ResMed Activa

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
jay_gord76
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Oct 22, 2014 11:16 am

ResMed Activa

Post by jay_gord76 » Wed Oct 22, 2014 11:17 am

I just purchased an Activa mask after reading rave reviews. I ordered the standard size which seemed to be the best judging by the sizing charts available on the ResMed website. I also use a standard size Mirage FX mask which fits well.

The mask feels massive but seals well with no leakage. My problem is the mask compresses and decompresses like an accordion every time I inhale and exhale. Its terribly annoying and makes it difficult to sleep. To make matters worse the ActiveCell component flattens when I inhale and rubs against my top lip which is also annoying. It all makes for a lousy sleep. I was wondering if any other Activa users have experienced this and if there are any tips to using the mask properly?

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Re: ResMed Activa

Post by Guest » Wed Oct 22, 2014 11:57 am

jay_gord76 wrote:I just purchased an Activa mask after reading rave reviews. I ordered the standard size which seemed to be the best judging by the sizing charts available on the ResMed website. I also use a standard size Mirage FX mask which fits well.

The mask feels massive but seals well with no leakage. My problem is the mask compresses and decompresses like an accordion every time I inhale and exhale. Its terribly annoying and makes it difficult to sleep. To make matters worse the ActiveCell component flattens when I inhale and rubs against my top lip which is also annoying. It all makes for a lousy sleep. I was wondering if any other Activa users have experienced this and if there are any tips to using the mask properly?
I felt the same thing using a bilevel I think makes it worse. Are you using a bilevel?

I had to stop using it as it rubbed a sore above my lip. Tho it does seal great - I think it is the extreme pressure swings that amplify this problem.

eleong2
Posts: 35
Joined: Fri Mar 07, 2014 11:44 pm
Location: Southern CA

Re: ResMed Activa

Post by eleong2 » Wed Oct 22, 2014 12:52 pm

I am currently using the Resmed Activa LT with CPAP and the ActiveCell works really well. I do notice the accordion effect but not to the extreme you mentioned. The movement of the cushion is suppose to be effective for bilevel, I am just wondering how tight do you have the mask? The suction created by the mask reduces the need to really tighten down the mask. The fitting instructions says to allow the lower straps to be loose (two fingers) as to allow for the inflation of the cushion. If you go to Youtube there are fitting videos on the mask. When the cushion is inflated the folds should not be compressed. Also size is another factor, in my case when I measured myself for the mask, I was between a medium and large. I tried the medium and it didn't seem to seal right, so I bought a large cushion and that worked great. The best nasal mask I have used sofar.

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Mask: Mirage Activa™ LT Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Travel CPAP machine - Transcend EZEX

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palerider
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Re: ResMed Activa

Post by palerider » Wed Oct 22, 2014 3:04 pm

I've had mask movement with the mirage quattro ffm, and the piliaro q, but not the p10, although the small hose on the p10 does expand and contract as I inhale and exhale.

with bilevel, the pressure is higher when I'm inhaling, so the masks puff up some, and shrink when i exhale. I think it was most noticable with the 'q

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Accounts to put on the foe list: dataq1, clownbell, gearchange, lynninnj, mper!?, DreamDiver, Geer1, almostadoctor, sleepgeek, ajack, stom, mogy, D.H., They often post misleading, timewasting stuff.

jay_gord76
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Joined: Wed Oct 22, 2014 11:16 am

Re: ResMed Activa

Post by jay_gord76 » Thu Oct 23, 2014 1:41 pm

Thanks for the input everyone. I think most of the reviews I came across were for the Activa LT but unfortunately I ordered the standard Activa. I've tried keeping it quite loose which didn't seem to help. I may try and order a smaller cushion and see if it helps.

I'm not sure if my machine is bilevel or not. I have the ResMed S9 which I think might be a bilevel machine but to be honest I'm not sure what that even means.

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palerider
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Location: Dallas(ish).

Re: ResMed Activa

Post by palerider » Thu Oct 23, 2014 1:59 pm

jay_gord76 wrote:Thanks for the input everyone. I think most of the reviews I came across were for the Activa LT but unfortunately I ordered the standard Activa. I've tried keeping it quite loose which didn't seem to help. I may try and order a smaller cushion and see if it helps.

