Thoughts on the respironics fitlife full face mask?

I just returned my resmed quattro full face mask since it didn't work at all for me - i couldn't find any leaks, machine didn't report any, but my ahi was always in the 20s with it using conditions where the swift fx nasal pillow is below 2. The problem with the FX is i drop my jaw and open my mouth and so far the only way that i've been able to control it is by duct taping my mouth shut, further duct taping the ends of the duct tape to hold them in place and then wrapping my head and jaw in sticky ace bandages. I've tried several chin straps but they do nothing for me. I've read that the problem with the fitlife is that the air blows on your face. So far the cpap itself hasn't bothered me much at all. I've scuba dived for 30 years and wonder if that is the reason, i'm very comfortable with breathing pressurized air.

Is your subject line a question or you are giving a personal review of the "Fit Life" mask?

If you have a question about air blowing on your face with the mask on. The answer is that if the mask is on and not leaking, your face will not feel air moving around on it. If you feel air moving on the face under the mask, then look for the leak.

Air flows out the front of the mask quite strongly.

The mask has (possible) the largest intentional leak of any mask. Air to clear all the CO2 out from under the dead space between the mask and the face, flows out around the swivel and still more near the flapper valve, even when the flapper is closed. Your Significant Other might not appreciate your facing them with the Fit Life on.

Someone on the forum offers a compiled list of all the possible tricks to using the Fit Life mask.

The manufacturer classifies the mask as a mask of last resort, or a mask for those who have a face where the sides of the face are not equal. Someone has suggested it should be the mask of the first resort, as it was the easiest for him to get used to.

I'm assuming you are asking for feedback from users that have used the Fitlife mask. I haven't, but do wonder if it would create dry eye issues. I'll watch your post to see if anyone posts a review of the mask that lets us know more about it.

Dry eye, hard for me to answer as I am a diabetic and older person for whom dry eye is a part of the description of those problems.

I definitely do Not have more dry eye than I had with a Fischer and Paykill Forma mask where the air blew out nearly into my eyes, and what was left reflected onto something else and bounced back into my eyes.

If there is not a leak, then the Fit Life does not have a sense of air movement under the mask itself. Leaks tickle my face and wake me up.

To me... the Fitlife is a third-option mask (nasal, full face, in that order). Some try it first, some try it as a last resort. I have no problems with the air blowin' on me or dry eyes. Yes, the mask is BIG, but it does not have the nose (inside and out) issues, and mouth breathing is not a problem. I just read a thread here about folks complaining about one mask or the other. The trick to successful therapy is to try and find a mask that is for you. One that is comfortable and doesn't leak. For every person that raves about a particular mask, you can find a half dozen folks that hate the mask. One of the problems folks have is that they try to stick with a particular mask, it doesn't work for them and they either get discouraged, quit or they eventually switch masks, find a good one and regret wasting so much time fighting a particular mask. Fighting a mask can get you to hate it rather quickly. I've said this before, the only problem on this forum I have with folks is those who will steer someone away from the Fitlife and have never worn it. The Fitlife is as different as a nasal mask is to a full face mask.

Sheriff

I've had to increase my pressure by 2cm/h2O to have it work properly with the Quattro and keep my numbers down. That's not the case for everyone, but might let you continue using that mask and getting the results you need.

Hi johnthomasmacdonald,

It appears that Sheriff Buford and I share the opinion that the FitLife has both a bad rap and a bad reputation, even from people who have never used it.

Below I have pasted a couple of links regarding the FitLife, in case you try it. Plus there are some good tips for controlling leaks. I have been using it for 42 nights and I am TOTALLY sold on it. I have virtually NO leaks and it is extremely comfortable! As the Sheriff said, there are many here who would take the opposite point of view. But, that would exit for any mask you might consider.

There is only ONE issue of concern to me . . .

The cushion is permanently attached to the mask. Therefore, if the cushion fails one would have to replace the entire mask. I don't know what the life expectancy is for the cushion. After my 42 nights use, it looks and works exactly as it did the first night I used it. If I can get six months use with it, Medicare will replace the entire mask. If I can only get three months use out of it, I would continue to use it and buy the extra one out of pocket. To me, the comfort and effectiveness of the FitLife would be worth the expense.

Good luck with your decision!

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Any tips on how to make sure you buy the "right" size mask for you? A while ago I tried the guide but didn't think it would fit. Maybe I wasn't measuring properly, or I should decide on a size and see? I am very happy with my Aloha mask, but would like to have a full face mask as a back-up for the winter cold season (I had my flu shot!).

My dear husband wears the fitlife exclusively.
He experiences no eye dryness at all.
Airflow only occurs at breaches of the seal of any given mask.
In this case, the seal is at the outside edges of the face.

