Opti-life with Cradle Cushions

[vesselpessel]

Has anyone used the new "cradle cushions" options on Respironics Opti-life mask? I like the way the Opti-life fits my head but the nasal PILLOWS never worked out. I thought maybe the cradle concept would be better. Thanks.

[thimarine]

I have indeed used the new cradle cushion with the opti life and have had good results. I use it intermittently with the nasal pillows whenever I get sore nostrils, which is not very often. There have been several threads on here about the cushion, and not many seem to like it and there seems to be some debate about size--- such as does a medium cushion translate to medium pillows. In my case it does.

My leak rate with the nasal cushion is about the same as pillows and same AHI. It seems to comfortable and, oddly, it makes you wonder if it's effective.

Problems--- Not easy to put on the tube, will slip easier than pillows and a slightly higher leak rate.

Pros--- Nice alternative, no sore nostrils, really comfortable.

Good luck with it. By the way, I'm not sure if the cushion ships with the new opti life or not. It didn't with mine. I got the improved opti life and bought the cradle cushion on my own about a month afterward. No one ever answered my questions about the changes to the opti life, but I figured it out on my own and by reading the material (go figure) that the tube was wider and softer and causes less slipping and leaking when you move around.

One final note--- The opti life is the best mask for me. AHI as low as .02. I have tried 5 or 6 others like a lot of people. I'm sticking with what works. It's a good mask for me.

[vesselpessel]

Thanks for the reply. I now use the Mirage Swift with nasal pillows and it's pretty successful. However, the straps seem to slip around easily. I liked the way the Opti-life fit around my head but the nasal pillows leaked.

[Hawthorne]

I like the cradle cushions better than the nasal pillows for this mask. I have both but prefer the cradle cushion. I wear a medium in the nasal pillows for this mask but found that the medium in the cradle cushions was too big. I got a small and it fits well.

[jdavis123]

I prefer the Mirage Swift over the Optilife, and know what you mean about the headgear. It varies depending on your hair style too. I think this new "Pap Cap" might work well for you though.