Fitlife mask?

[sister]

Hi,
Has anyone tried the fitlife mask. I have been using it recently and I really like it!
I have a big problem with mouth breathing and have been unable to conquer this problem.
I have been using the Swift Fx for her but I have to tape,use a wide chinstrap and somtimes I even use polident also.Still I had large leaks that I have been unable to control.
I tried the fitlife a couple of weeks ago,I got a small since i really have a small face but it didn't work. Couldn't get the top of it to fit,large leaks. Then I asked to try the large [my DME thought I was crazy] but It fits at the top and works great!
It goes around the outside edge of my face so nothing touches my face at all!!!!
No more leaking,nothing on the nose or cheeks and it really is comfortable after you get used to it,
I am so relieved to not have to tape or sleep in a chin strap anymore,I just do a quick click on the mask strap and i.m ready to sleep!
I have read that a lot of people don't like the fitlife so I wanted to share my experience for the last couple of weeks,it's been great!
GOD BLESS YOU!

[chunkyfrog]

I'm so happy for you; and I admire your persistence.

[Mary Z]

I wear a FitLife small, probably need to try a large as this one leaves grooves high on my cheeks. But it's the only mask I've ever used where I can get 0.0 leaks. I tried the large, but was at a higher pressure and found it leaked then. Perhaps I'll have better luck with it now.

[sister]

I'm so happy for you; and I admire your persistence.

Thanks, I have really tried hard and long.I have just about every mask there is and I've been trying since jan. of this year for the second time. I was first diagnosed with sleep apnea in 2006.
Tried for 15 months in 2006 and 2007 and finally had the surgery,[UPPP}.
It lasted only 2 years and I had to go back on c-pap.
I have slept better this week than I have since jan.
Please pray for me that I can continue to use this one.
Have a good night!

[sister]

I wear a FitLife small, probably need to try a large as this one leaves grooves high on my cheeks. But it's the only mask I've ever used where I can get 0.0 leaks. I tried the large, but was at a higher pressure and found it leaked then. Perhaps I'll have better luck with it now.

Hi Mary,
Please try the large,I never thought that I could use it but you never know.
i also had problems with the small leaving deep marks on my cheeks.
Let me give you a suggestion that works for me. I had heard many people on the forum say that they could not use the fitlife because of large leaks at the forehead. What works for me,I take a wet washcloth and wipe around the outer edge of the mask and wipe my face also just before laying down.
I can do that now and it seals so good. i am then off to sleep, no problems!
I think you gave me some tips on the fitlife mask on another forum many months ago.Thanks!
GOD BL

[sunnyway]

I love the FitLife because it doesn't rub on anything, it doesn't obstruct my vision and is not claustrophopic despite its size, it doesn't squeal and wake me up, I get a lovely breeze over my full face (at a pressure setting of 18), I can sleep on my side, and I can sleep through the whole night with it, unlike the dozen other masks that preceded it. There is no pinching or pain. The headgear on the Large tends to be too long, so I shortened the straps.


It does leak on the forehead. I've settled on this routine. First I put on a cotton night cap, letting it ride low on my forehead so that the top edge of the mask lays on it. I pull on the headgear and attach it. Then I fold a Buff in half and pull it over the top of the mask and headgear. The fabric is light and unobtrusive and cuts the leaking down to zero.

For those who don't know what a Buff is, it's stretchy tube of cloth that can be folded or twisted and worn in many manners: scarf, beanie, gaiter, balaclava, etc. I buy the knock-offs rather than the expensive genuine article.


I've recently bought a chin strap that attaches to the lower straps of the headgear, rather than wrapping around my head. I like it!
http://www.ripvw.com/

[sister]

hi sunnyway,
Thank you so much for the reply!! I just ordered a chin strap from your recommendation! It looks like just what I need.
I don't have very many leaks anymore but I know I have air coming back out my mouth,it is always so dry when I wake up.
I have to find water at once!
I am already using the buff and I think with the chin strap I will be doing much better,anyway I will let you know.
Again, let me thank you,I really appreciate you telling me this.
And it's good to hear from others who have been using the fitlife.
I know it doesn't work for everybody but it sure is the simplest one for me so far.
GOD BLESS YOU!!

