top of the Sleep Apnea Help section that says "Acronyms and Often Used Forum Phrases ."



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Acronyms and Often Used Forum Phrases
Respironics? M-Series Auto w/ HH & C-Flex; Flexfit? Hybrid? Mask, Encore Pro 1.8i

thank you hop.  i will get the hang of this sooner or later...

i used the ayr gel last night and i didn't get a pimple.  the end of my nose did seem a little sore.  i feel like i can't figure out how to get it so the plastic thing isn't shoving my nose up. when i look in the mirror, my nose looks shoved up. does this happen to you guys?  i guess i have it that way because i don't want my mouth to open.  i haven't figured out how to keep my mouth closed and have no leaks coming out of the nose part without pushing my nose up.  it's pretty sore. is this something i'm going to get used to, or what does anyone suggest? thanks

twitch wrote:

During my sleep study with the CPAP, I had some trouble with the mask they gave me (Respironics ComfortGel) - it's was a little clautrophobic and bruised the bridge of my nose. The one I brought home is the new (at least in Canada) Respironics OptiLife Mask. I was wondering what others thought it. While we're at it, any thoughts on the Resmed S8 Elite?

I'm glad to find this section about the OptiLife Mask.  I asked my CPAP supplier about this mask and they ran it down talking me out of it,  but from looking at it I would think it'd be great.  Sometimes I have issues falling asleep,  so I watch tv while trying,  then I end up sleeping with no mask eventually waking up and putting mine on. I think this would be the perfect solution.  

As for your comment about being claustrophobic,  omg I was the worst about this.  I remember a neighbor friend first got her CPAP two years before I did,  she showed me how it worked and invited me to try it on and see how it was.  I couldn't even get it close to my face.  Then when I was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea and the sleep study guy came at me with a CPAP mask ...  well I thought the world was over.. lol.  It took me a month to get past the claustrophobia,  and still now and then I have a little bit of it hit me and it's been 4 years now.  I think my biggest fear is the power going out,  you'd think these machines would have a simple battery powered alarm in them to let you know when the power drops.  Fortunately that's not happened yet.

Thanks for the information guys,
SnowCajun

SnowCajun wrote:

I'm glad to find this section about the OptiLife Mask.  I asked my CPAP supplier about this mask and they ran it down talking me out of it,  but from looking at it I would think it'd be great.  Sometimes I have issues falling asleep,  so I watch tv while trying,  then I end up sleeping with no mask eventually waking up and putting mine on. I think this would be the perfect solution.  
SnowCajun

I just switched to an OptiLife mask from a ComfortGel.   I had a lot of issues with the ComfortGel, either I had massive leaks, or I had holes punched in the bridge of my nose (litterally scabbed over).

Ive only had one night with the OptiLife so far, but Im optimistic.   It seems a little tricky to get adjusted (no more so than the other mask tho), and the BIG advantage I saw immediately was that its MUCH smaller, and leaves a line of sight for reading, or TV.   I tend to watch the news while drifting off, so was really happy with that.

My nose was a little tender this morning, and the inside of my nostrils burned a little, but I think I need to loosen it a little, and maybe turn up the humidifier a notch.   Ive been running my Respironics M-series on setting one with ComfortGel and had a little condensation inside it... I didnt see any condensation this morning on the Optilife).

jc

I've been using the Optilife for about 18 months now and like it just as much as when I first got used to it.  I can't imagine any reason to change.  I have a sealed petite nose piece if anyone wants it.


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SidecarMike

BiPAP Auto M Series & a Respironics OptiLife mask

Today marks the 365th day of my CPAP usage and I used the Optilife mask since day one.  I sleep on my stomach and side and don't have any leakage problems with it.  A couple of pointers from my experience:
1. Use a larger pillow than what you think is the right size.  I started with Medium and a week later went with Large which is perfect.
2. I clean the pillows each morning when I get up with dish soap and warm water, then set it on a towle until bed time.
3. Too much humidification is just as bothersome as not enough.  Don't go overboard.
4. Wash your face with soap and water and dry it off good right before bed.  The pillows will seal very well this way.
5. Don't over tighten the mask straps ..... very painful.
6. Use fleece pads over the straps to keep from getting strap marks in the morning.
7. Keep your head near the edge of the pillow so the mask hangs over and air can exit.
8. Consider a fleece hose cover as it keeps the hose noise down, condensation, comfort, etc.

Hope this helps .... I have a running average of 8:24 hours of sleep per night and I am really satisfied.
Greg

Mullerbrau wrote:

8. Consider a fleece hose cover as it keeps the hose noise down, condensation, comfort, etc.
Greg

Was thinking about this.. did you find one commercially, or did you make it?

Jeff

Mullerbrau wrote:

I sleep on my stomach and side and don't have any leakage problems with it.  A couple of pointers from my experience:
7. Keep your head near the edge of the pillow so the mask hangs over and air can exit.
Hope this helps ....

Thanks for the advice,  I also sleep on my stomach but use the Comfort Gel mask .. it leaks a lot at times but I've gotten used to adjusting myself when I hear it leaking  ...  the funny thing is sometimes,  not often but sometimes it leaks in just the right way that it makes a terrible whistling sound, almost like a buzzer going off and that awakens me.  I plan on asking for the OptiLife next time,  I can only get a new mask every six months.

One of the problems I've had with the Blue Gel,  or Comfort Gel masks is at times I have panic attack issues because I'm claustrophobic,  so if feel I have to get the mask off my face fast and I remove it too quickly sometimes one of those weak hinge joints on the mask, where the ball on the straps connects to the mask, will break off one side.  So I have to be careful with that because my provider doesn't like replacing masks.  I actually think this is a design flaw,  they should be strengthened at that point,  never the less I get a new mask every six months whether it's needed or not,  so I'm ahead on masks and if the OptiLife should not work out at least I have the others to fall back on.

SnowCajun

milehighjc wrote:

Mullerbrau wrote:

8. Consider a fleece hose cover as it keeps the hose noise down, condensation, comfort, etc.
Greg

Was thinking about this.. did you find one commercially, or did you make it?

Jeff

My daughter made it last year when she was 11.  They are available from cpap.com also

I used the Opti Life for about 2 months, & it's true--every time I moved, it would leak.  I switched to the Comfortlite 2 with nasal pillows & love it.  I can sleep on my back or side with no leaks.  Pretty comfortable too.


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REMstar Auto M Series w/C Flex & Smart Card
Heated Humidifer
ComfortLite 2 w/Direct Seal Size 5)
Pressure: 10