i finally got to see my RT yesterday, and she was happy to let me try the Opus after i explained my problems with the Swift...NO LUCK! we could not get that thing to seal...at one point she was pinching my nostrils closed and that stopped the leaking, but we figured it would be too expensive to hire someone to do that nightly! so, that was disappointing, because the whole thing was quite lightweight and the headgear was comfy, and i was diggin' the ball/socket thing...but she gave me the Comfortlite which worked great last night, except for the obvious giant headgear problem...she's ordering me a Comfortlite 2 and hopefully that'll work for me (especially when i get my padacheeks forhead pad)! 4 masks in 7 weeks...i really hope it works!
anyway, i hope all the people on here who are looking forward to trying out their Opus will have better luck than i
Tried the Opus--no luck
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sharon1965
- Posts: 1232
- Joined: Thu Jan 18, 2007 4:59 pm
- Location: Windsor, Ontario, Canada
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WillSucceed
- Posts: 1031
- Joined: Sun Nov 07, 2004 7:52 am
- Location: Toronto, Ontario
Unfortunate that Opus did not work for you.
When I first got mine, I had trouble getting it to seal. I'm a big guy, and expected that I'd need to use the large or medium pillows. To my surprise, when I tried the small, it sealed really well.
If you get the chance, give it another go, using the small. Don't have the headgear tight, keep it loose. Also, don't have a severe angle on the pillows; the section of the mask that holds the pillows should just be laying flat on your upper lip.
When I first got mine, I had trouble getting it to seal. I'm a big guy, and expected that I'd need to use the large or medium pillows. To my surprise, when I tried the small, it sealed really well.
If you get the chance, give it another go, using the small. Don't have the headgear tight, keep it loose. Also, don't have a severe angle on the pillows; the section of the mask that holds the pillows should just be laying flat on your upper lip.
Buy a new hat, drink a good wine, treat yourself, and someone you love, to a new bauble, live while you are alive... you never know when the mid-town bus is going to have your name written across its front bumper!
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sharon1965
- Posts: 1232
- Joined: Thu Jan 18, 2007 4:59 pm
- Location: Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Will
thanks for the tip...i'll give it a try next time i'm at medigas...btw, don't you use another type of mask as well as the opus? i seem to recall reading that you don't feel as rested with the opus, much as you like it...what's the other kind, if i may ask, and do you have any experience with the comfortlite2?
another by the way...how's the weather in t.o.? i'll be there in march and i'm hoping it'll be starting to warm up a little by then
thanks again
Sharon
thanks for the tip...i'll give it a try next time i'm at medigas...btw, don't you use another type of mask as well as the opus? i seem to recall reading that you don't feel as rested with the opus, much as you like it...what's the other kind, if i may ask, and do you have any experience with the comfortlite2?
another by the way...how's the weather in t.o.? i'll be there in march and i'm hoping it'll be starting to warm up a little by then
thanks again
Sharon
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WillSucceed
- Posts: 1031
- Joined: Sun Nov 07, 2004 7:52 am
- Location: Toronto, Ontario
Sharon1965:
I did comment about being not as rested when sleeping with Opus; don't have any explanation for this. I alternate between the Opus and Breeze. I still like the Opus and still use it.
I have used both the original CL and the CL2. Unfortunately, the CL2 manages to creep up the back of my head and I wake up with a lost seal. I've only used it a handful of times and just can't get it to stay on. You want it? Send me a pm with your address and I'll pop it in the mail.
I'm looking forward to trying the Respironics Optilife.
I did comment about being not as rested when sleeping with Opus; don't have any explanation for this. I alternate between the Opus and Breeze. I still like the Opus and still use it.
I have used both the original CL and the CL2. Unfortunately, the CL2 manages to creep up the back of my head and I wake up with a lost seal. I've only used it a handful of times and just can't get it to stay on. You want it? Send me a pm with your address and I'll pop it in the mail.
I'm looking forward to trying the Respironics Optilife.
Buy a new hat, drink a good wine, treat yourself, and someone you love, to a new bauble, live while you are alive... you never know when the mid-town bus is going to have your name written across its front bumper!
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WillSucceed
- Posts: 1031
- Joined: Sun Nov 07, 2004 7:52 am
- Location: Toronto, Ontario
RichCMH:
Opus is very good for side-sleeping. For me, it is significantly more stable than Swift. For me, Opus pillows are more comfortable than Swift but less comfortable than Breeze.
Opus pillows do not move the way Optilife pillows do.
Opus is very good for side-sleeping. For me, it is significantly more stable than Swift. For me, Opus pillows are more comfortable than Swift but less comfortable than Breeze.
Opus pillows do not move the way Optilife pillows do.
Buy a new hat, drink a good wine, treat yourself, and someone you love, to a new bauble, live while you are alive... you never know when the mid-town bus is going to have your name written across its front bumper!
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Guest
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sharon1965
- Posts: 1232
- Joined: Thu Jan 18, 2007 4:59 pm
- Location: Windsor, Ontario, Canada
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NS Guest
tried the opus
I'm still at the stage of trying out machines and masks thanks to a great Vitalaire rep. I think I will end up with nasal pillows and I like the over the head hose.