I had decided not to go with the fitlife based on a youtube video by a sleep doctor that comes up if you put "fitlife cpap" in the search engine and he really argues against it - claims only one patient in his career has ever been able to use it. However, after reading the opinions here i may give it a try - i'll wait to talk to the sleep doctor on friday but in general i have little faith in the medical community - if you don't respond to the standard treatment it's a very rare doctor who believes it is their responsibility to actually solve the problem. I have found that female MDs and dentists are MUCH better at feeling responsible to actually solve the problem you came to them with - opps gotta go, need to throw more wood on the fire.

johnthomasmacdonald wrote:I just returned my resmed quattro full face mask since it didn't work at all for me - i couldn't find any leaks, machine didn't report any, but my ahi was always in the 20s .

John, the fact that you're not having any leaks with the QFFM should mean a good fit so it's making me wonder if your settings are the problem. You may have posted all this in another thread but could you tell us what your pressure settings are, Ramp, EPR, Humidifier? Is your pressure set to wide open(4-20)? What was your titration?

Medicare will replace the FitLife mask once every three months, IF the person has a statement that there is something wrong with it.

One person told me that they put their FitLife into the dishwasher, headstraps and all, in the dishwasher every day. and then set it out to dry. They have used the same mask, headstraps for over a year. I am guessing they have a really low pressure.

Medicare will replace the FitLife headstraps every six months, if you say you need to have them replaced with some detail. For me the headstraps need to be replaced more like every two months. Once the elasticity in them goes down, I have to cinch them so tight that I develop pain. cpap.com sells the headstraps for 25 bucks and I guess plus shipping.

I suspect I can make them work longer by putting a piece of foam at the x on the back of my head.

In fact I got a letter from my DME about they will not send anything unless it is necessary. They will not send new filters if I say I have unused filters. They will not replace the humidifier unless it is yellow, or there is something wrong with it, and then on schedule. and so on.

I agree with the person who said that for any one mask, it has people who hate it and others who love it. It is really a personal thing.

I am perplexed about the guy who said that he raises the H20 Pressure by two. That would be turning up the humidifier?

I wonder if the doc who put a bad rap on the FitLife mask is actually a CPAP user himself? If the doc sees a safety issue with the mask, then I would want to hear of it. Else I can not guess what a doc, who knows some masks work great for some and are bad for some, would put a universally bad rap on the FitLife.

I have heard it said that in general, more people find Resmed designed masks work better than Respironic designed masks. I am not an expert in all kinds of masks.

johnthomasmacdonald wrote:I had decided not to go with the fitlife based on a youtube video by a sleep doctor that comes up if you put "fitlife cpap" in the search engine and he really argues against it - claims only one patient in his career has ever been able to use it. However, after reading the opinions here i may give it a try - i'll wait to talk to the sleep doctor on friday but in general i have little faith in the medical community - if you don't respond to the standard treatment it's a very rare doctor who believes it is their responsibility to actually solve the problem. I have found that female MDs and dentists are MUCH better at feeling responsible to actually solve the problem you came to them with - opps gotta go, need to throw more wood on the fire.

John,

As an FYI, I had a horrible experience with my first sleep doctor, who is female. So it isn't necessarily true that they are better problem solvers.

I also wouldn't make a decision on a mask based on anecdotal evidence by a doctor. And they aren't exactly experts on mask fit in my opinion.

The issue of masks is unfortunately a trial and error process as most people have found.

Good luck.

49er

I have used this mask for maybe 8 years after trying at least a dozen others and it's by far the superior CPAP mask for me. The other masks irritated my nose, forehead, and/or cheeks leaving them red and irritated. Also, I have allergies and am often a mouth-breather. This mask solved all of those problems. I know it is working because all of the water is not drained from the canister. I make a small flannel/felt/cloth liner going around the mask and cut a whole in the middle. This layer lets me use face cream, doesn't leave any line marks, and also prevents me from sweating. Once I found a pattern that worked, I just replicated that; a little fabric is left inside and outside the mask to prevent leaks and I am careful to pull it tight and make sure there is no leak each night. Luckily I sleep on my back, because this masks does not lend itself to a side sleeper. When I've been in the hospital many nurses and even doctors were surprised by it because it is unusual. Most masks you can change the rubber pads--you cannot with this it is one continuous piece, that is something my insurance has been good about since replacement is the whole unit except sometimes the head gear. I had to play around with the headgear at the very first but then it becomes second nature, I am very grateful they make this because I looked like Rudolph with a red nose and cheeks from all the others and I fear what may have happened to my skin with such continual abuse I would have had with the other masks. It does not look good-it's not romantic! Also, it's a little bulky to pack with my machine for a trip but it is the by far the best one I've used. I even use it when I'm going to nap or sleep during the day because it works so well ane I know I am sleeping safely.

Hey John -

Fisher Paykel makes a mask called the "Forma" that actually goes under the chin. As a respiratory therapist, I am not a fan of the fit-life, but fisher paykel does make a few masks, like the forma that can go under the chin (and also the HC432 FlexiFit).

Have you tried any durable chinstraps that have better sizing options? Regular chinstraps just have the one velcro option aren't very feasable, but I do, on occasion, use a chinstrap called a "ruby" that is made by carefusion. It is the chin strap to end all chinstraps in my opinion.

If your insurance will let you get a mask anytime soon, get fitted for a HC432 FlexiFit, and if they don't have that - then go to the Forma.

Hope this helps!

NIV Therapist