help with soft gel mask.

[sol]

As had a lots of problems with FF masks (Quattro and Quattro FX ) ,The last few days been trailing soft gel nasal mask size LW with L . head gear and chin strap and surprising it works fine not getting dry mouth as kept mouth closed , but the only issue been getting red mark where it sit on the bridge of my nose without tighten the straps and if moved my head back it to rise on my nose ,when it does that it hurt ,wonder if changed the size head gear to M would make any difference or trying different type of nasal mask as the soft gel feel slightly heavy .

[DadscreepyCPAPmask]

I use a ResMed SoftGel and a chinstrap and it is almost completely leak free for me. I have the forhead dial set to 21 (almost all the way out) and have the straps for the head gear fairly loose. The bridge of my nose is just fine most every night. Some mornings it may be slightly tender, but never hurts and minor red marks that go away with a few minutes.

[Jersey Girl]

The Mirage Softgel is a bit heavy - but I found it to be VERY comfortable. If your mask is sized right and you're having a problem, check out http://www.padacheek.com. She makes comfort items for many different types of masks and you may find one there to be helpful. I highly recommend their products and the owner of the business has sleep apnea herself and is one of our friends here on this forum.

Best regards,

Jersey Girl

[chunkyfrog]

With my Comfortgel full face mask, I tend to get a sore on the bridge of my nose when I am breaking in a new shield,
(the outside non-gel part of the cushion) I have to tape my nose to prevent a blister, but the shield is all right in a few days.
The hardest part is getting the tape off the next morning.

[sol]

Thank you all for your response last night have cut a piece of handy gauze swab found in the first aid box , placed it between the mask and bridge of my nose , it was comfortable ,stayed on without taping and no red mark .

[jmelby]

You could try the Activa LT cushion as it fits on the same frame as the soft gel... I prefer it because it is so much lighter and I get a better seal. I never get marks--the key to the Activa cushion is to wear it relatively loosely and let the pressure bellow it out to make the seal against your face.

[sol]

Thanks jmelby for your advice i will definitely get the Activa LT cushion as it fit on the same frame .

[BernieRay]

Although I don't have a problem with the Mirage SoftGel, when I was using a different mask I used to put a piece of Dr. Sholl's moleskin on the mask where it sat on the bridge of my nose. Worked great for over 10 years.

The new Molefoam padding might be even better, depending on how flexible it is.

[infntyx2]

You could try the Activa LT cushion as it fits on the same frame as the soft gel... I prefer it because it is so much lighter and I get a better seal. I never get marks--the key to the Activa cushion is to wear it relatively loosely and let the pressure bellow it out to make the seal against your face.

Just curious... I tried switching between a Resmed softgel cushion and the Activa LT with some difficulty. For the most part, the softgel works for me but it does sit pretty heavy on the upper lip (thus the reason I tried the Activa LT cushion). When I tried it, it drove me nuts. Its light and stays in place but it pulses as you breath and moves up and down with each breath. I couldn't fall asleep with the Activa LT cushion on. Am I alone here or possibly doing something wrong... mask too loose, too tight, etc?

[don56]

infntyx2,
I know exactly what your talking about. I don't like the way it moves up and down with every breath either. Other than that it's a good mask.

[jmelby]

The "billowing" effect on the Activa LT cushion is somewhat normal, but it's not very drastic for me. I don't use EPR and I wonder if that makes a difference... so there is not a difference in pressure for inhaling vs. exhaling.

Regarding adjusting the headgear for wearing the Activa LT, I leave the lower straps fairly loose when the mask is first put on... they are adjusted such that the fit is snug when the mask is fully inflated, but not so snug that you can't get your fingers under the straps easily. After I first put on the mask and start the machine, I pull lightly on the outer ridge part of the cushion on each side to pull the edges away slightly from my nose nares--that seems to help get a good seal and keep the mask in place.

For the Soft Gel cushion, I found I had to wear the lower straps much tighter in order to get a good seal. I felt claustrophobic using that cushion and that the mask is very heavy in comparison to the Activa LT cushion.

[don56]

jmelby,
I've never not used the EPR on my machine but you might be right on that "billowing" effect. I might experiment with it a little. Thanks

[infntyx2]

jmelby,
I've never not used the EPR on my machine but you might be right on that "billowing" effect. I might experiment with it a little. Thanks

Same with me for the EPR... I will have to give it a try w/o it. Thanks for the suggestion too!

[sol]

Been using the Activa LT cushion for the last three nights it seem to be be leak free and as recommended to wear it loose not tight at all but my concern is that it feel like pushing on my upper lip and get sucked in (vacuumed by the cushion )is it normal for this mask and what causes this effect ?

[jmelby]

Been using the Activa LT cushion for the last three nights it seem to be be leak free and as recommended to wear it loose not tight at all but my concern is that it feel like pushing on my upper lip and get sucked in (vacuumed by the cushion )is it normal for this mask and what causes this effect ?

What do you mean is getting sucked in? Your upper lip? If so, then I'd say the size is probably too large. For me, the cushion doesn't come down far enough to touch my lip.