Respironics Comfort Lite

IllinoisRRT · Post by **IllinoisRRT** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 1:53 pm

I know Respironics masks are certainly not the favorite around here, but I was wondering if anyone had tried the Comfort Lite yet. It is a big headgear with an option of pillows or mask (you receive both in the package). I just received a sample from my rep and tried it. I do not have sleep apnea, did not sleep with it on, or use it with a CPAP machine, but I must say I thought it was rather comfortable. Compared to others I have tried anyway. I was wondering if anyone had any real experience with it and could let me know your thoughts. I am going to be inserviced on it, and thought I would show it to my patients at my next CPAP clinic. Thanks for your input!

mommaw · Post by **mommaw** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 2:49 pm

I have that interface and have not been pleased with it. The nasal mask works ok at low pressure settings but I have not been able to get the pillows to seal correctly. They will not stay in place when you turn over at night. Since they sit just against the nose rather than into the nares, it is hard to get a good seal. The headgear is easy to wear and the mask is good for a side sleeper. One thing I must mention, it seems harder to exhale through than some other masks I have. I don't know if the exhaust holes are too small or what the problem is but at times it seems you have to work harder to breath with this interface. Also the nasal mask WILL NOT seal at high pressures. When my bilevel goes to the 18/14 settings it will literally blow the mask off your nose. I would NOT recommend this interface to my patients, especially any NEW ones! They will not have the experience of fighting leaks etc, and could get easily discouraged. Overall I would rate the interface as follows:

Ease of use for a side sleeper.....10
Light weight and comfortable to wear.....10
Easy to seal (no leaks).........0
Good for beginners.........-2
Stay in place during sleep....nasal mask..(low pressure) 8
Pressure above 10........... -5
Nasal Pillows.......-10 Of no use to me at all.

Don't mean to be so negative, but this is my experience with the interface.

Gilda

WillSucceed · Post by **WillSucceed** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 2:55 pm

I have used it for about 4 months, with both a CPAP and an AutoPAP. I had no success with the dreamseal but I did have lots of success with the nasal pillows.

I found the headgear to be fairly comfortable and light. The nasal pillows are very comfortable, but the entire mechanism is not as sturdy as it should be. The part of the headgear that the pillows attach to (the ring that you twist to raise/lower the pillows and the mechanis that changes the angle of the pillows) is not sturdy enough to manage when higher pressures are used (greater than 14). Also, the friction-fit adjustments for the plastic headgear (the 'crown') are not sturdy enough to last for very long. I can understand that they built the device so that it could be sized for many different heads, but the method of having the little plastic knobs fitting into the holes by friction alone is not very stable.

The pillow section has a thin metal T that keeps it stable and shaped to fit the user -this metal T gets out of shape quickly.

So, at lower pressures, it is OK. The pillow mechanism is very comfortable against the nares. Overall, I don't think I would buy this interface again unless they made it sturdier.

I have just purchased a Swift, which I am finding alot more stable although it is not quite as comfortable at the nares.

Hope this helps.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 3:03 pm

Just my opinion, Christine...I don't think you'd be doing your patients any kind of favor by steering them toward the ComfortLite. I've put on a lot of masks/headgear that felt fine while just sitting, but were disasters in actual using conditions. It's smart of you to ask here - would that all DMEs would check the message boards about interface issues.

A topic on cpaptalk - with a further link in one of the posts to previous discussion of the ComfortLite on TAS

53now · Post by **53now** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 3:38 pm

Hello Christine,
Thanks for posting !! It shows that you really care about those folks you are serving. The Comfortlite is well made. Even though it looks like something from a horror movie, it did not feel bulky or uncomfortable. The fitting instructions are wonderful.........Respironics did a good job developing this interface.............However...it is horrible if you happen to be a restless sleeper.... or tend to shift from your back to your side etc. I used it for a few months.........It was a battle too.!!!! Things always started off great. I could slip it on without problems, make necessary adjustments then off to sleep. Once I started moving around ....it would lose it's seal. The headgear is a good idea but it didn't work for me.

thanks
Rich

Fred · Post by **Fred** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 5:05 pm

The headgear is great (although elaborate). But the mask and nasal pillows just don't work. I think they are on the right track to get a good system, but it just isn't quite there yet. they need to revamp the nasal pillow thing, they easily bend into place but bend back out of place just as easily. The mask needs sturdier sides to avoid leakage.

