My ComfortCurve Review - With Background & Numbers

[azaloune]

When I began CPAP back in January, I did my research. I had advice, from my brother and his wife, and based on that research and advice I went online to find the perfect mask for me. I had enough information about how I sleep to know I was not a ‘mouth breather’, particularly since I often spent a completely sleepless night with my finger in my mouth to keep it open because my allergies had stopped up my nose and I needed to breathe.

I have given background before; I have stated I am a claustrophobe. It is actually not that, it is a combination of Enochlophobia (fear of crowds), Cleisiophobia (fear of being locked in an enclosed space) and a very real spacial awareness. To put it simply, I am afraid of being in a position that I can not get out of, where I feel strapped or tied down, and unable to move. It is easier to say Claustrophobia. All of these phobias play a very real part in a person’s life if they have been a victim of a crime and have made a vow to not allow anyone to put them in that position again. That vow, is one of the most important promises I have made in my life. The vow is for me. Yes, friends, I am a control freak when it comes to the ability to get out of any position, sleeping, crowd, room, chair, bed, etc… This vow can, if not careful, make CPAP therapy impossible.

Hence, my 2nd vow to myself; to do everything in my power to become 100% compliant with CPAP therapy. The only way to feel better is to try the treatments that are available to you. All treatments have a ZERO success rate if you will not try them. I had the best example of CPAP therapy working, my brother and his wife, are both hoseheads. They had both discussed it enough for me to know it is real before I was diagnosed. When I was diagnosed, I asked questions, and they answered. They did not have the same phobias, but my sister-in-law does have the spacial awareness issue and made suggestions to help. She helped me dissect my fear and what triggers it, so I would know what to avoid when searching for a mask.

My discovery has been, if I can keep things near my skin out of my field of vision, the better it works. I have been making a careful search for the perfect mask since I began treatment. As an allergy sufferer, I decided I needed at least a full face mask, and I wanted a nasal mask for ‘most of the time’ use. I figure with my issues of feeling trapped, a nasal mask would be easier to tolerate every night. I have had success with the Mirage Liberty mask, which is my full face option. I have had success with the Mirage Vista, the first mask I had success with, time to try others.

I finally bought a ComfortCurve online and received it about 2 weeks ago. I love it! This mask is so totally different, and the pressure points it touches are so different from all the other masks, I can’t believe someone else hasn’t jumped on this band wagon. Put simply, the weight of this mask rests on your cheekbones, not your teeth, your nose or your upper lip. I think that makes it more stable. I don’t have round, puffy, cheeks, but I am not slim either. I am a big girl (read fat chick here, I know what I am) and I do not have prominent cheekbones. I know there are some people this mask will not work for, but, I have had the best numbers in the last week.
For those of you who like numbers, here they are:
Averages for the last Week
Leak Rate (11cm EPR 1) = .06
AI = .5
HI = 3.7
AHI = 4.2
Usage = 7.28 hours per day
Resmed S8 Elite w/ Heated Humidifier (Mask Menu set to Swift) using Snugglehose.

I was not a fan to find out that Respironics had designed this mask to work only with the hose it came with. I have been intrigued by the fact that this mask has ‘plates’ that can be purchased to change the color of the mask. I have not gone that far, yet. I find the foam pads that come with it much more comfortable than the silicone pads. I did purchase the ‘mask specific’ Snugglehose that only comes in gray, only to discover, it is made in 3 pieces and I could have used the regular Snugglehose I had if I had the wraps (or made the wraps) for the Y tubing that is about the 12 inches closest to my face.

One other note, I was using a 10 foot hose with my Vista, Since I have to use the 6 foot that comes with the ComfortCurve, I purchased 2 lengths of hose that were 2 feet each and 2 connectors, I have discovered I only need to use 1 of them. So, effectively, I am now using an 8 foot hose. I am a side sleeper and I toss & turn a lot, my husband says that has slowed down with this mask.

In the beginning, I had the EPR set at 2, the mask does not require that much difference. I changed the EPR to 1, which was the only change I needed to make to my machine settings. I don’t have strap marks on my face, a little redness on each cheekbone that is usually gone by the time I get out of the shower of the morning.

I think I will stop purchasing other masks for awhile. Until something else changes, I will be using this mask. This is it for me.

[rested gal]

Isn't it great to find a mask that suits you so well. Glad you found yours, azaloune!

For others wondering about that mask, here are a bunch of discussion topics about it:

viewtopic.php?p=23364
Jun 04, 2005 subject: LINKS to Comfort Curve nasal mask topics

[bdp522]

I'm so glad that you found a mask that works for you! I couldn't get the comfortcurve to work for me at all. Just goes to show that you need to keep at it until you find what works for YOU.

Brenda

[birdshell]

Aza, thank you for sharing your experiences. I haven't seen the ComfortCurve discussed recently, and maybe this will help someone else who may not have even been aware of this mask option.

