Nasal Mask Suits Me Better Than Nasal Pillows - Less Noise

[Jerry69]

I'd been using the Swift, Breeze and Aura until my DME left me a used ComfortGel nasal mask three days ago.

From the beginning of therapy, 4 months ago, I've been bothered by the inhalation noise of the nasal pillow interfaces. I've read on this forum that the Activa is 'silent'. So, I asked my DME if I could try an Activa. He siid, 'not yet, you are too far ahead of the curve [what insurance will pay for]'. I had no problem wiith his response because I know that he has been generous in providing masks for me to try. But, he said he'd just picked up a machine and mask and if I wanted to try the used mask, well, okay.

The ComfortGel is almost silent. Actually, what little sound it makes is greater on exhale than inhale, which is the case for normal breathing.

Another bonus is that there seems a plentiful supply of air. I can actually feel it at my nostrils when inhaling, unlike the nasal pillows which give me the sensation of plugging my nose and restricting air flow. I suppose I'm like the dogs that stick their heads out of a car windows. I imagine they want to feel the air on their faces, too. (I don't use heated humidification, just passover.)

And, I've got it adjusted so that it doesn't leak. The leak rate curve from Encore Pro is simply a straight line. (Okay, okay, there were a couple of pertubations last night but better than the pillow interfaces.)

I know that the 'Comfort' series of masks is not favored on this forum. I read once, "Stay away from anything that has 'Comfort' in its name." But, as you can tell, I am very pleased with the switch to a nasal mask, even the ComfortGel, which is working very well for me.

Maybe some of you that have been 'herded' into the pillow interface fold would prefer a conventional nasal mask, too?

Jerry

[k.c.snorzalot]

It was good to read your post. I too have a comfort-gel mask. It seems ok to me, aside from the triangle outline around my nose and mouth in the mornings. This was the mask that the DME issued to me, and with all the health issues and bills I've had lately, I'm not quite ready to fork out over a hundred bucks for a nasal interface system. It's always good to hear from all sides on an issue, and I too have noticed the snubs toward the comfort series, but when that is what they give you, you gotta take it or decide that you really don't want to breath all night anyway>lol

[Jerry69]

[quote="k.c.snorzalot"]It was good to read your post. I too have a comfort-gel mask. It seems ok to me, aside from the triangle outline around my nose and mouth in the mornings. This was the mask that the DME issued to me, and with all the health issues and bills I've had lately, I'm not quite ready to fork out over a hundred bucks for a nasal interface system. It's always good to hear from all sides on an issue, and I too have noticed the snubs toward the comfort series, but when that is what they give you, you gotta take it or decide that you really don't want to breath all night anyway>lol