UPDATE: Respironics FullLife Mask - Release on July 20

[jdm2857]

What will the Force do to machines that sound like Darth Vader?

[2ndGenCPAPgal]

I don't know about Respironics, but ResMed instructs that SmartStart (auto on/off) will not work properly with full-face masks.

I would have thought there would be more problems crossing brands of machines/masks rather than with both from the same company. My ResMed Quattro worked just fine w/ my Resprionics machine. I think it has something to do w/ the anti-asphyxia valve because when I cover that vent it makes the auto on work.

[jdm2857]

I think it has something to do w/ the anti-asphyxia valve because when I cover that vent it makes the auto on work.

You're exactly right. With the air pressure off, the anti-asphyxia valve is open. When you breathe in, air enters throught the valve instead of through the hose, and the machine can't sense the breath and doesn't turn on.

Covering the valve avoids this problem.

[socalmonkey]

CPAP.Com now has the just the head gear available, for the FullLife mask. So the head gear is going to cost $35 to replace (if it wears out).

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... dgear.html

Here is a good shot at the back of the head. Showing exactly where it rests.



It's interesting to me, where the main part of the head band crosses the head. If that is the part where my head get the main pressure to the pillow... then side to side movements might cause problems.

They also have replacement cushions available at $59.97!

It's good to know what your getting into with this mask.

[roster]

I don't know about Respironics, but ResMed instructs that SmartStart (auto on/off) will not work properly with full-face masks.

............

"Auto On" works fine on my Respironics machine with three different full face masks.

I never use Auto Off. Should my hose ever pull lose from the machine, I want the machine to pump like mad and possibly wake me and alert me to a deadly situation.

[socalmonkey]

MY REVIEW....
The frame seems a bit narrow for my rather round face and I found the longer "bars" that hold the chinstrap to be a bit annoying against my face. I had pictured the side pieces giving a bit of clearance and not sitting right next to the skin...

I worry about this too, as my face is kind of wide.



If this happens, it's not going to work for me. My face is chubbier than this guy. Now I'm worried.

Thanks for a great review 2ndGenCPAPgal. If anybody missed it. Check out Page 9 of this thread for her complete assessment!

She says allot of good things about it. But I am worrying about the straps and the "bars" digging into my face. They are not adjustable. I wish I could get a measurement for the width of those bars.

If this doesn't work for me, what should I try next?

A Mirage Quattro Full Face ---> OR ---> a Ultra Mirage Full Face?

[Muse-Inc]

...If this happens, it's not going to work for me. My face is chubbier than this guy. Now I'm worried.

He's overtightened the bottom straps...look at how it's cutting into the back of his neck, even if ya ignore the squished jawline tissue..that's gotta hurt and for sure will damage tissue by reducing bloodflow! If the support frame is like the OptiLife's, it flexes a bit and the tightness of the straps determines where and how snugly it actually touches the face. I doubt the mask was designed to dig into the face as it does it that pic.

I lost 53#s while wearing the OptiLife and had to adjust the straps for my significantly narrower face, the frame worked as well for my slimmer face as it did when I first started wearing it as really does flex a bit.

[BleepingBeauty]

I am worrying about the straps and the "bars" digging into my face. They are not adjustable. I wish I could get a measurement for the width of those bars.

No, the mask frame "bars" are not adjustable, but they are flexible. I have the small size, and the "bars" measure 6 1/4" from tip to tip in width (from one side of the mask to the other). But as I said, they're flexible, and I haven't experienced any marks on my face (nor discomfort) from them.

I do have a slight strap mark on the left side of my neck (which is the side I sleep on most when I'm side-sleeping) when I wake up, but it fades quickly enough. The bridge of my nose is another story, but that's just a matter of getting used to the pressure of a FFM on a regular basis (which I've never experienced before).

[roster]

........
If this doesn't work for me
.........

Soc,

Welcome back to planet earth.

But if you do get the mask, give it the good ole college try. If you are looking for a mask that everyone loves, you are going to be disappointed.

Good luck,

[jdm2857]

No, the mask frame "bars" are not adjustable, but they are flexible. I have the small size, and the "bars" measure 6 1/4" from tip to tip in width (from one side of the mask to the other). But as I said, they're flexible, and I haven't experienced any marks on my face (nor discomfort) from them.

