ComfortGel Mask - "custom fit"??

communilink · Post by **communilink** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 7:33 pm

Is anyone else wearing this mask, and did you do the "custom fit" that they describe in the directions.

You heat the material in hot water, and then wear it for 5 minutes as it cools and it makes a custom fit.

Before I do it, I wondered if anyone else had done it

Don

MartiniLover · Post by **MartiniLover** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 7:55 pm

I have

Works just like they tell you it will.

path2others · Post by **path2others** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 8:51 pm

I also did the "custom fit" procedure. It seemed to help leaks. I only use it when my nose gets a little sore from my Swift.

G Man · Post by **G Man** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 9:20 pm

This is the only mask i've had since starting cpap March 2nd of this year.
I like it and have not needed to do the custom fit procedure.
Sort of have a permanent dent in my forehead though from the mask.
Am waiting for 6 months to go by so I can get my insurance to pay to get a Comfortlite 2 to try.

Mark

communilink · Post by **communilink** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 9:27 pm

I am going to try it tonight without doing the "custom fit" and see how it goes. I may do the fit tomorrow when I have more time before I go to bed. We will see. First night with the new stuff

Don

WillCunningham · Post by **WillCunningham** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 9:45 pm

I have used the comfortgel for over a year now. I just switched to the activa with good success. I have gone through 3-4 comfortgel masks and I only did the custom fit procedure on two of them. When the mask was new I was able to get a good seal with or without the procedure. I did not notice any difference with or without the procedure.

My first problem with the mask was that the stiff part of the forehead pad was very fragile and easy to break if you overtightened the straps. I also snapped off the connector on the bottom of the mask where the strap snaps in a couple of times.

The main problem I had with the comfortgel was the seal degrading over time. I would feel much more rested after I got a new mask, even if I only had my old mask for a month to a month and a half. I attribute that to the gel not making as good a seal. It felt like the gel cushin got less 'cushiny' over time, it is hard to describe. I also felt like I had to really strap the mask on TIGHT to get a good seal, hence the breakage.

I very much prefer my activa mask now. I stuck with the comfotgel because they did work for me and I was nervous to give up something that did work for something that might not on the off chance that it would end up being better. I wish I had experimented sooner. I finally made the jump after collecting enough mask parts to keep a spare going in case the activa didn't work out.

I am curious to see how the mask works out for you. I have been wondering if I the problems I ran into were common or just me. In any event good luck with the new mask! I hope it works wonders for you.

communilink · Post by **communilink** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 3:01 am

wore the mask for 4.5 hours and slept ok, no problems with the mask, if anything I might have it a little snug and will continue to play with it to get the adjustment for it.

I appreciate all the info / advice. as I try to adjust to this new lifestyle

Don

Big Al · Post by **Big Al** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 12:37 pm

I am a newbie as well and I can tell you that I first brought home the Comfort lite 2 and tried both interfaces (the cup and then the nasal pillows). I liked the mask except when I went to sleep. It lost its seal after I went to sleep and then all hell broke loose as it started to leak on me at about 2:30 am. The same thing happened the next night.

I took the CLT 2 back and got a Comfort Gel mask. I did the custom fit and so far after 2 nights of sleep it is holding up and is proving to be a comfortable mask. I can definitely use this mask as long as it behaves itself. I may try another mask one day as I continue my search for the absolute perfect one. If I never find the perfect one, at least I know what does and does not work.

There · Post by **There** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 1:11 pm

The ComfortGel was a bad experience for me, and fitting it did little to allay the problems (though I tried a couple of times). It either leaked or left red, raw marks on my nose and forehead, even when properly fitted. Not to mention, it seemed to increase the occurence of acne in its general area. But if you can't tolerate nontraditional masks, and it works for YOU, then go for it. I would think the customizing would only help if it's positive from the onset for you.

None of us are the same, so it's nice to have a mask that can be customized by design rather than one customized by force

Tina

neversleeps · Post by **neversleeps** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 1:29 pm

Don, I didn't have much luck with the custom fit ComfortGel mask. I found it to be uncomfortable and it left telltale marks on my face every morning. The Activa was much better for me as nasal masks go; it left no marks on my face and was virtually leakproof. If you're thinking of trying something entirely different, you might consider giving nasal pillow masks a try. I personally like the Breeze the best.

P.S. Hi Tina! Haven't seen you in a while; it's great to read your posts again!!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 1:38 pm

I had the same problem of, over time, needing to crank the Comfort Gel tighter and tighter to seal it. I have found the CG comparable to the Activa and Swift as far as performance in AHI (for me). It just wasn't comfortable (for me).

I went through three inserts, one of which I customized. I didn't notice all that much difference. I found the plastic ring around the gel very sensitive to manuvering during cleaning - I broke two. I'd leave it together to clean.

I seem to remember Padacheek was thinking about making and selling a forehead pad (and strap pads) for the Comfort Gel. You can seach in this forum for her website then email and ask. As a fellow CPAPer she is very responsive to our needs and truely happy to help. The the products not only work and are well made, they are are reasonable.

Snoozing Gonzo · Post by **Snoozing Gonzo** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 1:40 pm

Oops - I guested myself. The above is my post.

Pad A Cheek · Post by **Pad A Cheek** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 7:00 pm

Hey all,

I do indeed have PAD A CHEEKs forehead pads for the Comfort Gel and Also for the Comfort Classic, with its little bump of a gel pad.

I only have the Comfort Gel forehead pads made up in black or red at this time. The Comfort Classic ones I have in a blue with stars and a solid blue.

If you are interested, please PM me and I will respond as soon as I can.

Thank you all
Karen Moore

communilink · Post by **communilink** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 7:16 pm

Thanks to all, on the second night, I got 7.5 hours on CPAP, I do have red marks on the bridge of my nose, and one side is slightly tender, I did loosen it up from the first night, and increase my humidifier, which helped alot.

Still thinking how I want to deal with this, I have experience a little mouth breathing last night, not sure how to deal with it since I have a full beard.

One day at a time

Don

Diane in CA · Post by **Diane in CA** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 10:18 pm

I also had the major dent in the forehead problem. My DME told me to take off the gel "spacer" and just loosly attach the straps. It worked wonders.

Diane

ComfortGel Mask - "custom fit"??

ComfortGel Mask - "custom fit"??

Custom Fit for the Comfort Gel

Hey you are right