Questions for ComfortLite Users only, please

[bozmon]

After much consideration, I think I have decided to order a ComfortLite mask and headgear. I sleep 3/4 on my stomach with my head turned to the side on the pillow, turning from one side to the other throughout the night and I really hug my pillow. Based on that description, some here have suggested the Swift pillow system or the Breeze. I don't think Swift would be good, because it has side ports, which would need to be manually changed whenever I turn. I tolerate my current mask (Respironics Comfort Classic) well enough...my "problem" with it is that, as my head goes to full relaxation position, with my head turned slightly into the pillow, the pillow and side of the mask come into contact, thus pushing the mask and creating air leaks out the side that touches the pillow.

What I seem to like on the ComfortLite is that the swivel connection is at the top and thus rotates as I would turn from left to right and back again.
Is that interpretation right? Also, given the two attachments (nose interface and mask), which do you prefer, and which would you recommend, given my sleep habits? Finally, is that headgear comfortable?

Any additional comments about this mask (negative OR positive) will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

[rested gal]

I've never tried it. Here's part of why I decided not to add the ComfortLite to my many experimental purchases:

Some comments from ComfortLite lab rats on TAS

Of course, it works fine for some. Breeze works great for side-sleeping me. I also could sleep on either side with the Swift, without changing the hose. I like the Breeze with nasal pillows best.

[JohnB]

I too thought the comfort lite would be a good mask for side sleepers. but, I found that the hard shell plastic headgear was not very comfortable when trying to sleep on the side.

I could maintain a good seal that was somewhat comfortable with the pillows, but could not get the nasal interface to seal. I could not get the headgear to place enough pressure on the face when using the cup that fit over the nose. Every time you move the leaks get worse. While I could get a good seal with the pillows, after several nights my nose would become sensitive. I would have to swap out a few days with the nasal interface after 3 or 4 nights to give the nose a rest.

I do agree that the swivel connection allowed me to shift sides. But, the hard shell plastic headgear bothers me when changing positions and I could not get comfortable.

The Ultra Mirage mask and a good firm pillow seems to work best for me so far. Using a firm pillow and putting my face over the edge while hugging the pillow has worked with out leaking with the Ultra Mirage. (Had to buy the Ultra Mirage on cpap.com since my provider only offers Respironics).

I have been thinking about trying the Respironics Simplicty mask. It looks to have the same benefits as the Comfort Lite without the hard shell headgear. If anyone has tried the Simplicity, I would like to hear their comments.

JohnB

[bozmon]

Rested...thanks so much for that link...you probably just saved me $100...boy, was I ever wrong about that swivel connection! (Pictures can certainly be deceiving.) I know you're a big supporter of Breeze, as many else are. However, I know you also like the Activa. Given my sleep habits as described above...which would you recommend between the Breeze and Activa?

John, your experience also convinced me that I'd be making the wrong purchase. As far as your pillow hugging goes, have you checked out the bed pillow made specifically for CPAP users? It's called PAPillow and the link follows. I use it (albeit not exactly like they show in pictures) and I am very happy with it.

http://www.cpap-direct.com/Detail.bok?no=494

http://www.sleepestore.com/pillows.html

[rested gal]

Bozmon, you're right about my being a big fan of the Breeze/nasal pillows. It's simply the best thing I've ever tried for sleeping on my side... turning during the night to the other side, and ...yes...even occasionally almost "tummy sleeping" with my head turned to side. A pillow hugger too.

Here's how strongly I feel about the Breeze. If you buy one, Bozmon, and don't like it after a week or two...I'll buy the Breeze from you for $75 if you'll pay to ship it to me (Tennessee.) I'd like to have an extra one around. With that in mind, I hope you'll choose the "Large" nasal pillows!! LOL

[christinequilts]

I've used several of the nasal pillow/prong style mask including the Comfortlite (nasal pillows- 6 months), Breeze (pillows- 3 months), Swift (2 months and counting), and Tiara Snapp (on a whim...not very common but could have potential- great as backup for travel as its small, lightweight & squashable).

