Comfort Lite 2 interface options

[Guest]

What are people's experiences with the nasal pillows vs. the direct seal vs. the simple cushion? When ordering, I have to choose 2 of the three and am not sure which to do.

I am mostly a side sleeper. I have never used a nasal pillow mask. I've used the comfort gel, which works ok except that a lot of times when I roll on my side I break the seal. The simple cushion looks similar to the comfort gel, so maybe I should try the direct seal and nasal pillows? Or, since I find the comfort gel fairly comfortable, should I try that and hope that since the tube comes over the top it will be better on my side?

Thanks for any help.

[Linda3032]

If it were me, I would get the CL2 with nasal pillows and direct seal -- not the prongs.

[byront]

I agree with Linda. I have the pillows, they insert just slightly into the nostrils, and the simple cushion. I have not had much luck getting a good all night seal with the simple cushion, but I have with the pillows. I can easily sleep on my side and generally roll over to the other side at least once or twice a night with absolutely no difficulty whatsoever. I have woke up a few times the last couple of nights with a leaky seal issue on the pillows, but I'm just sure it was because the night prior to the problem my little guy crawled into bed with me (he sleep walks occasionally) and during the middle of the night he rolled over and smacked me a good one right in the nose with his forearm - bending up the adjustable metal bracket on the pillows . I'm sure I'll have it back into that 'just right' shape by tonight though - no big deal really. Just a note - I had to flatten out the single bottom bar of the adjustable frame on the pillows to get a better fit. You don't want to do this to much or it will distort the upper seal of the silicone boot where it fits into the plastic housing. It either distorts it, causing a large air leak, or almost pulls it out of the housing socket. Easily fixed though by simply putting some bend back into the metal bracket and pushing the silicone boot back into the housing. The easiest way I found to reseat the seal is to just push the tip of your index finger into the nasal pillow itself just above the bracket on the bottom side - where it splits - and just push the seal back into the housing. You will be pushing through a couple of layers of the silicone from the outside, but it's a very simple thing to do - I do it every now and then just to make sure things are good. I know that this is way more info than you wanted or even asked for - sorry, but sometimes I just go off . Anyway, like I said, it looks like Linda had it pegged right from the gitgo. It looks like she got the nasal Pillows and the Direct Seal. I love the pillows but can't speak for the direct seal. I would like to read a comparison of the two. The reason I did not get the direct seal was because since they rested on the outside of the nostrils and did not insert (at least that is my understanding) - my mustache, although not very thick, may inhibit the seal. It's a great mask, at least for me. I am very impressed with the quality and design - you may be a bit offed at first because it seems that the parts are a bit loose. You'll soon realize that it's just an intentional design feature and allows things to move a bit with your face when you lie on your side, without shifting the head gear fit to much. I really hope your as happy with it as I am. I do have to tape up at night due to some mouth breathing, but I just don't think/know if I could get a good seal with a full face mask with the beard and mustache. Would like to try - but if you try you buy, isn't that the pitts! Best of luck. --- BT

[byront]

Sorry - I looked at Linda's stats and it seems she has the Aura. Appears she's one smart cookie! And what's up with that polar bear - do ya suppose that's how he sneaks up on seals? --- BT

[Ms Piggy]

I prefer the Puriton Bennett Breeze with nasal pillows, handy if you have different size nares as you can use 2 diff size pillows. for side sleeping its great, but I cannot manage to sleep on my back in it, some can using a soft pillow. It's so minimal, great if you use an eye mask.

The CL2 is ok, but the clumsy swivel attachment on the top of the hose which goes into the big machine hose tends to push or pull the mask about causing leakds, and it's quite bulky on your forehead. It is a good choice if you like to sleep on your back sometimes. but the Breeze is far less invasive, and is my favourite.
Rested Girl has a fix for the CL2 swivel, but you have to buy parts from another mask, I have to ask her which.

