"Comfort" Gel breakage, cheap chin straps, and dry

My first mask left gouges on my forehead so I used toilet paper to pad the forehead piece for a few months; then the thing broke and I got a top of the line comfort gel. It was better on the forehead but then after a few weeks once of the headgear brackets broke off (under no strain). I ended up tying the strap around the hose connector. Now my biggest problem is dry mouth! I got a cheap lousy chin strap that slips off every five minutes. I have had zero time to go see my sleep doc to get all fitted up. Overall, CPAP has been a plus for me as I am not falling asleep at my desk after lunch; however, it is a struggle to get everything to fit, etc.! I also think my humidifier heater is broken. Somebody needs to build a better mouse trap!

I will however, not forget the night of my sleep test, when they confirmed apnea and hooked me up to the cpap and three hours later I felt like I had slept for a week! I am sure my boss has sleep apnea and trying to get him to take a sleep test but he fears "the mask." I told him it was worth it, but I really need to spend some time fine tuning my set up to get it working right. If there are those of you who have gone to the time and trouble to really get a good system in place that really works for you long term, please say so and give us hope to keep trying!

Thanks!

Invest in a better mask. From what I have been told, Respironics makes great machines, but lousy masks. The comfort gel is made by them. Invest in an Activa by Resmed. They make the best masks around. You can get one from cpap.com for around $100 investment. It's a great mask.

I've had a Respironics Comfort Gel Mask for almost a year and love it. The first one actually did break in the plastic adjustable part between the forehead rest and the mask, but they replaced it. Since then, no problem. I actually bought an Activa for a backup due to all the good things said about it in the forums. But, for me, it made a sore spot on the bridge of my nose, where my Comfort Gel does not. To each his own, I suppose. But I like the CG mask the best.

Mine has broken twice, once on the the head gear connector tab, and one on the forehead brace adjustment tabs. Just real cheap plastic breakage, no abnormal wear and tear, just crumbling. Interesting that the CG does not bother the bridge of your nose as I've got a permanent red mark right no mine. I guess I'll just have to keep trying until I get something that really fits; the problem is, who has the TIME to keep trying one mask after another to see what works?