OptiLife chin strap

zzzzzz!! · Post by **zzzzzz!!** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 5:57 am

I keep seeing complaints in reviews of the OptiLife that the chin strap doesn't keep one's mouth shut.

For those considering this mask, I would just like to reiterate:

THE OPTILIFE CHIN STRAP IS INTENDED TO STABILIZE THE MASK, NOT TO PREVENT MOUTH BREATHING.

The Respironics OptiLife web site says so, and so do the instructions that come with the mask, yet it seems that some users have the impression that the chin strap's function is to keep the mouth shut. Not so.

Just wanted to make sure potential OptiLife users are aware of this! I'll step off my soapbox now.

mecocosm · Post by **mecocosm** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 7:03 am

The main issue I find is that for mouth breathers like me, we have to now tolerate 2 straps below the chin, the OptiLife chin band for mask stability and a chin strap to keep the mouth shut.

Jaggles · Post by **Jaggles** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 7:18 am

I am considering this as my next trial in my MaskQuest. Does the chin strap need to be tight to provide stability? Is it bothersome?

zzzzzz!! · Post by **zzzzzz!!** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 7:26 am

Jaggles wrote:Does the chin strap need to be tight to provide stability? Is it bothersome?

Mine is actually rather loose. You'd think it would be ineffective that way, but it does help keep things in place. I think others have mentioned keeping theirs a bit loose as well.

I don't find it particularly bothersome.

Jaggles · Post by **Jaggles** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 7:34 am

thanks zzzzzz. I tried the comfortlite 2 and could not keep it from leaking since there was nothing to hold the mask close. This one seems to have that figured out. Are you a side sleeper? If so, how does it do for that. I am left, right, left, right all night and my nose mouth area kind of digs into the pillow. Any thoughts on how this will do with that?

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 7:46 am

I have only trialed the Optilife a couple of nights ... the chin strap made no difference in stability for me so I removed it completely for the second trial without any difference.

zzzzzz!! · Post by **zzzzzz!!** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 8:36 am

Jaggles wrote:Are you a side sleeper? If so, how does it do for that. I am left, right, left, right all night and my nose mouth area kind of digs into the pillow. Any thoughts on how this will do with that?

It sounds like we have the same sleeping habits! Here are my thoughts; hopefully ohers will contribute theirs as well because everyone is different.

I wish the OptiLife had a swivel connector, which would probably make tossing and turning easier, though I suppose that would add more weight and bulk to the mask. I use the Respironics Performance Hose and highly recommend it for use with this mask (or any other, for that matter--why not?). Because of its light weight, even if it ends up across my neck or my shoulder or arm or whatever when I turn over, I really don't notice it.

Regarding nose/mouth in the pillow: Because the OptiLife exhaust vent is in the front, this could be a problem for some people, particularly if you really dig your face into your pillow or use a poofy pillow which could rise up and block the vent.

Also, the plastic "wings" dig into some people's faces. They did at first for me but I don't really notice it now--not sure if it changed due to strap adjustment or what.

There are a few things I wish they had done differently with that mask, but as I said somewhere else in the forum, I'm about 80-85% happy with it and for the moment it works pretty well for me.

If it sounds like it might work for you and you have the chance to try it, go for it, and please report your impressions afterward.

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): respironics, hose

RichCMH · Post by **RichCMH** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 11:40 am

Over the past 2+ months for me the OptiLife has been great. With some gentle pressure you can bend the wings out a little if you find them pinching. Be careful not to bend with too much pressure, you could snap the plastic.

The wings should be up high on the cheeks for the chin strap to provide best stability and to prevent it from slipping off the chin.

For those with staps to keep mouth shut, I would imagine you would not even notice the addition of the Opti's strap.

The more I wear the mask, the less I notice it.

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 11:54 am

Tossing and truning side sleepers should consider interfaces that route the hose over the top of the head for optimal tossing and turning.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 12:15 pm

DreamStalker wrote:Tossing and truning side sleepers should consider interfaces that route the hose over the top of the head for optimal tossing and turning.

Yup.

I sure like these connect-at-top-of-head masks:
Breeze
LINKS to Breeze nasal pillows / nasal mask topics
viewtopic.php?t=3935

ComfortLite 2
LINKS to Respironics ComfortLite 2 nasal pillows mask topics
viewtopic.php?t=8066

Twilight NP (my personal favorite)
LINKS to Invacare Twilight NP (Aeiomed Headrest- Aura) nasal pillows mask topics
viewtopic.php?t=3098

Examples for overhead routing of the main air hose and connector hose to the mask:
LINKS to Hose hangers and methods of managing the air hose
viewtopic.php?t=10640

And this to stabilize most any nasal pillows mask for toss 'n' turn sleeping:
Pictures -- ways to route one or two homemade straps to steady nasal pillows masks.

And this, as the way to tie the homemade strap with a very flat type of knot:
Pictures -- How to tie a double start knot

Jaggles · Post by **Jaggles** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 12:20 pm

I tried the comfortlite 2 in part for the hose location but the mask would not stay in place.

I am not trying the optilife and i feel sure the mask will stay in place better. If so, and if comfortable, then I will work on the hose problem it presents. Since the extension has a little alligator clip, I am going to see if snapping that on a tshirt will help hold the hose in place and hand the hose somehow to help with my movements.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 12:49 pm

Jaggles wrote:I tried the comfortlite 2 in part for the hose location but the mask would not stay in place.

Sorry it didn't work for you, Jaggles. Not every mask works for everyone even if some love a particular mask.

Just curious...did you ever try any of these "fixes" for the CL2?

1. A homemade strap placed around the nasal pillows/simple cushion area.
Pictures -- ways to route one or two homemade straps to steady nasal pillows masks.

2. oldgearhead's or NightHawkeye's methods of bringing the nasal pillows in closer.
Oct 28, 2006 subject: ComfortLite 2, Revisited Lab Rat Award photos of oldgearhead's "garbage bag ties" fix.

Apr 30, 2006 subject: Fix Turns ComfortLite 2 to Perfection Lab Rat Award photo of NightHawkeye's "fishing line" fix

2. Did you have the main air hose hung overhead?
LINKS to Hose hangers and methods of managing the air hose
viewtopic.php?t=10640

3. More drastically...did you consider cutting off the clunky swivel elbow connector on top of the head? I wasn't real crazy about the CL2 until I got rid of that thing. Made the whole headgear feel lighter and easier to turn over with. Kept it from bumping head pillow or headboard:
Apr 14, 2006 subject: ComfortLite 2 without the elbow Lab Rat Award drawings and description of removal of swivel elbow on top of headgear - by rested gal

I know that's a lot of trouble to go to when it would be better for a mask to fit with normal adjustments -- right out of the box. For the price of these things, that's the way it should be!

However, it can be so hard to find that kind of mask...one that suits well "as is". So, if a mask is almost ok, it's sometimes worth it to work on some tweaky homemade fixes.

Jaggles · Post by **Jaggles** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 12:54 pm

Thanks RG. No I didn't. The headgear also was a bit problematic in that it would not stay in place and caused a couple pressure points. I think i had it too tight but given the problems with mask placement, I decided against fooling around with it much, especially since it was a loaner and had not cost me anything.