[linda b]

Well, I dont want to complicate the issue for you, but I use and really like the simple cushion on the CL2. I just couldn't stand the nasal pillows. I do use Rested Gal's "pantyhose" fix which serves as an additional, stretchy strap placed just above the vent holes and tied at the back of the head.

The biggest problem, I think, with this interface system is its tendancy to ride up in back. I had that problem solved by putting my hair in a ponytail with the headgear fabric below the ponytail. But I was getting tired of having to do that so I figured out another way to solve the problem. I used a piece of 1/2" wide ordinary elastic, in my case cut about 16 " long, and sewed a cover of fleece around the elastic. I put a little piece of stickyback velcro on the simple cushion elbow just above the vent holes and the corresponding velcro piece on the covered elastic right in the middle. Then I sewed a small piece of velcro onto each end (the 'grabbing' part). Now I put the headgear on (without the cushion/elbow in place), get it positioned comfortably. Then I twist on the cushion/elbow assembly and then I place one end of my strap on the blue CL2 headgear just below where the V is formed on each side, match up the velcro piece in the middle with the one stuck on the cushion elbow and then stick the other end onto the blue headgear at the V just like the other side.

This sounds allot more complicated than it really is! But it has really made a big difference for me. It takes the strain off the back of my neck from tightening up the pantyhose/tights strap and the ponytail. I haven't had the riding up problem and, best of all, NO LEAKS.

I forgot to mention that I am exclusively a side sleeper. After about thirty minutes, I find this mask with the new 'fix' so comfortable that I almost forget it is even there!

[dazzlingmd]

What an extremely helpful forum! I posted the question before I registered, but upon seeing how fast and helpful this is, I'm definitely in for good. I just had my sleep study last week and am on the verge of heading down the path of cpap and masks. I've spent a lot of time online and this site is the most helpful one so far.

So thanks to everyone (and if there's more good information out there on this topic, keep it coming) and I'm sure I'll be asking (and maybe answering someday) more questions soon.

[byront]

Wasn't it a shame they didn't include all three interfaces with the mask? Given the simple, and insightful, fixes put forth on this site to accommodate different heads, it would have probably satisfied a vast majority that could get by with nasal masks. Two choices were still better than one though. I will probably get a set of the direct seals when I can manage, just to see if I like them any better than the pillows. The fact that one interface works for one person and not for another only means we have a variety of beautiful faces out there - and thats a good thing ! -- Wouldn't want everybody looking like me !

I knew someday I'd figure out a way to use that emoticon! --- BT

[lferrel]

I agree with the statement that the strap on the back rides up on the back of the head. I have to reach up and pull it down a couple times a night unless I place it over by ears which is not quite as comfortable.

As for the interfaces. I tried the simple cushion. It did not work great for me. I found the nasal pillow to work fine. However, I decided to order the direct seal to just see how it compared. Wow! It was even better than the nasal pillows. It seals well and, when I turn on my side, it stays sealed much better. Plus, it is easier on my nares.

I am a side sleeper, and I am finding the CL2 with the direct seal is the best I have ever found for comfort, seal, and over-all efficiency.

[rested gal]

I prefer the Puriton Bennett Breeze with nasal pillows, handy if you have different size nares as you can use 2 diff size pillows. for side sleeping its great, but I cannot manage to sleep on my back in it, some can using a soft pillow.

Ms P, you may have already seen this recent post by puffing billy, but if not.... looks like a really good answer for making the Breeze comfy for sleeping on one's back:

Aug 02, 2006 subject: Modified Breeze with CL2 Strap picture and description of a fix to remove the back of headgear, by "puffing billy"

I removed the back headpiece from one of my Breezes, and used homemade straps (yeah, those "legs" lol!!) at two places in front to hold it on. It stayed put fine. But if you still have the CL2, you might want to try that headgear with your Breeze, the way billy describes doing it.

The nice thing about "deconstructing" a Breeze is that you can put it back together if the modification doesn't work well for you.