I got my first CPAP and mask today! It's exciting in a strange kind of way.

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?

Thanks!

I have used the OptiLife & I like it very much.  I sleep mostly on my side, no problem.  I love that there is no straps in my line of vision so I can read in bed if I wish.


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Sara

Twitch - I sent you a PM msg!

I love my OptiLife!

-RichCMH

I'm a sleep tech and we've been using the OptiLife with patients for about a month now.  It seems to me to be a good mask until a patient moves around.  Then the air leak goes way up which makes the mask less efficient.  The leak is low while on the back but often goes up when a person moves to their side.  As far as I'm concerned, you can't beat the Swift.

Twitch
I have a Res Med S8 Elite that I've used for 15 months.  I like the size and features but there are a couple things I don't care for.  First, is that the speed of the motor changes with breathing in and out (does this with the exhalation relief feature turned on or off) which is very distracting, although many/most people eventually adjust to it.  I also have a whistling noise in my machine that sounds like a window that is open just a fraction of an inch when it's windy outside. That noise also varies with breathing in and out.  It makes this noise with any mask I use and with or without the humidifier.  Just yesterday I had my DME send it back to Res Med which has offered to take a look at it.  It has gotten so bad that I will not use it again if it still makes the noise when I get it back from the factory.  I have heard others complain about this noise so you might research this site and try to find other similar comments regarding this machine.  I hope ResMed steps up to the plate and fixes this problem because otherwise I like the machine, especially when traveling.  
Dangmask

Dangmask -
I know EXACTLY what you're talking about. I've only had the machine for two nights and those are the two things I've noticed. It made it really hard to fall asleep.

Thanks!

I really like to sleep under a fan with a sheet on.  If I run the fan at a high speed, I can't hear the machine cycling or the air excape valve.  If you can't stand the air on you, you might turn the fan away and run it for the noise.


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91 Apneas per hour/BIPAP ResMed VPAPIII. Although no one ever said brilliant and my name in the same sentence, I'm not the flattest bisquit on the plate. But I haven't whopped sleeping with a whisser on my nose.

Uh oh. Now I'm worried after I read that it leaks when you sleep on your side.  I do sleep on my side, but I'm having SO many problems (in order for it not to leak,it is too tight and leaves marks), that they told me they want to give me the optilife nasal pillows and chin mask.  This is the last mask I can get for free, so I want to be sure it's going to be good.  I'm supposed to confirm the order tomorrow. Please advise. Thanks

There is a new nasal pillows mask Bravo that is getting launched next week. I recommend taking a look at that before deciding on the Optilife.

thanks.  i don't think apria has it yet.  they said this is the newest they have.  i'm going to see it on Tues when I go.  I was lucky to hear from someone here that it works great for her and she too has a deviated septum.  I think I'm going to take the plunge!

So i got the optilife. four nights now on it.  i think i had it on totally too tight because the bottom of my nose hurt so much.  last night i went to my sleep guy for help in adjusting it.  he said i had it too tight and that i needed small, not petite pillows.  he said i had shoved them up too tightly to prevent leakage.  So this morning, the end of my nose doesn't hurt like it did before, BUT, i have soreness in the inside of my nostril.  it's red with a little pimply bump thingy.  I  feel so frustrated that I just started sobbing.  If it's not one thing, it's another.  I will say that I'm not waking up as much or going to the bathroom during the night, so I guess it's working.  I'm feeling not as tired in the morning, but I'm feeling awfully tired in the late afternoon and evening, without any energy to do anything.  yes, i do leave the house at five thirty every morning, and so now i'm forcing myself to try to go to sleep earlier.  About how many hours should i be aiming for?  Also, any advice about the nose?

pimply bump thingy... could be a clogged pore or just an irritated hair follicle. Wash your face and the silicone nasal pillow before going to bed to prevent clogged pores and also get a better seal.

Glad you moved up a pillow size.  The pillow flared rims do not go all the way in the nose, just the end flared tip, the rim seals at the base of the nose/nostril.

Hours of sleep to aim for?  8.

I just got my optilife and love it but I also had mine to tight at first. I didnt know a nose could get that sore OUCH. I did some readjustment and now is much better. Have you tryed AYR nasel gel ? As I put it in another post "it's da bomb" great stuff. My father in law like a more natural approach and uses olive oil, it seams a little messy for my taste and the smell is a little much.

Olive oil?   That would make me want some good Italian bread and herbs to go with it!

Ayr Gel - Lots of people recommend it!

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?