All three cushions fit into the same frame. So this dimension applies to all sizes.

[jqp]

So has Apria added it to their "system" so it can be ordered yet?

JQP

[Maple Leaf]

After investigating the "new" mask and all it's hype, I'm going to pass and go with the UMFF. Never tried a FFM so hopefully I can get rid of my chin strap and secure a good seal. On another note, is it common to get record breaking threads when a new mask is released, or, is the Full Life's pretty colors part of "de lure of de mask" aka carbon...

Rick

[BleepingBeauty]

No, the mask frame "bars" are not adjustable, but they are flexible. I have the small size, and the "bars" measure 6 1/4" from tip to tip in width (from one side of the mask to the other). But as I said, they're flexible, and I haven't experienced any marks on my face (nor discomfort) from them.

All three cushions fit into the same frame. So this dimension applies to all sizes.

Oh, duh (with a V8 slap to my forehead). You're right about that, jdm.

I'm tired today. Lost power at 2:40 a.m., thanks to a raucous thunderstorm, and I didn't get much more sleep afterwards. I'm glad someone is thinking straight and paying attention this morning, so thanks for correcting that, jdm...

Apologies for any confusion.

[Arizona-Willie]

Auto On works fine with my FullLife and the Respironics M Series with Aflex -- in CPAP mode. Haven't tried APAP with this mask yet. Want to refine the settings as much as possible with straight pressure before venturing into variable pressure. Getting pretty good numbers with CPAP anyway. I do sometimes have to take a couple of breaths before the auto on kicks in. But I wouldn't care if that worked or not really. No big deal to push the button.

The side bars don't seem to bother me. The chin strap sometimes does but it functions so well that there's no way I wouldn't use it.

Biggest problem with this mask is the lack of clips so you can get it set and remove and put it on without having to spend 20 minutes getting all the straps adjusted just right. I don't want to stretch those size 7 straps over my size 13 head. I can barely get it over with the straps completely loose. Stretching those straps to put it off and on would definitely cut the lifetime of the headgear. That was probably their whole idea ... sell more headgear.

Was thinking it might be possible to lab rat some straps with clips somehow, but I don't know how right off the top of my head. Maybe Pad-A-Cheeks with come up with a way to cut the straps and install a clip in the middle or something. Hmmm, come to think of it ... would it work to cut the straps and put in some of those snaps like they put on western shirts? Then once, adjusted, a person could unsnap the strap and remove it and put it back just like it was.

Last night I had the straps the loosest I have ever had them but still had pain on my nose bridge in early am.

I suspect NOTHING will prevent that pain as long as something is pressing on the nose for hours constantly, even though the pressure is relatively mild.

I think perhaps my old broken nose may be the real culprit. Broke it in a fight back in '62 and you'd think it would be pretty much no problem now and isn't except it doesn't like mask pressure. Probably something to do with nerves in the nose. Hmm, I wonder if a doc could cut those nerves so it didn't hurt anymore. I destroyed the cartileges in my left wrist and they cut the nerves there to stop pain. Hmmmm. Orrrrr .... I wonder if something like Anbesol that you apply for toothache would numb the nose? Hmmm, think we have some of that if it's still good ... probably expired.

Anyone want to try applying Anbesol to their nose bridge and see if it helps?

[undertaker]

I just got the new full face "Fulllife" 4 days ago and have gone back to the Mirage Quattro, even though has taken me 6 months to get used to that one. Still take it off after about 4 hours of mixed sleep, then sleep the remaining, if I can, 2 1/2 hours without it.

A technician is apparently coming to try & find out the problem for me with the fulllife mask. I like the initial fit, ease of use, line of sight, you name it, but cannot stop it leaking near the eyes. Adjusted the upper straps & chin strap several times to no avail. Can put my finger where the leaks are (both sides near eyes) and stop them, but no amount of adjustments stops it.

Wish this were not as much of a struggle as it is. Out of 6 months have only slept through the night with mask on, 4 times.

Will advise this forum what happens after technician leaves.

Thanks for being here,

Undertaker
ResMed
AutoSet II
Mirage Quattro Full Mask