I just got the Respironics FullLife!

I reached my six month point in my therapy, and my insurance paid for a new mask. My DME finally got the FullLife in stock. He also put a bed in his office so you can test out the mask with your machine to see if it works for you (yes!). My primary mask is my Swift LT. However, if I do happen to get a bad cold, I wanted a fullface mask as a backup so I could breathe out of my mouth and still get therapy. Since the Quattro didn't work for me at all (any size)--it wouldn't seal--I was excited to try the FullLife.

This Tuesday, with machine and both Quattro masks in tow, I headed off to my DME (Western Drug) to see Arthur, my rep. He is a really great guy, and I am extremely thankful to be fortunate to have someone who will work with me to get the best therapy. The bed in his office is more like a massage table bed, but at least it allows you to lie down and get a real feel for a mask and check for leaks.

Without asking, Arthur says, "Here is your new mask. It is the FitPack so you can choose whichever cushion fits best." I was very relieved to see the FitPack. We started out with the medium, which I have to say fits my face very well. We turned on my machine and adjusted the straps as necessary to stop any leaks, and it actually worked. I was surprised. After my horrible experience with the Quattro, which just didn't fit my face, I was hoping the FullLife would work. He left me alone for a few minutes, so I could acclimate to the mask. On my side, on my back (which I wouldn't normally do), there were very few leaks, if any. Nothing I couldn't curb with an adjustment. The mask itself is light and seems sturdy. The only gripe, as others have stated, is that there are no clips for quick release of the mask. Arthur said he can order replacement headgear for me if it does stretch out.

As I didn't want to take the chance of a bad sleep night when I have to work the next morning, I'm going to make a test run this weekend during a short nap to see how the mask fares in my own bed, under normal conditions.

I'll keep you guys posted, but so far so good.

Hi Tattooyu, glade you got your mask. I also use the medium cushion and it is much more comfortable than the FF Soyala mask that I use as a back up to my OptiLife pillows mask. Almost a month now and the FullLife is preforming better than I expected. Some things I have found while using this mask. First it will chew up the bridge of your nose, without some form of protection. I use 1 inch wide 3M Micropore paper surgical tape to protect my nose, works really good. Also I think you will find that once you get the top, side and chin straps adjusted right, that the only strap you will need to adjust when removing and putting your mask on, is the neck strap. I prefer to loosen this strap every time I remove the mask and than readjust it when putting the mask on, I've done it so often now...I can almost do it in my sleep....not quite but I find it is very easy to readjust....much easier to get off my big head without over stretching the strap, besides I don't like clips, that what I like about the OptiLife, no clips. Hope this helps.

Dan

Thanks sleepngo. I've read that moleskin (whatever that is) works well on the nose bridge too. I have some 3M micropore tape, so I'll try that first and give your advice a try about the neck strap.

Moleskin:

Pour a small amount of Mole Sauce (from your favorite Mexican grocer) on a plate. Let it dry. The result is Moleskin.

That's what I've heard, anyway...

tattooyu wrote:Thanks sleepngo. I've read that moleskin (whatever that is) works well on the nose bridge too. I have some 3M micropore tape, so I'll try that first and give your advice a try about the neck strap.

One other thing I forgot to mention, this tape really sticks, unless you have really oily skin, fold one or the other corners under to make a small tab, it helps when removing the tape the next morning.

Dan

JimIllinois wrote:Moleskin:

Pour a small amount of Mole Sauce (from your favorite Mexican grocer) on a plate. Let it dry. The result is Moleskin.

That's what I've heard, anyway...

And I've been out in the yard trying to catch a mole.

Mole skin should be stuck to the mask, not the skin.

Brenda

If you would like to make your own mole sauce... here it is:

2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried cilantro
1/8 tablespoon dried minced garlic
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed tomato soup
1 (4 ounce) can diced green chile peppers

DIRECTIONS
Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat, and cook the onion until tender. Mix in cocoa powder, cumin, cilantro, and garlic. Stir in the tomato soup and green chile peppers. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 10 minutes. Transfer to a gravy boat or pour directly over food to serve.

i guess you can eat it after you wear it

On "Top Chef Masters", Rick Bayless explained that his mole sauce took him over 20 years to perfect. It had about 25 ingredients, which, of course, he did not fully disclose.

And the critics raved over it. He won the competition.

I watch Rick Bayless all the time!

I tried my FullFace Mask at home last weekend. I couldn't get it to seal! What the heck is going on? It sealed just fine at the DME using my own machine. I don't get it. I washed my face, but I haven't soaked or washed the cushion. Also, I'm having trouble deciding which cushion is the right size.

My pressure is 14.4 cm, which is on the high side. Is that the problem? Is my pressure just too high for a FF mask? I've had no luck with the Quattro either.

no your pressure is not too high for a FF mask.