Respironics ComfortGel Mask Problem

CPAP_Dad · Post by **CPAP_Dad** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 11:04 pm

I've been using the ComfortGel mask for over a year but have been having problems with it. Small plastic pieces of the mask seem to break off for no apparent reason. I've already had to purchase a new one. So far, two pieces have broken off of the one I'm using now. The adjustable forehead piece is now being held in place by Gorilla glue, and one of the tabs to hold the lower strap in place has completely broken off.

Has anyone else had this problem? As I said, I like the mask, but perhaps there is a better choice for me, so I would be happy to have any recommendations.

Thanks

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 11:18 pm

I use the ComfortFull, It broke there after 3 weeks, I used Epoxy and scraps to rebuild it and Hot Melt Glue for the nose piece. Slightly poorly made, although after the repair, I have 1400 hours on it. I have a new replacement, and a new F&P431. They all are usuable but have weird leaks.

The Confort Full broke because I had it too tight.

Bella · Post by **Bella** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 6:41 am

Goofproof, I have a Comfortfull which I gave up on because of the noisy leaks. I use a Swift now, but want a ff mask too. How do you feel about the flexifit 431 vs the Comfortfull? And are you able to get the Comfortfull not to leak? It's always in the same place for me - right hand side of mouth. I've padded it, I've pulled it super tight, set it super loose..... So far haven't broken it yet.

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 10:46 am

The Flexifit 431, leaks as much as the ComfortFull, but it leaks more quietally. I am still working with it.

My next mask will be: ResMed Ultra Mirage Full Face Mask with Headgear,
I wish I had chosen it before the 431, but I just flipped a coin.

Too much conjestion for nose only.

Bella · Post by **Bella** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 11:00 am

I used the Ultra Mirage during both of my sleep studies. If it made any noise I wasn't aware of it. When I went to the DME he had me try on a lot of masks, which I do understand was a good thing. But he had me toss and turn with the masks on and lie on my side. I don't sleep that way. Because of pain I sleep on my back with a cervical pillow. When I was in the side-lying position I found that the top piece of the Ultra Mirage hurt. It seems to be much longer than the one on the Comfortfull, so even though I would not likely be in a position where it would hurt, I skipped it and bought the Comfortfull. I was pretty tired by then, end of workday and learning about bipaps and masks and form signing.......

I want a new ff, and I have to buy them out of pocket, so I'm really trying to sort this out. It seems to me that the Comfortfull and the Ultra Mirage are the same, except for the length of the upper piece. (But then again no leak noises woke me during the studies). I had hoped that the flexifit would lock down over the chin and seal things up better. Maybe I'll go wild and blow my savings and get both - become a mask junkie!

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 11:09 am

Bella wrote:When I was in the side-lying position I found that the top piece of the Ultra Mirage hurt.

I'm guessing the headgear might have been set too tight, and/or it was set in the wrong position.

Den

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 11:16 am

I seem to have more leaks with the 431 when I am on my back, I usually sleep on my side to keep one side of my nose clear. The side that's down plugs bad, and on my back they both plug. On my back the 431 leaks into my eyes. The headgear of the 431 works much better than the Comfortfull.

It seems like the elbow on the 431 is longer and acts like a lever to unseat the mask. The elbow on the Confortfull seem shorter and rotates easyier, I also like it disconnect feature.

I am looking forward to getting another new mask in 6 months. after that we may try a different type completely.

For now I'll just have to go out in the yard and check my Mole Traps.

Bella · Post by **Bella** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 11:36 am

Yeah, I like all of those things about the Comfortfull, it's just those darn loud noises waking me up! I'm beginning to think that maybe I should forget the Flexifit, and go for the Ultra Mirage. And I've read that they have the shallow mask, so maybe that will seal further out on the leaking right hand side. I understand that there is quite an art to leaving masks loose enough so they don't make noise, and yet at the same time tightening them up for the same reason.

Wulfman, I think it was too tight. Plus the test position was leaned back in a recliner with no pillow. Turning on my side on that didn't really recreate how it would work at home. When I went back to try nasal pillows I brought my pillow.

By the way Goofproof, I hope that those Mole Traps are big! Did you know that you can not only buy mole skin, but you can get mole foam! I figure it comes from plump free range moles.

Bellcrest · Post by **Bellcrest** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 2:53 pm

I fully admit I am a mask junkie.

I have 3 FF masks. The FP431 works the best for me, though it does leak around the eyes. But the leak is quiet and if I wear a sleep mask I am ok.

The comfortfull is anything but comfortable. I plan on selling it.
The Ultra Mirage also leaks a lot and the leaks are NOT quiet, in fact it makes very rude noises. I plan on selling it also.

