Giving the Fit Life a Try

[GaryG]

Leakage on my liberty has been creeping up a bit, so I went to my sleep center and picked up a Respironics Fit Life. Also adjusted my pressure from 8-15 to 10-15. Will post about the Fit Life after I give it a few days.

[mdintx]

I can't wait to hear how this works out for you. I've taken a close look at this mask and have been wondering if would work out.

[GaryG]

Night 1:
Mask was easy to adjust. Kind of a large "footprint". No discomfort on nose - doesn't even touch it. Went to sleep right away. Experienced rainout (I didn't turn down my humidifer setting - left it at 3.5 - previous setting for Liberty.), not surprised, but had to shut off machine at 4:30am. At 7, when I awoke, couldn't wait to check machine readout and saw a leakage of 0.00, and my AHI and HI appeared to be lower. (Also I should mention again I changed my minimal setting up from 8 to 10 for pressure.

Plan is to wait a few days to gather results before I download. Or at least wait until I get a full night in.

Noticed in morning, this mask left marks on my face - But no pain. Didn't notice a lot of benefit from the abbreviated night, but I am very optimistic with leakage rate.

[hikewv]

I have been using the FitLife for over a week now, and will have to say I love it. I was using UMFF and also tried the FullLife FFM and both of those would leave my nose hurting and red. (This mask does leave a little bit of a mark but goes away within a hour in the AM)

Using the FitLife, my leak is almost zero, it is confortabl and does not leave marks or make my nose sore. (Big Plus)

I had the best night results last night with a 0.06 AI

This mask is a keeper IMO.

[Cobalt Panther]

I have a couple of questions. How is the mask for sleeping on your side? Is it possible? How comfortable is it? I am looking for a mask to replace my Quattro and had not considered this. Hope it works for you.

[no_more_headaches]

I am wondering if the rainout would be cured by an aussie hose or if the surface area is so large that it will still cool to fast.

[plumtuckered]

Have had the FitLife for about a week. I just can't seem to get a good seal. I watched the videos on the website and spent about an hour trying to adjust. It works fine at pressures below 12, but I am supposed to be at 14. I get leaks at forehead and both cheeks. Only way to get a decent seal is to cinch straps till very uncomfortable. I still have leaks averaging 0.6L/s. I have tried the Liberty Hybrid, Quattro FF, and Activa Nasal. The Activa fit best, but I have a lot of allergies, especially right now, so I need a FF. I wish the FitLife came in a medium. Oh well... back to the drawing board.

Mike

[GaryG]

Have had the FitLife for about a week. I just can't seem to get a good seal. I watched the videos on the website and spent about an hour trying to adjust. It works fine at pressures below 12, but I am supposed to be at 14. I get leaks at forehead and both cheeks. Only way to get a decent seal is to cinch straps till very uncomfortable. I still have leaks averaging 0.6L/s. I have tried the Liberty Hybrid, Quattro FF, and Activa Nasal. The Activa fit best, but I have a lot of allergies, especially right now, so I need a FF. I wish the FitLife came in a medium. Oh well... back to the drawing board.

Mike

Mike, I can relate to what you're going thru. Just trying FIt Life and I had a good night. Loved the Activa, really comfortable, but I'm a mouth breather. And Liberty I liked, and I even had a good two weeks with low leakage, but then couldn't bring it under 0.6L/s either. However, I need to ask, do you have your software. If so, you can see if the leakage is constant or spiking, which is very important to know as the average rate can be misleading. I could probably "get away" with Liberty, as I was seeing spiking and not when I was having events either. Anyway, I decided to try Fit Life and will keep folks here updated. I'm averaging like 10-11 in pressure (set to 10-15 now).

[GaryG]

I am wondering if the rainout would be cured by an aussie hose or if the surface area is so large that it will still cool to fast.

Rainout was cos I had my humidifier setting too high (setting from my liberty). I'm betting if I turn it down, I won't experience rainout. I did by a hose cover, and hoping that will work before I have to spring for a heated hose.

[GaryG]

I have been using the FitLife for over a week now, and will have to say I love it. I was using UMFF and also tried the FullLife FFM and both of those would leave my nose hurting and red. (This mask does leave a little bit of a mark but goes away within a hour in the AM)

Using the FitLife, my leak is almost zero, it is confortabl and does not leave marks or make my nose sore. (Big Plus)

I had the best night results last night with a 0.06 AI

This mask is a keeper IMO.

Hike, this sounds great - low leakage and great AI.

[GaryG]

I can't wait to hear how this works out for you. I've taken a close look at this mask and have been wondering if would work out.

Never hurts to try a new mask, if you can get it on the cheap. But it is big, (not pretty), and seems a bit overwhelming. But I'll let you know how I do with it.

[plumtuckered]

Thanks Gary. I have the Resscan 3.7 and USB cable for my Elite II. I will check the graphs when I get home.
Glad to hear your mask is working out.
Lotta good people with lots of knowledge here.

Mike

[Guest]

just wanted to throw my name in the hat for anyone who may have a fitlife in large that didnt work out. I really want to try this mask, but dont want the big price if it does not work. I have no ins, so all my equipment is out of pocket. will gladly pay reas. price, or, have an extra cpap [respironics pro/cflex] for possable trade? anyone interested please let me know.
thanks to all here who share knowledge and experiences.
sincerely
Derek

[Guest]

had trouble logging in for last post my username is audreyrose73

[GaryG]

Night 2: Here are the stats:



Again no leakage. What I find interesting is that my AI is way down, and there really is no pressure change in my CPAP machine when I experience HI's. Does this mean that I'm at my optimum pressure?

Anyway, two nights, no leakage (pretty good, huh Rooster and Carbonman?). Mask leaves some marks on face, but these go away and NO PAIN NO DISCOMFORT. But folks, I gotta warn you. This is one big mask. I mean REALLY BIG. Makes the Quattro look like a small mask. This is working for me, but I gotta say unless you really require a FF mask, and other ones don't work, you might not want to try it, as its quite large. But it is easy to fit, and I've had to make no adjustments during the night, unlike the other masks I've tried. Now I'm not feeling terrifically wonderful (yet), but I expect this will take time. Hate to overreact here, but after two nights, I may have found my mask. Also, although I'm typically a back sleeper, I did try sleeping on my sides and the mask tolerated it, and as you can see no leaks.

So far, I'd say I'd recommend it to folks that can't use a nasal mask, or have had probs with other FF. Not sure I'd recommend it as a first mask, due to the size.

If anyone has any questions, comments, fire away.