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Review Of Respironics FitLife Total Face Mask
Well, I finally got the FitLife Total Face Mask that will spare the bridge of my nose. My nose could not take any more punishment, even after more than 15 days off the Quattro, within three days I was back to square one.
I used the FitLife for the first time last night. I'll add to this as I get more experience with it.
I liked it last night. I had some minor leaks but they were easily dealt with by lifting the mask off my face (straps attached) and gently repositioning it. I had to wear the quattro tight, in spite of what everyone says I could never get it to float on a cushion of air on my face. Loosening the straps made the leaks worse. I just had to tighten that thing down. The FitLife is totally different - it's a very simple mask with one cushion- not one over another one like the quattro (I know I'm not saying that very well) . It was easy to run my finger along the seal to reseat it. It looks more like a scuba mask that also covers your mouth. I do have to sleep on my back with it as it extends so far out around the side of my face- from over the eyebrows, around the eyes and under the lower lip.
I did have to change some machine settings so I need to get the DME to make sure everything is right and that I'm getting the right pressure this mask is so big. The machine was set on spontaneous and that won't work with this mask. It felt like it was breathing without me instead of with me. I sure have more sympathy now for people who say they feel like they're fighting the machine. My leak was good- 0.12, but as I said I'm not sure of the numbers with this mask. AHI and AI were high (32.6/19), but that's after about 20 days off the machine.. The mask solves my nose problem, seems like it's going to work, and is comfortable. As I said I need to get with the DME and make sure the machine settings are correct. This mask is so different things might need to be tweaked to use it with my ResMed machine. The mask is so new I went online to Phillips web site to register it and they don't even list it as a choice. I bought it at CPAP.com for $144.00, still would be waiting on the DME who only has small ones.
Sorry to be so long winded.
Thanks,
Mary Z.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by sleepycarol on
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Hope it continues to work for you.
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Permalink Reply by Mary Z on
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Thanks, sleepycarol! Me, too.
Mary Z.
sleepycarol said:Hope it continues to work for you.
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Well, so far I haven't been able to get the leaks under control with the FitLife Total Face Mask. My IPAP is 22; if I use the ramp I know right away when the numbers get higher as the seals start to blow out. I am working on this, I tried a stocking over the top part of the mask last night as the forehead is mainly where it blows out, but that wasn't effective. Tonight I'm just going to work on getting the straps arranged better. I have an idea- if anyone has a good reason not to try this please
tell me. You know the foam strips that you can buy to insulate a door or window ledge? I was thinking of using a piece of this under the forehead seal. I wouldn't use the adhesive on the strip as it's almost impossible to remove, I'd tape it in. I was thinking that a bit more stiffness to the headpiece may help with the seal. I like the mask, I really like bypassing the bridge of my nose. A pressure of 18/22 has been hard on any mask as far as sealing around the edges. I am going to make this new mask work.
Mary Z.
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The FitLife may be an excellent mask for someone with a lower pressure than 18/22. It's somewhat flimsy on the sides and blows out at the top and on the sides. I'm trying Macks silicone right now, but feel like I'm still having (and the machine says) bad leaks. I am determined to make this mask work.
Thanks,
Mary Z.
Mary Z said:Well, so far I haven't been able to get the leaks under control with the FitLife Total Face Mask. My IPAP is 22; if I use the ramp I know right away when the numbers get higher as the seals start to blow out. I am working on this, I tried a stocking over the top
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Judy, or anybody, do you replace the Macks silicone nightly? I was sure I had a good seal last night, but the leak data still said 1.7. I was sure I didn't have any leaks until after I went to the bathroom during the night so I checked before I hooked back up (don't take the mask off) and the leak then was 1.7. The lowest has been 0.76. Last night I managed to stay on my back all night, too. I need a different pillow LOL. Was using the regenesis which is great for side sleeping,, but felt like a brick last night. I'm posting this also to my review of the FitLife mask.
Appreciate any help re: Macks.
Thanks,
Mary Z.
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Well, I'm doing better with the mask. I'm using Macks silicone around the whole perimeter of the mask. I also found that the top back strap was sliding down the back of my head pulling the mask down with it. There is also a strap that goes over the top of your head, so I tied the top back strap to the top of the head strap which prevents the strap from sliding down on my head- great improvement. I also find if I score the macks silicone with a small pocket knife each night it seems to adhere better. One thing about this mask is that the headgear is large and I may have to do some sewing to shorten some straps. I'm finally getting used to sleeping on my back. It doesn't seem to be a real sturdy mask. I hope it will last three months.
Mary Z.
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I have gotten at least several days of 0 leaks like this. I have to repply the silicone each night, but I find it I take if off and roll it into a ball it works longer. Thanks for the tips, it's been worth sticking with this mask.
Mary Z.
