How do you try a new mask if they cannot be returned?

mikebomb · Post by **mikebomb** » Sun Jun 12, 2005 5:08 am

At my sleep test, I kept rejecting the maks with the blue gel because I found the pressure just below my nose agonizing. In keeping with my sleep clinic's and DME provider's apparent desire to use the cheapest products possible, the mask that they tried next, and that I eventually made them give me when I got my machine -- more on that here -- was the F & P HC405 FlexiFit: a good mask, but with consumable parts. After less than a month, there are black spots on the foam diffuser that correspond to the exhalation holes in the elbow.

Because I do not want to keep buying consumable parts for my mask, and because I would like a mask that does not intefere with my vision or press on my face the way this one does, I am considering buying the Respironics ComfortCurve. I can afford $130.00, but I cannot afford to throw away $130.00. I do not believe they would even have a ComfortCurve in my sleep clinic, much less have one for me to try on. What the heck do I do?
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mikebomb

RemStar Lite at 17 cm H20
Passive humidifier
Fisher & Paykel FlexiFit HC405

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Sun Jun 12, 2005 7:32 am

Mikebomb,

Look at the ResMed Swift or the AEIOMed aura or the Puritan Bennett Breeze before you consider the ComfortCurve. You can check them out at cpap.com

Yoga · Post by **Yoga** » Sun Jun 12, 2005 7:41 am

Mike,

You can replace the foam in the diffuser of your Flexfit 405 with nylon net. You can purchase 1/4th of a yard for about 15 cents at Walmart. I like the nylon net better because I feel that there is better air flow and you do not have to spend money on the foam which is not covered by insurance and go through the aggravation of ordering it.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sun Jun 12, 2005 8:24 am

How do you try a new mask if they cannot be returned?

Very, very, VERY good question in your subject line, mikebomb. I personally think masks should be returnable after trying them at home. But that's not the way it is, unfortunately. There's a lot more profit in a "can't return it" policy. Some few and far-between local DMEs do let people swap an unsuitable mask for a different one after using it at home under real sleeping conditions, but that kind of customer service is rare indeed! Just depends on the individual store's policy. Most of the time, you're stuck with a mask once its opened.

I agree with Wader's suggestions about masks to try. He named three good ones in the nasal pillows category. The Breeze and the Aura are my personal favorites. The Swift is very popular with many and is the one I'd recommend over the Comfort Curve.

In the more traditional nasal mask (covers the nose) category, the Activa is unique for comfort and leakproofness, imho.

Jun 04, 2005 subject: Links to Comfort Curve topics
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My disclaimer: I'm not a doctor, nor have I ever worked in the health care field. Those are just my personal opinions. A mask or machine I love/hate could be completely the opposite for others. Finding suitable equipment can be an expensive trial and error experience.

ahujudybear · Post by **ahujudybear** » Sun Jun 12, 2005 9:34 am

Another mention of a diffuser something or other on the HC 405.

I have been almost exclusively using my 405 (but beginning to alternate with the Swift), but I have nothing remotely like a diffuser insert. I admit that the thing tends to howl at night if moisture gets into the vent holes , but I would take that over having anything covering them. I really appreciate the free flow of air through those vent holes! Can that diffuser thing be removed? Or is it partly to prevent too much IPAP air from escaping??? I would think that it would add to the EPAP pressure, no?

And as to the expense of replacing that filter... I mean $10 for a year's supply? Is anything out there cheaper than that? The water for the humidifier costs more than that.

And as RG mentions above, I have one of the angelic DME's who have allowed me to try out various types of equipment - including masks.

BTW, there are directions packed with these masks for clinicians to sterilize them when they are to be used by more than one person. (You think they throw away the masks they use for the sleep studies??? ) And FWIW, my masks that I have tried (and am keeping) both have the distinctive fragrance I now recognize as baby shampoo!!

- JB

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rock and roll · Post by **rock and roll** » Sun Jun 12, 2005 10:56 am

You will find that extended usage of a cpap will result in this becoming a hobbie and you will soon have a collection of such masks.

