A-Flex is Fabulous!

gasp wrote:
The only problem I have is fit. I need a smaller size than the small and a larger size than the petite. They advertise a fit for everyone, but for me, this isn't true.

Small: Too tall from bridge of nose to upper lip - width is fine.
Petite: Just right from bridge of nose to upper lip - width too narrow (pushes the side of my nose in - can't breath : )

I'm boiling it this weekend for a customized fit. Maybe I can get the part that presses into my eyes and upper lip to move away a bit.

Gasp, Could you expand the width of the petite during the boiling and shaping. Sounds like that might work better.

I am 6' tall and the small comfortgel is too long for me also. I have not tried a petite - seems ridiculous

rested gal wrote:

gasp wrote:I have both condensation in the mask and in the hose. Once I drained what felt (ran through my finders into sink) like 1/4 cup of water from the hose - at least.

If a hose cover (or two) doesn't stop the rainout, here's what I've been using for past three years, with zero rainout:

LINKS to discussions about the Aussie heated hose - to prevent rainout
viewtopic.php?t=5305

Why doesn't it help with rainout
I wonder if it would be better than using a humdifier?

packer wrote:I have had aflex 10 days now- I like it

I raised the ramp up to 8.5- this seems to feel better than the lower settings to start- I think because the aflex handles your breathing better you dont notice the pressure-

I thought the same as you about the ramping but didn't formulate my thoughts around it. Now it's clearer - thanks : ) I too do not need to have my ramp start out at 5, as I can start ramping at a higher pressure since, like you, I don't notice the pressure. It's actually more comfortable at the higher pressure.

When I wake up briefly during the night, the higher pressure doesn't blow me away like the C-Flex did in titration, With the C-Flex, I felt like I couldn't exhale. I'd be frantic to get the pressure reduced - I felt like ripping my mask off. With the A-Flex, all I do is breath deeply, force a bit on exhalation, and the machine adjusts very quickly. Do you experience this as well?

packer wrote:I am back to using Swift because Twilight NP rainout problems- i have humidifier set on 2 with Swift- no problem- when twilight at 2 it has lots of water in it- I prefer the twilight- less leaks etc- but rain is problem. I have a polar fleece hose cover but that doesn't seem to help the Twilight

I have ordered the heated hose and await its arrival- then will try twilight again

I'm a noob here, so bear with me. As I understand it, rain out is when water collects in the hose versus the mask. ?? However, gotta tell you, when I felt sprinkles falling on my nose from my mask gathering droplets, it felt like rain to me : )

Anyway, I didn't know that one mask can have more moisture problems than another. Thanks for that info.

I had a LOT of rain out with the A-Flex humidifier set on 2 with no hose cover. Now I have ResMed hose cover (polar type material) and am able to stay dry with A-Flex humidifier set on 2.

Are you getting the Aussie Heated Hose?

Patrick A wrote:I used to get up every hour on the hour to go to the bathroom at night, Since I have been on Cpap maybe once in a blue moon do I get up in the middle of the night.

Excellent! I'm hoping that eventually I'll be able to say this too. I need to get used to having a strange device strapped to my head, and then maybe there's hope : )

gasp wrote:

Patrick A wrote:I used to get up every hour on the hour to go to the bathroom at night, Since I have been on Cpap maybe once in a blue moon do I get up in the middle of the night.

Excellent! I'm hoping that eventually I'll be able to say this too. I need to get used to having a strange device strapped to my head, and then maybe there's hope : )

you are learning- keep coming here and reading - this is a wonderful source-
this hosehead business is tricky!

yes different masks have different levels of rainout

yes I am getting the heated hose- now this is where it gets a little confusing-

I am spending $129 for the heated hose out of my pocket simply so I can go back to using Twilight NP and hopefully have it not rain on level 2 on my aflex-
swift doesnt rain at 2- twilight gets very wet at 2- I dont hate the swift at all- but twilight fits my large head size better and leaks less- enough more comfort and less leak for me to decide to get heated hose

that is confusing stuff to a newbie- but that is exactly the type of info you get here- and more than likely your "DME doesnt know or care for that matter
[though there are good ones- I found one finally] packer

gasp wrote:

GreenIce wrote:

gasp wrote: If you are wondering how good the ComfortGel mask is for condensation, not perfect.

Err, I meant how does it feel or any problems, sorry did not ask specifically. Anyway is great to know it suits you fine. May make a new purchase for a ComfortGel or other mask soon.

It feels a bit heavy on the face - but also very soft on the skin. I tried a mask that had just a silicon interface, no gel or lily soft piece that covers the gel, and the plastic just sat on my skin - a bit hard.

I just went to the hospital, the medical technician who attendant me willing to help even though I did not buy from them. That's very kind of them.

Anyway tested 3 masks => Comfort Gel, Profile lite Gel and Comfort Lite (older version). I prefer Profile lite Gel over Comfort Gel, Profile lite is much softer and comfortable. I also like Comfort Lite, especially direct seal. Now I know what to buy.

The medical technician tested my A-Flex APAP, he like A-Flex over C-Flex. He feel A-Flex is a reverse of C-Flex. According to him, it is much easy to breath with A-Flex.

GreenIce wrote:I just went to the hospital, the medical technician who attendant me willing to help even though I did not buy from them. That's very kind of them.