The swift moved too much when sleeping on my side. The CL II works well, but I'm afraid it will be hot in summer, and my nose gets a bit sore (with the pillows). I was excited to try the OPUS. It is so light and comfortable, despite some face marks. I wake feeling likei'm weraing nothing when it works well. The pillows are softer than the CL II and the flange? is flatter against my nostrils.
Now the problem-a couple of nights were fine, but on others, it woke my husband up after a few hours having developed a noisy leak which I cannot resolve with out stopping the the machine and restarting it. I can't figure out why it slips some nights-unless it is because I am trying a remstar auto with c-flex. Would the changes in pressure do it? I will try it tonight with the Vantage 8 -really fortunate to have both to try, but need to decide by the end of the month which machine and mask I want. (A check of the opus with the vantage machine showed excellent seal at night).
Another note- I have dentals devices for clenching and bruxism. With the
CL II I do not seem to need them-perhaps it's the forhead pressure since I have an over-bite. The Opus lets me clench and wake with sore jaws, but I could go back to wearing my declencher with it. Decisions, decisions.
Does anyone find that some masks work much better with some machines than others? The remstar is so quiet and I do like the c-flex.
I have learned so much from all your posts. Thanks.
The swift moved too much when sleeping on my side. The CL II works well, but I'm afraid it will be hot in summer, and my nose gets a bit sore (with the pillows). I was excited to try the OPUS. It is so light and comfortable, despite some face marks. I wake feeling likei'm weraing nothing when it works well. The pillows are softer than the CL II and the flange? is flatter against my nostrils.
Now the problem-a couple of nights were fine, but on others, it woke my husband up after a few hours having developed a noisy leak which I cannot resolve with out stopping the the machine and restarting it. I can't figure out why it slips some nights-unless it is because I am trying a remstar auto with c-flex. Would the changes in pressure do it? I will try it tonight with the Vantage 8 -really fortunate to have both to try, but need to decide by the end of the month which machine and mask I want. (A check of the opus with the vantage machine showed excellent seal at night).
Another note- I have dentals devices for clenching and bruxism. With the
CL II I do not seem to need them-perhaps it's the forhead pressure since I have an over-bite. The Opus lets me clench and wake with sore jaws, but I could go back to wearing my declencher with it. Decisions, decisions.
Does anyone find that some masks work much better with some machines than others? The remstar is so quiet and I do like the c-flex.
I have learned so much from all your posts. Thanks.
Hi WillSucceed,
Excellent advice on using the "Small" pillows with the Opus. The first night I used the Opus I tried the large pillows, like I normally use with the CL 2 and Breeze, but I could not keep a seal. I used the "Small" pillows and it worked even better. Nice Job!!!
PS. I really like the Opus, It blows the Swift away, due to the fact that the section that holds the nasal pillow is so small that it does not get in the way while side sleeping. So far so good.
Ted
Excellent advice on using the "Small" pillows with the Opus. The first night I used the Opus I tried the large pillows, like I normally use with the CL 2 and Breeze, but I could not keep a seal. I used the "Small" pillows and it worked even better. Nice Job!!!
PS. I really like the Opus, It blows the Swift away, due to the fact that the section that holds the nasal pillow is so small that it does not get in the way while side sleeping. So far so good.
Ted
opus pillows
As mentioned in a previous post I have had the Opus now for a month. After not gaining a good seal I was using the small pillows to great effect but found that with a little moisture build up from the humidifier the small pillows, especially one side, were slipping inside my nares more like an insert, still sealing fine mind you, just a bit aggravating and causing me to wake and fiddle with them.
I always found the large pillows on the Swift the best, so believing man must win, I had a good try with the large Opus. Using a mirror whilst running the system I could see that the major leakage was coming from the outside edge of the pillows and just a minor adjustment upwards at the edge stopped it completely. I then made up a small velcro band that I fitted around and just below the flange on the pillows to tilt them in a fraction and , presto, zero leakage everynight now for the past week. The band does not irritate or get in the way at all, and the pillows sit there very comfortably with little pressure.
As far as the rest goes, the mask is very light and comfortable, silent and really does allow me to sleep almost on my stomach without disturbance.
I have e-mailed Fisher and Paykel and told them the same story, and hopefully they will come up with some sort of adjustment built in that will make a great mask even better.
I always found the large pillows on the Swift the best, so believing man must win, I had a good try with the large Opus. Using a mirror whilst running the system I could see that the major leakage was coming from the outside edge of the pillows and just a minor adjustment upwards at the edge stopped it completely. I then made up a small velcro band that I fitted around and just below the flange on the pillows to tilt them in a fraction and , presto, zero leakage everynight now for the past week. The band does not irritate or get in the way at all, and the pillows sit there very comfortably with little pressure.
As far as the rest goes, the mask is very light and comfortable, silent and really does allow me to sleep almost on my stomach without disturbance.