IllinoisRRT · Post by **IllinoisRRT** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 7:09 pm

Actually, I am meeting with our Respironics rep (whom I haven't met before) in a few weeks. We talked some over the phone about the Comfort Lite and he is aware of the problems you mentioned. They are revamping it, and they are also coming out with a new mask, not sure exactly what kind, but I will be getting a sample of it too. I'll let you all know if it's anything worth anything!

Mikesus · Post by **Mikesus** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 7:19 pm

I thought it was named the comfort lite cuz it was lite on comfort...

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 7:33 pm

Christine,

Is the new mask called the comfort curve? Is the Respironics Reps name Brad?
Are you receiving some encouragement from your boss to use Respironics products?

Trust the answers you get here. Many of us have a vested interest in making the masks we spend our hard earned money on work, so we give them all a serious try in the hopes they will work. If you read bad reports about a mask it comes after a lot of unsuccessful attempts to make it work.

2cpapfamily · Post by **2cpapfamily** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 9:00 pm

This subject is very timely for me- I am currently trying out a Comfort Lite from my sleep tech. I was using the Nasal Aire- had my titration in Feb '04, and am still trying to find the right set up. I have had the same negative experiences as everyone that preceded me. Plus, my husband told me this morning that the exhalation ports cause him to be blasted with cold air when I sleep facing the middle of the bed. I greatly appreciated the lack of noise with this mask, as well as the ability to sleep on my side, but being a restless sleeper, I continually had to wake up to reseal the nasal pillows. My machine is set at 8cm; I don't think this is considered all that high. I have pain around my nose that I never experienced with the Nasal Aire. Does anyone have experience with the nasal pillows that are inserted partially into the nose?

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 2:01 am

hi 2cpapfamily

You asked:

Does anyone have experience with the nasal pillows that are inserted partially into the nose?

Oh, yes!

As a general rule, you should get nasal pillows that you or anyone fitting you would say are "too big". In other words, if the DME fitting you says that the "small" size nasal pillows are the size you need, insist on "medium". If they say you should have medium, make them give you "Large". The point is - nasal pillows (unlike the prongs of the Nasal Aire) should sit more to the outside of your nostrils to be comfortable. Nasal pillows should not have to be inserted into the nostrils at all. Only the open tip is in there, and just barely so. Nasal pillows will be more comfortable if they are big enough to sit mostly outside the nose, and they'll also seal better out there - resting against your nares (the nostril openings) instead of being crammed up into the nostrils.

Of course, the headgear means everything - it has to be well designed headgear that will hold everything steady - not causing pressure at the nostrils, yet keeping the nasal pillows where they should be. I have to add extra side straps to make the Aura and Breeze (my favorites) stay absolutely steady. Everyone's mileage varies as to which nasal pillows interface works best for them. The Aura, the Breeze, and the Swift are all good ones to try, imho. I've read about too many people having problems with the "ComfortLite" to spend any of my lab rat money trying that one.

If you click the Search button at top of page and put in words like Aura, Breeze, Swift , Nasal pillows etc., you'll turn up a lot of discussions about the various nasal pillows interfaces.

Good luck!

IllinoisRRT · Post by **IllinoisRRT** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 7:07 am

wading thru the muck! wrote:Christine,

Is the new mask called the comfort curve?
I don't know- he didn't tell me

Is the Respironics Reps name Brad?
No, it's George

Are you receiving some encouragement from your boss to use Respironics products?
Not from my boss per se, but our company does have a Respironics contract. I can order other masks for patients that I think would need them (I'm in the process of finding a ResMed for a patient right now) but I can't stock them, and to order them is like pulling teeth. So yes, most of my patients are given Respironics mask, and I will tell you, I have relatively few problems with them compared to the number I have out.

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 8:59 am

IllinoisRRT wrote:So yes, most of my patients are given Respironics mask, and I will tell you, I have relatively few problems with them compared to the number I have out.

Christine,

Most people don't know to question what they have and just suffer though thinking that you've given them the best that's out there. I bet, for many of the cases where you think people are satisfied, if you gave them one of the better units to try they would notice and appreciate the improvement. I know this does not fit into the scheme of things, but keep in mind that just because they don't complain doesn't mean everthing is as good as it could be. Just the fact that you are thinking about it though, is a good thing.

Mask	Humidifier

Additional Comments: Pur~Sleep Oils (Love Them) Aussie Heated Hose, Encore Analyzer, Pad-A-Cheek Guards (Work Great!)

Respironics Comfort Lite

Respironics Comfort Lite

Comfort-Lite

Comfort Lite