Respironics Profile Lite Nasal CPAP Mask

nycgardener · Post by **nycgardener** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 4:31 pm

Has anyone tried the Respironics Profile Lite Nasal CPAP Mask? It is supposed to be a custom fit mask - where the plastic gets heated in hot water and then molded to your face. It can also be reheated and remolded more than once. If you tried it, please let me know what you thought of it.

I've been told that because my nose has such a narrow bridge, that it's hard to find a mask that doesn't leak. I'm not sure whether or not to believe this...but if anyone has had a similar experience please let me know.

Thanks!

rock and roll · Post by **rock and roll** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 5:44 pm

I have, still hurt my nose. Go to the Activa, you will not even feel it on your nose.

53now · Post by **53now** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 5:56 pm

The Profile Lite is what I call ...an "80/20 Mask." It leaks and leaves battle scars on 80% of the people who use it. It's a perfect fit for the other 20%.
******** No documentation here...just an unofficial opinion

Rich >>>>> Official user of the Activa & Ultra Mirage

FL andy · Post by **FL andy** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 6:07 pm

Do yourself a very big favor and do NOT get the Profile Lite - especially - if it is your first mask. I had the unfortunate task of trying to use the Profile Lite as my first mask. It is a bad mask. Respironics has a good reputation for machines and a quite poor reputation for mask.

IF this is your first mask, you will find there is a learning curve to sleeping with a mask. Might as well be a good mask rather than one as bad as the Profile Lite. That way the learning curve is easier for you.

Most DMEs (the place you usually windup being sent to get your mask) try to give you the Profile Lite because it cost them about *half* the amount as a very good mask like ResMed's Activa, and the amount they are reimbursed by almost all insurance companies is the *same* for both masks.

If you were in the DME business, which mask would you prefer to give to a customer?

Respironics trains their techs well and they tell you 70 percent use this mask, it is a custom mask for each face, you'll love it - all lies.

I love my Respironics machine. I hate their masks.

Get the Activa for your first mask, or your tenth mask if you never tried it before.

Good luck, my friend. Spend a few hours reading posts on this message board from the last month or so. You will learn a lot and you then have information, very good information, as a base on which to make decisions about YOUR care.

Keep coming back!

Andy

th · Post by th » Wed Mar 30, 2005 7:12 pm

Listen to FL Andy... I could have not said it better

Thing ResMed for mask and Respironics for machines

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 9:27 pm

th wrote: Listen to FL Andy... I could have not said it better

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 10:13 pm

Andy nailed it!! Skip the Respironics masks and start out with the ResMed Activa if you want a nasal (covers the nose) mask. I love my Respironics autopap with c-flex, but their masks.... pfffft. With the Activa, if the "standard" size is too long on your face, try the "shallow"...it's shorter vertically.

snoozin' · Post by **snoozin'** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 7:32 am

Sorry, but I have to agree with Rich.(53Now) MOST people do not do well on the profile lite. One of the ResMed masks will fit them much better and be much more comfortable. A FEW people don't fit the ResMed masks, while the profile lite does fit them.
I'm one of the weird people who actually like the profile lite. I basically have No bridge to my nose - have had problems fitting eyeglasses for years. With any mask that actually allows room for the nose bridge, I get leaks. Period. Doesn't matter size, kind, adjustment - it's just not going to work for me. So I personally use the profile lite or a nasal pillow. Right now I'm switching off between the profile lite and the swift.
So, for a few people, the profile lite does work, but only for a few. Insist that they let you try on a few different masks, and you'll be better able to see if the profile lite or something else would be better for you.
Debbie

coffee · Post by **coffee** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 6:09 pm

I had good luck with the profile lite mask. I have a hard to fit face; high cheekbones and a broken nose. You heat up the mask and it then conforms somewhat to your face. It was the first mask that fit for me without leaking. Unfortunately, it was subsequently discovered that I was leaking air out of my mouth and I've moved on to full face masks. Judging from full face masks; Resmed is far superior to Respironics. I haven't tried the Activa but it certainly gets great reviews on this forum. You may also want to consider a nasal pillow system, they didn't work for me but are also highly recommended here.

coffee · Post by **coffee** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 6:10 pm

I had good luck with the profile lite mask. I have a hard to fit face; high cheekbones and a broken nose. You heat up the mask and it then conforms somewhat to your face. It was the first mask that fit for me without leaking. Unfortunately, it was subsequently discovered that I was leaking air out of my mouth and I've moved on to full face masks. Judging from full face masks; Resmed is far superior to Respironics. I haven't tried the Activa but it certainly gets great reviews on this forum. You may also want to consider a nasal pillow system, they didn't work for me but are also highly recommended here.