Using ZEO with FitLife Mask! ??

[Grand-PAP]

I use a FitLife Total Face Mask.

I have been considering buying a Zeo, but I have a concern that there might not be enough forehead room above the FitLife for the Zeo Sensor Headband to be properly positioned.

I've attached pics below that make it look like there would NOT be enough forehead room, but my FitLife mask seems to have more forehead room than the picture. Even accounting for my "receeding hairline" there seems to be about 1.5 to 2 inches above the mask. But, I don't know if the Sensor needs to be positioned in the "middle" of the forehead.

Do any of you use the Zeo and FitLife together? If NOT, do any of you Zeo Users think it would work?

Thanks!

[lazer]

Not familiar with that mask. I do think it is suggested that the Zeo be positioned in the middle of the forehead, however, it sounds like you might still have enough room up there to get a reading possibly. Maybe check the Zeo FAQ and/or contact their support first to be sure.

[JohnO]

Even accounting for my "receeding hairline" there seems to be about 1.5 to 2 inches above the mask. But, I don't know if the Sensor needs to be positioned in the "middle" of the forehead.

I was able to get the Zeo handband to work above the forehead bar on the True Blue Nasal mask. One night it slipped off, as it was riding up higher, but other nights the data seemed just as valid as when I wore it pre-CPAP, or now with the Aloha nasal pillow mask.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/TrueBl ... dgear.html

It took a little futzing, and tightening up of the Zeo hand band a little bit, but it worked.

[lazer]

The only thing I will add is that I have woken up to it slid up my head high into my hair and at that point it seems to just list a blank period of data on the sdcard & screen

[Grand-PAP]

I was able to get the Zeo handband to work above the forehead bar on the True Blue Nasal mask. One night it slipped off, as it was riding up higher, but other nights the data seemed just as valid as when I wore it pre-CPAP, or now with the Aloha nasal pillow mask.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/TrueBl ... dgear.html

It took a little futzing, and tightening up of the Zeo hand band a little bit, but it worked.

Hi JohnO,

Thanks for the reply. At $100, I felt it was worth taking a chance, so I ordered the Zeo. It should arrive in a few days. It's good to read that you felt you had success with it "fairly" high on the forehead. I hope it will work.

I'll post the results after I have a chance to use it.

Thanks!

[JohnO]

I'll post the results after I have a chance to use it.

Great! Let us know how it goes.
I really like the data I get from the Zeo. Just another tool in the toolbox, similar to a pulse oximeter, but I like to have a big toolbox!

John

[woodworkerjunkie]

Hey Gp!
How is the fitLife working out for ya? Did you have to use anything to flatten it in the center of the forehead to keep it from leaking?
WWJ

[Grand-PAP]

Hey Gp!
How is the fitLife working out for ya? Did you have to use anything to flatten it in the center of the forehead to keep it from leaking?
WWJ

Hi WWJ,

Yes, I read your suggestion about using a sweatband. I didn't have a chance to go out for a sweatband, so I took a regular chinstrap, pulled it around the top of the face plate of the mask (on the plastic) and pulled it snug around the back of my head, but not tight. The extra pressure on the face of the mask holds it much more securely than the headgear straps. It virtually eliminated all the leaks and prevented me from having to overtighten the headgear.

I've used the FitLife now for 12 nights with a total of 4 CAs and Zero OAs. I'm "Fit for Life"!

Thanks to you

[Sheriff Buford]

Hey Gp!
How is the fitLife working out for ya? Did you have to use anything to flatten it in the center of the forehead to keep it from leaking?
WWJ

Hi WWJ,

Yes, I read your suggestion about using a sweatband. I didn't have a chance to go out for a sweatband, so I took a regular chinstrap, pulled it around the top of the face plate of the mask (on the plastic) and pulled it snug around the back of my head, but not tight. The extra pressure on the face of the mask holds it much more securely than the headgear straps. It virtually eliminated all the leaks and prevented me from having to overtighten the headgear.

I've used the FitLife now for 12 nights with a total of 4 CAs and Zero OAs. I'm "Fit for Life"!

Thanks to you

Grand-Pap: two things:
1) what kind of chinstrap do you use? I got the pad-a-check liners which eliminate the red marks on my cheeks and provide great comfort, but I get leaks in my forehead area. Not big leaks, but still... some leaks...Never thought of an extra strap of some sort.

2) Also, please let me know how the Zeo works for you and your mask. I thought of getting one myself, but I came to the conclusion that the mask will interfere. It's gonna' be close! I would be grateful if you let me know how it goes.

Sheriff

[Grand-PAP]

1) what kind of chinstrap do you use?

Hi Sheriff,

Actually, I used two different ones.

