I got my FitLife mask today (large).  I like it a lot.

Got it adjusted to "v good" fit within a minute, according to my friend S8.  Decided to take it for a test drive - uh - nap.  Was asleep in a few minutes.

Leak rate: 0.28 L/s  (Chart says 20 SLPM is good = about .333 L/second I think)
AHI was high: 24.5 - but it was only a ten minute nap I will have to see what a whole night does
I enjoyed the first ten minutes a lot!

It might be a little tight over my teeth - I will have to try it a bit looser.  But most masks have been tight there.
Really easy to take off - without having to adjust the strap length.
And, of course, no wear at all on my nose bridge!

So far so good.


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Resmed S8 Elite II with FitLife total face mask.
DISCLAIMER - I am sometimes corrected by those that actually do know what they are talking about.

Glad you like it! It is so easy to use my leak rate has been averaging  between 11  and 15 L/min and that is with my full beard! I wet it down real good before putting the mask on, and   also wipe the seal off with CPAP Citrus wipes and wash my face and beard really well just before puttin on the mask! That also helps get a good seal!  Anyway keep us posted on how you are doing with it!


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White Beard with a White Beard
Resmed VPAP Adapt SV Enhanced, HumidAire 2i, ResLink with Model 8000 Flex sensor Pulse Oximeter, and ResScan 3.5 software. Respironic EverFlo OPI Oxygen Concentrator 3 lpm
EEP 9.0, min PS 6.0, max PS 16.0, FitLife Mask

UPDATE:  

Some things to work on:

cushion marks on my cheeks - they went away by lunch time, but I probably can make the mask not quite so tight - now that I know I can easily "survive" a night without much leaking.  Also, maybe using a different mask twice a week would help prevent the issues this mask presents?

Pressure on teeth - same solutions.  I have heard that long term you don't want too much pressure on your gums and teeth.

Noise - the FitLife is somewhat noisier than most other masks I have tried (FullLife, Comfort Gel, the Activa nasal mask).  Not too bad, though.  I don't notice it much and my wife didn't seem troubled by it.  Setting the EPR lower could probably help with the noise, as well.

AHI - and of course the first night with a new mask - my AHI reading was 20.4 - likely because my sleep was disrupted by having a new mask.  Quite to be expected, as I understand it.  Leak rate 0.22 L/s, AHI 20.4, AI 4.6, HI 15.8

(In my first sleep study AI was 0.5 and HI was 13.2 with no cpap - so these results must be from me being awake too much, as I understand it).

I too have a beard - I will try your pointers, White Beard.  
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Link worth reading - the main FitLife thread, including White Beard's mini review:
http://www.apneasupport.org/viewtopic.php?t=21471&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=15


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Resmed S8 Elite II with FitLife total face mask.
DISCLAIMER - I am sometimes corrected by those that actually do know what they are talking about.

another update - I have a temperature 99.5 - only other symptom is a headache.  For some reason I found it hard to breathe with the mask on last night.  I suppose the flu would make one feel weird.  No breathing problems today, but we will see how the mask works again tonight.

I will call the doctor if it gets worse.


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Resmed S8 Elite II with FitLife total face mask.
DISCLAIMER - I am sometimes corrected by those that actually do know what they are talking about.

When I first got the mask I set the machine on standard mask setting which I heard is what you are supposed to do with a non resmed mask (the DME supplier would not set it up - they would only sell it to me).  That seemed to work fine.  

Then I found out it should be set for "full face" which I did - and haven't been able to sleep with it since.  Much noisier and the mask seems to be doing pushups on my face.  I think it is the noise keeping me awake - so I will try ear plugs.  But, this is not the best long term solution for me since I need to be on call often.  If I turn down the EPR it seems to make it harder to breathe, even though that would make it quieter

Can anyone clarify the setting issue?  And anyone else have problems with this noisy gymnast of a mask?  I still think it is the best one so far - most comfortable and easiest to seal leaks on.  But...
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Later edit: Once I put the earplugs in I was able to go to sleep.  At least I have found a way to keep the mask on and get to sleep!  I suppose it will only get easier over time.


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Resmed S8 Elite II with FitLife total face mask.
DISCLAIMER - I am sometimes corrected by those that actually do know what they are talking about.

I am also using a ResMed S8 Elite II with a non-ResMed mask. Currently I am using the F&P Forma. When my DME set it up she selected the "MIR FULL" mask setting. I questioned her on it, I always ask a million questions, and she said that it is the standard setting for all full face masks regardless of manufacturer. That setting has worked just fine for me. I have no problems with pressure fluctuations or noise. My EPR is also set to 3 and works great. Hope this helps.

A couple of pointers with the FITLIFE mask is that you are going to get lekage as per FITLIFE Mask Rep, The marks you are  getting are becuuse the Mask is too tight on, try loosing the straps an inch or two I did this and I had minumal marks around the Faced and in a couple of minutes after having it off no marks at all !

dkdc wrote:

UPDATE:  

Some things to work on:

cushion marks on my cheeks - they went away by lunch time, but I probably can make the mask not quite so tight - now that I know I can easily "survive" a night without much leaking.  Also, maybe using a different mask twice a week would help prevent the issues this mask presents?

Pressure on teeth - same solutions.  I have heard that long term you don't want too much pressure on your gums and teeth.

Noise - the FitLife is somewhat noisier than most other masks I have tried (FullLife, Comfort Gel, the Activa nasal mask).  Not too bad, though.  I don't notice it much and my wife didn't seem troubled by it.  Setting the EPR lower could probably help with the noise, as well.

