question for Opus 360 users

[kolchak]

Hi
For the last few months I've been loving the Opus 360 but I've recently had a couple issues. The most bothersome is an annoying noise while inhaling that makes falling asleep nearly impossible. In the comments from the opus vs. swift product challenge someone described the noise being like papers rustling. After lots of strap & pillow adjusting I almost gave up on the mask but then I changed the short hose that connects the mask to the main hose and all's quiet again. The old hose wasn't broken or leaking so I'm not sure what caused the noise. Has anyone else experienced this problem?
Secondly, for the first few months the fit was fantastic but now one pillow is sitting lower than the other. I’ve fiddled endlessly with the straps and tried every adjustment possible but can’t get the pillows to sit level. Evidently either my nose has shifted slightly on my face or something else has changed. Can anyone share some tips on getting a good pillow fit?
Thanks much!

[Ms.Snuffleupagus]

Hi,
I only tried the Opus for a couple of days before returning it to my DME, but ordered one online from cpap.com. It hasn't arrived yet. So not sure if I can help, but I am curious to get any info about this mask and hope someone replies.

The one I used for a couple of days, did make a very fine crackling noise on inhalation. Not sure what that was. As for not getting the pillows level, maybe they have worn out and need to be replaced, although a few months is not very long?? Not sure how often they have to be replaced.

[Guest]

I have the Opus 360 mask and have pretty good luck with it. I began my CPAP treatment with it 4 months ago and still continue to use it. I have noticed that the right side pillow sometimes does ride higher than the left side, but both of them seal pretty good. I think it's all in how you install it into the frame. In the beginning, I did fiddle with the straps to find the right position, but now I leave them alone. They are more loose than tight. A couple of times I have woken up to find that the lower back strap had crept up to the top of my head, but I hadn't lost my seal. I do hear some wind noise, but at this point, I'm use to it.

I like this mask because of it's light weight and non-claustrophobic properties, at least for me. After using this mask for 3 months, I noticed that it was becoming harder to get a good seal. I swapped out the pillow with a new one and immediately got a better seal. I don't know how long the pillows are supposed to last, but I think they do become less pliable over time. Once in a while, I do get some pain at the opening of my nostrils. I think that is just a matter of not getting enough moisture through the mask to combat the wind burn. Speaking of wind, my pressure is around 10 and with the Respironics PR One set on APAP and with a good seal, I can't feel the air entering my nose. It's very comfortable. I recommend the PR One and the Opus 360 mask. A great combination.

Karl

[kbrenn]

I just posted a reply and noticed that it listed me as Guest. I then realized that I wasn't logged in. My mistake. It's late.

[fadedgirl]

Speaking of wind, my pressure is around 10 and with the Respironics PR One set on APAP and with a good seal, I can't feel the air entering my nose. It's very comfortable. I recommend the PR One and the Opus 360 mask. A great combination.

Karl

Hi Karl. I was wondering if you are using C-Flex or A-Flex & if so at what setting, or no flex? Thanks!

[kolchak]

Ms. Snuffle - I'd be surprised if your new mask has the same noise, as It seems to occur in a very small %.

Karl - my experience with the Opus has been very similar to yours, which over all is very positive. I changed pillows after ~ 3 months and noticed the difference. Fortunately the new hose solved the annoying noise issue but I'm still curious about what caused it and why the heck I can't get the pillows totally straight anymore.

Have a great day

[drubin007]

like the others, I am using the 360, have been for about 5 months now give or take.... I swap out my pillows about every 2 months and do actually see a difference. Some nights (I guess if I toss and turn a lot?) the pillow actually comes loose from the assembly and I hear air rustling. That noise is annoying when you are trying to sleep I just push it back into the housing. Funny seeing this post this morning... It was making a lot of noise this morning, I wen to adjust it and somehow the pillow came off and got lost in my bed. I said the hell with it and took it all off and slept the last hour without it.
Could not find the pillow this morning, hope the dogs did not eat it but I have spares.
For what its worth, I used the optilife before the Opus, and would never go back.

[kbrenn]

Speaking of wind, my pressure is around 10 and with the Respironics PR One set on APAP and with a good seal, I can't feel the air entering my nose. It's very comfortable. I recommend the PR One and the Opus 360 mask. A great combination.

Karl

Hi Karl. I was wondering if you are using C-Flex or A-Flex & if so at what setting, or no flex? Thanks!

I do use A-Flex set at 3. In the beginning, I did try settings 1 and 2, but found that I liked setting 3 better. I have not tried C-Flex. A-Flex is working ok for me. I also set the humidifier on setting 2 and sometimes 1, if I start to feel water droplets entering my nose, which has been very rare. I also find that I have to re-fill the humidifier tank about every 3 days with the setting at 2.

[SleepyInIndy]

I have been using the 360 since March 08. I'm on my second mask. Late in the life of my first mask, my wife would notice a 'strange sound' coming from the mask. I, of course, was dead asleep. She would reach over and fiddle with the short connecting hose to the mask and the noise went away until the next time. I do not keep the short hose attached to the headstraps but allow it to swing freely and swivel as it choses. When I purchased the new mask the noise issue went away - for now. I think it is related to the socket connection on the mask cavity. Over time, I thing the hose connecter changes shape and allows air to escape in certain positions.

[kolchak]

Sleepy - thanks for the insight &I think you're right on the money.
Were the nasal pillows on both your opus masks the same? I have an older generation Opus mask that had softer & rounder pillows and the newer one came with sleeker, stiffer pillows that protrude further into the nasal passage. They are both good but wishing they hadn't changed because i like the older generation better.