The first was a CareForce Medical. I used the Velcrow to size it properly, had my wife stitch it and then taped it to the mask, because I was afraid it might come off the mask. Then it dawned on me that with it being stitched, if the elastic stretched, I would have a problem with its tension. So, I decided to just try wrapping it around the mask and my head and attaching the Velcrow. It worked perfectly. For 10 nights it hasn't come off once.

It allows me to use the headgear (particularly the top straps) with a very loose fit. The chinstrap, which is snug, but not all tight, seems to really stabilize the mask. As I wrote in another post, I am able to use it with my Termpru-pedic pillow with no problem. Since the top is positioned well and stabilized, as needed I can adjust the bottom straps if I have any leaks there. The net result is the mask is substantially looser and the leaks are virtually eliminated. (AND gone are the nose bridge problems, air in the eyes, pressure grooves, etc., etc.)

I think any elastic strap that had a good Velcrow connection would work. I only tried the chinstraps because I had them.

Below I have attached pictures of the strap on the mask.

[Sheriff Buford]

Thanks... great info!! Let me know how the Zeo works for you

Sheriff

[Grand-PAP]

Thanks... great info!! Let me know how the Zeo works for you

Sheriff

Hi Sheriff,

Well last night I slept with my FitLife Total Facemask and my new Zeo. I've attached two pictures showing the Zeo Band without the "Chinstrap" and one with it. The Zeo band stayed in place perfectly. I was never awakened by leaking noise. My AHI was .3 and I only had TWO Events and both were HYPOPNEAS.

As you can see from the graph, it appears to have recorded the entire night. I added ARROWS on the Zeo Graph to show the Hypopneas (at 3:15am and 3:21am) -- both were during REM Sleep. Plus according to my Encore Graph there was a period of "normal" breathing between the two Hypopneas and that is also reflected in the Zeo Graph, by the Grey "Light" Sleep Bar.

So, it appears there is (or at least I have) adequate forehead room above the FitLife Total Face mask for the Zeo.

[Sheriff Buford]

pap': thanks very much for the info. I was hoping you would succeed. I was putting off getting a Zeo because of my mask. Thanks for the update!

Sheriff

[rlreklaw]

1) what kind of chinstrap do you use?

Hi Sheriff,

Actually, I used two different ones.

The first was a CareForce Medical. I used the Velcrow to size it properly, had my wife stitch it and then taped it to the mask, because I was afraid it might come off the mask. Then it dawned on me that with it being stitched, if the elastic stretched, I would have a problem with its tension. So, I decided to just try wrapping it around the mask and my head and attaching the Velcrow. It worked perfectly. For 10 nights it hasn't come off once.

It allows me to use the headgear (particularly the top straps) with a very loose fit. The chinstrap, which is snug, but not all tight, seems to really stabilize the mask. As I wrote in another post, I am able to use it with my Termpru-pedic pillow with no problem. Since the top is positioned well and stabilized, as needed I can adjust the bottom straps if I have any leaks there. The net result is the mask is substantially looser and the leaks are virtually eliminated. (AND gone are the nose bridge problems, air in the eyes, pressure grooves, etc., etc.)

I think any elastic strap that had a good Velcrow connection would work. I only tried the chinstraps because I had them.

Below I have attached pictures of the strap on the mask.

Are you able to sleep on your side with this setup?
I am a side sleeper and am intrigued by the FitLife mask but worry it will not stay in place when I am on my side. I use a CPAP contour pillow.

[Grand-PAP]

Are you able to sleep on your side with this setup?
I am a side sleeper and am intrigued by the FitLife mask but worry it will not stay in place when I am on my side. I use a CPAP contour pillow.

Hi rireklaw,

Yes. Absolutely!

The first night I used the FitLife Total Face Mask I was very disappointed. With the upper straps loose or tight, when I rolled to my side and the mask rested on the pillow, I would often get major leaks. I had one of the CPAP pillows with the concaved areas for the mask and I tried it. I had the same problem.

The second night I put the chinstrap around the mask and the problem was totally eliminated. Obviously, the regular headgear is attached to the mask, so the mask itself hits the pillow. The chinstrap is on the outside of the mask so it seems to absorb the impact and doesn't transfer it to the mask, so the mask is much more stable. I'm not sure exactly why it works, but I am a very active sleeper and frequently move from side to side. I have been using the FitLife for 15 nights and after the first night, I can only remember being awakened by noise from leakage once or twice. My 15 night stats have been excellent: AHI .6 with 4 CAs, 0 OAs and 57 Hypopneas.

As I pointed out is another post, I have been able to go back to my Tempur-pedic pillow. The mask just presses into the pillow with no movement from the mask!

I'm sold!