Wounded ComfortClassic Gel Forehead Spacer

[hen3ry]

Folks:

Just about two months into treatment and I've noticed there's a wound in the Gel Forehead Spacer on my DME-supplied ComfortClassic mask. The "skin" on one corner is kind of broken off.

Right, i know, some people don't like this mask... and I know I can order a kit of two replacements for under $10 + shipping. I'll probably do that...

But I'd like to hear from anyone who knows more about what seems to be best to protect these gel spacers. Are breaks in the skin of this spacer inevitable? By the time the mask is considered "worn out" (six months, right?) are most spacers in pretty bad condition?

Oh, yeah, no, I haven't been chewing on it <grin>.

Henry

[Pad A Cheek]

Hi Henry,
It does seem that the gel spacers will break down after a while. I think 6 months is a bit early however. There is not much you can do to protect it from this except perhaps cover it with something to prevent the oils from your skin affecting it. I do not know if that is the reason it breaks down, just an idea.

I think replacing the spacer would be the easiest fix for you. Good luck with that.

Karen

[Goofproof]

You could next go to the ComfortGel Mask, the forehead spacer covers more area and the pad is toughter. Jim

[hen3ry]

Folks:

Thanks for your responses.

The "6 months" is what I've been led to believe is the expected survival time of the mask, the period after which my HMO will pay for a replacement. I hope! I'm guessing the ol' ComfortClassic will be pretty ratty-looking by then. (On the last night, I'll not just look like a Darth Vader , I'll look like like a very down-on-his-luck Darth Vader, one who has been sleeping in the park for a while. Oh, well.)

It's been only about two months that I've been using the Comfort --yes, thanks, I already feel human again-- and I think it seems pretty soon to have such damage.

Since the order for $8 for a replacement spacer will probably balloon to $25 by the time I'm done -- you know, shipping, handling, taxes, dealer undercoating <grin> -- I'm tempted to try another mask like the ComfortGel in the same order. But I'm also held back by the thought that trying new masks seems a bit like trying new churches/temples/mosques/shrines. There are just too many of them to expect to find the right one by random sampling in any reasonable amount of time.

I'm assuming one can buy masks without a prescription, right?

I haven't seen any systematic listing of masks versus needs and preferences that promises to shorten the search time -- and the drain on the credit card to a reasonable level. I'm not certain such a guide is really possible ... Prove me wrong! <grin>.


Thanks,

Henry

[j.a.taylor]

Hi Henry,

I use the same mask, and have had mine for about the same amount of time.

I'm also rough on it, I move around alot in my sleep, and mine has been holding up well.

I wipe mine down every morning with a baby wipe, and wash it in baby shampoo once a week.

It sounds to me like you should march down to your DME, and ask for a replacement. You may have just gotten a "lemon" of a gel pad. Then at least when you place your order for new spacers and a new mask, you'll have the other spacers as backups.

I don't think it should be breaking apart that soon.

[Goofproof]

The ComfortGel is basically the same mask, just a little better, the same size that you use now should be fine.

Also http://www.cpapauction.com/browse-cpap.php, has some good deals on them. Jim

[alsarnac]

. . . or you may try the foam forehead spacer also designed for comfort classic mask available at cpap.com. Here's the link:

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/Foam-F ... ortClassic

I prefer the foam to the gel forehead spacer.

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): cpap.com

[Birdseed]

Not sure, but would there be any harm to placing a small piece of adhesive moleskin over the spacer? That way it will keep the oils of the skin from directly touching the spacer, if that is causing the breakdown. ????? I've been using the comfortgel mask and have a piece of moleskin taped to the part that rests on my forehead. My forehead skin thanked me for that change.

LB

[hen3ry]

Actually, the corner of the "wound" touches my forehead, but there seems to be no ill effect. I have even been experimenting with slightly tighter top strapping, so the spacer is jammed a bit harder against my forehead these days, but still I don't have any problem with it.

My greatest concern about the damage to the spacer is that it is a vital part of the mask and it is already falling apart. If this is typical, yes, I need to be more careful about washing the sulfuric acid off my forehead before bed each night <grin>, or I should look into the moleskin measure Birdseed suggested, or I should routinely order a couple of extra spacers with each new mask. Oh, _or_ I should choose a completely different mask.

Henry

[hen3ry]

John:

Thanks for your reply to my post:


> It sounds to me like you should march down to your DME, and ask for a replacement. > You may have just gotten a "lemon" of a gel pad. Then at least when you place your > order for new spacers and a new mask, you'll have the other spacers as backups.

Ordinarily, I would agree, but it is to me definitely worth $20 - $25 it will cost to independently buy a replacement to avoid my DME, as I find them unintelligent, uninformative, and disorganized on every aspect (except billing my HMO, at which they are apparently very efficient).

Since you have the same mask, let me ask you if you have discovered on your own or on the web a good routine for adjusting it. Although Velcro (tm) straps are cool, I find them difficult to adjust, specifically to keep the sides even and to make minor --rather than major-- adjustments to snugness.

Thanks,

Henry