Larry · Post by **Larry** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 6:53 pm

I have been using a Comfort Gel mask once or twice a week since it came on the market. I am on my second mask and neither have broken. I sleep on my stomach and side with my hose running over the headboard which should be a durability challenge for the forehead support.

For those who have not worn the Comfort Gel, Respironics combined a Profile Lite cushion and a Comfort Classic cushion in one mask. Unfortuately, they cut the thickness of both components in half. The mask is comfortable but two halves don't make a whole. The outer sealing cushion loses its strength fairly quickly and won't seal after 3 to 4 months. For comparison, I have been wearing my Comfort Classic for 3 years and the thicker outer cushion is still sealing.

CPAP_Dad · Post by **CPAP_Dad** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 9:38 pm

Larry, why do you use more than one mask? Do you prefer the ComfortGel or Comfort Classic?

Jerry69 · Post by **Jerry69** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 7:48 am

Larry wrote:I have been using a Comfort Gel mask once or twice a week since it came on the market. I am on my second mask and neither have broken. I sleep on my stomach and side with my hose running over the headboard which should be a durability challenge for the forehead support.

For those who have not worn the Comfort Gel, Respironics combined a Profile Lite cushion and a Comfort Classic cushion in one mask. Unfortuately, they cut the thickness of both components in half. The mask is comfortable but two halves don't make a whole. The outer sealing cushion loses its strength fairly quickly and won't seal after 3 to 4 months. For comparison, I have been wearing my Comfort Classic for 3 years and the thicker outer cushion is still sealing.

I've been using the ComfortGel for almost 3 weeks after 4 months of using only nasal pillow interfaces: Swift, Breeze, Aura. It provides a much more natural breathing experience for me. Much quieter and the little sound that it makes is mostly on EXHALE, not inhale like the pillow interfaces. This seems more natural to me. There is a nice 'rush' of air surrounding my nose, which eliminates any feeling of suffocating. I like it a lot. viewtopic.php?t=7809&highlight=

And, it hasn't broken...yet.

That's interesting, Larry, about how two masks were 'combined' to get the ComfortGel. I wondered about why two cusions. It would be easier to clean with just one cushion. Water gets between the two and spits out when I start up the machine. And, I haven't figured out how to easily open the shell that contains the two cushions. Anyone help me?

I'll look into the Comfort Classic or Profile Lite or, maybe another gel mask with only one cushion. They are pretty cheap, actually. But, I'll continue to use the ComfortGel until it breaks or the cushions quit sealing. (I think my insurance will replace the cushions every 3 months, however.)

Jerry

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Snoozing Gonzo · Post by **Snoozing Gonzo** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 9:56 am

I have used the ComfortGel since starting CPAP in mid-January. I've had a lot of leak problems. I have tried several combinations of strap tightness and mask angles (actually a nice feature). Each time I change position I generally get a leak that wakes me up and requries an adjustment. Cranking it down to the edge of being really uncomfortable will keep it in place most of the night. On the other hand, the gel is so soft that keeping it tight isn't all that uncomfortable and I sleep pretty deep.

On the advice of my DME I tried the boil fitting. I must have done something wrong as it fit worse. The DME got me a new one. The outside gel ring that holds the main gel pad broke one night (an odd sounding leak) but the DME exchanged it the next day.

My Activa from CPAP.COM should be delivered today.

Jerry69 · Post by **Jerry69** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 3:22 pm

Snoozing Gonzo wrote:My Activa from CPAP.COM should be delivered today.

Please let us know how you like the Activa.

Jerry

Larry · Post by **Larry** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 5:51 pm

Most masks, except gel type, have an outer cushion that provides the seal and an inner support. Respironics Comfort Gel uses a gel cushion to provide the inner support. The thin outer cushions on my comfort gels lost "strength" after a couple of months and couldn't resist the pressure (6 to 12 in my case). The mask is fine, just not as durable as some others.

I rotate among 5 different masks. I find that if I wear the same the mask, any mask, more than 2 or 3 nights, they start to leak. Also, the five masks hit different pressure points and have different advantages. The Comfort Classic is so small and light it virtually disappears. The Activa seals extremely well but you pay a big price, figuratively and literally, for the seal. I actually woke up in the middle of the night with one of the lower straps disconnected from my Active. The mask was still on my face and was not leaking. Not a bad recommendation when you are an active sleeper who spends the night going from side to side and on my stomach.

Respironics ComfortGel Mask Problem

Respironics ComfortGel Mask Problem

Comfortfull vs. Flexifit

FF masks

ComfortGel seems durable

Tell us how you like the Activa compared to the ComfortGel

Machine	Mask

Machine	Mask