My first night with FullLife

[Cygnusia]

I was able to pick up a loaner FullLife mask at my sleep center yesterday. Since it's so new, my loaner was a brand new one fresh out of the package (lucky me!!!)

We went through each size until we found the one that would work best for me. Unsurprisingly, it was the small. I guess I'm a dude with a tiny head, what can I say!

Last night, I did my usual pre-cpap rituals, got the mask in place, attached the hose (I'm loving that quick-release!) and tweaked it until there were no leaks.

It was a little noisier than the Activa LT, but we run a loud fan in the bedroom for white noise, so no worries there. It does feel like there's a lot more air venting out of the mask holes, but it could just be that I was used to the air coming out front and center, not off-center and to the sides.

The headgear is a little more complicated than the average, but in time, I'm sure it would be second nature to put on. If I do end up keeping this as my permanent mask, I will probably buy a quick-connect clasp and sew it into the middle of the #2 strap for easy application.

I did have a worrisome red spot on the bridge of my nose this morning, but I will continue tweaking the #1 and #4 straps until I can get the right fit.

All in all, this mask feels right to me (so far.) It seems to have a lot of sideways movement tolerance which makes me happy for side- and stomach-sleeping. I didn't feel suffocated or trapped while wearing it.

[Guest]

Cygnusia, nevermind your review of the FullLife. We don't need it now. We heard recently from 45 people who thought the Quattro is "better." That's it. It's all done now. Their views represent all full-face users. Oh, by the way, as you go read the latest product challenge, don't forget to "pull up a chair" because there you'll find "all you need to know" about those two masks. Thanks.

[BleepingBeauty]

I was able to pick up a loaner FullLife mask at my sleep center yesterday. Since it's so new, my loaner was a brand new one fresh out of the package (lucky me!!!)

We went through each size until we found the one that would work best for me. Unsurprisingly, it was the small. I guess I'm a dude with a tiny head, what can I say!

That made me think of John Hiatt's "Little Head" (http://www.lyricsfreak.com/j/john+hiatt ... 74155.html)
No further comment.

I did have a worrisome red spot on the bridge of my nose this morning, but I will continue tweaking the #1 and #4 straps until I can get the right fit.

Try a piece of moleskin on the seal that goes over the bridge of your nose. That worked well for me. (Moleskin is a very soft flannel cushioning material with a sticky back. You can find it near Dr. Scholl's supplies.)

All in all, this mask feels right to me (so far.) It seems to have a lot of sideways movement tolerance which makes me happy for side- and stomach-sleeping. I didn't feel suffocated or trapped while wearing it.

The FullLife gives me really good therapy, and I hope it works as well for you.

[johnnygoodman]

Greetings Guest,

Cygnusia is a CPAPtalker whose opinion and log of mask experiences is most valid and welcome. Cygnusia, thanks for the review! I'm glad you've found mask that works well for you!

Guest, here are things I'd like to note:

1. The score was 45-5. Not 50-0.

2. Cygnusia's pros and cons are strikingly similar to the pros and cons seen in the product challenge participant comments.

3. Please be aware we do log IPs and can trace yours. Guest is not a medium to hide behind and throw stones. It exists to help CPAP users even if they don't want to register.

4. You can register by clicking on the New User icon above. This will allow you to put a name behind your comments and lend them some accountability and credibility.

5. You are free to speak your mind on this forum as is anyone else. Your ideas are welcome, though you will have to defend them against the counter arguments of others. If you can't meet that burden of intelligent discussion, why bother posting at all - or for that matter, why not change your beliefs?

Johnny

[Cygnusia]

In response to "Guest", I wasn't giving a review, I was giving my feelings on how the mask was working for me. I would make a comment about anonymity and registering before you flame, but I'll leave that to others who have been here a lot longer and are much more knowledgeable about CPAP therapy and masks than me.

That being said, that will be the one and only time that I respond to your comment.

BleepingBeauty, thank you for the advice... I actually bought some moleskin this morning, but I want to see if I can tweak the harness before I start using it. Call me a purist, if you will.

[sleepngo]

The side movement seems to be the reason a lot of us have a sore nose, using tape or moleskin has solved that problem for a lot of us. Thanks for the report, let us know how it works for you in the long run. I find it to be a great FF mask, better than most that I have tried in the past, good luck.