The Breeze was the only option when I started other then Nasalaire which I never was inclined to try. It may just be the shape of my head but I never got the headgear just right without feeling pressure on my upper lip & nose so I made do with a rolled up strip of polar fleece between my forehead & the headgear. It worked okay but not the perfect fit....add in that they were made to self destruct after 90 days use (and guess how long the warantee was?) Reportively they have improved the quality (now that they have some competition in the nasal pillow market) but mine broke at an area they haven't changed (right above the pivot point at the nose).

I switched to the Confortlite as soon as it came out...I was use to using my forehead as a pivot point so the Comfortlites design was pretty appealing. It fit well but it started to show its age- first the thin plastic that locks the nasal pillows in place broke...a small piece of electrical tape on the inner part made the connection tight enough to work well and let me remove the pillows daily for washing. Next was the baseball cap style plastic snaps that adjust the headgears' height that wouldn't hold together around 2-3 months...a little more electrical tape as a bandaid since its not something that needs readjusting but I kept at. At about 5 1/2 months part of the clip that holds the hose assembly to the headgear at the forehead snapped off. This clip unfortunetly is where all the torque from the business end of the mask is transfered to the headgear. The funny thing is I am not a restless sleeper-I occasionally roll from my side to my back but not side to side as I have a feeding tube running at night due to a GI disorder (and well xPAP air leaks are one thing to deal with at 2am formula leaking into my bed from a dislodged tube is a lot worse). This was almost the end of my Comfortlite but I couldn't get a Swift for another 2 weeks so I got out my trusty electrical tape (I think a roll should be included with the Comfortlite ...at least it was repairable at 11pm unlike my Breeze that needed a lot more then I'm capable of at that time of night) My Comfortlite is still a good backup & I like the option of both pillows & very small mask- I just hope they can improve their quality.

The Swift is so simple but so well designed- its hard to believe just looking at it that it can fit well, be comfortable, and so uncomplicated. I was worried about being able to sleep on both sides without changing the hose connection but it hasn't been an issue. It comes with a little velcro band to attach the hose to the headgear if you want so I attach my hose near the top of my head (ala Comfortlite...just not as bulky) and then pull some slack in the hose between the velcro strap and side connection so the hose is away from the side of my face. I can lay on the side of my face with the hose without any problems- the cylinder the nasal pillows are in isn't much wider then a standard nasal mask even on the side the hose attaches to. Longevity wise I can't say yet but I can't see anything that could go wrong with such a simple yet elegant design.

I would give the Swift a try if you can- maybe your DME will let you try on a couple masks if you ask? That is how I got hooked on nasal pillows- I was totally against the idea of anything in my nose until they convinced me to try the Breeze on...I was hooked but I had to wait a couple months until insurance would pay for it. I've been so spoiled that I don't see using any of my regular nasal masks again and I have a few....UltraMirage, Activa, Simplicity...

[Janelle]

I'm a pillow-hugger too, and have no problem with the Swift. Like Christinequits, I've got the hose attached to the top of the headgear and on the left side, since I mostly sleep on the right, but even turning to the left side I've had no problem with the hose. It is pretty rigid and doesn't give that much, yet doesn't push into your head either. I've even been able to sleep on my stomach quite easily with it.

And even with tossing and turning if you keep the headgear rather loose the pillow are designed such that you never, well seldom ever, lose the seal. I know a lot of people complain about the noise, but mine is very quiet. I've found sometimes you can rotate the cuff where the pillow are and it will also help the noise. I'm thinking about trying the net idea, but I have some purple net from a bag of pistachios that I seriously doubt has any insecticides on it so I think it will be safe.

I did try putting a piece of foam from a filter over the outlet vents and it made the vents completely silent, but I'm not sure it was preventing CO2 from building up so I took it off.

Also a very smushable interface for traveling. All three size pillows are included when you buy it plus a nice travel case.

Hey, Rested Gal, I'll sell you my Breeze. I can't stand it!

[WillSucceed]

I agree with the comments made about the Comfort-Lite. I think that Respironics has some work to do to make the headgear and tubing less fragile. The system does seal well for me at a pressure of 11 using the pillows, but does NOT seal well using the nasal mask --the system is not stable enough to keep the mask sealed when you move around and bump it slightly.

