Odor in ComfortGel

Restless1 · Post by **Restless1** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 7:17 pm

Hi,

I am a newbie, having just received a Remstar Auto M Series with C-Flex and Respironics ComfortGel mask a week ago. I have two questions.

1. Does anyone know how to get rid of the terrible odor in the ComfortGel mask? It burns my eyes. I have soaked it in soapy water for an hour three times, but it still smells. It doesn’t help that the DME gave me one size too large, which I hope to exchange for a small tomorrow. Do all ComfortGels smell this badly?

2. Does anyone have experience with the Mirage Vista CPAP mask by ResMed? I think I'd like to try something not so close to my eyes. Any problems with it? I haven't seen anything in the Forum about it.

Thanks for your help. Reading the forum has been very informative.

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 7:27 pm

I have ran into this two times, bith package had been opened, smelled lik stale cig's had been in the package. Tried soap and water HOT, and other cleanings, nothing seemed to help. Then after I knew it was clean I used it and put up with the stink. I'm not sute they are smell free from a sealed package, I now have one but havn't opened it.

If you can stand it, the smell will go away with time. Jim

Snoozy Q · Post by **Snoozy Q** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 8:02 pm

Hi Restless 1.

I don't have a solution for you but I can sympathize. I once tried a ComfortGel mask and it stank so bad that I sent it back (luckily, I bought it thru CPAP.com and had purchased their return insurance). I washed it thoroughly and let it air out for days to no avail. It wasn't merely unpleasant- it was a really disturbing smell, like some kind of bad chemical.

If you're going to exchange your mask anyway, can you ask your DME for a different kind of mask? Tell them your eyes are burning ( maybe you're allergic). DO NOT let them tell you its not that bad, or that you will just have to get used to it or that you must be just imagining it because nobody else has complained about it. It IS that bad and you are not imagining it. Remember , your nose is going to be in this thing for 1/3 of the hours in each day!

My regular mask is a Fisher & Paykell Flexifit nasal mask. I have owned several and never had an odor problem. If not the Flexitfit, see what else the DME has available and give it a good sniff before taking it home.

Good Luck!
Snoozy Q

Snoozy Q · Post by **Snoozy Q** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 8:10 pm

I guess I should say that- to those of us who are bothered by that smell - it IS that bad. I didn't mean any disrespect for any ComfortGel fans or ComfortGel smell-tolerators.

But if its burning your eyes, I can't see how you can be expected to spend 8 hours breathing thru it without some adverse impact. In my case, I found the smell to be awful enough that it made the mask unworkable for me.

Treesap · Post by **Treesap** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 8:49 pm

Boiling it to get a good fit will cut down on the smell it gets when you first open it. Also, washing it with baby shampoo helped mine. But then I didn't like the mask, so I got a different one.

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 9:09 pm

My problem the mask works well for me. I can't imagine it smelling that way from the factury, but it does and you have to use it for two weeks before you aren't assulted from it.

They do make a cheaper one, without the Gel, or maybe you could leave the Gel out and use the mask. I never tried that, maybe a few trips is the dryer would help, but I'd hate to think of it smelling up my clothes.

I think when I break in another, I'll give it a couple of hours in the dryer. Jim

Restless1 · Post by **Restless1** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 7:59 am

Thank you for your thoughts and suggestions. I will look into them. It's comforting to know that I'm not the only one that thinks it smells so the DME can't say it's my imagination.

This Forum is wonderful support.

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 12:32 pm

It,s not your nose the ComfortGel smells, as bad as Respironics decision to think like Resmed, and pull their software off the market, to the people that need it the worse. Jim

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): respironics, resmed

goose · Post by **goose** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 5:48 pm

I've been using the ComfortGel for about 2 months now and really didn't notice a really offensive smell -- what I did find is that the whole system smelled like plastic (could be the mask, but....). I clean it in vinegar, soap and water once a week and clean it about every other day in just plain soap and water. It's starting to tear up the bridge of my nose so I'm looking to change to something with less face contact.
One thing you might try is the pur-sleep system (contact SleepGuy. He's running another trial for people with problems). I've been using that for the last 2-3 weeks and it has eliminated any plastic smells in the system.

I do like the mask though eye leaks can be a problem (which may be the reason it's tearing up my nose now -- I've had to tighten it up to eliminate the eye leaks and it's pressing my nose too hard).

I did talk to a second DME today regarding a different mask, and when I mentioned the problem with the ComfortGel he asked if I was getting my monthly gel and silicone pad......No. My DME said I only got "stuff" every 3 months, so now it's off to the insurance company to find out what they will really cover instead of believing the DME.....If I get new parts and they smell bad -- I'll know something is up....

cheers
goose

Kaythu · Post by **Kaythu** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 7:32 am

I was my comfortgel mask every day with ivory liquid and don't have problems with the mask smell. The first couple of times I washed it I couldn't figure out how to get it to dry until I found out how to take it apart and let the pieces dry separately. As long as I wash it every day I don't have an odor problem. If I let it to two days it starts to smell a bit like a locker room, uck! (good reminder to wash the thing though).

When I first starting using the Ivory liquid I couldn't figure out why the smell made me feel so 'good'. Then I remembered that my mother used to use Ivory liquid for bubbles in my bath before putting me to bed when I was little. The scent seems to trigger that safe, loved feeling. Makes falling asleep feel even sweeter.

Karen

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 7:49 am

Goofproof wrote:It,s not your nose the ComfortGel smells, as bad as Respironics decision to think like Resmed, and pull their software off the market, to the people that need it the worse. Jim

"eye roll"

Babette · Post by **Babette** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 10:44 am

Just a thought... Did you try soaking it in a strong vinegar solution? Like 50-50?

I've found that kills most odors for me. But this could be a special case.

Cheers,
B.

needingu · Post by **needingu** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 12:08 pm

JOHNSONS BABY SHAMPOO...... IT SMELLS SWEET

Restless1 · Post by **Restless1** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 3:32 pm

My husband picked up a smaller ComfortGel mask from my DME yesterday, and he soaked it in vinegar, 1:4, and then Ivory liquid soapy water for an hour. The odor was not as distinct as on the first mask, and it fit better so it didn't affect my eyes. I shall keep trying.

Thanks for all the good advice.

Odor in ComfortGel