OptiLife Nasal Mask Interface
By: Respironics Average Rating: 4.0 Total Reviews: 8
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 On: 2008-07-13
I have always used the comfortlite II for a mask and decided to try somthing different. I saw this Optilife and figured I would give it a try. Works well, and the nasel pillows seal great. Its a comfortable mask when you get everything situated just right. More comfortable than my comfortlite II. But a few things keep it from being great. First is the chin strap. I have tried everything possible to adjust it and the chinstrap ALWAYs slides off the front of my chin when sleeping. Its not a problem if on my back but if that happens when on my side and I move, the seal breaks and it starts leaking. I am going to try to make my own strap which ties to the chinstrap and then around my neck to see if that helps.
The other problem is that my ears must be higher than what the picture of the dummy shows. The straps rub the top of my ears, sometimes causing blisters during sleep. If they fix these two issues and make the head strap more comfortable and softer, they would have a winner.
 On: 2008-07-10
I love the optilife nasal mask. I was tired of sore areas from my other nasal masks, dry red eyes from leaks, and the "sweatiness" you get from a mask. The optilife product is the best. I followed all instructions and switched to the rear strap spaces right away, as it simply felt better.I have a typical round face, fat chin etc. The chin strap is there, not tight for me. I have no sense the inside of my nose is being blown up (cpap pressure is a 12). It fits, easy to turn with its safety strap clipped to my shirt front and I am doing great. 4 sizes of pillows included. Best price I found anywhere
 On: 2008-05-11
This mask does not sit well on the nostril. It does not produce good sleep throughout the night because of the lack of air inflow. We are back to Comfort gel mask which was being used before. Is there a way to return this product for another mask?
Thanks
On: 2008-05-03
I needed a new mask and liked the idea of the lightness of this unit. I was afraid of the nasal part, but the price was very good and I gave it a shot. I love it. I do not find it hurting my nose and it does not move or come loose during the night. The mask arrived in a timely manner and in excellent condition.
Pleased CPAP user
 On: 2007-11-27
I had great hopes for this product and it almost made it. It is very comfortable on, stays in place, and does not put the pressure on your face that over the nose masks do. The best part is that you can watch TV or read in bed while wearing the device. However, for me it is unusable. Even though my CPAP is set at a relatively low pressure setting of 10, I found the air pressure blowing directly up my nostrils to be too discomforting to sleep with. I have gone back to a ComfortGel mask.
 On: 2007-08-21
I have been on CPAP for 12 years, and am also a respiratory therapist who has tried just about every mask or interface there is, and this is hands down the best yet. I used a Breeze for years, but still had some fitting problems. This is the most comfortabable, and is infinitely adjustable. The headgear is light and cool, and I get a better fit than with the Breeze nasal pillows. I would give this 5 stars except for one thing...the chin strap. I find it useless. If it would stay put, it would help to anchor the nasal pillows in place, but because I have a double chin, the chin strap slides up and off. Also, the stabilizing cheek bars should be made to be adjustable. I find them somewhat narrow for my full cheeks. Since the majority of people who have obstructive sleep apnea are overweight, like me, it should only makes sense to design a mask to fit wider cheeks and double chins, however, that bit of common sense does not seem to have penetrated the skulls of people who design sleep apnea masks! Still, I am very pleased overall with this mask, and it is very comfortable. I would highly recommend it.
On: 2007-08-20
I have been on CPAP for 12 years, and am also a respiratory therapist who has tried just about every mask or interface there is, and this is hands down the best yet. I used a Breeze for years, but still had some fitting problems. This is the most comfortabable, and is infinitely adjustable. The headgear is light and cool, and I get a better fit than with the Breeze nasal pillows. I would give this 5 stars except for one thing...the chin strap. I find it useless. If it would stay put, it would help to anchor the nasal pillows in place, but because I have a double chin, the chin strap slides up and off. Also, the stabilizing cheek bars should be made to be adjustable. I find them somewhat narrow for my full cheeks. Since the majority of people who have obstructive sleep apnea are overweight, like me, it should only makes sense to design a mask to fit wider cheeks and double chins, however, that bit of common sense does not seem to have penetrated the skulls of people who design sleep apnea masks! Still, I am very pleased overall with this mask, and it is very comfortable. I would highly recommend it.
On: 2007-08-20
I have been on CPAP for 12 years, and am also a respiratory therapist who has tried just about every mask or interface there is, and this is hands down one of the best yet. I used a Breeze for years, but still had some fitting problems. This is the most comfortabable, and is infinitely adjustable. The headgear is light and cool, and I get a better fit than with the Breeze nasal pillows. I would give this 5 stars except for one thing...the chin strap. I find it useless. If it would stay put, it would help to anchor the nasal pillows in place, but because I have a double chin, the chin strap slides up and off. Also, the stabilizing cheek bars should be made to be adjustable. I find them somewhat narrow for my full cheeks. Since the majority of people who have obstructive sleep apnea are overweight, like me, it should only makes sense to design a mask to fit wider cheeks and double chins, however, that bit of common sense does not seem to have penetrated the skulls of people who design sleep apnea masks! I had to heat the plastic with a blow-dryer and bend the "wings" outward to get a fit that did not pinch my face. The other issue I have is that I do not like the similarity to an elephants trunk, it hangs down over the sheets and blankets, which then can get pulled when my husband rolls over. Still, I am very pleased overall with this mask, and it is very comfortable. I would highly recommend it. I have since switched to a "Swift II" which I LIKE EVEN BETTER, because it allows me to adjust the angle of the hose 360 degrees, allowing it to come in over my head, where it does not get pulled by sheets and blankets.
On: 2007-07-29
This thing is a lifesaver. I had tried another mask when I first found out I had apnea, but over time it began to pinch a nerve near my cheek. Id end up taking it off several hours into the night.
I reported this to my doctor, and he recommended I try this one. I struggled with it at first, but only because the specialist in charge of fitting recommended the wrong size nasal pillows. They were too small and were hurting the inside of my nose. Once I went up a size and the nasal pillows stayed where they should be, all problems solved.
Im a bit claustrophobic, so I also like the low profile nature of this setup. Now almost every night is a good nights sleep. Remember those?
On: 2007-07-28
This thing is a lifesaver. I had tried another mask when I first found out I had apnea, but over time it began to pinch a nerve near my cheek. Id end up taking it off several hours into the night.
I reported this to my doctor, and he recommended I try this one. I struggled with it at first, but only because the specialist in charge of fitting recommended the wrong size nasal pillows. They were too small and were hurting the inside of my nose. Once I went up a size and the nasal pillows stayed where they should be, all problems solved.
Im a bit claustrophobic, so I also like the low profile nature of this setup. Now almost every night is a good nights sleep. Remember those?
On: 2007-05-22
Pros-Light weight,easy to clean,you can wear glasses with device on,good price and more comfortable then Swift breeze Nasal Pillows.
Cons-Adjusting multiple straps to get best fit a bit of a chore so that you dont feel like the face hugger from aliens is attached to you face.I would repurchase again.Good luck.Another Hose Head in Arizona.
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