FitLife / Amara masks - opinions ?

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Permalink Reply by Terry Vella on October 18, 2013 at 0:29

Maria, I also use the Mirage Quattro, I used to get all the marks, have you tried loosening the strap just a small bit at a time, I thought it needed to be really tight but it can be a bit lose. Also not sure if you use mask liners, sometimes they help with leaks and may allow you to loosen the strap a bit more. I make my own and with the off cuts I make some padding that goes between the head rest and my forehead and don't get any marks. I also used to wrap off cuts around the straps and that also helped, but I would try a new mask, I think Kath uses the Fitlife with good results.

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Permalink Reply by Kath Hope on October 18, 2013 at 14:21

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Permalink Reply by Kath Hope on October 18, 2013 at 14:30

I'm one of those people Maria who is prone to facial marks from the traditional style of mask, which is why I use both the FitLife and Hybrid as I stay clear of any mask that goes near my nasal bridge.  The mask I would love to use + was really impressed with is the Wisp, but until I can find a way to keep my mouth shut I can't use it longterm.  Even the chin straps don't help me, due to my receding jaw.

I don't know what kind of pressures you're on, but mine run very high, and people like me have a tougher time which is why we feel the need to over-tighten the straps.

Did you get my newsletter the other day about the Soft Caps as I'm wondering if these would help you with your Quattro?  I'm amazed since I've been using them and can't believe I didn't try them before.

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Permalink Reply by LINDA on October 25, 2013 at 21:57

Hi Maria,

I too suffered with all the above, and have tried all the masks. As i am a mouth breather, needed the full face mask. After a year and a bit, clinic gave me the cloth sleepweaver, which is a nasal mask, and it is really good, my leaks are under control with it too.  It takes a bit of getting used to, trying to sleep with mouth closed, and if you can manage it, no more dry mouth, or tongue stuck to roof of mouth in the morning.

I got the new sleepweaver anew full face yesterday........so only used it one night, leaks are horrendous, but will see how it goes tonight, after 19 months on cpap still waiting for my first full nights sleep

Take care

Linda

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Permalink Reply by Maria Bryan on October 27, 2013 at 19:07

Hi Terry,

Thanks so much for your reply. I have the liners, I have a headrest cover which I got from the USA ( quite good actually), and the headgear fluffy covers. Actually, part of the problem may be that the mask is pimped to high heaven 

I know what you mean about over tightening, sometime loosening it a bit is better, but I'm still having problems. I actually put a whole new mask on a couple of nights ago, and replaced my "slimline" tubing with normal tubing. the leakage is less, but the rubbing across the back of my neck is still murder. 

Hi Kath,

Hope you are feeling loads better . I can't handle anything nasal, at all, even for 1 minute !  I did see the soft caps in the newsletter ( your review was great by the way ), but the back bottom line looks like it cuts across the neck exactly where I am getting my rashes, so not sure it's for me. The FitLife looks like it may be the answer, although as the Amara is similar to the quattro, but lightweight that may help. Will keep you posted.

Hi Linda,

Thanks for your input. I'm so sorry you have been so long in treatment and still waiting for a full nights sleep. Don't give up, you'll get there - I have it bad ( can hit 100 apneas in a bad night, and have a really high pressure setting too). When I am not having trouble with my mask ( which has been a recent thing over the last few months), I probably get an average of 5 nights full sleep with two nights where it takes a while to adjust everything to be comfortable.

I looked at the sleepweaver, but I can't keep my mouth closed , as anyone who knows me will be quick to laugh at sagely , so although it got pretty good reviews it wasn't for me. The new full face one has not had good reviews at all. I'm no scientist but I think it may be too tall and ask for this sort of thing to work for a full face option. Let us know how you get on though, user reviews on here are so much more reliable than the sales reviews - i'm convinced a lot of them are written by the marketing departments, theyre just so soulless ! 

Right, time to batten down the hatched for the approaching storm:

Heating on - check

Hot toddy at the ready - check

Chinese takeaway on order - check

Downton Abbey at 9 then bed - check 

Thanks again everyone, take care and sleep tight

Maria 

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Permalink Reply by Terry Vella on October 27, 2013 at 23:01

Keep us updated how you go Maria and not only about the storm. We are in spring here in Australia and coming into a warm summer, stay warm, Terry

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