Review of ResMed Mirage Liberty mask (updated)

robbieh · Post by **robbieh** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 12:55 pm

Last night was the first night on this mask which I've been wanting to try for a long time. Actually, I wanted to try the Hybrid but the RT suggested this would work better for me because it came after the Hybrid and is better engineered and easier to fit. I've been waking up many times a night changing masks for the past several weeks due to problems.

I slept all night! I had one large leak for 25 min but still ended up having an AHI of 2.7 which for me is very good. This is the most comfortable mask of the 6 I've tried so far. It did not leave nasty marks on my face. My nose doesn't feel like it has been stretched wide open. My teeth didn't leave indentations on the inside of my lips and my eyes weren't glued shut when I woke up. I also didn't wake up to adjust it for bad leaks. I can read with it on, it is pretty quiet. When I woke up, I had to reach up to make sure it was still on. This might be THE mask! I will know for sure after a couple more nights. If anyone has any questions, I'd be happy to answer them.

While I'm at it, this is the 4th mask my DME let me try. I've dealt with 3 different RTs who have all been very helpful. I was given a top machine, without having to ask. They call back right away even on weekends. I am very glad I chose them over another company which hasn't gotten the best reveiws in here. If you have a choice, I recommend going with OptionCare.

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): DME, AHI

Issac · Post by **Issac** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 2:47 pm

Wow, a dream DME that let you try 4 masks? Three Rt's that were all helpfull?
The Liberty sealed without falling off?
You better go play the lottery cause your one lucky robbieh.

robbieh · Post by **robbieh** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 3:08 pm

OK so it was Friday the 13th lol!

Seriously, I worked for OptionCare for a short time and when I had the choice I went with them because they have a good reputation and I know from the inside that they care and do a good job with their patients. Now I know that from both sides of the fence. And no... the RTs do not know me or that I worked there in the past. It wouldn't make any difference.

I know there have been a lot of threads about how awful people think the Liberty is but that just goes to show you how different we all are. I've tried several masks that people here raved about and couldn't tolerate them more than a few hours.

I wish I was as lucky with my sleep clinic. They have been unresponsive to questions or requests. The doc is only in the office twice a month and told me I was "cured" of OSA... as long as I wear the mask... That's kinda like not being a diabetic anymore as long as you inject insulin?

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 7:07 pm

Congratulations, Robbieh!

That just goes to show that individual facial geometry plays such a pivotal role in fit. I couldn't get either the liberty or the hybrid to work for me which was a very big disappoinment.

That said, I just started using a swift I bought from Blarg and I like it waaaayyyy more than the optilife I was using. And I'm still giving my hans rudolph a few more tries, it may be a good ff for when I have a cold. So far it fits far better than any other ff I've tried.

I'm glad to hear there are some dme's out there who are so caring.

jen

jrfoster · Post by **jrfoster** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 8:37 pm

socknitster wrote: That just goes to show that individual facial geometry plays such a pivotal role in fit.

Jen, You just hit the major nail on the head!

Masks fit differently on different people just because of the way our faces are formed. I used to try a mask based on what others said worked for them. Only, it did not work for me.

My sleep doc (and to think I paid for this advise!) when I asked what mask would be the best for me, a nasal mask, FFMask, nasal pillows, etc., simply said "What ever works for you is the best mask!"

So, unless we all have the same facial geometry (but they are like fingerprints so we are all unique) we each need to find the mask that works for us.

I am still looking for that PERFECT mask!

Jeff in TN

robbieh · Post by **robbieh** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 12:07 am

Until someone comes up with a way to make individually fitted masks, we will likely have to continue the mask roulette game til we hit the one. Can you imagine what a personally fitted mask would cost? Probably around $1000 for the cheapest one...

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 7:30 am

The folks that make the aussie heated hose already make one. It doesn't look very comfortable though, as there is stuff that goes out over your cheeks etc--talk about a sweaty face!

http://www.sleepzone.com.au/

They are also the first to try to come up with a lipseal appliance which you can see on their website as well. I believe it is new also.

jen

elazarus · Post by **elazarus** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 9:43 am

After 2 nights of decent sleep with the Liberty I put it in the drawer. Got the Quattro Full Face and had a couple of good nights.

Last night was the "Sleep from Hell" night as the Quattro was leaking and for 3 hours I tried to get it right.....then at 4am took out the Liberty and the mouth was leaking.....

