Respironics EasyLife Nasal Mask

[curtcurt46]

Has anyone out there tried this mask and found it to be comfortable and leak resistant? Has anyone started using the EasyLife as your primary mask with great success? What mask did the EasyLife replace?

Thanks in advance for any of your experience and comments.

PAP ON

[dtsm]

Hi. You might want to edit title to EasyLife and not EastLife

I’ve been on cpap only two weeks with a respironics comfortgel and decided to try this mask after reading about it on-line.

It’s much lighter and has less moving parts. No clips but manufacturer directions state once you adjust the headgear, can then ‘slip’ over you head to take on or off each time! Personally I prefer the clips, as it means no adjustments to headgear each time you put on or take off – and easier to slip on/off.

The soft inner cushion fits nicely, although the exterior cushion is a slight too big for my face – but still fits ok. After first night, seems ok. No leakage, although still leaves a few light footprints on my face each morning (as does comfortgel). Btw I sleep on my sides.

It is slightly noisier though, maybe because the exhalation vent goes up. But this is only after one night?

Another issue and this might just be me. I’m on auto, 4-20 setting and 10 minute ramp. I find it a little difficult to breath with the easylife at the lower setting but once it hits 7 or 8, feels fine. In fact tried easylife but couldn't fall asleep, so switched back to comfortgel, then when I got up for my regular 1 am bathroom run, swap masks, and sleep till 7 am! This might change as time goes on and I get a few more days under my belt.

I plan to see the head nurse at the sleep center in another week to fine-tune my settings, probably reduce my range to 6-14 settings and then re-calibrate after another 1-2 months of usage. That might resolve this. And for now, I don’t plan to do what many others do – buy the software and card reader to self-manage….

Bottom line: I still prefer the comfortgel but will continue with the EasyLife for at least another few days, given the potential breakdowns with the clips, the forehead piece, etc. that can occur with the comfortgel. I'll pm you with my experience if you wish.

[fadedgirl]

What size in the ComfortGel Nasal do you wear, and what size of the Easy Life did you get? I could not find a template/sizing gauge online for the Easy Life. Thanks!

[dtsm]

What size in the ComfortGel Nasal do you wear, and what size of the Easy Life did you get? I could not find a template/sizing gauge online for the Easy Life. Thanks!

I wear small for comfortgel and medium for easylife. The DME delivered easylife small, medium, etc., used the templates from the bags and then let me try both S and M. I thought the M felt more comfortable.

I remember reading the masks came in medium and large frames, and the cushions are paired s/m for medium frame and large/xl for large frame....go to respironics website for details on this.

[fadedgirl]

So you have the Small/Medium and not the Medium Wide/Large. That helps me a lot, I don't have a DME & didn't want to order both. Thanks!

[calamityjane403]

I have been using the EasyLife for 2+ weeks now and I LOVE IT!!! It is my 5th mask since starting treatment the end of September and is by far the most comfortable for me. I have a lot of facial pain and for me this mask doesn't aggravate it.

[akcpapguy]

Well I did promise a review of this mask after I had worn it for a few weeks, I guess I better get cracking!!

I will preface my up coming review by saying that in the 5 years I have been on CPAP this is the most comfortable mask I have ever worn.

I'll work on writing it up in the next couple of days.

[dtsm]

After trying this a few more day, extremely comfortable and I've gotten used to breathing with it. However my biggest problem is that exhalation vent is pointed upwards and blowing in such a way to give me a 'headache'. I'm on auto, starting 4 and usually end up around 8-9 so pressure not that high. Anyone with similar complaints?

[montana user]

Read my post "trying new mask on patient tonight" might help.

[Hawthorne]

dtsm - your headache may be from your very low minimum pressure and not the mask vent. I think the minimum might be better if you set it at, at least 6cm if it's going up to 8 or 9 cm. This is just my opinion!!!! What is your maximum set at?

If the minimum in an auto or the straight pressure setting in straight cpap is too low, the CO2 can't be blown out of the mask adequately - hence a headache from rebreathing the CO2.

[dtsm]

dtsm - your headache may be from your very low minimum pressure and not the mask vent. I think the minimum might be better if you set it at, at least 6cm if it's going up to 8 or 9 cm. This is just my opinion!!!! What is your maximum set at?

Thanks for your comment/suggestion.

My auto range was originally the default 4-20, then re-set two days ago at 4-14 cm, starting at 4 cm, 10 minute ramp time. From last few nights within 10-15 minutes, it's increases to 5-6. i get up a few times a night (not related to cpap use, just a weak bladder!) and notice setting will be in the 7-8-9 range.

The reason I'm on auto is when I first started last March 2009, it was set at fixed 9 cm but then I had to stop after 3 days. When I started this Jan, sleep center suggested starting at auto.

Headache might have been a bad descriptive word to use - it feels more like cold air blowing on my forehead for a long time...if that makes sense?

[Hawthorne]

I see that it may not be a headache as such, from your mask but, if your titrated pressure was 9 cm, it may be taking too long to get to "therapy" setting for you and my comments about CO2 may still be a problem. You just had it reset 2 days ago so it may take a while to indentify if a minimum of 4 may be a problem.

Most here would think it is.

Hopefully you will get more responses or maybe you would like to start a new post with a topic related to your settings. People may not look for it in a thread about Resprionics EasyLife Nasal Mask".

[dtsm]

I see that it may not be a headache as such, from your mask but, if your titrated pressure was 9 cm, it may be taking too long to get to "therapy" setting for you and my comments about CO2 may still be a problem. You just had it reset 2 days ago so it may take a while to indentify if a minimum of 4 may be a problem.

I failed to mention that my first two weeks on auto 4-20 was with a comfortgel nasal mask and no problems. I changed to easylife merely to try to find a 'better' mask/fit. Your suggestion appreciated, will give sleep center a call (the RT is awesome there) and see what they have to say re re-setting again, i.e starting at 6 cm and ramping up.

Cheers

[Hawthorne]

You are very welcome!

Maybe the different mask made 4 cm too low as a minimum. That's a possibility too. I hope you can get it resolved!

[dtsm]

Many thanks!

Bumped up initial start to 5 cm, slept much better last night. Only strange occurrence, some condensation in mask when I woke up this morning but it was cold last night (10 outside) and our bedroom is set for 61 at night.......

This might be the mask