ComfortFull2 versus ultra mirage

Artwood · Post by **Artwood** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 12:57 am

I'm planning on getting a full face mask and it seems that alot of people buy these two. Which would work best with a Repironics auto and pressure of 5-15?

I don't have to be comfortable--I just want the one that leaks the least.

Does anybody know the leakage numbers for both of these masks or is it a guarded secret?

OwlCreekObserver · Post by **OwlCreekObserver** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 7:39 am

I can comment only on the ComfortFull. It hasn't worked well for me, at least partially due to leaks. There has been the occasional night when the stars are properly aligned and I get AHI numbers that aren't too bad -- somewhere in the 6 to 8 range. But most of the time I wake up several times during the night to readjust for leaks and the numbers are terrible.

Last night, for example, my AHI was 24.1, about double what I had during my sleep study. I've had numbers that are much higher than that -- well into the 30s on occasion. The average leak rate last night was 40.47 with no large leaks. The standard leak rate for the ComfortFull at my pressure setting (10) is about 30.

Now it appears that I may have also developed an allergy to the tape I'm using with my ComfortCurve nasal mask, which is why I've been using the ComfortFull lately.

So right now I have no idea what I'm going to do. For the first time since I started CPAP in May, I'm about ready to just chuck it all and take my chances with the apnea. Nothing else seems to be working.

oldgearhead · Post by **oldgearhead** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 8:40 am

The one that 'leaks' the least has much more to do with the shape of your face, than any make or model number.

I have tried the UMFF, the HC431, and the Hybrid. I still have the Hybrid.
However, like all FF masks, it may be leak free for three days in a row, then drive you crazy on day four..

WNJ · Post by **WNJ** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 12:47 pm

The Respironics Comfortfull2 would not seal on me at all. Wouldn’t even come close.

The Ultra Mirage FF mask works pretty well for me.

This really doesn’t mean much. It may be just the opposite for you, because your face is probably not shaped like mine.

Try the mask fitting guide at CPAP.COM . I think it gives pretty good information.

The brand of CPAP you use is totally unrelated to the brand/type of mask you should use. Pick the mask that works best for you without regard to brand.

Wayne

chdurie2 · Post by **chdurie2** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 7:41 pm

preventing leaks is obviously what's most important, but comfortfull 2 is really bulky and heavy. it did work better for me in leak prevention because the chin area is smaller, but i am a small woman. however, the weight and bulk was not worth it.

cwsanfor · Post by **cwsanfor** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 3:24 pm

I think I'm in a distinct minority, but the CF2 gives me my best numbers and is no more uncomfortable than my Hybrid, UMFF (medium and large standard), Breeze, or CL2.

Last night I had an AHI of 0.3 with leak rate well below 50 using the CF2, and I've been running 2+ on the Hybrid, and at a higher pressure.

I bought all the available sizing gauges from cpap.com, have measured and remeasured my nose, input that into the cpap.com sizing program, studied a million posts, read the manufacturer's information, and it appears to me that mask fit, comfort, and effectiveness are almost impossible to predict outside very rough parameters. Hence the reason for my mask ranch. I hope to eventually settle on a daily mask, with just one or two backups, but I'm not close yet.

RedThunder94 · Post by **RedThunder94** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 5:41 pm

the cf2 is my full face mask of choice, the umff didn't seal worth anything on my face. it's comfy and just seems to fit me well, it was slightly leaky but way less than the ultra mirage, but i took care of that with a velcro elastic strap around the mask's mid section, now i get no leaks whatsoever.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 10:14 am

I just had my first night (last night) with the CF2. It's hard to compare a brand new mask with an Ultra Mirage FF that's had 15 months of use and is well broken in (and is VERY comfortable).
Naturally, the seals were VERY stiff. I consequently wore it pretty loose to begin with and then sometime during the night decided to snug the straps up just a bit. I had the sensation all night that it was leaking, but according to Encore Pro, this morning, it wasn't a huge amount higher than my other one. Part of that leak sensation was around the ends of my mustache (which extends a little beyond the skirt/flap/seal of the mask). It wasn't quite as bad after I snugged it up. The exhust vent is in a different place and seems to make a little more noise.....but then I wasn't awake all night to listen to it. The headgear is very soft and comfortable, but a little narrow....and with the ball swivels, has a tendency to twist as you're trying to fasten it. It would be nice if the headgear straps were wider.