So instead of a Titration study of 8, the Auto is working at 11...and I trhink the higher pressure is creating more leakage.....

It is Hybrid time.....I keep reading that it is better than the Liberty.

Regards

Elliot

robbieh · Post by **robbieh** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 10:22 am

Now I have 3 nights under my belt... or should I say nose? I love this mask! I think it might just be the jackpot. No more mouth taping! I wake up in the morning after sleeping all through the night... to reach up making sure it is still on. The first night I had major leak issues but it didn't wake me up. The last two nights I had no major leaks. Plus, though my AHIs are still averaging 3.5, my length of time in apnea was cut in half (down to 13 sec from 24). I am dreaming again! I haven't wanted to wake up because it feels so good to sleep.

I will try it one more night to make sure the honeymoon isn't over. If all goes well, I will turn in my stand by masks and live happily ever after with the best idea of a mask I've tried yet.

Judging by the other reviews of this mask, it isn't for everybody. My main problems with other masks had to do with mouth breathing on the nasal only masks and poor fit on the FF masks. I loved the Optilife but my mouth gets me into trouble both asleep and awake so I had to either tape or switch to the FF mask in the middle of the night. The Liberty has the nasal pillows which stay in better than the Optilife but also, if my nose gets stuffy, allows me to mouth breathe. It is much smaller than a FF mask, no pressure on my nose and no ugly marks on my face in the morning.

elazarus · Post by **elazarus** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 11:39 am

Does anyone know if you have a Small Liberty Mask and you need a Large....I see you can buy the Gel but not the fitting......any thoughts please?

Thank you

Elliot

neverbetter · Post by **neverbetter** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 1:24 pm

You'll need to buy the whole new shell.

Treesap · Post by **Treesap** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 1:33 pm

[quote="socknitster"]The folks that make the aussie heated hose already make one. It doesn't look very comfortable though, as there is stuff that goes out over your cheeks etc--talk about a sweaty face!

http://www.sleepzone.com.au/

They are also the first to try to come up with a lipseal appliance which you can see on their website as well. I believe it is new also.
[quote]

I looked at that mask...OMG!!! I honestly don't think I could wear that.

elazarus · Post by **elazarus** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 1:35 pm

Ouch.......

Not worth it, I just ordered a Hybrid......and it comes with all fittings.

Thank you

Elliot

wearyguy · Post by **wearyguy** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 1:54 pm

Hi, new to posting but have been lurking the past month. Lots of good info on this site. As background I have been on treatment for almost two years. I am still tired. I have just had my second sleep study. I have been using the Swift almost since the beginning, very comfortable by the way. However, during my last sleep study they figured out my mouth opened at night. My wife told me this was happening so this is what prompted the second study. Tried all the chin gear but nothing seemed to help. I could not keep my lips sealed once I went to deep sleep. Sleep study showed 17 events in 6.5 hours of sleep so not to bad. They told me I needed a full face mask. They had me tighten the chin strap but it was of no help.

So they gave me a UM FF, but it killed the bridge of my nose. I wanted my Swift back, still do. The DME suggested the Liberty. I tried it a couple of nights with no luck as the nose pillows kept moving away from my face and would come out of my nostrils. This would of course wake me up. So, I thought about it a little and came up with a solution. I created a bridge across the two nasal pillow with a rubber band to keep the pushed towards my face. I tried this last night and it seemed to work pretty well. A few leaks when I pushed my head into the pillow while on my side but great on my back. Fairly comfortable as masks go. Not my Swift II but since I open my mouth that is not ever going to work, I just can not do the tape thing.

Anyway, the Liberty may be the one for me. Need a couple more nights to get used to it. I am a really light sleeper so almost anything wake me up.

Babette · Post by **Babette** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 2:08 pm

socknitster wrote:http://www.sleepzone.com.au/
They are also the first to try to come up with a lipseal appliance which you can see on their website as well. I believe it is new also.
jen

Oh dear... Uh... Save the shipping. I can find you a "lip seal" on an adult website I know. It's also called a "ball gag" in the BDSM community... NOT that I'm a MEMBER of that community, seriously, I'm SO NOT, but I have a wide variety of friends... No offense to anyone intended. Just want to head off any solicitations.

Seriously, don't bother. You can test drive with a rubber ball and an ace bandage. If you want something fancier, Google for "BDSM," and "Ball gag".

Oy vay! The things people think up to make a buck off us...
B.