Using a buckwheat-filled pillow under your head (they mold easily to the shape of your head) helps alot. I do not feel any unusual pressure when I roll around and the headgear is not disturbed such that it pushes the nasal pillow out of place at all.

I have complained to the equipment provider about the Comfort-Lite and she is leaning on the Respironics Rep to get them to improve the design of the Comfort-Lite.

I don't know if I would run out to buy another one in any hurry. I chose it, however, because the pillows fit really well and there is no pressure on my upper lip from it. I think I will try Swift next.
P

[bozmon]

Here's how strongly I feel about the Breeze. If you buy one, Bozmon, and don't like it after a week or two...I'll buy the Breeze from you for $75 if you'll pay to ship it to me (Tennessee.) I'd like to have an extra one around. With that in mind, I hope you'll choose the "Large" nasal pillows!! LOL

WOW! How can I pass up a deal like that! You've got a deal, rested gal (and you SHOULD get commision from Puritan Bennett if I do decide to keep it!) I will be ordering the sytem today (with medium AND large pillows) and will keep all posted on my experience with it. Quick question...how often do you need to replace the pillows?

Thanks, rested, for your offer. And thanks to all others who answered here and have PM'ed me. Something tells me that if Breeze is not the one for me, I'll try the Swift next. You guys/gals are great and a site like this is invaluable!

[rested gal]

Janelle, let me see what Bozmon decides to do after he gets a Breeze. If he keeps it, yes, I'll gladly buy yours.

Bozmon, when you get your Breeze, if it feels like it shifts around any on your head, put the straps down as low as you can. I put mine around the outside of the hose on front, shown in this picture labeled "Lower" that I've retouched:



Instead of where they are usually shown in ad pictures:

[snamvar]

Hi rested gal,
Doesn't placing the straps that low put a lot of pressure on your upper lips? I found that the best position for me is to place the straps in the 2nd lowest position of the interface. The lower position puts too much pressure on my upper lip.

[wading thru the muck!]

snamvar,

I'm with you, I attach the halo straps to the hose guide that sits on top of my head and still feel it is pushing on my nose/upper lip too much. I used it about a week this way and had no problem with shifting or falling off.

[rested gal]

That's why the "track" for the front clip has a lot of different slots in it. Each person has their favorite "slot". Me, I don't use the track at all - in fact, I took the front clip for the straps completely off. The retouched picture I called "Lower" makes it look like the strap is holding it on very tightly, but actually the straps are not tight on me at all. I'm just not artistic enough to get a "loose" effect for the strap on the retouched picture. They don't even touch the sides of my face at all except from the temple back.

With the strap not attached to anything except the other strap on the front - simply being barely snug around the front of the hose - I can move the strap up or down the front of the hose very easily to exactly where I want it. It's not constrained to wherever the clip/track slots put it. Down lower than the lowest track slot suits me best. Doesn't put pressure on my upper lip at all. In fact, I've never had a Breeze that even touched my upper lip. And I'm talking about the area between upper lip and nose...the shell that holds the nasal pillows doesn't touch me at all there. It stays out away from my lip. Maybe it depends on the structure of each face.

The point is, for many people the "up high" position that's always shown in ads usually doesn't keep the Breeze stable enough as they toss and turn. Moving it down considerably farther is almost always more stable. Exactly how much farther down is, indeed, an individual preference. The "Lower" picture I worked on shows that you're not even limited to the positions on the clip track if you just put the straps across the front of the hose anywhere you want them. The lowest track slot is not quite steady enough for me. Lower keeps it steady as can be, luckily without any added pressure on my lip or nose. Mileage does vary.

[Hawthorne]

I have both of these. I started with the Simplicity when I was first diagnosed and still like it. It is "simple" and easy to wear. I have a mark on the bridge of my nose though. It is faint but looks like it is there to stay - after 2 years using the Simplicity. Still like it and use it once in awhile.
I got the ComfortLite about 3 months ago and love the pillows. I haven't had much luck with the mask for this one. It seems to leak a lot. When I have a cold, I use the Simplicity mask. I have to sleep on my back ( have Rhuematoid Arthritis and it is the only pain free position for me) and don't really move during sleep at all so I haven't had the problems with the tubing of the ComfortLite that others here speak of.