Fitlife arrived - P's adventures with it

[PaulaO2]

I finally ordered the Fitlife Total Face Mask and it arrived yesterday although I didn't know it until today.

I went with this mask due to several things:
- my lip leaking is back
- my eye leak is back (air comes out the tear duct)
- and SWMBO* is getting angry at the sounds I make with air leaks everywhere

As much as I love the Simplus, its leaks are just too much. I have to use a liner which doesn't stop them all and it is one more thing to use and keep track of.

I've not used it yet but I'm running on just 3hrs sleep so I may take a nap just to test it out.

My question(s):

Is there a trick to the dang clips? Getting them on and off? And why were there extras in the box? Is using a hacksaw common enough that they include extras?

[OpalRose]

Paula,
Waiting to here how your night went with your new mask.

[chill]

I have no advice either, but I can commiserate with the comments from the other side of the bed as you both try and get some restful sleep.  I hope this works out well for you (both!)

[PaulaO2]

I tried it for about 30 minutes the first night. I was surprised to not feel any air on my face like I do with a FFM. It was quite comfortable.

Unfortunately, that comfort was tainted by the mask refusing to seal. The seal at the top, middle of my forehead, just kept blowing open. If I tightened it as far as possible, then the mask floated on my face and lost the seal elsewhere. What's that game with the table and the puck that floats on air? That's what it was like.

I got a size large. There's one bigger and one smaller. I hesitate to go smaller because I have to wedge the temples in. But if I go larger, I don't know.

Supplier #26 where I got it has a return policy. I'm going to give it another try tonight (didn't last night) but will probably return it.

[allanri]

Air Hockey is what you're thinking about, I think.

That's quite a mask. I'm curious as to how claustrophobic it feels. Did you have any issues with the amount of coverage it has?

It's too bad it's leaking. My first thought was about whether it was the right size, but it sounds like you thought through what the different options were for sizing.

[BreatheRight]

Just picked my full-face mask up today.  Hope I like it.  I had to read about the clips!  Use your thumb and forefinger and sort of turn it -- pops right off.  And then click it back into place.  I got an extra set too -- evidently they break!!

[DaveL]

I wish that mask designers and DME providers got a chance to wear these masks for 8 hours a night, for many nights.

I think that they would improve designs and sleep quality for those of us that use their masks.
I check mask size with the manufacturer's fit gauges.
Several times I've caught my DME supplier supplying the wrong size mask or insert.

Dave

[BreatheRight]

Started using the FitLife full face mask this week --- the other masks were 'killing' the top of my nose!  I'm a mouth breather so I need a mask to cover my nose and mouth!    

Think I'll like the new mask but can't get a good score due to so many leaks -- and I couldn't feel the air seeping out.  Instructions say NOT to over tighten the straps but if they are the least bit loose, MORE leaks.  

So, my problem will be to resolve how to tighten the straps enough to have a good score on mask leaks.  

I have an app on my phone and can tell if I've snored, from QUIET, LIGHT, LOUD to EPIC --- with this new mask, I'm getting some light to loud sounds so guess I'll go back to taping my mouth (that helped with other masks).   

I thought the air would bother my eyes but it truly doesn't.  The mask is large but it's not touching my nose -- guess this is the only real PLUS I can say about it right now.  It does stay in place (on my face) better than a few other masks but evidently it is moving somewhat if I get leaks throughout the night.  (It's not a mask if you turn over much -- clips sort of hurt -- and definitely not the mask if you want to roll over on your stomach!)

Anyone know how to help with leaks, please let me know (and any others using the mask with the same problem).

Thanks and good luck ..... this is the 4th mask I've had in less than two years.

[OpalRose]

I tried the FitLife early in my treatment, but never could get it to seal. Not to mention this mask covers the entire face and it very large! It's not meant for folk that turn from side to side. I had to return it. So I'm not much help with advice on the Fit Life.