FitLife Mask - my experience and it's up for sale

[NoDak Hank]

Hello all,

Just wanted everyone to know that I'm putting my Respironics FitLife Total Face Mask up for sale at http://www.cpapauction.com/auction-list ... large.html. For those of you wanting to try it without paying full price, here's your chance.

I bought the Fitlife online hoping for the same thing we all hope for: the perfect mask for me. I got it for $169, so it was a bit costly for someone without insurance, but I figured I'd give it a try. I really believed it would be the mask for me. However, I learned a very important thing about myself, I think I need nasal pillows /pillars that force air directly into my nostrils. Without this, I find it difficult to find the correct pressure for good sleep. I tried this mask because I think I open my mouth when I sleep, so I figured a full face mask would do the trick. It just wasn't as comfortable as the mask I'm currently using.

I only used this mask for about a week, so it's in very good condition. But, for me, I'll stick with my old mask for now (see below). At least I now know what a full face mask feels like, and, unfortunately, it's not for me. Like many others out there, finding the correct mask is a matter of trial and error, so I hope it works better for whoever wants to bid on it (plus you get to save some money).

P.S. I've also put my other old Respironics Profile Lite mask up for sale too. It can be found at: http://www.cpapauction.com/auction-list ... small.html.

[dkdc]

Fit Life is much bigger than most full face masks - It should be in it's own category I think.

Has anyone ever done a poll on how many masks people go through before they find one they can use well? I bet the average is at least three.

[sleepycarol]

I bet if a poll was done it would be much higher than 3.

I think I might just start that poll.

[dkdc]

I put the low bid on the mask - but I am thinking you will get much more than that. I like the mask overall.

[GaryG]

Good news. It doesn't touch the nose bridge, so no chance of irritation. I experienced irritation at my chin. Also, its big, and some may be uncomfortable if side sleepers. But its the only mask I have found with consistently 0.00 leakage at 95 percentile level.

[dkdc]

Good news. It doesn't touch the nose bridge, so no chance of irritation. I experienced irritation at my chin. Also, its big, and some may be uncomfortable if side sleepers. But its the only mask I have found with consistently 0.00 leakage at 95 percentile level.

Did you definitely decide to move on from the fitlife? Sounds like you still like it - maybe some moleskin?

[GaryG]

Good news. It doesn't touch the nose bridge, so no chance of irritation. I experienced irritation at my chin. Also, its big, and some may be uncomfortable if side sleepers. But its the only mask I have found with consistently 0.00 leakage at 95 percentile level.

Did you definitely decide to move on from the fitlife? Sounds like you still like it - maybe some moleskin?

Been there done that. Put the moleskin on the mask where it rubs against the chin. It was super in terms of zero leakage. Now, I'll be back to my Aptiva, and live with less than optimal CPAP use when I mouth breathe, unless I can get my Liberty working. But I expect I'll be trying a different FF mask soon.

[newname]

I've tried about 20 masks in my 2 years on cpap. The only comfortable one is the Activa LT, but I still have not found the "perfect mask"

[GaryG]

I've tried about 20 masks in my 2 years on cpap. The only comfortable one is the Activa LT, but I still have not found the "perfect mask"

Cool thing about Activa is you can get a great seal without tightening it too much. But I can't get the leakage down to 0.00 with it. I consistently get to about 12 L/Min with it, but I also mouth breathe from time to time. But, yeah, I'm gonna change my profile back to the Activa until I can get a FF or Hybrid mask to work for me.