[chunkyfrog]

That chinstrap looks like such a great idea, I might just clear my sewing table.
Sewing/embroidery: Husqvarna Viking #1+ (1996)
Serger: Singer Merritlock 14 u44 (old as heck)

[burke2969]

I found the use of Mack's Earplugs one the forehead stopped my leaks. Also I use the Flex-Fit 432 headgear. I have less leaks most nites.

[elena88]

sister!
Im thrilled to hear the fitlife is working so well for you! yahoo!

That is a nice mask to wear, and you can hardly feel the pressure either!

I tried it, but it leaked at the temples for me, that was the only place, but my pressure was incorrect, or I bet it would have worked just
fine. I cant remember if I tried the medium or large, I think it was the large, its pretty cool, I agree!

I hope this is the key to your successful treatment!

elena

[sister]

Thanks Elena,
I am thrilled also,I don't know if it will continue working for me but right now it is. I never thought that I could use it but I kept looking at it and I thought,umm,this may be the answer,nothing touches the face.
It only comes in small and large but the large works,goes around the outside of my face so nothing actually touches my face at all.Eliminates all those pressure points that drive you crazy!
And sunnyway is so right,it's like a soft breeze blowing all over your face,no pressure.
Of course my pressure is only 9,I think she said her's was 18 though!
I think when i get the chinstrap she recommended I will be doing much better with the dry mouth and then I'll be all set to sleep in comfort,[or as much as you can with c-pap].
thanks for caring,as you always do,and the best of luck to you.
GOD BLESS YOU and many nights of restful sleep!

[Laney]

I don't usually do this but I see so many solutions to stop the leaks I just wanted to add my 2 cents worth. I too had leaks, especially in the middle of my forehead. It took me a couple nights to figure out what I was doing wrong. I kept adjusting it and finally found I was wearing it to low on my forehead. I now put it up near my hair line and it works perfect. It is the most comfortable mask I have used in almost 2 years and several styles and sizes of masks. I no longer wake up with my face all marked up because I had to pull all the others so tight to stop the leaks.
I also stay asleep longer. I used to wake up every 2 or 3 hours because the mask was so uncomfortable I would have to readjust to take it off for a while and then put it back on and go back to bed.
I am looking forward to a good night's sleep from now on. This is the one for me.

[sunnyway]

Here it is three years since my earlier posting. I'm still happily using the FitLife total face mask, avoiding the well-documented forehead leak with a "Buff" tubular scarf over my head first, a chin strap, and the smaller size headgear that is now available. I love the FitLife because it doesn't rub on anything, it doesn't obstruct my vision and is not claustrophobic despite its size. It doesn't squeal and wake me up and I get a lovely breeze over my full face (at a pressure setting of 18). I can sleep on my side, and I can sleep through the whole night with it, unlike the dozen other masks I tried first. If you're having problems finding a tolerable mask, consider the FitLife.

Respironics FitLife:
Chin strap: http://www.ripvw.com/
Buff: http://buffusa.com/

[Sheriff Buford]

Sunny: I've been using the Fitlife several years and have coached many forum members and non-members about the mask. Unfortunately, it's a mask of "last resort". Often people "fear" the mask just by looking at it. You make good points. As in other masks of preference, we are all different.

- What are your leak rates?
- how long have you been able to wear a mask before replacement?
- how do you like the new head gear straps?

Sheriff

[sunnyway]

I'm a Mac user so I can't read the data. I have to take the SD card to a pharmacy 30 miles away if I want a print-out. I rarely do that, maybe only once a year, since I'm sleeping well, refreshed, and alert. My chronic fatigue syndrome is pretty resolved and my fibromyalgia is also improved. It's obviously working!

I've worn the masks for as long as a year. The silicone seal works better on a newer one, but the old ones are useable in a pinch. Come to think of it, I'm about due for another new mask.

The new smaller size headgear is wonderful. I wear a large mask, but the large headgear was way too big and had to be altered with my sewing machine. The smaller headgear is perfect.

I do seem to need the chinstrap or my jaw drops down and I end up with dry mouth.