AHI - and of course the first night with a new mask - my AHI reading was 20.4 - likely because my sleep was disrupted by having a new mask.  Quite to be expected, as I understand it.  Leak rate 0.22 L/s, AHI 20.4, AI 4.6, HI 15.8

(In my first sleep study AI was 0.5 and HI was 13.2 with no cpap - so these results must be from me being awake too much, as I understand it).

I too have a beard - I will try your pointers, White Beard.  
------------------------

Link worth reading - the main FitLife thread, including White Beard's mini review:
http://www.apneasupport.org/viewtopic.php?t=21471&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=15

[quote="Cpappal"]A couple of pointers with the FITLIFE mask is that you are going to get lekage as per FITLIFE Mask Rep, The marks you are  getting are becuuse the Mask is too tight on, try loosing the straps an inch or two I did this and I had minumal marks around the Faced and in a couple of minutes after having it off no marks at all !

Hmm - loosening them an inch or two?  When I put it on at night the S8 machine I have can do a leak test and if I loosened it any more it would say "excessive leakage" and "adjust mask."

I could try to aim for good on the "mask fit test" or whatever it is called, but anything below that is not going to work.

Last night I had 0.0 L/s - so it is perhaps a little too tight.  My AHI was 40 - probably cause I couldn't sleep with it for about 2 hours - till I put the earplugs in.

I shaved my beard off entirely today (which seems to help), and will try it a little looser tonight.


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Resmed S8 Elite II with FitLife total face mask.
DISCLAIMER - I am sometimes corrected by those that actually do know what they are talking about.

dkdc last night my leak rate was 12L/min and AHI 0.4 AI 0.0 here is a link to what my beard looks like: http://www.apneasupport.org/viewtopic.php?t=20162&start=15 I still have a bit of a problem witth ths straps hurting the back of my neck, but as I mentioned that is because of my bad disk in my neck and the 28th I am scheduled for surgery I and having C5-C6 Diskectomy and Fusion ACDF  so hopefully that will take car eof my neck problems with this mask!   Anyway I hope you can get your problems fixed with your mask, I do think it is a very comfortable mask to wear!  Good Luck to You  White Beard


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White Beard with a White Beard
Resmed VPAP Adapt SV Enhanced, HumidAire 2i, ResLink with Model 8000 Flex sensor Pulse Oximeter, and ResScan 3.5 software. Respironic EverFlo OPI Oxygen Concentrator 3 lpm
EEP 9.0, min PS 6.0, max PS 16.0, FitLife Mask

THAT is a beard !

Mine was pretty closely trimmed.  I just wanted to make it as easy as possible to have the mask not leak and be loose as can be.  I can experiment with the beard later on.

I tried wetting it down but it didn't seem to do much for my leaks.  Maybe it has to do with the shape of our heads?

Do you know what I am talking about with the noise and the whole mask lifts up and then drops with every breath?

Anyway, earplugs it is for now - I got it to work last night with them.


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Resmed S8 Elite II with FitLife total face mask.
DISCLAIMER - I am sometimes corrected by those that actually do know what they are talking about.

Thanks all for the replies.  They are helpful


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Resmed S8 Elite II with FitLife total face mask.
DISCLAIMER - I am sometimes corrected by those that actually do know what they are talking about.

Saturday night AHI was 40
Sunday night AHI 11.7 (leak rate 0 though I could feel it leaking at times)

Guess I am going the right direction, and machine data is better at trends than at accurate data


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Resmed S8 Elite II with FitLife total face mask.
DISCLAIMER - I am sometimes corrected by those that actually do know what they are talking about.

Every bit of Resmed literature I have read says a non-Resmed mask Mask Selection SHOULD BE the STANDARD setting.

The reason for this is the allowed vent rate at each pressure setting for each mask tends to be somewhat different. Resmeds SUBTRACT the allowed vent rate at the set pressure for each of their masks IF set on the proper Mask Selection.

At the Standard mask selection Resmeds SUBTRACT a set 0.4 L/s (24 L/M) at EVERY pressure setting.

So UNLESS your non-Resmed mask has EXACTLY the SAME allowed vent rate across the chart as the mask setting you're using on your Resmed xPAP you SHOULD be using the STANDARD mask selection if you want any confidence in your reported Leak rate.

You might want to call or e-mail Resmed to verify this for your local DME supplier's RRT.


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Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity mask, ResScan 3.7, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

Looking at the chart for mask settings I am guessing it should be set at "mir full"

http://www.resmed.com/us/assets/documents/service_support/mask_device_compatibility/1013348_masks-comp-list_amer_eng.pdf  (a kosher link I think)

I have an email in to them to verify this


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Resmed S8 Elite II with FitLife total face mask.
DISCLAIMER - I am sometimes corrected by those that actually do know what they are talking about.

dkdc

Yes your machine is different than mine, if you noticed for my machine it says ( Full Mask) I have the Res Med VPAP Adapt SV. Mine seems to operate fine with it, even the auto on when I put on the mask and start breathing the machine automatically turns on! Oh yea for got to mention, I don't notice any problem with noise, it is about the same as it was with the Liberty mask, but again my machine is different than yours, mine is actually a ventilator that is computer controlled it samples your breathing pattern and then tries to maintain that pattern the rest of the night. So it operates a little differently than what your machine does! Good Luck to You!


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White Beard with a White Beard
Resmed VPAP Adapt SV Enhanced, HumidAire 2i, ResLink with Model 8000 Flex sensor Pulse Oximeter, and ResScan 3.5 software. Respironic EverFlo OPI Oxygen Concentrator 3 lpm
EEP 9.0, min PS 6.0, max PS 16.0, FitLife Mask