FullLife Sizing Guide

socalmonkey wrote:Sorry to hear you're having the nose issue. I'm glad to be waiting for (and insisting on) the FitPack. Not that I don't trust them to get the size right. Oh right, I don't trust them! Since they don't even having the sizing chart yet. So at least I will have all 3 sizes, incase I run into any problem.

Thanks, socal. And that was a good move, ordering the FitPack with all three cushions.

BleepingBeauty, how did your DME originally determine your size?

Fun experience. I had an appointment for the fitting at 10:00 a.m. Got there about ten minutes early (thank God). Opened the door to the place, and the RT was right there, with her purse in her hand, on her way OUT the door. She looked confused for a second and then said, "Oh, I have an appointment with you, don't I? I was just going to the chiropractor." (Yes, you do. And no, you're not. I've been waiting for this mask, and I drove an hour to get here for this appointment, so you're going to fit me and THEN go to the chiropractor.)

She cut off the top of the bag that the mask came in (where the sizing guides are that I posted here) and held them up against my face. "You need the small." Then she read the directions for fitting (which I'd already found here on the forum). She was pulling the straps all the way through the guides, past the strap-stops, so I took the mask from her and explained how those were supposed to work.

I put the mask on and adjusted the straps. She looked at me and said, "Yep, that fits." I told her I wanted to try the mask under my prescribed pressure. She let me know it was a real pain to do that, because she didn't have a machine set up on the desk and would have to "waste" (her word) a hose AND adjust the machine to my pressure setting. I offered to do it myself, to save her the "trouble." (It's bad enough they have nowhere to lay down and try a mask on, and I get fitted while sitting in a chair. Useless. Now it's a big deal to set up a machine?) But I said I wasn't taking the mask until I tried it at my pressure, so she set up a machine. The mask felt okay and didn't leak after a few adjustments, and that's the one I went home with.

So that's how my fitting went. I still thank God every day that this forum exists and that I was lucky enough to find it...

Bleeping - it's a shame you have to deal with MORONS like that. What's the name of the DME so certain people can be notified? Thank you.

Guest wrote:Bleeping - it's a shame you have to deal with MORONS like that. What's the name of the DME so certain people can be notified? Thank you.

Yes, it is a shame. But I'm not posting any names.

I have no choice in the matter of DMEs, as it's the only one contracted with my insurance. If I could afford to go down this road out-of-pocket, believe me, I would.

Just wanted to post a quick update about my progress with this mask.

I did take Monday night "off" from the FullLife and wore my Swift LT. I'm sure that was the right decision to make, notwithstanding the leak problems I have with the LT. The bridge of my nose felt much less tender yesterday, after giving it a little time off. It was still somewhat red and tender to the touch, but far less swollen and painful than it was after three consecutive nights with the new mask.

By bedtime last night, I felt ready to give the FullLife another go, and I'm happy to say that it went pretty well. I used a piece of moleskin on the bridge of my nose, and it did seem to offer more cushioning and protection than a bandaid. Side note: I actually experienced more discomfort in removing the moleskin this morning than I did in wearing the mask all night.

Wearing the mask over my still-tender nose isn't exactly comfortable yet, but it's definitely getting better, so I seem to be adjusting to it more quickly than I expected. I did notice some small leaks throughout the night, but my leak line was fairly flat this morning, and my AHI was 2.6.

More details to come as I get really comfortable with the mask and can better judge its fit and performance.

Hi there Bleeping,

Just a tip ... I found with the Quattro that removing the moleskin in the am was painful even though it worked. So then I tried putting a small band-aid on first with the moleskin over that --- worked well for me.

Thanks for the info on the FullLife - one of the things I love about this forum is all the info we get from others

Mindy

mindy wrote:Hi there Bleeping,

Just a tip ... I found with the Quattro that removing the moleskin in the am was painful even though it worked. So then I tried putting a small band-aid on first with the moleskin over that --- worked well for me.

