Anyone using the Easy Life Nasal Mask Phillips Respironics?

[marydye]

I am using the Swift LT Nasal mask and having trouble with sleeping and my nostrils get sore. Lots of sinus drainage running down my throat into my chest. A friend just got the Easy Life Nasal mask and I tried it on today. It seems that might be the best alternative for me as I have in the past tried five different masks. I have had sinus surgery twice in the past and also a lip shave so have some tender areas that cause irritation. This Easy Life seemed that it wouldn't irritate like the full face masks that I tried did. Just wondering if anyone is wearing the Easy Life and what are the pro and cons that you may be encountering. I also have to check for sure if I can get Medicare to pay for a new mask as mine is almost three months old. My medical supply person told me when I got this mask that I could get a new one in three months. Am hoping that is the case. Thanks in advance for any responses.

[emt_271]

I have been using the Easy Life for about 5 weeks (I started out with it when the machine was new). I have had really good luck with it. About the 3rd morning I woke up and thought I had taken the mask off, until I heard the CPAP kick up the pressure on inhale. Felt kinda dumb when I realized I just didn't feel all that hardware on my face. I'm at 11 and 17 and don't have too many leak issues. Make sure you have the person fitting the mask use the fit gauge, my tech just eyeballed it, and I.m still not sure I have the right size.
I have noticed you need to be careful to make sure the headgear is set square - each pair of straps are about the same length. If it is not squared up, it will leak big.
As for the drainage I take Nasocort about an hour before bed. Seems to stop the drainage.

[jzap]

I have only been using CPAP for about a month. I was skeptical when they handed me an Easy Life nasal mask for my second sleep study because of the stories I had seen here about needing chin straps and tape over the mouth. I was surprised at how well it went. The technician explained that the mask seal is inflated by the CPAP pressure and sorta floats on the face, so it doesn't take a lot of strap pressure to keep it from leaking.

When I got my machine, I tried several masks at the DME, and ended up going back to the Easy Life.

I have not had a problem with mouth breathing. If I put my tongue to the roof of my mouth and pull some air out from behind it, it kinda suction cups in place and stays there and separates the nasal passage for breathing. If I do loose the separation, the feeling of air blowing through my nose and out my mouth is weird enough that I wake up enough to regain control.

The only issue that I have had with the mask itself is that you have to get the seal insert behind the retainer just right, or it will leak. Also the bottom retainer tab has popped out a couple times and started leaking, but a quick pinch and it snaps right back into place. If you put it on sitting up, and then lay down, it will be too tight and you have to loosen the straps.

I have woken up a few times in the morning with the feeling that the CPAP isn't working, and a quick pull on the mask breaks the seal and confirms that there is indeed pressure. let it go, and it seals right back into place. So, I can't say it is so comfortable that you won't notice it is there, but it is good enough that it works for me.