Slight modification to my ComfortCurve..

KimberlyinMN · Post by **KimberlyinMN** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 9:14 am

I've been trying to adjust to using the ComfortCurve system for the past few weeks. The foam pads seem to have too much thickness to them and the silicone pads leave terrible red marks on my face. I also found that the headgear isn't tight enough at the top.

So.. based on others' suggestions that I've read, I switched the headgear around so that the adjustable strap is at the back of my head -- I even had to loosen the strap. That helped!

Then I bought some of that moleskin plus and traced out two ovals to put on instead of the foam or silicone pads. I did put a little bit of folded paper towel under the moleskin to cover some of the plastic parts.

WOW! I can't believe how comfortable this made the ComfortCurve! I was able to sleep on my side without any leaks all night (that I'm aware of, that is). Before I fell asleep I was testing various angles of my head while on my side and didn't have any leaks or discomfort. I didn't have ANY marks on my face this morning. I'm sold!

I'm heading to Fargo today to buy some fleece to try to make a cover of some sort to use instead of the moleskin. I'd like to be able to remove and wash the covers instead of sticking something on and then throwing it away.

Kimberly

PS. I've even been able to keep my mouth shut without having to tape or use a strap. Then again, maybe that's easier when sleeping on one's side. ??

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 9:51 am

Good job, Kimberly. Glad to hear you're whipping the CC into shape to suit you!

christinequilts · Post by **christinequilts** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 12:41 pm

I tried moleskin early on, but unfortunately I'm allergic to it; which made me leery of the foam pads too with my strange allergies. So I've stuck with the silicone ones, since that was all that was available when I got my first CC almost 2 years ago. Because I already have too much padding on my checks to start with, I thin the silicone pad down to about ½, being careful to keep it even & not accidentally snip all the through. This worked pretty good, but I still got marks from the silicone, which I've taken care of by making removable slip covers to go over the silicone pad out of a very smooth silk fabric I had on hand. I did try polar fleece at one point since it worked well with my previous mask, the Swift to prevent marks. I didn't like the feeling of the polar fleece being smoshed against my skin so hard with the way CC hold on and I think it was too hot. I like the idea of using a natural fabric, like silk, because it breaths & can absorb facial oils; most cottons have too coarse of a weave to be comfortable, which is why I ended up using the silk. I actually need to make some more for myself soon and if I have enough of the material, I could probably make you a set or two to try. I would like to get some feedback from someone else besides myself on how they work & if they are easy enough to put on & off.

Something else I considered playing around with are foam shoe inserts for the pads themselves. The idea came to me recently after I put memory foam shoe inserts in my favorite pair of shoes...I wish I would have thought of it before hand, because you definitely want a new set for making CC pads

Bamalady · Post by **Bamalady** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 1:53 pm

Kimberly.... thanks for posting. I must have missed the suggestion to change the headgear around. Your post made me go get my CC out once again. While it was much more comfortable with the headgear turned around, I still could not tighten it enough to get a seal under my nose. Tonight I am going to see if I can shorten the adjustable strap for a better fit.

While I was trying to get a seal, though, I thought....Well gee, if this were meant to go over the mouth, it would probably work. And it did, with a bit of adjustment at the elbows. I 'hosed up' to try it out, and it worked really well although I kept trying to breath through my nose. I am not a mouth breather, but this may well come in handy when I have a cold. Funny the things we do, huh. It made me laugh.

I thought this might help some mouth breathers. Thanks again for posting.

KimberlyinMN · Post by **KimberlyinMN** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 3:39 pm

christinequilts wrote:I actually need to make some more for myself soon and if I have enough of the material, I could probably make you a set or two to try. I would like to get some feedback from someone else besides myself on how they work & if they are easy enough to put on & off.

I'd love to be a tester for you! Now that you mention it, I have a set of Egyptian cotton sheets that I could even test out for covers. Hmmmm... now that would be soft. Even if I just used the fitted sheet (elastic broke right away), I bet that would practically be a lifetime supply!!

One thing that I was thinking about today on our way to Fargo was that if I had a washable fabric cover.. then I could at least put moisturizer on everywhere but near my nose area. I swear that has been my biggest hurdle to overcome with the whole CPAP thing - not being able to do all my nightly facial stuff. How am I supposed to keep my youthful beauty? LOL (Although that won't matter much if I die in my sleep because I can't breathe or have a massive heart attack or something.)

I found some fleece at Wal-Mart that I'm going to experiment with maybe tonight or tomorrow. I'm also going to try making a hose cover for the CC hose. I have one for the other mask but it's a pain to switch out. I just hope my sewing machine is in a good mood.

I'd also like to figure out a way to vent the exhaust air UP instead of DOWN. That is downright chilly and the dead of winter isn't even knocking on the door yet!! (That's why I like the ComfortFull 2 mask -- I never even notice the exhaust air.)

Kimberly

imsotired · Post by **imsotired** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 9:07 pm

I'd love to try the silk covers too if you have enough to make a third pair.

crystalhelix · Post by **crystalhelix** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 8:42 am

sorry if it has been mentioned before but has anyone tried the foam pads that are available for the CC?