It was so attractive to me when I was first researching. Unfortunately, I am a mouth breather. I'm hoping to get that under control and if I do, I'm going to check out the ComfortCurve.

You go, Aza!

Karen

[RosemaryB]

Thanks for the review of this mask. I've wondered about it because it looks like it might press on your cheeks. I have a big problem with blowfish and currently wear a mouthstrap to help keep my cheeks from puffing out! I'm looking fro a better solution. Would the mask "stabilize" the cheeks, to keep them from puffing out, do you think? It doesn't have to be a lot of pressure, just a bit.

[azaloune]

I think it does provide some helpful pressure on the cheeks. If you have naturally ''puffy" or round, full cheeks, this may not work for you. If the crossbeam of the mask, the colored section, was made of metal, then the curve of the mask would be adjustable. Since this part is made of hard plastic, it can not be bent and could potentially cause it not to be the right mask for you.

I think it does help with some of the blowfish effect.

[RosemaryB]

I think it does provide some helpful pressure on the cheeks. If you have naturally ''puffy" or round, full cheeks, this may not work for you. If the crossbeam of the mask, the colored section, was made of metal, then the curve of the mask would be adjustable. Since this part is made of hard plastic, it can not be bent and could potentially cause it not to be the right mask for you.

I think it does help with some of the blowfish effect.

Thanks, Azaloune! I'm going to try to find a way to try it out, then. I have my 6 month new mask time coming up. I'm going to ask them to let me try the Comfort Curve and the Liberty. They say that they don't carry the Hybrid, but I may try to push for that one, too.

[j.a.taylor]

azaloune,

Thanks for the report on the ComfortCurve. I'm considering trying a different mask, and so am checking out a few options. It's always nice to read why someone likes a particular mask.

Glad it's working for you.

It was also great to hear that your brother and your sister-in-law gave you so much initial information and support. It sounds like they're a couple of gems.

[sleepyred]

Very nice review - I too am glad to see this mask again - never tried it, but it's on my list. Glad you've found a good mask which is working for you!

Sleepyred

[birdshell]

I think it does provide some helpful pressure on the cheeks. If you have naturally ''puffy" or round, full cheeks, this may not work for you. If the crossbeam of the mask, the colored section, was made of metal, then the curve of the mask would be adjustable. Since this part is made of hard plastic, it can not be bent and could potentially cause it not to be the right mask for you.

I think it does help with some of the blowfish effect.

Thanks, Azaloune! I'm going to try to find a way to try it out, then. I have my 6 month new mask time coming up. I'm going to ask them to let me try the Comfort Curve and the Liberty. They say that they don't carry the Hybrid, but I may try to push for that one, too.

Having used both the Hybrid and the Liberty, my take would be that the Liberty is a bit better than the Hybrid. The nasal pillows are a bit more adjustable (I think they say that they are trampoline style) on the Liberty. The cushion around the mouth seems a bit smaller on the Liberty (less on the cheeks) than the Hybrid, which makes it fit better on my face. Also, the Liberty headgear seems just a tiny bit more secure.

Based upon this, I would say that the Liberty might be all you need to try. I don't like the chin flap on the Hybrid, and have cut it off. However, the Liberty already comes without the flap. Not cutting off the cushion means that the fit is already designed to be secure with no chin flap.

They are both good masks and both work; I just think that for me, the Liberty is a touch better. Now, if it were only less reactive silicone for my body...as is the Hybrid. Or, maybe it is because the Hybrid is older and has outgassed its irritants. Ahh, isn't life fun? Another challenge minute by minute...

[RosemaryB]

Thanks, Karen. I already have a hybrid for when I get sick, but haven't had a chance to get it to work for me. I only try new masks on weekends, since I don't want to mess up my sleep on work nights. I've been trying other new things lately. I thought maybe they could help me adjust the hybrid, it would work perfectly, and I'd be set . But I will definitely try the Liberty and Comfort Curve. If the Liberty seems better, I'll use it when I can't nose breathe, like if I get sick.

I sure know what you mean about reacting to the stuff in the masks. My latest idea is to soak them in dishwashing detergent for a few hours, toss the water, then do another dw detergent soak overnight. Then let them air for a few days. Even the smell from that stuff makes me choke.

[lvehko]

OK, I've decided to try out the comfortcurve -- the F & P flexifit has been working well, but I'm getting a *permanent* divot on either side of my nose from it. I can't use nasal pillows (slotted nostrils), and all the other nasal masks seem to be of the same type -- a 'cup' that fits over the whole nose and presses on the face on either side. The only thing I'm worried about is whether it will work for side sleeping -- guess I'll be purchasing the return insurance, even though it's almost half the cost of the mask... or maybe I'll just take the risk and offer it on the 'mask roulette' thread if it doesn't work out. I'm not sure what I'd trade it for, though. I just hate to throw away $50 on the insurance.

Sigh. Sometimes it's not easy being one of us...

Minerva