Dan

[dkdc]

I think guest was railing against the idea of a mask challenge and not the original poster's sharing. I detected more than a little sarcasm.

[BleepingBeauty]

BleepingBeauty, thank you for the advice... I actually bought some moleskin this morning, but I want to see if I can tweak the harness before I start using it. Call me a purist, if you will.

Oh, okay. I'm glad you have some on-hand, should you decide to use it. I found it necessary for several weeks, until my nose bridge could handle the mask alone. (I'd been using nasal pillows for about 20 months, so moving to a FFM was a bit of a challenge for my nose.) When it comes to getting good xPAP therapy, if it takes a little moleskin (or any other type of mask "fix") to make it work well for me, I'm game.

I wish you the best of luck with the FullLife.

[mboy]

Looking forward (if u can believe that) to getting mine tomorrow as my 1st experience at home with my setup tomorrow (or it all should arrive tomorrow anyway).

[Cygnusia]

Do you actually apply the moleskin to the mask itself? I want to be ready just in case I can't get a good "nose-friendly" fit.

[BleepingBeauty]

Do you actually apply the moleskin to the mask itself? I want to be ready just in case I can't get a good "nose-friendly" fit.

Yep. Cut a piece to fit and stick it to the mask's seal wherever it's bothering you (soft side goes against your skin). It peels off easily when you want to wash the cushion.

P.S. I love the new avatar - very handsome cat.

[Kiralynx]

Yep. Cut a piece to fit and stick it to the mask's seal wherever it's bothering you (soft side goes against your skin). It peels off easily when you want to wash the cushion.

BB,

Just wanted to say thank you for the moleskin suggestion. I now have a package tucked in with my full face mask. I think I'm going to try it all the way around the rim of the Zzz-mask and see if it works as well as my t-shirt remedy for sweaty face against plastic. But not until I actually need the full-face....

[BleepingBeauty]

BB,

Just wanted to say thank you for the moleskin suggestion. I now have a package tucked in with my full face mask. I think I'm going to try it all the way around the rim of the Zzz-mask and see if it works as well as my t-shirt remedy for sweaty face against plastic. But not until I actually need the full-face....

Glad I could help. When I first joined the forum and started reading, I kept seeing references to this "moleskin" stuff. I had no idea what it was, but I'm glad I found out, or the FullLife would've met an untimely fate, landing in my mask graveyard after my third night. I also have a package of moleskin tucked away. Definitely a good item to keep on-hand.

I imagine it'll be a good choice for your intended use (when or if you need to go there). Since it stays stuck to the seal, you'll be free to readjust the mask with no fear of the gasket moving out of place.

[Cygnusia]

Night #2...

Ok, I will definitely be putting moleskin on the mask tonight. The first night I only had a little strip of red on the bridge of my nose and I thought it would be manageable. I get up this morning, and the entire bridge is bright red. I know this isn't specifically a problem with the FullLife, but many full face masks do this.

Other than that, and a bout of rainout (really cold bedroom last night) I'm still pretty pleased.

[fsmitty]

Night #2...

Ok, I will definitely be putting moleskin on the mask tonight. The first night I only had a little strip of red on the bridge of my nose and I thought it would be manageable. I get up this morning, and the entire bridge is bright red. I know this isn't specifically a problem with the FullLife, but many full face masks do this.

Other than that, and a bout of rainout (really cold bedroom last night) I'm still pretty pleased.

I feel for you. I have been on CPAP for just under a week. The full face mask is a Mirage Quattro. Well, after the first few nights, the bridge on my nose became very red and irritated. People at work noticed it and thought it was like I was in a boxing match with someone. Well after reading this forum, someone mentioned 3M Waterproof Hospital Tape. this you can get from Walmart for $3.99 or abouts. This tape, I have put on the bridge of my nose everynight. In fact it is so good, I can even re-use the same tape from the previous night. It comes of your nose very easily without ripping of any skin. My nose has finally gone back to the normal color after about 3 days. I did buy some molekin also but decided to put some small strips of it inside the mask.

Also, if not having a red nose was not bad enough, I also got some big butterfly marks on my forehead. This was caused by me over tightening the head strap piece. I learned my lesson on that and now am very careful with how tight I make the straps. Those big red marks on my forehead made it look like someone had touched me with a hot poker. Luckily, it went away before I went ot work so no-one noticed. These are just many of the joys of CPAP.

Hang in there as things will get better.