Comfort Gel Headgear Problem

evbirch · Post by **evbirch** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 8:37 pm

I love my Comfort Gel mask, but the headgear seems like it was made for someone with a much bigger head! Has anyone created/does anyone sell alternative headgear? Or any other ideas? I'd hate to have to switch to a different mask since this one works so well for me, but the headgear is driving me crazy!

Thanks, Emily

rise&shiner · Post by **rise&shiner** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 10:24 pm

I tried the comfort gel too and in a large and the headstrap was way to big also. I wonder if they make the head gear in different sizes like the mask...if you find out that they do let us know.

Patzee · Post by **Patzee** » Sat Oct 31, 2009 1:52 pm

Emily and rise’shiner, Boy,I hear ya! The Comfort Gel is my main mask and has been for quite awhle now and will be for a long time forward - most pleased with all it’s pluses in a positive therapy experience it deliveres.

I agree with you 100% about the headgear being over large. In the beginning that issue was a huge problem for me too. Not wanting to give up on the mask itself, I hit on a “fix” which I’ll bet will make the difference for you too.

With your mask/headgear on, just rotate both the ball-and-sockets which rolls the lower jawline straps UP and on top of themselves - then smooth the straps & align the ball-and-sockets.

This ability to roll the jawline headgear straps up so the headgear fits comfortably is a real plus over headgear with clips.

Sure hope you try it and that it helps.

patzee

harry33 · Post by **harry33** » Sat Oct 31, 2009 2:48 pm

the 2 straps that go over back of head can be tied closer together, the transparent plastic that holds the ball joint clip will soon break but can be repaired by drilling holes in it and tying ball clip to mask with wire

the nose only version can be resized to give a very good fit

Patzee · Post by **Patzee** » Sat Oct 31, 2009 4:30 pm

Hi Harry33, PR has redesigned their ball and socket clips for Comfort Gel to solve the breakage problems (I fortunately never had that problem, but empathize with those who did.)

So far haven't seen them at our cpap.com, but keep checking. I just now did a quick ck & they are mentioned at one of the other online cpap supply sites - "We now have the new socket design in all sizes. This new design is guaranteed not to break where the ball and socket hook together. Click on more pictures for a close up view. The ComfortGel Nasal Mask makes it easier to fit patients right the first time ..." - so one can do a GOOGLE search to find more.

Best to all,
Patzee

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Sat Oct 31, 2009 5:06 pm

Padacheeks also makes pads the make the mask fit better and feel better. Jim

http://www.padacheek.com/

harry33 · Post by **harry33** » Sat Oct 31, 2009 10:29 pm

glad to hear the breakage problem has at long last been fixed, respironics has known about it for years

IMO the nose only version, with the resizing feature is a good mask and I can adjust mine to have no airleaks at all

shambharwani · Post by **shambharwani** » Sun Nov 01, 2009 5:56 am

In the Profile Gel Nasal mask the headgrear straps consist of a shorter strap within a longer outer strap, so you can use inner or the outer strap to fit your head. An innovative design feature they could have used for the comfort get as well

evbirch · Post by **evbirch** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 10:26 pm

Thanks for the suggestions. Patzee, I just cannot picture what you're saying. Can you post a photo by any chance???

Patzee · Post by **Patzee** » Sat Nov 07, 2009 9:26 pm

evbirch wrote:Thanks for the suggestions. Patzee, I just cannot picture what you're saying. Can you post a photo by any chance???

Emily, don't know that a photo would demonstrate it; video would show the motion for sure. I'll ask my husband if we've got a way to video - think my cell phone has video and a camera too? - and upload. Probably, if I could just explain it more clearly that would make it easier to grasp.

For now, maybe this will be more definitive...

what you will do is:

1) put your headgear and mask on, and turn on your cpap (sit up in bed while you do it the first time);

2 simultaneously grasp the bottom left & right straps of the headgear (the ones that go across your jaws not the ones that go across at the temples) - grasp the straps close to the ball and socket joint.

2) then physically rotate the straps (rolling) in an upward motion in one continuous movement until you now have a two-layer strap instead of the one-layer - the ball rolls right along with the motion in it's socket

3) when you've completed the one rollup you'll need to address the newly positioned headgear at the nape of your neck by physically rolling up the back once upon itself in the same manner.

4. then just square up the ball clips so they lay flat against your face; and voila!

Clear as mud - right!? Let me know if that is any better. If not, I'll see what we can do about a visual.

patzee

evbirch · Post by **evbirch** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 12:49 am

Patzee, I think I've got it, thanks!

Patzee · Post by **Patzee** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 12:09 pm

evbirch wrote:Patzee, I think I've got it, thanks!

Fantastic! Hopefully it will make a big difference.

Thinking of you.
patzee

Comfort Gel Headgear Problem

Comfort Gel Headgear Problem

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