I have e-mailed Fisher and Paykel and told them the same story, and hopefully they will come up with some sort of adjustment built in that will make a great mask even better.
_________________
| Humidifier: HC150 Heated Humidifier With Hose, 2 Chambers and Stand |
| Additional Comments: activa, Opus nasal pillows |
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NS Guest
opus pillows
Dear Bunker,
What you're saying about the humidifier moisture affecting the seal may be my problem. I find the seal breaks and the leaks wake me after about 4 hours. It is very hard to get it to reseal.
So are you using the large pillows instead of small with the velcro? I found only the small fit me. Maybe I push them in too far. Is it possible to add a picture of your velcro strap? What machine are you using with it?
The Opus is so comfortable and light. I really want to make it work for me.
Does anyone else find certain masks work better with certain machines, especially those with or without c-flex?
I'm also wondering if the pillows will stay firmly in the hard plastic holder after being removed numerous times, or if they will start to slip.
Willsucceed, you seem to have had the Opus the longest-what is your impression if it now?
Thanks
What you're saying about the humidifier moisture affecting the seal may be my problem. I find the seal breaks and the leaks wake me after about 4 hours. It is very hard to get it to reseal.
So are you using the large pillows instead of small with the velcro? I found only the small fit me. Maybe I push them in too far. Is it possible to add a picture of your velcro strap? What machine are you using with it?
The Opus is so comfortable and light. I really want to make it work for me.
Does anyone else find certain masks work better with certain machines, especially those with or without c-flex?
I'm also wondering if the pillows will stay firmly in the hard plastic holder after being removed numerous times, or if they will start to slip.
Willsucceed, you seem to have had the Opus the longest-what is your impression if it now?
Thanks
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WillSucceed
- Posts: 1031
- Joined: Sun Nov 07, 2004 7:52 am
- Location: Toronto, Ontario
Hi NS Guest:
I still like Opus and continue to use it. I alternate between it and Breeze.
I have had zero condensation build-up in Opus. I have the heated hose and humidifier set to 3 (Puritan-Bennett).
I do have a little bit of difficulty with the Opus headgear wanting to creep up the back of my head. Overall, I still like Opus and think it is a good mask. I have no problem at all with keeping a good seal.
I still like Opus and continue to use it. I alternate between it and Breeze.
I have had zero condensation build-up in Opus. I have the heated hose and humidifier set to 3 (Puritan-Bennett).
I do have a little bit of difficulty with the Opus headgear wanting to creep up the back of my head. Overall, I still like Opus and think it is a good mask. I have no problem at all with keeping a good seal.
Buy a new hat, drink a good wine, treat yourself, and someone you love, to a new bauble, live while you are alive... you never know when the mid-town bus is going to have your name written across its front bumper!
Opus pillows
NS Guest,
I have an Auto Resmed S8 and humidifier. The moisture I mentioned was not rainout as such, and is no problem with the large pillows, it was just enough to offer a little lubrication and cause the pillows to half slip inside my nares, not painfully uncomfortable, but enough to arouse me every so often to adjust.
The small velcro band I made is about 1cm wide of the furry velcro using another small piece of the hook velcro to hold together and make adjustable. I have fitted this around the pillows just under the flange in a loop and adjusted it just enough to squeeze the pillows inward toward each other tilting the outside up just enough to create a good seal. As with my Swift, a little gel on the nares makes for extra comfort and an even better seal.
Willsucceed mentioned the back strap moving up which I also found a problem, however, I have found that the great idea posted here long ago concerning the same problem with the Swift, ie small pieces of velcro attached to the inside of the back straps, is very effective with the Opus.
Just an aside. Last night here our minimum overnight temp was 24deg Cel, so I did a lot of tossing and turning and the mask held it's seal just as well with my 95% leak for the night .04 which I was very happy with.
Archie
I have an Auto Resmed S8 and humidifier. The moisture I mentioned was not rainout as such, and is no problem with the large pillows, it was just enough to offer a little lubrication and cause the pillows to half slip inside my nares, not painfully uncomfortable, but enough to arouse me every so often to adjust.
The small velcro band I made is about 1cm wide of the furry velcro using another small piece of the hook velcro to hold together and make adjustable. I have fitted this around the pillows just under the flange in a loop and adjusted it just enough to squeeze the pillows inward toward each other tilting the outside up just enough to create a good seal. As with my Swift, a little gel on the nares makes for extra comfort and an even better seal.
Willsucceed mentioned the back strap moving up which I also found a problem, however, I have found that the great idea posted here long ago concerning the same problem with the Swift, ie small pieces of velcro attached to the inside of the back straps, is very effective with the Opus.
Just an aside. Last night here our minimum overnight temp was 24deg Cel, so I did a lot of tossing and turning and the mask held it's seal just as well with my 95% leak for the night .04 which I was very happy with.
Archie
_________________
| Humidifier: HC150 Heated Humidifier With Hose, 2 Chambers and Stand |
| Additional Comments: activa, Opus nasal pillows |