I've been using the Respironics Comfortlite 2 mask now for about 8 months, and frankly I love the design and the lack of side straps since I'm a side sleeper.

Recently, I replaced the nasal pillow portion because the original was worn and starting to leak. Ever since then, I have been have major nasal chafing on the right side of my nose. Badly enough to cause bleeding. I have always used the AYR gel to help prevent this and it has always worked. I'm not sure if Respironics changed the makeup of the nasal portion and now I'm reacting to it. I have tried many different adjustments to no avail. I would like to find an answer to this as I really like the mask. I have been using the "simple cushion" part that came with the package, but at my pressure (14) it tends to blow it off my face, leaks, then creeps up my face until the bottom pat of the simple cushion cuts into the lower part of my nose. It's been frustrating, as I just did a maintenence change on th pillows and now my nose is hurting big time. I haven't tried the direct seal, or any other mask. Any information would be welcome. Thanks in advance.


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Proud recipient of the Hosehead "Medal of Science, Discovery, and Other Cool Stuff"

You might want  to contact your supplier, it sounds like it may be defective in some way.

I've been using the Comfortlite 2 since January & really like it.  Initially, I used the pillow cushion & liked it~~but after a few weeks my nose became sore.  The simple cushion doesn't stay sealed very good for me.  I had to have it pressed really tight against my face & it was annoying.  So, I then tried the direct seal & love it!!  It basically plugs up against the nose, & doesn't really go into it.  I started with the size 4, but found that size 5 works the best for me.  Size 6 is just ridiculously large.  Just make sure you get the right size~~it's not meant to go up into the nose.  Just seal against it.


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REMstar Auto M Series w/C Flex & Smart Card
Heated Humidifer
ComfortLite 2 w/Direct Seal Size 5
Encore Viewer Software
Pressure: 10

I was seriously considering getting the ComfortLite 2, but I read some reviews that said the headgear is prone to slipping up or down on the head.  Looking at the picture of the headgear, this seemed likely to happen.  Anyone have this problem?

So far, I haven't had that problem.  This mask has really worked the best for me.


_________________
REMstar Auto M Series w/C Flex & Smart Card
Heated Humidifer
ComfortLite 2 w/Direct Seal Size 5
Encore Viewer Software
Pressure: 10

OK, you convinced me; I ordered this mask with the sizes 5 and 6 direct seal cushions, and medium and large simple cushions.  Just to be safe, I also ordered the pillows from the replacment parts list.  So I will have all three combinations at my disposal.

I've been using a full face mask from the start, since August, assuming I was a mouth breather.  I've never really known for sure.  I want to try to get away from the full face mask thing if at all possible.  So I also ordered a chin strap just in case.

Don't worry, if the mask doesn't work out, I won't blame you; I purchased the return insurance.  Seems worth it to me, since you just never know about a mask, and 30 days is plenty of time to see if a mask works or not.

jla930 - I am hoping you are finding success with the CL2 mask and headgear.  This was mask number 9 for me and the only one I have been able to tolerate.  I love the fact that I don't have straps on my face and I have never had a problem with the headgear slipping.  There are times when I wake due to my nostrils burning from the pressue of the nosepiece against it but most of the time I can just adjust it slightly and get back to sleep.  Please let us know how you are doing with it.

Junebug wrote:

There are times when I wake due to my nostrils burning from the pressue of the nosepiece against it but most of the time I can just adjust it slightly and get back to sleep.  Please let us know how you are doing with it.

Junebug,

So far, I have only tried it 2 nights.  Here's what happened:

Night 1: used the simple cushion.  Awakened in the night by severe leaking.  Took the mask off and went to sleep without it.

Night 2: used the direct seal.  It's a coincidence that you mentioned a burning sensation, as that's what I experienced, preventing me from falling asleep.  The mask instructions tell you NOT to insert the direct seal cushions into your nostrils.  But they're pointed and tapered; how could you NOT insert them, at least the tips of them?  Note that I have used nasal pillows on other masks (the Hybrid), and never had a burning sensation.

The last resort for me using this mask is to try the nasal pillows - the mask came with the simple cushion and direct cushion, and I ordered the pillows separately.

By the way, with the direct seal, I had to have it so tight against my nose to prevent any leaking, that it was really uncomfortable (aside from th burning sensation I mentioned above).

