Comfort Gel Nasal Mask. I need your expertise!

Sundown · Post by **Sundown** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 10:51 pm

Okay... held my finger (plugged one end) and filled with water and water DID drip out of the exhalation area... but just a teeny bitty drop. I then hooked it up to my CPAP and still did not feel enough air was exhaling. I am not sure if it's defective or just that my FLexiFit blows more air out of the the exhalation port. I even raised my CPAP from 9 to 10 to see if that is all I needed..(breaking in a new mask?) but it didn't help.

Conclusion:

Thank you for your help. I guess since a drop did come out.. it does have an exhalation port.. great tip!!! But exhaling feels like I am walking up a staircase with a backpack full of bricks. I struggle and my ears have an immense "plugged up" feeling. I'm going to stick with my Flexifit Nasal 407 for now.

You all have been so helpful and kind.

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 11:17 pm

I would think it needed to leak freer that a few drops. I should move over 30 LPM @ 10 CM of water pressure.

Hook you cpap hose to the mask and breath in and out of the other end of the hose. There shouldn't be much resistance to blowing either way, in fact the effort should be the same both directions. Jim

Sundown · Post by **Sundown** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 7:55 am

Just hooked up Comfort Gel to CPAP and breathed in and out as you instructed.

Seemed okay. Then I turned on (my ramp is at 4.0) CPAP and was much harder to breath. I felt like I was not getting enough air.

I wonder if the Comfort Gels normal operating behavior is just different than the Flexifit exhalation and I'm being a big idiot.

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 10:18 am

Ramp at 4 cm is the idiot's DME setting, most people need more air than that to breath. I never ramp, never have, never will. Your pressure is so low it should be a breeze, I started at 14 cm C-Flex 3, with my chest sewed closed. Jim

Sundown · Post by **Sundown** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 10:44 am

I'm going to change that.. right now..

tedanderson · Post by **tedanderson** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 10:49 am

Dumb question- but where did you get the mask? The first thing that came to my mind was that your mask might have been a knock-off made in a foreign country somewhere if you bought it online and/or from an unlicensed dealer.

I am not sure if I am any smarter because I buy my stuff directly from the hospital's in-house supplier and I know I am paying double (if not triple) to ensure that I am getting the right thing. But the good part of that is that I can try stuff on and I don't have to buy it if it leaks or it just does not fit.

Sundown · Post by **Sundown** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 10:53 am

I'm going to fiddle with this thing and will let you know... promise.

goose · Post by **goose** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 10:26 pm

Hey Sundown,
If you have been trying to breathe at 4cm, I can understand why you're gasping for air.....I wouldn't set the bottom end less than 7 (I titrated at 5 and couldn't breathe at 5!!!!).
I used the ramp feature for a very short period of time. My pressure is at 9 at the moment and will probably be at 10 for the long term, but I just start it up at 9 or 10 without ramping. Just a personal preference -- I'm with Goofproof on that one. No ramp.
If you set your pressure at say 8 or 9, can you breathe with the mask???

I'm wondering if they're just not printing the logo on the tube anylonger because it might cost them a nickel or two of manufacturing costs.....

I also agree that you should be getting more than a few drips of water out, but I haven't tested mine like that yet (I may just do that to see what happens)....

Good luck!!! You'll get it wired!!!

cheers
goose

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 11:01 pm

goose wrote:I'm wondering if they're just not printing the logo on the tube anylonger because it might cost them a nickel or two of manufacturing costs.....

They are probably outsourcing the printing, but they won't buy the people in India, a paintbrush with a long enough handle to reach. Jim

allisonandrews · Post by **allisonandrews** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 10:55 pm

This may be a moot point at this time, but I have a very hard time breathing out of that mask at 4 as well. I turned my ramp feature off and start off at 9. No problems at that pressure.

Now, if only I slept on my back... and stayed in the same position all night long... then I would probably love the Comfortgel. Right now though, I am thinking about alternatives...

allisonandrews · Post by **allisonandrews** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 10:59 pm

Also, no logo for me. I can see my exhilation ports. One on each side of the elbow. A long (1cm) square tube on each side.