Anyway tested 3 masks => Comfort Gel, Profile lite Gel and Comfort Lite (older version). I prefer Profile lite Gel over Comfort Gel, Profile lite is much softer and comfortable. I also like Comfort Lite, especially direct seal. Now I know what to buy.

The medical technician tested my A-Flex APAP, he like A-Flex over C-Flex. He feel A-Flex is a reverse of C-Flex. According to him, it is much easy to breath with A-Flex.

Wow, that's great! Hard to imagine the Profile Lite being more soft and comfortable. I'll definitely look into it.

First, I'm leaning toward trying the Comfort Lite that you liked. My DME carries it. Did you also try the Comfort Lite 2 and choose the older version of the Comfort Lite over the Comfort Lite 2 - and if so, why? Also, did you try the nose piece? I have small nares and wonder if the nasal piece(s) allows for that?

I looked at both the Comfort Lite and Comfort Lite 2 and see that the hose falls off the headgear further back on the Comfort Lite older version and for me that would be nice as it puts the weight of the hose off my head. With a hose cover, my hose is cumbersome, flip flopping with a slight thud as I turn in the night.

I agree with the technician as I have asthma and find breathing with the A-Flex much easier. I couldn't tolerate the pressure of a nasal mask on the C-Flex in titration, but now that I have the A-Flex, want to give it another try.
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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): hose, C-FLEX, Titration, DME, seal, APAP

gasp wrote: First, I'm leaning toward trying the Comfort Lite that you liked. My DME carries it. Did you also try the Comfort Lite 2 and choose the older version of the Comfort Lite over the Comfort Lite 2 - and if so, why? Also, did you try the nose piece? I have small nares and wonder if the nasal piece(s) allows for that?

He did not have Comfort Lite 2, I tested Comfort Lite just to see whether the direct seal and simple cushion fits. After all, both is close cousins. Anyway Comfort Lite's headgear design is poor, hard plastics making it hard to pack into bag for example. The one I tested, the plastic cracked. I going to buy Comfort Lite 2.

Tested two types (pillows not available),
1) Direct seal - size 5 for my case, very good, felt comfortable.
2) Simple cushion - large size, good, just fit.

Do not know whether it will fit your nose. My nose is medium size. It is best if you can test the mask first before buying. There is nose measurement tools (PDF) for the mask at Respironics and cpap.com which you can download and print.

http://comfortlite2.respironics.com/RightfitCL2.asp

Good Luck !

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At the moment, I am using loan old Resmed Mirage Mask until I get my new masks. Sure feels hard, do not know how early CPAP users take it. At least it works.

I like the ComfortLite 2. I like the Twilight NP better, but if my favorite didn't exist, I'd be using the ComfortLite 2 with "fixes" -- removing the clumsy swivel on top of the head and adding a homemade strap across the front to stabilize the nasal pillows or the "simple cushion", both of which I liked.

LINKS to Respironics ComfortLite 2 nasal pillows mask topics
viewtopic.php?t=8066

GreenIce wrote:...Anyway Comfort Lite's headgear design is poor, hard plastics making it hard to pack into bag for example. The one I tested, the plastic cracked. I going to buy Comfort Lite 2.

I wondered about the headgear - the pictures did look like it wasn't very pliable. Thanks for letting me know. I think I'll go for the CL2.

rested gal wrote:I like the ComfortLite 2. I like the Twilight NP better, but if my favorite didn't exist, I'd be using the ComfortLite 2 with "fixes" -- removing the clumsy swivel on top of the head and adding a homemade strap across the front to stabilize the nasal pillows or the "simple cushion", both of which I liked.

LINKS to Respironics ComfortLite 2 nasal pillows mask topics
viewtopic.php?t=8066

Do you have pictures you can post or PM of your CL2 fix.

It's amazing how many like the Twilight NP. When I read your posting, a memory of reading posts about decapitation came to the surface and I went and did a search. I found this link regarding the Twighlit NP. We certainly have no lack of inventiveness among our members ; ) To go through these hoops to make it work, it must be really worth it. I'm inclined to include it in my future buffet of hoses just to see if I can make it work for me!

viewtopic.php?t=21322&highlight=decapitated

I agree AFLEX is the best way to go. I have tried traditional CPAP and I couldn't breathe. Then I discovered APAP and with the setting at 3, it is fabulous but it is at it's best with a Heated Humidifier

To clean the mask, I use Ivory liqid dish soap. It is extremly gentle and easy to find, and you only need a drop or 2. I have verified it's gentleness with the Resmed and Ivory.


If you don't have one. you must get one.

what is also invaluable is the new Mirage Swift 2 mask. It is vastly improved over the orig. MIrage mask. I have been able to get a fabulous undisturbed
nights sleep 5 days in a row thus far. It's AMAZING

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): humidifier, mirage, swift, CPAP, APAP

rested gal wrote:I like the ComfortLite 2. I like the Twilight NP better, but if my favorite didn't exist, I'd be using the ComfortLite 2 with "fixes"

I read about the fixes, clever Rested Gal.

I am trying to get an understanding of exactly what AFLEX actually does that is difference from CFLEX.

I have been using a BiPap, after finding that I still couldn't get comfortable with breathing out on an Auto CFlex. But the BiPap transition between inhale and exhale is hard to take (even with BiFlex) and I too often feel like the machine is ahead of me.

So I am wondering if Aflex feature might help ease the breathing process on the Auto enough to make it more comfortable for me.

Betty