Thanks for the info on the FullLife - one of the things I love about this forum is all the info we get from others

Mindy

Hi, Mindy, and thanks for that suggestion for the moleskin. I'll try that tonight.

And I echo your sentiment about this place. My DME is clueless about CPAP therapy, and my doctor is not happy about me having a data-capable machine. So I rely on this place and can credit other forum members with everything I've learned (and continue to learn) about my SDB and how to treat it.

It's the most valuable resource I've ever found, on any subject, for information, support and encouragement.

Well, I've used the FullLife for seven nights now and feel it's an appropriate time to give a more detailed review. Bear in mind that I've been a user of nasal pillows for the 20 months that I've been on therapy. (I had an Ultra Mirage FFM in the very early days of my treatment odyssey, but I hardly wore it, so this is my first real experience with a FFM.)

Going from pillows to a FFM has been a real challenge for the bridge of my nose. But generally speaking, I thought it would be a lot harder to adjust to having a much larger mask on my face (and more headgear to deal with) than it's been. The only negatives, for me, are issues that are common to all FFMs: I can't wear my eyeglasses, and I can't scratch my nose. On the whole, I like this mask a lot.

I'm not sure that the Small seal is the right size for me. The RT deemed that it fit me, so that's what I was given. (I never got to try on the Medium, but I'll be going back to the DME to do just that on Monday.) Now, for some specifics.

Pros:

The mask frame is flexible. The only hard plastic on the mask is at the hose connection, and that part swivels nicely.

I like the cushion a lot. It's easy to remove from the mask frame for cleaning, and replacing it is also a cinch. It's got depth and is somewhat firm, yet the part that touches my skin is soft and flexible, so it conforms to and seals against my face well. (My leak line has rarely looked better.)

Like any mask, it took more than a few adjustments before I felt the headgear was set properly for me. This mask has more straps to adjust than other FFMs do, but you can look at that two ways: (a) extra straps are a PITA to deal with; or (b) extra straps mean more possibilities for individualized fit. Now that I've got the over-the-head, chin support, and over-the-ears straps adjusted to suit me, the only strap I really have to deal with every day is the neck strap. Do-able.

The mask is pretty silent. I could always hear myself breathing with the nasal pillows; I don't hear that with this mask. Breathing feels much more natural.

I haven't had any issues when side-sleeping. I'm more of a back-sleeper, but I'm trying to train myself to stay on my side. I was successful with that last night, thanks to a contraption I rigged up to keep me off my back, and my AHI this morning was 0.7 (my best yet), so it looks like side-sleeping is good for me.

Aside from the nose-bridge soreness in adapting to this mask, I don't really have any Cons to report. The only improvement I hope Respironics might make re: the design of this mask would be the addition of an easy-release clip on at least the neck strap. (Actually, it would be nice if the over-the-ears strap had a clip on it, too, but the neck strap would be enough for me. I can pull the upper headgear straps over my head without trouble, but I can't easily don or remove the mask with the lower strap in its adjusted state, so I have to undo the Velcro on that strap every time.) It's not a big bother to have to adjust the neck strap each night, but it would be easier if I didn't have to, and less fiddling with it would probably make the headgear last longer.

So that's about it. On a scale of 1 to 10, I'd have to give the FullLife a 9.5. My therapy numbers have been really good so far, with low AHIs and a fairly flat leak line. All in all, a winner for me. Of course, your mileage will likely vary.

Hey BB Nice Post and Nice Info. I Have the Fulllife Mask on order from my DME and they will ship it to my Home via UPS. Just a quick Question for you. You mentioned that your DME fitted you with a small seal ? Isn't that something that you could do yourself with the FitPack ? Reason I am asking is B/C I assumed that with the FitPack you could avoid a trip to the DME and fit it yourself. Please correct me if I am wrong. I really want to try this mask as I have been using the swift II and swift LT but don't want to order something that will need fitted with my DME.

