leak problem with comfortgel full

[echo]

Hi everyone, I'm wondering if there's anyone here that regularly uses the ComfortGel Full? I really like this mask but I'm having some leak problems on the mask itself, and I'm wondering if this is normal as the mask gets older.

I'll try to explain: it seems like the silicon piece that fits over the gel cushion doesn't fully snap into the frame, and I can hear leaking between the silicon and the frame. I cannot actually feel the leaking, bit if i press the two pieces together the mask gets a lot quieter. When I first started using the mask, end of May, it was very very quiet. Over time it seems like the silicon piece is sitting looser on the frame, and this makes the mask very loud now (and very annoying).

Is this a piece I'm going to have to replace every two months?!

I checked the lab rat awards (for newbies: viewtopic.php?t=15104 ), but nothing on the comfortgel full there. A search also didn't yield any results.

thanks!

[Wulfman]

From what I've read by those who have tried that mask is that they seem to have problems maintaining a decent seal and have lots of leaks.


Den

[echo]

Thanks Den. I'm actually not having any trouble with the seal between the mask and my face (as opposed to the leaks I had to endure with the Quattro and UMFF, sorry!), but the seal between the frame and the silicon.

I'm not actually expecting any replies to this question, since, as you point out, no one's using this mask

[echo]

bumpity bump-bump. is this mask really THAT bad for everyone?!

[LoQ]

bumpity bump-bump. is this mask really THAT bad for everyone?!

I don't use it because you need fairly wide-set eyes for it, and mine are not.

it seems like the silicon piece that fits over the gel cushion doesn't fully snap into the frame

Then yours is defective and needs to be replaced.

[echo]

it seems like the silicon piece that fits over the gel cushion doesn't fully snap into the frame

Then yours is defective and needs to be replaced.

Could very well be the case, on the other hand it was so quiet for the first month. I'll be getting a new one in the -correct- size soon, we'll see if that degrades over time too.

[LoQ]

It clips on. The only way I can imagine it "degrading" is for the tabs to break or wear out. That has never happened with any of my mask clips. You might want to review your habits when taking it apart. Is it possible you are doing it in such a way that it is causing the tabs to wear down? Are you pulling each tab out gently before removing it from the frame, or just letting them drag straight across the frame edge?

In the meantime, I bet you could stop the leaks by placing a piece of tape from the rim of the silicone flap to the mask over each tab. There's four of them. I just use the white paper medical tape for things like this, and it holds pretty darn well while still being easy to remove.

[echo]

Thanks LoQ. The tabs are ok, not broken or anything. They still clip on fine too, you can't even see any problems wih the naked eye. I remove them fairly gently, by pushing each tab out first, and then lifting out the silicon plus cushion together. When I put it back together I put the cushion in, slide the silicon over it, and push all the tabs in.

It's not even a leak that I can feel, but I _hear_ that it's louder now, and I have sensitive hearing so it gets annoying. When I pinch the frame and the silicon together at the connection points , sort of around the middle edge of the mask or near the bottom tabs, it gets quiet again. So something does appear to be leaking or not sealing well.

I'll try the tape trick, thanks. I didn't really consider that since it's sitting on the frame ok. I have plenty of tape lying around from taping my mouth!

I was mostly wondering if this was a common problem with this type of interface.

[LoQ]

I'm not sure what to tell you. Mine snaps on very tight. Something isn't right with yours, but I doubt if it is a common problem. Perhaps a new silicone flap will fix the problem. If not, you may need to buy a new frame, because the problem might be with the frame instead of the flap.

I hope the tape trick works for you. I sympathize with you because I know how annoying a noisy leak can be.

[echo]

Thanks , this info helps

Hopefully the new mask will arrive in the mail soon!

[DoriC]

Hi Echo, Just a thought, I don't remember what the CG looks like, we used it briefly when we started, but could it be the same elbow leak that the Quattro had that required the teflon fix? Glad you're getting a new mask.

[musicbymuzak]

Sorry to bump this post since it's so old, but I found it on google because I'm having the EXACT same problem! There is an internal leak between the blue gel part and the hard frame that just started in the past few days. I can HEAR it inside the mask but there are no leaks to the outside that I can feel. but if i pinch the gel cushion inward, it goes completely silent like i'm used to. it's almost as if the pressure is forcing its way thru a spot under the gel cushion and being routed up and around to escape into my nose/mouth thru the "flap" that contacts my skin. I have a month-old cushion and two month old hard plastic mask frame (it's aftermarket stuff sent by the insurance that seems to be of varying quality based on the last 3 i've gone thru) that started this mess. So I put on a new cushion and face seal on the hard plastic frame, it was beautifully quiet and I was woken up this morning by that annoying WHHHHHRSHHHHHHHHHH on inhalation and exhalation. I'm going to try putting strips of tape under the gel cushion seal where it contacts the hard plastic mask frame and see if it makes a difference. i can't imagine life without cpap and i love my machine dearly, but this "internal leak" seems to be decreasing the pressure and giving me ineffective therapy.

[Cherylmorri]

Same exact problem! It was wonderful at first but now three weeks in it leaks between the plastic and the gel. Any fixes? It was pricey and now I can't use it.

[Rob108]

I use this mask too. I have the leak near the retention clips also. I have 2 different styles of this mask ...One is the mask I used during titration (Labeled "Not Sold For Home Use") which has a more sharply angled hose connection/anti-asphyxia / exhalation port swivel and a new(er) one from the DME with a more rounded smooth assembly. Both leak but I chalked it up to being a side sleeper. It is annoying and since the mask from the DME is only about a month old I may try a default exchange. I'm waiting to see if the Fisher Paykel Simplus gets US approval (I lie the headgear top strap adjustability)