After trying for 4 nights I took the Optilife back to my DME and swapped for the Swift. This is my first week on CPAP and I really wanted to succeed with the Optilife but it just wasn't meant to be.
I believe with a few modifications by Respironics the Opti could be a very good mask. I couldn't maintain a good seal unless I stayed perfectly still. I read all kinds of tips in the site and others but still could not keep the seal. I found that the Opti whistles like crazy when you pop the seal just a little bit. It drove my wife crazy who in turn would kick me to fix it. I believe this seal problem is because of the very stiff 6 inch tube and or the lack of a ball joint.
The other problem I had was the only way I could get a good seal was to have the hose straight up and down under my nose. This causes the back of the nasal pillow to rub your top lip. This wouldnt be a problem except that part of the pillow is quite hard.
I also found that the chin strap was useless, it kept sliding up over my chin near my mouth.
The Swift is what I used when I did my titration study and I had good success with it there so I went to it yesterday. I had a great night with it and fee l great this morning.
My DME told me if this doesnt work out for me then he wants me to try the Activa. He said that is his favorite and most successful nasal interface and the Swift is right behind it.
I believe in 3 months when its time for a new mask I may get one of the Activas. Anyone have an comments on the Activa.
Swapped to Swift from Optilife
4 posts
• Page 1 of 1
-
cohodependent
- Posts: 30
- Joined: Fri Nov 17, 2006 2:06 am
Fitting a mask is a totally individual thing. Not every mask will fit every person. When doing a first time fitting for titration my go to mask are the Activa and the Swift. I fit every patient with both to give them an idea of the different options. The Opti-life is my second choice for a nasal pillow mask, but I find that can be very hard to get a good fit.
The newer Flexi-fit mask are my second choice if the Activa does not work.
There are some patients that I have to fit every mask in the book in order to find which one will work.
So, hang in there. Find the one that works for you!
_________________
CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): activa, nasal pillow, swift, Titration
The newer Flexi-fit mask are my second choice if the Activa does not work.
There are some patients that I have to fit every mask in the book in order to find which one will work.
So, hang in there. Find the one that works for you!
_________________
CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): activa, nasal pillow, swift, Titration
OptiLife Problems
Dear FreightTrain,
Sorry to hear about your problems with the OptiLife, but you are to be applauded for going out and insisting on something that works better for you (after doing your best to find a good setting.) Not every mask or pillow system will work for all people. Many folks won't find exactly the same problems you did with your OptiLife, but that doesn't matter - what matters is that you find something that works for you!
My own impression is that the Swift is more comfortable overall. The headgear is less confining, it doesn't use a chin strap, and the pillows themselves are more compliant, at least while they are new. I have no idea if the extra compliance comes from softer silicone, thinner silicone, or taller stalks that allow more flexibility, but it seems to be real.
The flip side is that the OptiLife can feel a bit more secure. Also I think the design of the pillows, while offering less size flexibility, tends to reduce the inhalation noise some folks complain about with the Swift. Certainly the narrower design of the pillows makes it a bit less likely that you will contact your pillow if you sleep on your side.
None of that makes any difference if you can't get a seal - or if you can't get an adjusmant that prevents soreness or stays in place all night.
Again, I applaud you for your attitude. Be positive, but be persistent and proactive. That is the key to success with XPAP!
Sorry to hear about your problems with the OptiLife, but you are to be applauded for going out and insisting on something that works better for you (after doing your best to find a good setting.) Not every mask or pillow system will work for all people. Many folks won't find exactly the same problems you did with your OptiLife, but that doesn't matter - what matters is that you find something that works for you!
My own impression is that the Swift is more comfortable overall. The headgear is less confining, it doesn't use a chin strap, and the pillows themselves are more compliant, at least while they are new. I have no idea if the extra compliance comes from softer silicone, thinner silicone, or taller stalks that allow more flexibility, but it seems to be real.
The flip side is that the OptiLife can feel a bit more secure. Also I think the design of the pillows, while offering less size flexibility, tends to reduce the inhalation noise some folks complain about with the Swift. Certainly the narrower design of the pillows makes it a bit less likely that you will contact your pillow if you sleep on your side.
None of that makes any difference if you can't get a seal - or if you can't get an adjusmant that prevents soreness or stays in place all night.
Again, I applaud you for your attitude. Be positive, but be persistent and proactive. That is the key to success with XPAP!
/TCW
Breathing is a very good thing!!!
Breathing is a very good thing!!!
Freight..
Sorry to hear the Opti did not work out for you, but you have a great DME to allow exchanges!
I have found that if the wings on the Opti are high, up on the cheeks and not on the jawline, the chin strap is more stable. It does have a stiffer hose, but how I manage the whole hose that is not a problem for me.
I want to try the Swift, but I side sleep - both sides, so I don't know how the headgear is going to work for me. It seems the pillow clip is very wide and would be bumped out of alignment. My insurance is lousy, one mask a year, so I will have to wait awhile.
Each person needs to find their own mask and fitting.
Sorry to hear the Opti did not work out for you, but you have a great DME to allow exchanges!
I have found that if the wings on the Opti are high, up on the cheeks and not on the jawline, the chin strap is more stable. It does have a stiffer hose, but how I manage the whole hose that is not a problem for me.
I want to try the Swift, but I side sleep - both sides, so I don't know how the headgear is going to work for me. It seems the pillow clip is very wide and would be bumped out of alignment. My insurance is lousy, one mask a year, so I will have to wait awhile.
Each person needs to find their own mask and fitting.
4 posts
• Page 1 of 1