Anyone Tried Modifying a Gecko (Silicone Nosepad)

Hi, All--

I'm an UberNewbie here & want to say a quick THANK YOU to everyone who's posted on this incredible forum. My husband just started CPAPing a couple of weeks ago & we're running into the typical newbie frustrations. The forum has helped us A LOT with many, many questions about this new way of life & I'm very grateful you're all so willing to share your hard-won tips & tricks.

Hubby's having leaking issues/ sore nose issues & he tried a Gecko pad last night for about a minute and a half (slight exaggeration) before he gave up in complete frustration as its "wings" started flapping in his eyes to the rhythm of the machine's breeze.

Has anyone tried cutting this to fit, so that it just cushions the bridge of the nose rather than lying across the cheeks? It seems like the simplest solution to this "flapping" problem, but I thought you guys are the veterans here, who might have a better suggestion.

Any ideas?

Thanks for any help/guidance anyone is willing to offer---

I'm guessing no one else has tried this : )

We decided to cut this just to fit the bridge area, but still found that it is too close to the eyes to both cushion the bridge and give a good seal.

Hubby also realized that if he pulled his mask off during the night to readjust, the smaller Gecko piece would be really hard to keep in the proper position & might fall inside the mask, so we opted instead for some new cushiony Blister band-aids we'd bought at the Big Box store (relatively expensive with just 6 to a box, but worked great). These cushioned the area and the exterior is nice and smooth, so it didn't interfere with the mask's seal. Bridge isn't as sore this AM.

Hope this helps someone out there; I really appreciate the quality of the info here!

I hesitated at trimming down my gecko, as I discovered that some gel products (computer wrist rest)
are comprised of a clear plastic envelope, filled with goo, that leaks once the shell is opened.
Sometimes the goo is nasty stuff.
I gave it away--I hope it has been of use to the recipient.

I have not tried it. When I had issues, I used a bandaid, with the cushion across the sore area. I've also used moleskin. Since both have adhesives, if you removed the mask momentarily during the night, they stayed in place.

-Bill

I own the gecko and there are a few tricks you need to do to get it right. First I noticed it was sticking to my eyelashes! First if it's in your eyes or eyelashes you're wearing your mask too high. You need to lower the pad and the mask to lower on the bridge of your nose. I'm not sure what kind of mask you have but I have the Quattro and you have to wear the top straps loose and the bottom tighter and it will take the pressure off your nose. Don't tighten the straps if it still leaks. Let the gecko do the sealing by wearing it lower and more inside the mask than out. So line up the edge of the heck with the edge of the seal and it should stop the leaks!

I've used the same gecko pad every night for the past three months. Of course it gets a wiping down every day. You don't have to wear it with the "wings" sticking straight out to the sides so they poke your eyes. They are very pliable and will angle down. I run them across the bridge and down the sides of my nose so with my FFM on there is probably only 1/4 inch or less sticking out the sides. No need to trim it. It works very well fo me.

Thanks, guys, for all the input; you've helped us---think we'll stick with the blister bandaid solution until his nose heals, then uncinch some pressure from the headgear. Newbie mistakes!!!