Boomerang, Gecko nose pads. Do they work?

[VikingGnome]

Anyone tried the Boomerang, Gecko, or "Nasal Soft CPAP Cushion" on cpap.com. Do they help?

They are supposed to help seal mask around eyes and nose and prevent nose sores. I'm going to try the Hans Rudolph 7600 Series V2 FF mask in size Petite. This is the FF mask that I have NOT tried that comes in Petite or Extra Small. Only four FF masks available for Petite or Extra Small (Quattro, Amara, F&P Forma, and Hans Rudolph). The Quattro XS was still too big (went almost to bottom of chin. I hated the Forma with that foam cushion. Very hot and uncomfortable. I have the Amara. It fits but I hate it. I leaks into my eyes. I hate the location of the vents. But the worst part of Amara is the airflow within the mask. It's like a mini-hurricane around your nose and mouth all night.

So read the review about Hans Rudolph and the main complaint seemed to be leaking at the nose. So I ordered the "Nasal Soft CPAP Cushion" to help seal FF masks and avoid sores. I love my Active LT but I've tried EVERYTHING imaginable to stop mouth leaking. My last resort was the RUBY which I call "Medieval Torture Device". So decided to try that last known Petite or XS FF mask on the market.

[LadyHypnos]

Hi there, have you tried a full face mask called the ultra mirage? It runs a bit smaller than the Quattro but is a lot like it. It seals pretty good around the eyes and nose because the nose area is a bit wider whereas the Quattro is narrow and sometimes pinches and causes high leaks in the eyes. The gecko pads are good but you need to keep buying them as they are only good for a month, two if you keep it really clean.

[simplyme]

I recently tried a Gecko with both my Quatro fx for her FF, and Respironics comfort gel blue FF both small size. It actually caused more leaks for me right at the edge of the Gecko so my eyes were being irritated. It also seemed to not stick well... I ended up giving the Gecko to yoyoyomonica to try out, not sure if it worked for her? Others have loved the gecko...
I found that silicone scar strips from most any pharmacy... work when trimmed to shape, they are thinner self adhering and washable, but still offer good cushioning and sopped leaks better for me...
Or a piece of soft cloth also has worked for leaks, and irritation, but not so much for pressure sore on nose...
Hope you find something to work for you.

[VikingGnome]

Hi there, have you tried a full face mask called the ultra mirage? It runs a bit smaller than the Quattro but is a lot like it. It seals pretty good around the eyes and nose because the nose area is a bit wider whereas the Quattro is narrow and sometimes pinches and causes high leaks in the eyes. The gecko pads are good but you need to keep buying them as they are only good for a month, two if you keep it really clean.

I don't think ultra mirage would work for me. My eyes are pretty close together so the wider a mask is at the nose bridge, the more likely it will cover some of my eye. Ultra mirage doesn't come in Extra Small and the XS in Quattro was too long for my face.

[Catnap]

Hi there, have you tried a full face mask called the ultra mirage? It runs a bit smaller than the Quattro but is a lot like it. It seals pretty good around the eyes and nose because the nose area is a bit wider whereas the Quattro is narrow and sometimes pinches and causes high leaks in the eyes. The gecko pads are good but you need to keep buying them as they are only good for a month, two if you keep it really clean.

I don't think ultra mirage would work for me. My eyes are pretty close together so the wider a mask is at the nose bridge, the more likely it will cover some of my eye. Ultra mirage doesn't come in Extra Small and the XS in Quattro was too long for my face.

Just an FYI, I have an Ultra Mirage and also have close-set eyes, and you're right, the edge of the mask does kind of nudge me in the eye. I can make it work when I have to (with a cold or something), but not as a regular choice. I almost think you have to have a perfect nose to be really comfortable in it. People with a high nose bridge complain of sores; people with little nose bridge (me) have lots of trouble with leaks.

[jhoward82]

Just a quick piece to add re: gecko. I have the Quattro mask, newish to CPAP, and after reading the reviews found that the gecko pad did indeed increase leaks when placed on my nose, possibly because I am using the padacheek mask liner with it. BUT with careful placement inside the mask between the two layers, up at the bridge of the nose section, I found that not only did I get the best seal I have had since I started, the extra padding meant I could leave the adjustment bar fully extended. For the first time in the month since I started CPAP I wasn't constantly waking up to leaks and the pressure on my nose seemed to be less. Last night was the first night, and I am still healing from the skin infection I got as a new user who didn't wash their face well enough at the start, so time will tell if it truly helps with pressure point on the bridge of my nose and such, but it did seem to be better than previous mornings and it was worth buying the pad just to get more sleep.

Again, the layers are inner part of mask, gecko placed in mask in the same alignment it would be on nose (kind of a pain to get in there, but worth being patient), thin silicone outer layer of mask, padacheek mask liner. Bottom straps were fairly tight, adjustment bar was set on 24 (maximum extension, not pressing on nose at all), head straps just tight enough to hold things in place.

[jencat824]

My hubby uses the Amara with the Geko nose pad & says the pad make such a difference for him. I still think he has too much leakage, I hear it when he goes to sleep, but the reports don't show much leakage. He says the pad helps seal around his nose & eye area.

Jen

[StuUnderPressure]

My hubby uses the Amara with the Geko nose pad & says the pad make such a difference for him. I still think he has too much leakage, I hear it when he goes to sleep, but the reports don't show much leakage. He says the pad helps seal around his nose & eye area.

Jen

I use the Gecko Nasal Pad as a cushion to avoid sores on the nose.
But, ResMed does say it also helps with leaks.
Since I did not have a leaking problem before, I cannot tell whether it makes a difference.

ResMed says it will last "up to" 30 days.
I have been using mine 22 days and IT is the cause of some leaks for me - because when I sleep withOUT it, I have no leaks.

The silicone seems to break down much faster than my Nasal Mask Cushion.

Regardless of that problem, I still think the Gecko Nasal Pad is worth it.
Would be even better if it would be covered by Medicare & Insurance without having the DME call it a Nasal Cushion just so it gets covered.

My next experiment is to try the PadaCheek liner for my mask.