DannyP wrote:Hey BB Nice Post and Nice Info. I Have the Fulllife Mask on order from my DME and they will ship it to my Home via UPS. Just a quick Question for you. You mentioned that your DME fitted you with a small seal ? Isn't that something that you could do yourself with the FitPack ? Reason I am asking is B/C I assumed that with the FitPack you could avoid a trip to the DME and fit it yourself. Please correct me if I am wrong. I really want to try this mask as I have been using the swift II and swift LT but don't want to order something that will need fitted with my DME.

If I thought I could've gotten the FitPack, I would've asked for it. But I didn't ask, because my DME gives me a hard time whenever I want a "different" mask (i.e., one that I don't already have), and I figured they'd have a canary if I asked for all three cushion sizes with this one. I'm not sure what my DME ordered, but I think they only got one of each size (in its own separate package), as I didn't see any FitPacks when I was there. So that's why they fitted me.

Adjustments always need to be made when we're at home and using the mask every night, whether we do our own initial fitting or someone else does. I knew more about this mask than the RT did, so my "fitting" was kind of a joke.

Thanks for the thorough updated review of the FullLife BB. Sounds like your enjoying it. Your comments seem to echo others. It's not perfect, but some pretty good technology.

The lack of clips on the head gear seems to be the biggest issue. But apparently you can live with it.

I'm still looking forward to getting my hands (or rather nose and mouth) on one!

Keeping the dream alive... one mask at a time!

BleepingBeauty wrote:Well, I've used the FullLife for seven nights now and feel it's an appropriate time to give a more detailed review. Bear in mind that I've been a user of nasal pillows for the 20 months that I've been on therapy. (I had an Ultra Mirage FFM in the very early days of my treatment odyssey, but I hardly wore it, so this is my first real experience with a FFM.)

Thanks for the info BB. I'm supposed to go in so I can try this mask out next week.
mar

Thanks for the great review, BB!

I tried mine for the first time last night and it's too early for a review. I did use band-aid and moleskin but had it in the wrong spot so had some redness. How did you end up solving your sore nose?

Other than that, reasonably good night. For bathroom trip I didn't take mask off - I just removed hose and that worked fine.

Mindy

mindy wrote:Thanks for the great review, BB!

I tried mine for the first time last night and it's too early for a review. I did use band-aid and moleskin but had it in the wrong spot so had some redness. How did you end up solving your sore nose?

Other than that, reasonably good night. For bathroom trip I didn't take mask off - I just removed hose and that worked fine.

Mindy

My nose is still a little sore, although the swelling and most of the redness is gone. Unfortunately, I've got a bump on it that wasn't there before I started using this mask. I hope that goes away eventually, as I liked my nose in its original state.

My new cushioning ritual: Apply a thin layer of Milk of Magnesia to my nose and let it dry, then apply a strip of Nexcare gentle paper tape, and then the moleskin. (I used the MoM when I was taping my mouth with the Swift LT, which made it easier to remove the tape in the a.m.) In the morning, I peel the tape off (taking the moleskin with it, of course), and then separate the moleskin from the paper tape. I find I can use the moleskin again the next night, as the stickiness remains. (If/when the moleskin stops sticking and my supply gets low, I can just add another piece of paper tape over it to keep it in place.)

I don't remove the mask if I have to get up in the middle of the night, either. The easy-release clip on the hose connection works very well.

Mindy, I hope you find that this mask gives you effective therapy on a consistent basis. So far, it's doing well by me.

mar, I hope you like it when you try it on.

socal, yeah, I can live with the headgear as it is. But I'm thinking about a small alteration I can make to solve the one thing I'd like to see improved on this mask. (If/when I come up with something that works, I'll post about it.)

Maybe you can order something for your mask from Acme.

jdm2857 wrote:Maybe you can order something for your mask from Acme.