F&P Eson vs. Comfort Gel Original

I have been using my new machine for about a month. I have never noticed my AHI's going as low as they have this month before. I was always in the 5 - 10 range with just one dip below 5 during a 10 day stretch before starting my latest machine. I've been enjoying 0.15 AHI up to 4.4 AHI all month long.

Last night I tried a slightly used Comfort Gel Original that I had been using faithfully prior to my new machine and new mask. AHI shot up to something like 6.5. I woke up this morning feeling like a zombie. About 30 minutes later I went back to bed for about 3 hours and woke up feeling refreshed. My AHI had dropped to 5.51. In the afternoon, I took another nap (after Thanksgiving meal) and my AHI was 1.18 again. I looked at the leak rates and they look very similar. Keep in mind I only wore my old mask for about 9 to 10 hours before switching back to the Eson.

I have notice that the Eson is slightly harder to put on but it stays in place better. The "gel" keeps my nares from getting irritated. And I have noticed some slight irritation from the silicone nasal mask vs. the gel style. But the truth is that all things being the same (machine, settings, hose, etc.) and only changing out the mask created a result I don't really want to prove over and over again because it didn't feel good. No wonder I felt like a zombie before getting this new machine and mask.

Are there certain masks that give you better numbers than others? If so, what is your experience? If not, what was your individual experience?

I guess no one else has ever experienced a change in AHI based on mask alone. Or everyone is out for the holiday! And after going back to my F&P Eson, my AHI went back down to 2.65 and then 0.90 last night. I'm sold! I just can't get numbers like that with the Comfort Gel Original. They're only about $10 apart here at cpap.com so I don't mind paying a little bit extra for the change in how I feel. Happy Holidays everyone and pleasant dreams.

The forum is always a little slow around any holiday. I have been very busy and then I was gone for a little while and just got home around 3 AM today...so slept in.

I have never chosen a mask based on AHI. I choose them because of comfort and sleep. Never really had that much of a difference when I have experimented between the various nasal pillow masks I have tried.

AHI can and will vary and sometimes vary significantly even with no changes.
When my AHI does sometimes vary I look at the event category breakdown. Did you still have about the same % of each category? Or was maybe one category the bulk of the increase. If you have more centrals with the gel mask maybe it is simply not giving you the quality sleep and maybe a lot of SWJ (Sleep/Wake/Junk) getting flagged or maybe it is a bit more leaky.

I have heard of significant AHI differences when going from full face mask to nasal mask but not too much difference between the 2 nasal cushion masks.
Whatever works for you is the important thing though. Whatever it takes to sleep well and take care of the OSA is what the primary goal is.

This might shed light on matters. First night is with Comfort Gel. 2nd and 3rd nights are with Eson. I know I'm not conducting scientific studies or anything. Simply noting changes when everything else is the same. The machine is the same. The hose is the same. The masks are different. And my results from the Comfort Gel are typical but on the low side. Usually, 9 out of 10 days I would be between 5 and 10 AHI. 1 out of 10 I might be at 3 AHI. With the Eson I can get below 1 AHI. I've got as low as 0.15 so far in the last month. Wow!

I go by how I feel also. I can't deny that the Eson is superior for me based on the side of my face, how I feel, and my numbers. Conveniently, they seem to coincide. Also, my mask never slips off. The only issue I have is getting the straps to stick properly. I have never used an F&P product before now. I have used several Resmed and Respironics masks though including 2 FF's. I would really like to get a FF to work for me so I don't have to wear the chin strap but I've grown to get "used" to the strap and prefer the better feeling or results. I like the path of least resistance but I don't want to make the decision prematurely as I did with the Comfort Gel Classic.