Respironics OptiLife Mask - user reactions

JPZeller · Post by **JPZeller** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 12:18 pm

My mask arrived Friday.

Very comfortable, although possibly not adjusted correctly (a little slippage with the chin support)

Significantly quieter exhaust than the Swift

Nasal pillow sizes seem just like those on the Swift

Hose comes with a clip for attachment to pajamas or bedclothes - comes in handy, since the hose extends directly outwardly from the piece holding the pillows

The pieces resting against the cheeks are actually comfortable

SleepingBeauty · Post by **SleepingBeauty** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 1:50 pm

Good to know! Mine is supposed to arrive today and I'm looking forward to trying it out. My current nasal prongs just don't stay put very well. Last night I had to tape the little air hoses to my cheeks. That wasn't comfortable at all.

mikemoran · Post by **mikemoran** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 2:04 pm

This is the first nasal pillow maks that I have been able to use for an extended period of time without irritation to my nostrils. The soft cushions are the main contributor. The head gear is very light wieght and allows full vision with the mask in place. For side sleeping it maintains the seal very well.

Its good but not perfect. The exhaust blows straight out from the mask, which can be irritating to a bed partner. Hose managment is not the best because the hose goes straight down. If I run the hose across my chest I do tend to pull on it when I turn. To use it in the over head fashion, I ran the hose from my head board and added the short hose from my activa for some extra length. This allows me to run it over my shoulder and down my front in a j to the mask.

I am waiting for my Opus mask to see if the ball swivel on that maks will take care of my biggest issue with this mask.

jackr · Post by **jackr** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 3:20 pm

I see the price is down to $109 on cpap.com

can't log on · Post by **can't log on** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 7:01 pm

Cpap.com will probably lower the price of the F & P Opus to $109 also, so there won't be so many requests to match some of the others when shipment starts soon!

preemiern · Post by **preemiern** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 9:51 pm

Just got my Optilife today. My DME said I am the first to try it, so they want to know my reaction. they also want to know how it is that I already know about it--since they just got it in today from their rep...
I just smiled and told them, I have my ways
Anyway--I'm hoping to fall in love with this mask. I love my activa--but am getting tired of all the stuff all over my face, and am looking forward to having my face more open.
Will let you all know what I think!
Cindy

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 10:03 pm

Good luck Cindy! Mine is on order. Please do let us know what you think.
I've been hearing alot of good stuff about this mask.

Brenda

ca_hosehead · Post by **ca_hosehead** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 3:33 am

These people have it for $99.00. I ordered it from cpap.com for $129, I hope cpap.com's price match is for real.

http://youneedsleep.com/inc/sdetail/1452

I like the mask, it is very light and seals well. Very well made. Comfortable.

As far as appearance goes (considering that a guy with a cpap mask on never rates more than a "1") I would give this sexy thing a ".9" for good looks.

The support across the bottom is not a chin strap, it is a support for the mask. If you put enough pressure on the chin strap to keep your mouth closed then it pulls the mask out of place. I suppose if you had a very mild problem it might serve but don't count on it.

I haven't tried side sleeping with it yet but I will. It does not protrude much to the left or right so I think it will do well.

Downward pressure on the hose tends to pivot the mask out of position. I think this is why they included a velcro hose clip for it. The clip seems to do the job well.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 8:03 am

Guess someone got caught squeezing an extra $20 out of their customers!

SleepingBeauty · Post by **SleepingBeauty** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 8:50 am

I've spent two nights with the Opti mask now. The mask was very comfortable when first trying it on - I was surprised that the plastic support wings don't touch your face. The chin support material is underneath it and that is what rests on your cheeks. Head straps were very comfortable too. I put my hair in a pony tail at night and it helps to keep the back strap down where it should be.

Back sleeping was very comfortable. The first night I turned on my side and it felt fine. I don't know how long I was like that, but at some point I must have bent my head down or something because I woke up with a terrible pain at the base of my nose. The pillows were still intact on my nose, but the plastic support piece was jammed up under my nose. Ouch! It was sore most of the morning yesterday.

The next night I loosened the straps a bit and it was better. I still woke with the hard plastic part jammed up under my nose when sleeping on my side, but it was less painful. I think the nose pillows must have rotated from me scrunching my neck down. I rotated it back to a comfortable position and went back to sleep. This isn't the plastic side wings, it's the support piece for the soft nasal pillows.

This morning I checked my stats...and only two apneas with a total time of 18 seconds in apnea!

So far, sleeping on my back with this mask is very comfortable. I just need to figure out what is making the nose piece rotate when I'm on my side.

I am using the clip on the unit and clipping it to my shirt. I'm wondering if it would be better to allow it to move, therefore if I "scrunch" my head down when sleeping on my side, it will move down and not jam under the nose. I'm trying that tonight and will let you know.

Oh, and I did purchase it at the higher price and when I saw the $109 amount, I requested a credit and received it. I just requested an additional credit to the $99, so we'll see if they honor them both.
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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): Nasal Pillows

ca_hosehead · Post by **ca_hosehead** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 2:06 pm

I just got an answer from cpap.com, turns out I missed the 7 day window for the price gaurantee, even though I had only had the mask for one day.

Although I can understand their policy it sure leaves a sour taste in my mouth to be sitting here with the packaging still on the floor and seeing lower prices not only on a competing site, but even on cpap.com.

"Let the buyer beware."

guest99 · Post by **guest99** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 2:29 pm

cpap.com gave me a break when I was one day over. Worth a call.

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 2:35 pm

Also, it sometimes depends on who answers the phone. I got bum scoop about an amended invoice a year ago. I called back and got it amended no problem.

You might call and ask to speak to a supervisor. Cpap.com are great people - you probably got someone who was having a bad day.

SleepingBeauty · Post by **SleepingBeauty** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 10:03 pm

Well, I must have gotten that same person who was having a bad day. I was 12 hours over the 7-day limit and I was denied too. And you're right, it doesn't make you feel very warm and fuzzy about spending more money.

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 10:12 pm

SleepingBeauty wrote:Well, I must have gotten that same person who was having a bad day. I was 12 hours over the 7-day limit and I was denied too. And you're right, it doesn't make you feel very warm and fuzzy about spending more money.

you must have gotten that guy Chris, whenever I get him I ask for Monica, the janitor or hang up, anyone but that guy. I'd rather pay more money from another vendor than deal with that guy, first thing out of his mouth is always NO.

Don't know about you, but where I live in California, it takes UPS 10 days to ship the item ground to you and we are only 2 frigging states away, I've tracked them before it sat in Oakland for 2 days before they ever delivered it.

Machine	Mask

Respironics OptiLife Mask - user reactions

Respironics OptiLife Mask - user reactions

Price