Adjusting Replacement Eson Mask Cushion

[brightcrow]

I had to prove compliance before I could receive the two-week replacement for my Eson Mask cushion, so by the time it arrived, my cushion was already 6 weeks old, with thinned, floppy edges. I had been getting great seal scores on My Air consistently.

My headgear adjustment isn't working well with the fresh, more rigid replacement, so I'm fiddling with it and getting 13/20 scoring on My Air instead of 18-20/20 with my old, floppy cushion. It feels tighter against my face, so I tried loosening the headgear side straps one night, then tightening them the next night, but can't seem to get the right fit for a good seal.

In general, when you use a fresh cushion, do you tend to loosen the headgear straps? Or should I be trying to get used to the tighter-feeling fit? My air pressure is only around 6, so I don't need lots of slack to accommodate inflation of the cushion. Softly-snug across my cheeks worked up to now.

[LSAT]

I've never had the problem...my silicone cushions last up to a year. I can't believe you need replacements at 2 weeks. Do you NEED or WANT replacements? Most masks should never feel tight. I'm not familiar with the Eson, but when filled with air it should float on the face. It can't do that if its too tight.

[Julie]

If you use alcohol-free baby wipes on the cushion every week it'll hold its shape indefinitely.

[chunkyfrog]

I would look for unscented baby wipes, as I cannot imagine any with alcohol.
I have had some replacement cushions take a few (3 or 4) days to break in. This may yet happen.

[brightcrow]

The place that gave me the CPAP gave me a big glossy brochure, in which it says to replace the nasal mask cushion every 2 weeks, so that's what the automatic supplier sends me now that I've qualified. I use a drop of Dawn (lanolin free) and water to clean the cushion every day and also wash my face without adding moisturizer in the area around my nose at night before using the mask. I just assumed oil accumulation on the cushions would irritate my sensitive skin. Is there some specific benefit to cleaning with baby wipes?

@chunkyfrog: when your cushion is breaking in, do you change your straps? Or just keep them the same until the cushion begins to soften a bit?

EDIT: I've been soaking the mask and cushion in water + vinegar once a week, along with the tubing and humifier chamber, as recommended by my provider.

[bill-e]

I too use my Eson cushion for at least a year. I can get 2 nights of good seal before having to wash it with soap. I use an unsented dish liquid because I also drop the mask daily into my Soclean2. I purchased a second mask for travel about 6 months ago and I didn't notice any difference in the cushion from my original one.

My mask is loose to my face, I bet the forehead brace is a half inch or more off my forehead. This works well for me and seals well as long as the mask is free from facial oils.

[LSAT]

The place that gave me the CPAP gave me a big glossy brochure, in which it says to replace the nasal mask cushion every 2 weeks, so that's what the automatic supplier sends me now that I've qualified. I use a drop of Dawn (lanolin free) and water to clean the cushion every day and also wash my face without adding moisturizer in the area around my nose at night before using the mask. I just assumed oil accumulation on the cushions would irritate my sensitive skin. Is there some specific benefit to cleaning with baby wipes?

@chunkyfrog: when your cushion is breaking in, do you change your straps? Or just keep them the same until the cushion begins to soften a bit?

EDIT: I've been soaking the mask and cushion in water + vinegar once a week, along with the tubing and humifier chamber, as recommended by my provider.

Of course they want you to get a new cushion every 2 weeks.....they can cash in 26 times a year..$$$$$$$. You must have signed up for the automatic shipments otherwise they can't automatically ship you goods. Call them and tell them you will call them when you need supplies.
Personally I think you are "over kill" on the cleaning.