UPDATE: Respironics FullLife Mask - Release on July 20

[DoriC]

MY REVIEW....

If this doesn't work for me, what should I try next?

A Mirage Quattro Full Face ---> OR ---> a Ultra Mirage Full Face?

My husband has tried many FF masks and in different sizes,(the DME was pretty agreeable once we established a customer/provider relationship ), the Comfort Gel & Comfort Full, Flexifit, Quattro, and the only mask that finally worked was the Ultra MirageFF. All the others leaked and caused a sore nose bridge and a rash or two along the way. We tried all the fixes too. Mike has an average face shape(and quite handsome) but everyone is different. I wish I could send you his old one to try but was used for 6months and it's the only spare we have. Dori

[socalmonkey]

So has Apria added it to their "system" so it can be ordered yet?

JQP

They have not yet added it to there system. The latest email from them (two days ago) said:

waiting approval from corporate for the purchase of this item....

I was also told that the item (at least the FitPack) is on back order at Respironics. The purchase supervisor I'm in contact with (at the local level) has been great at keeping me informed. I hope to hear more soon.

[jqp]

Thanks for the update! Please let me know when you know something.

Thanks,

JQP

[socalmonkey]

I have not given up yet! But I have jumped ship... some what.

Today I ordered a Mirage Quattro Full Face!

I was mouth breathing a lot last night. So I ordered (and paid for out of pocket) a Quattro. Since it's design is a lot like my present mask (the Mirage Activa LT) and I've been getting pretty good results with it.

I am still staying on the FullLife bus... but now I just don't care how long it takes to get one through my insurance/DME.

So I ordered it from cpap.com. Then when I get the FullLife, I can fully decide which one works best for me... and I'll have a full face back-up mask.

I do have a Quattro question: does the size run a little smaller with that mask? I did the sizing measurements at cpap.com several times, and each time it said I needed a small. So that's what I ordered.

[mindy]

I seem to recall that the size runs a little large. A friend of mine who usually gets a size small needed the "petite" size for the quattro.

Mindy

[socalmonkey]

Thanks mindy!

It seems to me that I read that same info somewhere before.

- - - - -

So this is interesting. I just took the size measurements for the my present mask... and it came back with the following:

Given your measurements, the Mirage Activa LT Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear is not the ideal mask for you.

That is interesting. I didn't buy from cpap.com, so I never did the sizing measurements. But I would tend to agree with this. So time will tell on the Quattro.

[Arizona-Willie]

The sizing at CPAP.COM said I needed a small too, so I got that but eventually moved up to a medium which works much better.
So I got the medium in the FullLife and it seems ok sizewise.

[Fieryphoenix]

I just started CPAP this week and have a Quattro. My DME said that the FullLife was on backorder but they did have a demo, which was very comfortable. I am probably going to trade in the Quattro for the FullLife before my initial 30 days is up, but whichever one settles in as my "first" mask, I'm going to get the other when insurance rolls around and then alternate between them. I'm hoping that will get rid of any issues evolving from contact points, especially on the bridge of the nose.

[katcw]

I'm looking forward to your report, undertaker. That is my concern about this mask, too.

[bdp522]

I have Apria ins. They just informed me that they have no stock of fulllife but they did special order it for me. Any where up to 8 weeks for delivery.

Brenda

[AAdjuster]

I received my FullLife mask yesterday.

I spent about 30 min. testing and adjusting straps to get a good seal.
When I put my mask on to go to bed,I made sure it sealed correctly. I found the mask to be a very good mask for a side sleeper. And a none moving back sleeper.
When laying on my side I found that the mask will form to my face, if I moved my face as I lay there I would here a short psst of a leak then it would stop.
But if I tried that same face movement again the mask would not leak, I think the mask forms to your face and then self seals as you move.

I'm a mouth breather and this mask works very well for this.
The chin strap keeps a little pressure on my chin and I don't drool all over the mask.

I have to say that this is the best fitting mask I have ever owned.
The straps are a pain to adjust properly, but I went to the Respironics web site and watched their fitting video and that helped alot. It would have been nice if they had included clips for the straps.

I'am the test subject my DME I'm the first person to receive this mask, Monday I have to go to my DME and let them know what I think of the mask and whether I would recomend this mask to others.

To me this mask is the most comfortable I have ever used. I like it even more than my Quattro which I liked alot. My Quattro is not my backup mask.

The top strap and the chin strap are not for sealing the mask, the chin strap is to help keep the mask on your face, like the forehead piece on other masks. The chin strap is not designed to be pulled to tight, so don't.
The top strap is used to pull the strap off yours ears if it is touching your ears and is uncomfortable.

[socalmonkey]

Thanks for the review AAdjuster! Glad your having success!

What size mask are you using and how did they determine that size? Did you get the FitPack for sizing?

What pressure are you at?

What DME do you use? Where are they located?

[AAdjuster]

by socalmonkey on Sat Aug 15, 2009 9:26 am

Thanks for the review AAdjuster! Glad your having success!

What size mask are you using and how did they determine that size? Did you get the FitPack for sizing?

What pressure are you at?

What DME do you use? Where are they located?

I'm using the medium size mask.
Anna at my Dme fitted me with this size, she selected this size for me. She is very good at doing this.

I'm 16 on my APAP, set to go between 16 and 17.

My DME is MEDI HOME CARE.

MEDI HOME CARE
2209 W. Dekalb St. Suite 4
Camden, SC. 29020-5799

803-432-5793
Ask for Anna Payton

[socalmonkey]

Thanks for the info on your provider. It's unfortunately out of my insurance network.

Thanks anyway for the info. Maybe someone else can benefit from it.

[socalmonkey]

The FRUSTRATION with Apria continues!

Now they are back to ignoring me!

The supervisor I was in contact with is no longer communicating.

I am done with them.

I guess they tactics are working.