Respironics OptiLife Mask - user reactions

ca_hosehead · Post by **ca_hosehead** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 3:01 am

Thanks for the tips folks. I sent a paper letter (the post office still accepts those to the president of the company explaining the situation. We'll see if it gets a response.

JPO · Post by **JPO** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 7:32 am

I have been using the OptiLife mask for a week now and it is working great for me.

Impressions -
Ultra quiet - no noise at all - exhaust is noiseless
Lightweight - straps are not very tight

You have to become attuned to the hose since it goes straight down and there is not as much play as on the Swift. I sleep on my back and sides and don't have a problem with it coming off or with leaks.

I'm sleeping all night and can feel the difference in sleep.
The pillows fit OK, they feel funny to begin with but they form a good seal.

And last, there is no more endless adjustment with the straps and the pillows - put it on, slides right on, play with the pillows once, and fall asleep.

It is working for me - and I'm happy about that.

JPZeller · Post by **JPZeller** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 9:36 am

<<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.>>

Push back - I did (based on the delayed availability of the product until 1/22), and they agreed.

JPZeller · Post by **JPZeller** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 9:39 am

<<You have to become attuned to the hose since it goes straight down and there is not as much play as on the Swift. I sleep on my back and sides and don't have a problem with it coming off or with leaks.>>

I took a tip from the photo of the product (see below) and ran the hose under my pillow. Great results.

ca_hosehead · Post by **ca_hosehead** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 3:09 am

Just an update, cpap.com came through on the lower price. I got an email from Adam Robison,Customer Service Manager there and he credited me the difference between what I paid and the current price of $99.

You guys were right, they do treat you right, thanks.

ca_hosehead · Post by **ca_hosehead** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 3:18 am

Since the mask is light weight and rides lightly on the face it is sensitive to being pulled by the hose. My other mask (Ultra Mirage II) has a lot of straps and you could hang a bowling ball off the front of it. Getting a hose routing that doesn't pull is important.

The nasal pillows are kind of sticky when you first get them and they chafe quite a bit, but a shot of lubricant handles this well and seems to improve the seal.

JPO · Post by **JPO** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 9:01 am

The nasal pillows are kind of sticky when you first get them and they chafe quite a bit, but a shot of lubricant handles this well and seems to improve the seal.

What kind of lubricant do you use?

Cyndi · Post by **Cyndi** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 11:48 am

I have been using the OptiLife for a week now. I really like it. The hose coming straight down and being very stiff is the only problem I have with it. But as I've used it the hose has softened and is not as much of a problem now. I am a back, side and stomach sleeper and I have been able to sleep in all positions with no problems. I pull up all the slack in my hose and fasten the clip to the corner of my fitted sheet on the mattress. That gives me enough room to flip around without the hose pulling the mask out of place. My machine sits on the floor. The only thing I would change is where the hose connects to the mask, it would be nice to have a swivel so you would have more options of routing the hose. It took me several nights to get the adjustments right. I use the straps in the slot closest to the nose piece and the straps are very loose on my head. I use the petite nose pillows and have them angled at a very weird angle when you look at them, but when it's on they are just right. It's very comfortable and doesn't leave any marks on my face.

SleepingBeauty · Post by **SleepingBeauty** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 2:32 pm

After sending in a second request (thanks for the recommendation to "push back" JPZeller!) cpap.com granted my refund request too!

The last two nights with the Opti have been much better. Like Cyndi, it has taken me several nights to get the adjustment correct - just minor tweaks. I slept fine all night last night and it never came off my face like my nasalaire II did. I really like how easy it is to put on and take off. Once you get the adjustment correct, you don't have to alter the straps anymore, you just slide it on/off.

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 4:51 pm

Would a swivel like this work between the mask and the hose:

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/wivel- ... -Mask.html

or this:

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/Resmed ... Vista.html

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 4:59 pm

What I love about the Opti is the headgear -- and I want one so badly to use with my de-capitated Aura. I would hook my little panty hose strap to that headgear and be in hog heaven.

I love the look of these new masks -- but none of them vent up by the forehead like the Aura does. Last night my nose got cold and I just pulled the covers up over it -- warm and toasty and no noise because the covers still don't touch the exhale vents.

JPO · Post by **JPO** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 10:07 am

Would a swivel like this work between the mask and the hose

Linda, the mask does have a swivel. The design is comfortable, easy to put on, and requires little or no adjusting after is is on. I am sleeping all night and I have been using it just over a week.

To achieve the lightness and to eliminate the need for real tight straps, the design, while not quite inherently unstable, is a delicate balance. It can be easy to move the mask out of alignment if the hose is suddenly pushed out or sideways. I was wishing for an elbow with the swivel but I see now that moving the hose out away from the chest would defeat the design, which is working very well for me.

Born Tired · Post by **Born Tired** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 7:01 am

Linda3032 wrote:What I love about the Opti is the headgear -- and I want one so badly to use with my de-capitated Aura. I would hook my little panty hose strap to that headgear and be in hog heaven.

I love the look of these new masks -- but none of them vent up by the forehead like the Aura does. Last night my nose got cold and I just pulled the covers up over it -- warm and toasty and no noise because the covers still don't touch the exhale vents.

You would think that somebody who makes these masks would catch on to the fact that many spouses don't like to sleep in a wind tunnel. If the makers of Aura can do it, why can't other companies?

I have used the Aura for 1 1/2 years now, but about a month ago my Doc gave me a Hybrid. Since I often sleep facing my husband I have to place a pillow between our heads so he won't get blasted. I need chin support (have to use a chin strap with my Aura) so the Optilife looked promising. I was really hoping the Optilife would not blow air straight out.
Esther
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