Cannot improve on RG and waders recommendations. But I would say IMHO most of us shy away from respironics mask as they are two leaky and have to be worn so tight. Resmed seems to to the best job on this.

sthnreb · Post by **sthnreb** » Sun Jun 12, 2005 3:52 pm

I already have several masks myself. I find the one I started with works the best so far. A small piece of plastic with a strap to attach it should not cost over $10 (more like $5). However, they cost $100 and more. Must be about 99% markup because they are considered "medical supplies". At $10, you could try several masks until you found what is right for you. There is no way it could cost much to manufacture them. Maybe some of us should start making them?

glassgal · Post by **glassgal** » Sun Jun 12, 2005 3:58 pm

We aren't paying for the cost of manufacture -- we are paying for potential liability lawsuits and middlemen (evil DME's). I'm starting to sound like Chrisp!

I guess that I need to get that cynical streak under control!

chrisp · Post by **chrisp** » Sun Jun 12, 2005 4:16 pm

Hey laugh if you must. Being a little cynical here and there has saved me tons of money and more important its kept me ALIVE.

How many have been warned but thought " It wont happen to me" . THen a few weeks later they are here complaining about their DME. How much they charged, and what they could have bought it for online !

So I'll say it again.

Beware of the EVIL DME

Cheers,

Chris

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): DME

mikebomb · Post by **mikebomb** » Sun Jun 12, 2005 5:11 pm

wading thru the muck! wrote:Look at the ResMed Swift or the AEIOMed aura or the Puritan Bennett Breeze before you consider the ComfortCurve.

I looked at these masks. I do not like the look of the Swift because I like to have the tubing go over my head and I like to be able to sleep on both sides. The other two are interesting, but I like the design of the ComfortCurve because there is nothing between your eyes to disturb your sight. I read and work on my laptop in bed and as it is now, I cannot put my mask on until I am finished reading or working. I would like the freedom of being able to put the mask on first, then if I want to fall asleep reading, I can.
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mikebomb

sthnreb · Post by **sthnreb** » Sun Jun 12, 2005 5:23 pm

"I like to be able to sleep on both sides"

I read somewhere in the forum that someone could not sleep on their side with the comfort curve. I assume the cheek pads interfere, from either side. I like the design too, but don't want to waste $135 on something I may not be able to sleep with. Just a thought to ponder or be more confusing I guess.

glassgal · Post by **glassgal** » Sun Jun 12, 2005 5:27 pm

Welcome Mikebomb,

I also like to read before going to sleep. I use the NasalAire II interface and find it quite comfortable. It DID take some getting used to, but after a few rocky nights and a size change, it works well for me. The trick is to get it large enough. You don't want the prongs moving around or leaking, so the size must be big enough to seal well. They should be a little hard to insert at first, but they will warm up and get softer. Get some saline gel to moisturize your nose and you should be good. If you are interested PM me or search for NasalAire II or my name -- glassgal.

I am still trying to get the deconstructed Aura to work for me -- still not there yet -- I have been using the NAII since January 10 this year. Many people do NOT like this interface (NAII), but it works well for me. YMMV.

Good luck,

firefighter75 · Post by **firefighter75** » Sun Jun 12, 2005 7:48 pm

If you sleep on your side, dont get the Comfort Curve. I have one. I sleep on my side. As soon as I turn onto the side, the cheek pads cause the whole mask to shift and leak.

Breeze, Here I come. Now if I could just get rid of this Confort Curve!

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 3:15 am

I don't really think masks are a "cheap peice of plastic".

Before being sold they have to fill certain criteria:
1. Let out a proper amount of CO2, so users don't choke
2. NOT leak under high pressure
3. Deliver higher pressure to the breather and not letting that extra air out of the exhsuast before it reaches the breather
4. Do it pretty quietly
5. Be reliable enough not to fall apart under the pressure
6. Be soft enough for users to tolerate them on their faces.
7. Be light.

8. - for some masks - enable reliable titration when connected to auto cpaps. Which means, a pressure if 10, measured with mask X on equipment Y should be true of mask Z on equipment A.

I'm not saying all masks succeed in all those things. But I'm sure a lot of resarch and engineering go into most of those points. It's not for nothing that masks need FDA certification before they can be sold. And it's the research and rejects we're paying for. This is medical grade equipment. Not something you buy in a toy store.

O.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 3:48 am

Hey, glassgal...

If you never do get the deconstructed Aura to work, please PM me. I might like to buy it. It would be nice to have an extra extra of my favorite.

You're the one who gave me the cool tip about using nippers instead of endangering my fingers further with my dulled serrated knife for deconstructing. But I have to admit it would be nice to receive an already chopped down Aura for a change! I don't need any "side straps"...got my own.

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Additional Comments: Resmed AirCurve 10 VAuto BiLevel with HumidAir

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