F&P Opus nasal pillows

[Guest]

Hi everyone. I have been an avid follower of this Forum since Nov '05 when I had a sleep study done (44 events/hr) then 2 mths later a titration study that put me on CPAP treatment at 10.6 cm. I must say this site has been invaluable to me in learning all the tweaks and tricks that have made me comfortable and 100% compliant sine Nov '05 and my thanks to you all.
So, after lurking for so long, I thought I will put up my thoughts as to the F&P Opus mask as there seem to be quite a few who are interested and not many who have tried at this stage. The Opus was released in Australia in January '07 and I recieved mine from cpapaustralia via internet mid January. Having read the review by Will Succeed in Canada, I was looking forward to being able to sleep on my side a little more. I have had the Swift since '05 (as well as an Activa) and though finding both excellent in most areas had problems with loosing the seal from lateral movement when on my side.
First impression was how minimal, light, and simplistic the design is. Having used the large pillows with the Swift I tried them first and to my dissappointment could not get a seal at all. Much more success with the Mediums although I was finding I had to still do quite a bit of repositioning during the night and felt I was really having to cinch up way too tight to achieve a good leak outcome (hence sore nares). The small pillows just did not feel too good at all and leakage was again a problem, so out of frustration I went back to the Activa for a few days to at least get some trouble free sleep. Rested up again I was ready for another try, and after goiing back to Will Succeed's post and reading how to his surprise he found the Small pillows gave him the best result, I pressed on. With a bit of velcro on the back staps, a la swift, and loosening off the headgear, bingo, the small pillows sit there beautifully, the whole rig is very stable and I have now had 5 nights in a row where I have slept right through with leakage being average 0.08 95% qnd 0.00 median. The ability to sleep uninterrupted on either side has also brought my AHI down from 2.5 to 3.0 average to 1.5 av for the last 5 days with my OA % zero per night.
The difussed exhaust is almost silent and barely noticable, and the ball and socket hose attachment works beautifully. I route the hose over my head but have found I can sleep Ok with it just laying there because of the swivel.
So, all in all, after the initial dissappointment I am now very happy with the Opus. The only real problem I see is the problems someone who uses say small pillows on a Swift etc might have with fitting and leakage.
I hope this offers some help to those considering this system and if anyone has any questions at all I shall be happy to try and answer as best I can.
One thing I am sure of though is that with faith and persistance, XPAP therapy can change your life. I certainly has with me.
Archie.

[bunker]

I hope this comes up with my info. New at this, I think it timed out before.
Archie

[DreamStalker]

Well done Archie ... very informative review.

Only question(s) ... Do you use:

APAP or CPAP?

at what pressure setting(s)?

Thanks

[bunker]

Hi Dreamstalker,
Thanks for your reply, being the time difference I have just got up on Tuesday morning here.
I initially had a F&P HC234 cpap set at 10.5 cm but like a lot on this forum after 10 months treatment with it I was looking for more information and now I have an auto Resmed S8 known in the USA as Vantage I think and here in Australia as an Auto Elite. Again, after quite a bit of experimentation I have my pressure set at 10.6 min (titrated pressure) to 12.8 max, with a 5 min settling. I have found that since Oct 06 when I got the apap my av 95% pressure has been 11.4.
I have just checked out last nights data and even after a couple of wines celebrating our wedding anniversary, I had a great nights sleep, 6.48 hrs, woke once to empty the bilge, 95% press 11.6, leak 0.06 (95%) 0.00 median, AHI 1.4, AI 0.0.
So I am waking up feeling better than ever and ecstatic with my results.
Cheers
Archie

[WillSucceed]

Bunker: I'm glad that the review I posted helped! Hopefully, Opus will keep working for you.

[bunker]

WillSucceed,
Yes it was your detailed and honest review that decided on my buying the Opus. The great benefit for me is that I can now sleep virtually all night on my sides which has pretty well eliminated all my OAs. My major problem,as far as my Sleep Dr explained, was I have a large, muscular neck but a very narrow throat so the airway was constantly and dramaically shut off all night. CPAP was a revelation and so far the Opus is the icing on the cake. My only problem now is purchasing better bedding to relieve some of the aches from past sports injuries I forgot I'd even had with my shoulders and shoulder blades. Again, though, I am off and searching for mattresses, memory foam etc armed with great information I have gathered from this site. Once again, thanks for the information you supplied.
Regards,
Archie