OptiLife nasal pillows

JuJu · Post by **JuJu** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 3:33 pm

I received this mask last week and it hard to get use to.

It pushes my nose up. I have it adjusted good but when morning comes and I wake up. I have a very sore nose.

Please Help

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 3:47 pm

we got a few of these in the lab and other than the pretty bag, we find it totally useless. No one likes it. we had the opus in here too, but it's just another breeze but not as quiet as the breeze.
guess it's back to the dated swift until something better comes out

JuJu · Post by **JuJu** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 3:55 pm

I agree I am about to switch back to my comfortable swift !!!

RichCMH · Post by **RichCMH** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 9:32 pm

The pillows do not go up your nose, they are pillows not prongs. If the whole pillow slips into your nostril, use a bigger pillow. Only the inward-flared tip of the pillow should be inside your nose. See the info on Respironics website for info.

This is a great mask, albeit not for everyone, if fitted properly.

-Cheers

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JuJu · Post by **JuJu** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 10:11 pm

Thank you Rich for the reply.
I am wearing them right .
It's been only a few days and I rather have a good night sleep then trying to get use to a new mask that is not working. Let my poor nose heal. Then try again.

I finally just stop taking off the mask in my sleep.

Baby steps

RICH.CMH · Post by **RICH.CMH** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 12:03 pm

Juju... I apologize, I misread your post thinking the pillows went up your nose... anyway, as you said, baby steps.

It sounds like you have the side straps to short, which pull the mask up painfully high. Loosen the side straps. Adjust the chin strap to bring the mask back up to nose.

Take some time well before bedtime and make small adjustments at a time to the straps. Even a small adjustment makes a big difference on this mask.

Also check out the optilife.respironics.com/Fitting.asp

Good luck!

23552 · Post by **23552** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 1:58 pm

Anonymous wrote:we got a few of these in the lab and other than the pretty bag, we find it totally useless. No one likes it. we had the opus in here too, but it's just another breeze but not as quiet as the breeze.
guess it's back to the dated swift until something better comes out

Thank you Resmed Sales guy....LOL nice try!

neverbetter · Post by **neverbetter** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 2:46 pm

I would have guessed it was a Resmed rep , but for the fact he or she calls it the dated swift.....
probably a very real post

blarg · Post by **blarg** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 5:17 pm

Well, "no one" is obviously an exaggeration. I've talked to people that like them. People like masks I hate. It's just the reality of masks.

rock and roll · Post by **rock and roll** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 5:41 pm

That's the truch, one persons poison...another's potion, and the styles in which we wear them, I still markel over all of rested gals methods.

RichCMH · Post by **RichCMH** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 9:01 pm

Guest Wed Feb 28.. I'll trade you my new Opus for a new Opti!

ExpatDave · Post by **ExpatDave** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 11:12 pm

Can't say I found this mask very comfortable either JuJu. Only way I could wear mine was by having the chinstrap so loose it no longer served any purpose or, put up with the pillows being rammed up my nose. I also found the plastic tubing incredibly stiff.

SleepingBeauty · Post by **SleepingBeauty** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 1:21 am

I found that it hurt my nose at first too. My other mask kept coming off and since this one was really secure, I kept adjusting the straps until my nose no longer hurt. I was used to the nasal prongs and I think I had the straps too tight at first. Once I loosened them, it's fine. The chin strap is supposed to be loose enough to open your mouth a little. It's not meant to keep your mouth shut, but to stabilize the mask. I've had mine about three weeks now and I'm very happy with it.

twillson · Post by **twillson** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 12:04 pm

My experience is that the chin strap IS supposed to be loose. IT IS NOT supposed to take any pressure off your nose. Its main purpose is to make the mask more secure from side to side, not up and down. In fact, I removed the strap entirely and the only impairment was that it was slightly less secure from side to side.

Here is what I found to be the secret to getting an acceptable fit with the Optilife:

First, you have got to understand that the pillow sizing is not the same as you have known from the Swift. You will need at least one size larger with the Optilife. In fact, when you first put the mask on with the correct size Optilife pillow, it may feel too large at first. I find that I sometimes have trouble getting the opening centered on my nares, for example. But you need this extra size to prevent the pillow from squeezing into your nostril. That has happened to a lot of us and causes a lot of pain and anguish. Fortunately for me I started with the larger size and only discovered the problem when I tried to use a medium, which is the size I use for my Swift. I can see why this would be a discouraging result, but believe me, A larger sized pillow will help.

Second, I found that the fitting instructions that come with the Optilife are generally unhelpful. The key concept you need to remember is that there are only 5 possible adjustments (top strap, side strap length, side strap position, chin strap and pillow angle) Of these, only the side strap length and position should be used to modulate you much pressure the pillow will put on your nose.

The top strap only does one thing: it positions the back strap relative you your ear. You want to set it so that the back strap goes over your ear without touching. Always adjust the side straps after you adjust the top strap, and with the chin strap loose. Make the adjusment so that the the fit of the pillow on your nose is comfortable, not tight. You'll want to play with the pillow angle to optimize the fit. And MAKE SURE that you try both attachment points between the side strap and the frame. The two slots are only a couple of millimeters apart, but that makes a big difference. I had just about given up on ever finding a comfortable fit when I decided to try the "other" slot. It made a huge difference in being able to fine tune the other adjustments.

The last strap to worry about is the chin strap. Keep it loose while you make the other adjustments. All you need is a little friction on your chin so that it helps the pillows stay in place. It should not be tight enough to affect the other straps. And as it does say in the instructions, you should be able to open your mouth normally without affecting the seal. I also found it works fine if I put the strap in front of my chin rather than under it. YMMV.

Even if you try all of these tricks you may not find that the Optilife is as comfortable as the Swift, but it should be livable, and it should be more secure if you change positions a lot at night. I think it is a BIG improvement from earlier Respironics designs.

ExpatDave wrote:Can't say I found this mask very comfortable either JuJu. Only way I could wear mine was by having the chinstrap so loose it no longer served any purpose or, put up with the pillows being rammed up my nose. I also found the plastic tubing incredibly stiff.

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JuJu · Post by **JuJu** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 5:45 pm

I am glad there is nice people willing to help and give good advice.
I will try again soon...

Thank you !

Humidifier

Additional Comments: 11cm / 17cm