I must say that I think the mask design is brilliant.  I really hope the pillows work, as I would love to be able to use this mask.  I ordered a Mirage Swift II at the same time, and I've used it a few nights now with success.  No burning or discomfort, good seal.  But the hose comes off to the side, making it a bit awkward.  The hose design of the CL2 is great, especially for people who side sleep and roll back and forth like I do.  I consider myself the "Whirling Dervish of the Mattress World".

Good Morning jla930 ~ I too have all three interfaces.  I use the two nasal ones interchangabley.  I have not gotten the simple seal cushion to fit well enough that it doesn't leak like mad.  But I am still experimenting with it.  I am home from work today and I know I will be taking a nap due to the bad storms that kept us up for most of the night last night.  I will give it a try then.  I am going to try the silicone/pliable Mack's Ear Plugs to see if I can form a seal, kind of like a bead of caulk.

It may sound kind of goofy but for the burning on the edges of the nostrils, I use Baby Oragel.  It is a numbing gel that babies put on their gums to stop teething pain.  I just put a small amount on the nasal portion and that really seems to help keep it from hurting and burning.  I bought the maximum strength.  

If you decide to try it, don't repeat my mistake and put too much on the cushions the first time!  I thought I was drowning once the Orajel warmed up, since warming it thins the liquid.  Holy smokes!  Lesson learned!!  

The Oragel thing doesn't sound goofy at all.  I read in one thread about a cream that women put on their nipples to ease the soreness from breastfeeding, to use on nasal pillows to make a good seal.  I forget the brand name of the cream, but I did buy it months ago.  By the way, it didn't work as far as sealing the pillows was concerned.

(Ohhhh, wait.....I'm supposed to put it on the nasal pillows, NOT on my nipples, right??   )

Anyway, I'm not adverse to putting various creams in various places.  (To get a good seal and avoid mask discomfort, you dirty-minded people you!!   )

Did your mask come with the DVD that shows different adjustments to make?  (My initial mask didn't, but when It was time for a replacement, it came with a DVD that was very helpful.  The  pillows were painful for me, & the simple seal just leaked way too much.  (Although, I may try it in a size large to see if that helps)  I initially had a size 4 for the Direct Seal, but found the size 5 was a much better fit.  It did take a few days to get used to the whole contraption.  I was constantly bringing it in closer to my face, bringing it further away from my face, raising & lowering it.  Now, it's the best thing I've used.  Really love it.


_________________
REMstar Auto M Series w/C Flex & Smart Card
Heated Humidifer
ComfortLite 2 w/Direct Seal Size 5
Encore Viewer Software
Pressure: 10

No, my mask did not come with a DVD.  But I did plenty of experimenting and adjusting.  With the simple cushion, NOTHING made it stop leaking.  With the direct seal, I had to go from the size 5 to size 6 to stop leaking, but the tilt adjustment needed to keep a good seal is really pushing the direct seal into my nose.  Maybe I'm doing something wrong.  Maybe I haven't given the mask enough of a chance.

I think I'll request the DVD from Respironics.  Thanks for the suggestion.

(Now how do I get this cream off my nipples?     I don't need it; I'm not breastfeeding.  That would be a pretty good trick, considering I'm male.)

Okay, good one jla.  You totally got me on the nipple cream.  I did a spit-take right into my keyboard.  Good thing I am at home and not at work since I'd have a heck of a time explaining this one!  

Perhaps you are referring to Ayr-Gel?  I have seen that mentioned on here many times.

I totally understand the simple seal issue.  No matter what I have tried, no matter how I have tilted and tugged and shoved, that sucker leaks like crazy.  I was wishing I had gotten some of the glue that was available around halloween.  It's some special type that people use on their faces to keep their masks in place.  It's supposed to be non-toxic and okay for the skin.  That may be an option for the simple seal but I don't have a clue what it's called or where to get it now that halloween is long past.

Does anyone remember those posts?

Careful, Junebug, your keyboard may spit back!

I've read about the Ayr-Gel, but that's not it.  I just went into my medicine cabinet to get the cream, as I still have it, even though I'm not using it.  That's a typical guy thing: never throw anything out, it may be useful some day.  The cream is Lansinoh.  It has lanolin which is supposedly safe for mask parts.  As I mentioned earlier, it did nothing for making a good seal with the pillows on the Hybrid mask.

I don't think a good seal will be a problem with the CL2 - at least not with the pillows or the direct seal.  But I will have to do something about the burning sensation if that continues, and the Oragel sounds like a good suggestion.

(Someone told me that the best thing for a burning sensation is a shot of penicillin, but I think they were talking about a burning sensation somewhere other than the nostrils.     )