Mary Z said:Well, I'm doing better with the mask. I'm using Macks silicone around the whole perimeter of the mask. I also found that the top back strap was sliding down the back of my head pulling the mask down with it. There is also a strap that goes over the top of your head, so I tied the top back strap to the top of the head strap which prevents the strap from sliding down on my head- great improvement. I also find if I score the macks silicone with a small pocket knife each night it seems to adhere better. One thing about this mask is that the headgear is large and I may have to do some sewing to shorten some straps. I'm finally getting used to sleeping on my back. It doesn't seem to be a real sturdy mask. I hope it will last three months.
Mary Z.
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I appreciate your updates on this mask. Your reviews indicate that this mask can be a viable option for those that need it.
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Permalink Reply by Judy on
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Sorry I've been missing this, MaryZ. I just got a FitLife last week too. I was only able to use it two naps (I think) because I also got the loan of a PR SystemOne BPAP Auto w/Bi-Flex so I just used it w/my Resmed VPAP Auto before I tucked it away. I'll go back to working on the FitLife when I get a month's use and data w/the PR S1 to compare to the VPAP Auto.
The only area I had a problem w/leak at was, as you have mentioned, the forehead. It is like the frame and cushion are too bowed or arched - or my forehead is too flat - so that the two aren't compatible. Or maybe it is that the cushion is too short in that area and needs to be "deeper"/"longer", whatever. But that sure is an odd place to "blow out", don't you think? The center of the forehead??!!
I LIKE this mask, the two times I was able to try it. And I look forward to being able to spend more time w/it. You, my dear lady, are doing a GREAT lab-ratting job. I will remember to try your trick of tieing the top back strap to the top strap. The headgear was too big for me too.
I know I looked up and found the leak rate chart for the FitLIfe and I'll be darned if I can remember what Mask Selection I used for it. Duh! I don't even remember if I posted it somewhere or if I made a note in my files or, heaven forbid, didn't save that info SOMEWHERE.
Whatever is going on w/me I think I'm going to have to call tomorrow and maybe get some Levaquin much as I don't want to. Trouble is, I don't know if it is the Crohn's or the COPD or what .... maybe I'm just not giving the Zithromax long enough. I'm bloating after a meal, I'm queasy at times, chills on occasion, mostly feeling feverish on and off but temp not going over 99+, and more SOB than usual. 18 years after menopause seem the wrong time to be starting hot flashes!!! Both my gastro and my family doctor are on vacation this next week. *sigh* I'll probably have to go to MedExpress to get the Levaquin.
The one bright spot is this PR SystemOne BPAP Auto. I fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow, get about 5 1/2 -6 hours sleep, make a "pit stop" and right back to sleep for another 1-2 hours. I finally got the software for it - but - I just do NOT feel up to tackling the installation and have e-mailed my 'puter guru to see if he can squeeze me in this week to do the installation for me. I so miss my morning "data fix".
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If I replied to this twice, sorry. Yes, re: the leaks with the FitLife. It does have those weird forehead leaks. It's pretty amazing when you think of it covers so much of the face there are a lot of possibilities for leaks. The only thing that works is as I said above, the macks applied every night. I just peel it off and roll it in a ball and then roll it out the next night. It does provide a seal. I've never had 0 leaks with any mask, though three nights is not much to go on. Because of some recent surgery, I'm having to hold my cpap another month. This is getting old. I was 100% compliant, so the time for my nose to heal , 19 days, and now another month off is really bothering me. But it can't be helped.
Judy, I sure hope you get to feeling better soon. Sounds like you're on top of things.
Ohh and that sounds like one great machine you've got now. Instead of comparing computers or cars, we're compairing the versatility and power of our BPAP machInes!
Mary Z.
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I read somewhere else of someone w/a FitLife who just took the two ends of the forehead area and applied pressure to flatten the center of the forehead area while putting the FitLife on and that ended the center of the forehead leak for him.
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Permalink Reply by Brett Anderson on
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Many plastics are capable of holding a new form after being reformed using heat, similar to fitting eyeglasses. Seeing now that I have mine, the seal is already attached to the mask by heat, I would rather ask Respironics before damaging a new mask. After some trial and error the first night I have a good enough seal to sleep freely left, right, back, and on my face to some extent. The mask seems to tolerate some up/ down movement but realy very little side to side. A quick nudge to recenter it usually works for me. The mask is loud. It hisses on the inhale caused by the flapper in the E-valve elbow. I'm hoping that goes away with some use as I've had the mask two nights. On the funny side, you can create a variety of tones by adjusting the seal leakage. The Fitlife does have a high leak rate. The RT at the DME said to try the Quatro mask setting so I compared the two, the FitL. is way higher. I wonder how ResMed determines those presets and are the values posted somewhere. Then the question, can a preset called Fitlife be added to the menu? Seems to me switching masks without selecting the proper mask, from the menu, would cause some data error.
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