The good news:
My AHI for last night was 0.2.
(on the other hand, I had a 0.0 with my UMFF on the night of the 9th)

In any case, I'm going to continue using it this week and see if it softens up some more.

Like I said, it's hardly a fair comparison for the first night in a brand new mask. But, overall, not a bad experience.....I DID get 9 hours of sleep with it.....and only ONE recorded hypopnea.

Best wishes,

Den

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 10:03 am

Night #2 with the CF2:

Another 0.2 AHI and one recorded hypopnea. (I did a double-take to see that I wasn't looking at the data from the night before.....nope.....2 nights in a row)

Leak rate was lower than the night before, although it seemed like it took awhile to get things sealed and in place.

Had a helluva time trying to get the ball-swivel from the headgear into the socket.....there's gotta be a better way to fasten these things......may have to improvise. (Yeah, I'm spoiled from the ones on the UMFF)

Kinda hard to argue with success.
Now, if it would just soften up a bit.

Den

thisgeek · Post by **thisgeek** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 1:20 am

I got my CF2 yesterday, but I had a devil of a time trying to get the thing to seal properly. I eventually gave up and used my Comfortgel.

I'll try fit it properly this afternoon when it's not so late.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 9:55 am

Night #3 with the CF2:

Something's a little strange here.....there's good news and bad news.

Yet another night of only one hypopnea and an AHI of 0.2. I've NEVER been THIS consistent.

Now......"the rest of the story".......

Again, I fought with (perceived leaks) trying to get things situated, but finally got to sleep.
About 2:45 AM somthing woke me up. As I was laying there, the lower/inner part of the seal was digging into my chin below my lip and was very uncomfortable. I continued to lay there until I heard this little "voice" calling me. It was saying "Hey there, big fella, I'll make you VERRRRY happy. Don't you want to sleep with ME?" Then I realized that it was my UMFF speaking to me. (I think she was jealous) I quickly made a decision.....switched hoses/masks and had a very comfortable couple of more hours of sleep.

It may be awhile before I make another attempt with the CF2. The seal is just not comfortable for me and it feels like it's always leaking.

Best wishes,

Den

OwlCreekObserver · Post by **OwlCreekObserver** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 10:11 am

Wulfman wrote:Night #3 with the CL2:

Something's a little strange here.....there's good news and bad news.

Den, you're talking about the CF2, not CL2, right? If it's the CF2, you're still getting far better results than I do when I use it. I'm considering trying Tom's memory pillow gasket thingee one of these days to see if that helps. As much as I like my ComfortCurve, I'm really not that crazy about taping up every night.

OCO

OwlCreekObserver · Post by **OwlCreekObserver** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 10:17 am

thisgeek wrote:I got my CF2 yesterday, but I had a devil of a time trying to get the thing to seal properly. I eventually gave up and used my Comfortgel.

I'll try fit it properly this afternoon when it's not so late.

If you haven't already done so, you might want to take a look at THIS LINK for fitting your CF2. It helped me get a little better seal with mine.

OCO

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 10:27 am

OwlCreekObserver wrote:Den, you're talking about the CF2, not CL2, right?

Yes......Sorry 'bout that. I've edited my posts to correct it.

Den

chdurie2 · Post by **chdurie2** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 11:39 am

Den--

There really is something to be said about the comfort, excuse the word, of an old mask, relatively speaking. Some of my negatives about the comfortfull 2 may be partly based on that, the fact that i was using a medium rather than small comfortfull 2 (it fits--i just have to tighten it more) and the fact that i don't like those lovely looking, designer-like ball fasteners. what a pain when everything is in place and you have to scratch your nose or get a drink of water! umff mostly does the job for me, even though it sometimes scratches my nose, and the mouth seal could be better.

you're such a umff diehard that i'm kind of surprised that you got something different. guess i just thought you would get a new umff when the old one wore out.

Caroline

Mask

Additional Comments: Large mask collection

Mask

Additional Comments: Large mask collection