Bad batch of PR Comfort Gel masks from the factory???

[Reidan]

Hello all, been awhile since I have posted. That is a good thing, means I have not been having any problems! But since I am here tonight, you know that means I am having a problem!

I have been using the Comfort Gel Nasal masks for years now. Been very happy. I even buy them here on cpap.com. I typically buy a couple at a time so that I do not need to worry about it for another year or more. The last purchase I made I got 2 of them. Since I have been using them for so long I stopped getting the return insurance.

Now I am having a weird problem with this latest purchase. The mask starts leaking around the swivel area making noise after I have been asleep for a few hours. Wakes me up and keeps me from going back to sleep soundly. Since it does not start immediately, I thought that maybe it was condensation build up. Not enough to cause rain out, but enough to coat the surface inside the mask and the water is causing the air escaping around the elbow joint to make noise. But, if I shake the mask to get rid of water, I do not get any. I do have a hose cover. And I have lowered the the humidity level. Lowered it to the point that my sinuses were hurting from being too dry. So humidity level does not seem to be the problem. Next possibility is thermal expansion of the plastic as it warms up from the warm air. How would I handle that?

What I have found is the if I push in on the elbow, the noise stops. But starts again as soon as it is released. I tried tilting my face into my pillow to keep pressure on the elbow, but then the exhaust port gets covered and that makes noise. I then figured out that I can take a rubber band and loop an end on each of the locking tab areas and pull it up over the elbow. This keeps the pressure on the elbow to stop the noise, but limits movement of the elbow. If it rotates too much, the rubber band slips off!!

When I purchased the masks I did not use one right away as my current mask was still good. And as I said previously, I did not purchase the return insurance from cpap.com. So I am stuck with them.

Just in case it matters, I got a new cpap machine earlier this year. Went from a ResMed S8 Compact to an S9 Elite. I have tried swapping back to the old machine, the problem still happens. So it does not appear machine related.

Anyone else having this problem? If so, how did you fix it? Anyone know if Phillips Respironics has a recall?

[chunkyfrog]

I had one mask that squeaked at the swivel.
I managed to work some Lansinoh into the joint, which stopped the squeaking.
It's worth a shot; and it might work for a leak.

[Redid an]

Never heard of that product before. Google search only showed a product that is a cream for lactating mothers. That the same cream you are using? You are using it to lubricate the joint so that it does not squeak? It might fill in the gap to stop the leak. Would be worth a few dollars to buy the cream if it saves $200 worth of cpap masks. You can get it at a normal pharmacy?

After I just re-read my post I realized I did not mention that both of the new masks I purchased at the same time are both doing this. Which is why I ask if anyone else has had this problem and if PR has had a recall.

If no one else is having the problem I may just go ahead and try my luck and order another set of masks before my prescription expires and have to visit doc to get a new one.

[Goofproof]

Most masks have defects in design or specs, Made in China! If we have problems we have to create our own solutions. I'd try plumbers Teflon tape wound between the loose parts, probably won't stay in place unless you loop and tie it in the groove, even string might do it. Jim

I use this same mask with the hose running to the top, I just move the hose a little and go back to sleep, I do use nature sounds to mask noises.

Used to be the lower ball sockets would break off, after 3 years of complaining the added one more drop of plastic to them, now the problem is the head support "T" breaks, maybe in 3 more years???

[kaiasgram]

Never heard of that product before. Google search only showed a product that is a cream for lactating mothers.

Right, that's the stuff. Lansinoh. It is marketed to nursing mothers but it is just pure grade lanolin. It's soothing to the skin and does not degrade the mask materials.

[archangle]

Back when I used ComfortGel masks, every so often one would start whistling. Sometimes I could try blowing air into it, shaking, etc. and it might or might not go away. It might do that for a day or two, and then it would quit. I sort of thought it had to do with water.

You might try using the hard plastic parts from your old mask and swapping out everything but the from from the new mask.

Try various cleaning solutions like dish soap and see if they make a difference. Lanisnoh is an interesting idea. Paraffin might be another thing to try. Vaseline might be a possibility, but it does react with some types of plastic. Don't get it on the silicone.

Whatever you do, be sure to NOT clog up the exhaust vent.

Do you actually have a ComfortGel with the slot shaped air vent, or the ComfortGel Blue with the holes in the elbow. My slotted CG mask was the one that did the demon whistle more often.

Take the cushions off the mask, check and clean the edges very carefully, then put it back together.

There might be a way to disassemble that swivel joint, but I don't really remember.

[Reidan]

Mine are the newer ones with the small grey disc with the holes on the bend of the elbow joint. But I did use the older ones with the slot and the breaking tabs. I used to reinforce mine with epoxy. I am so glad they fixed that. And I have never had the problem with the forehead support breaking on the new series.

I tend to swing my hose up too. But that makes it harder for the rubber band to stay on. The tabs are below the centerline of the of the joint. So when you swing it up, it does not have much to grip onto on the elbow. I have tried twisting it around the elbow, but has limited success with it staying in place.

Unfortunately I tossed the old mask the same day I opened the new one. I might have an old one collecting dust bunnies under the bed! Will have to check.

I like the idea of caulking the gap around the elbow with either the lanolin cream or teflon tape. I have never tried removing the elbow joint. Without that, might be tough to get teflon tape into the gap. Will give it a better look over to see if I can remove it without breaking it. Or just force the lanolin down into the gap with a flat blade screw driver acting like a small putty knife.

Thanks for the tips.

[chunkyfrog]

I think I used a loop of dental floss.

[Goofproof]

when you use Teflon tape pull it (stretch it) it will get thin and go into the gap easily. It's wise to strip the good parts from old masks, keeping them as a repair kit for emergencies.

Using the dental floss would help in keeping the Teflon in place too. Jim