Hi
Been using a ComfortLite mask for a while now and have had reasonable success with it, besides some leaking. This is more annoying than anything because the leaks occur numerous times during the night and wake me up, causing disrupted sleep. I am constantly jiggling the mask around to reseal the nose pieces. Once they're re-sealed, things are good, until I shift and move from side-to-side - as I do during sleep - and then I get more leaks again.
Anyway, I discussed this with my provider today and he is suggesting I give the OptiLife mask a try. He says feedback he has received is that the seal on this mask is very good - something that is obviously important to me.
So, before I jump in and spend more $$$ on equipment that may or may not work for me, I thought people here can give me feedback on just how effective the OptiLife is, based on experience or from what you've read/heard???
Many thanks.
OptiLife Mask
7 posts
• Page 1 of 1
Here are a bunch of links, put together by RestedGal, about the Opilife mask;
viewtopic.php?p=148694
Hope some of this helps!
Brenda
viewtopic.php?p=148694
Hope some of this helps!
Brenda
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I did my second sleep study with the Swift mask, but when I picked up my machine the RT had me try several different masks. I went home with the OptiLife and have been quite happy with it.
I did suffer some discomfort around my nostrils the first couple of weeks, but it went away and I haven't had any trouble since. I found that the Simply Saline gel with aloe helped enormously, before and after.
Resist the temptation to over tighten the straps, especially the chin strap. It's not there to keep the pillows tight against your nose and if you have them too tight you'll have more pain in your nostrils. Just enough to keep the seal from breaking (and some leakage will occur when you shift sleep positions--this is from what I've experienced common to most nasal masks) but the OptiLife seems to hold its seal better as the night goes on.
This is just my opinion, I'm sure others haven't had the run of good luck I did when picking a mask. If it doesn't work out for you, keep hunting until you find the one that does. It's not the perfect interface for me--I have to switch to a Breeze/DreamSeal occasionally to give my nose a break, but when I do my leak rates double and I have a less restful night.
Good luck!
I did suffer some discomfort around my nostrils the first couple of weeks, but it went away and I haven't had any trouble since. I found that the Simply Saline gel with aloe helped enormously, before and after.
Resist the temptation to over tighten the straps, especially the chin strap. It's not there to keep the pillows tight against your nose and if you have them too tight you'll have more pain in your nostrils. Just enough to keep the seal from breaking (and some leakage will occur when you shift sleep positions--this is from what I've experienced common to most nasal masks) but the OptiLife seems to hold its seal better as the night goes on.
This is just my opinion, I'm sure others haven't had the run of good luck I did when picking a mask. If it doesn't work out for you, keep hunting until you find the one that does. It's not the perfect interface for me--I have to switch to a Breeze/DreamSeal occasionally to give my nose a break, but when I do my leak rates double and I have a less restful night.
Good luck!
Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced.
Although I am a new user. I have adjusted well with my optilife mask. As Scott mentioned, my nostrils got a little sore, I am using a little dab of vasiline and have felt better each night. I like to sleep on my sides and the mask seems to hold well. Once you get your straps adjusted, its very easy to put on and off. This mask works very well for me.
Love the Optilife
I've been using the Optilife for about a month now, and I think I can say it has replaced the Activa as my favorite. (And I've been a die-hard Activa supporter).
It takes a little time to get the straps just right, and make sure you have the right pillows size, plus the correct angle adjustment for the pillows. Once you get it right, it really works quite well. I can toss and turn with no leaks, and no awakenings from breaking the seal. One important point is that you really do need to use the hose management clip as suggested in the literature. I think it just moves around too much without it.
I find the chin strap to be helpful in reminding me to keep my mouth shut. I used to tend to mouth breathe, but it gives just enough pressure to keep me from doing that. It is not going to hold your jaw together.... you wouldn't want it that tight or it would be really uncomfortable.
I agree with the suggestion to use a gel with lanolin and aloe, or some similar product (Ayr also makes one). Not sure that vaseline is good for the silicone long term. I haven't tried it, but I've read that any petroleum based product can harden up the pillows. Might be worth doing a Search on that topic.
One objection Optilifers seem to have is marks on the face from the straps and "wings". Standby however, PADACHEEKS is beta trialing an Opti padding system. This should cure that problem... We'll know in a couple of weeks.
I'd also advise that you look up mikemoran's comparison of the Opti with a couple of other pillows systems. Lots of good thoughts. I admit my opinion is very narrowly based since I have only tried the Opti pillows and no others.
Lastly, Thank you RG for a great resource list of references to the Opti.
It takes a little time to get the straps just right, and make sure you have the right pillows size, plus the correct angle adjustment for the pillows. Once you get it right, it really works quite well. I can toss and turn with no leaks, and no awakenings from breaking the seal. One important point is that you really do need to use the hose management clip as suggested in the literature. I think it just moves around too much without it.
I find the chin strap to be helpful in reminding me to keep my mouth shut. I used to tend to mouth breathe, but it gives just enough pressure to keep me from doing that. It is not going to hold your jaw together.... you wouldn't want it that tight or it would be really uncomfortable.
I agree with the suggestion to use a gel with lanolin and aloe, or some similar product (Ayr also makes one). Not sure that vaseline is good for the silicone long term. I haven't tried it, but I've read that any petroleum based product can harden up the pillows. Might be worth doing a Search on that topic.
One objection Optilifers seem to have is marks on the face from the straps and "wings". Standby however, PADACHEEKS is beta trialing an Opti padding system. This should cure that problem... We'll know in a couple of weeks.
I'd also advise that you look up mikemoran's comparison of the Opti with a couple of other pillows systems. Lots of good thoughts. I admit my opinion is very narrowly based since I have only tried the Opti pillows and no others.
Lastly, Thank you RG for a great resource list of references to the Opti.
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thimarnei
optilife
I had a full face mask (comfort lite) before I got the opti-life a month ago. I am really pleased with the opti life. I think the angle adjustment is individual. I don't do the 45 degrees that is recommended. I've had really good luck after learning that using the velcro strap with the clip and placing it in just the right place on my t-shirt keeps the mask and hose from moving. Been getting great results and no nasal soreness. The medium pillows work best for me and keep a seal. I like the lightness of it also.
7 posts
• Page 1 of 1