I'm not sure if my machine is bilevel or not. I have the ResMed S9 which I think might be a bilevel machine but to be honest I'm not sure what that even means.
we're here to help... *which* s9 do you have, there's quite the list:

36001 S9 "Escape" (CPAP Only no data)
36002 S9 "Escape Auto" (No data apap mode)
36003 S9 "Elite" (cpap only)
36004 S9 "VPAP S"
36005 S9 "AutoSet" (advanced autoset mode)
36006 S9 "VPAP Auto"
36007 S9 "VPAP Adapt" (older)
36009 S9 "VPAP ST-A" (older)
36034 S9 "VPAP COPD"
36037 S9 "VPAP Adapt"
36038 S9 "VPAP ST"
36039 S9 "VPAP ST-A"
36050 S9 "VPAP Tx"
36065 S9 "AutoSet" 'for her' Pink

and that's just the US names.

the number is on the back, on the bottom of the label, with "REF" by it

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Mask: Bleep DreamPort CPAP Mask Solution
Additional Comments: S9 VPAP Auto
Get OSCAR

Accounts to put on the foe list: dataq1, clownbell, gearchange, lynninnj, mper!?, DreamDiver, Geer1, almostadoctor, sleepgeek, ajack, stom, mogy, D.H., They often post misleading, timewasting stuff.

eleong2
Posts: 35
Joined: Fri Mar 07, 2014 11:44 pm
Location: Southern CA

Re: ResMed Activa

Post by eleong2 » Thu Oct 23, 2014 2:00 pm

If you can get past the Dr's accent, he has some great tips on fitting the Resmed Activa.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTOwheoZoUI

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Mask: Mirage Activa™ LT Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Travel CPAP machine - Transcend EZEX

hyperlexis
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Location: Illinois

Re: ResMed Activa

Post by hyperlexis » Thu Oct 23, 2014 3:27 pm

I've decided I actually don't like the Activa -- the concept is great and the vent is super quiet. However the circumference of the entire cushion is so huge that when I roll over or press down against the pillow on my side or stomach the cushion often pulls upward against the underside of my nose -- so I wake up with bad pressure sores, redness or blisters in that location. Sideways movement is just fine, its the upward pulling that kills me. Smaller nasal masks like the Ultra Mirage etc., seem to do better because they just don't protrude so much and seem to stay in place better, even with movement. My next nasal mask will likely be the Swift FX Nano for just this reason.

Good luck!

pratzert
Posts: 401
Joined: Thu Apr 27, 2006 12:09 pm

Re: ResMed Activa

Post by pratzert » Thu Oct 23, 2014 3:41 pm

I've been using the Activa since 2006 and I think it's a pretty good mask.

The "heaving" of the mask up and down has been described as a "Lovesick Octopus doing push-ups" in a post from many years ago.

I found one secret of the mask is to be sure to NOT make the straps too tight. Looser is better than tighter.

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eleong2
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Location: Southern CA

Re: ResMed Activa

Post by eleong2 » Thu Oct 23, 2014 4:32 pm

pratzert wrote:I've been using the Activa since 2006 and I think it's a pretty good mask.

The "heaving" of the mask up and down has been described as a "Lovesick Octopus doing push-ups" in a post from many years ago.

I found one secret of the mask is to be sure to NOT make the straps too tight. Looser is better than tighter.
I have the newer LT version and from what I can see the cushion is same but they improved the frame, now it has the head support adjustment like the Quattro. Makes it easy to adjust the angle of the mask to your face. I am a back sleeper so the size of the mask doesn't bother me. I found that if you just tighten the straps to a point where it doesn't leak when you turn your head side to side it's perfect. I can't say that my mask is like a love sick octopus doing push-ups tho.

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Mask: Mirage Activa™ LT Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Travel CPAP machine - Transcend EZEX

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Re: ResMed Activa

Post by Guest » Thu Oct 23, 2014 5:22 pm

jay_gord76 wrote:I just purchased an Activa mask after reading rave reviews. I ordered the standard size which seemed to be the best judging by the sizing charts available on the ResMed website. I also use a standard size Mirage FX mask which fits well.

The mask feels massive but seals well with no leakage. My problem is the mask compresses and decompresses like an accordion every time I inhale and exhale. Its terribly annoying and makes it difficult to sleep. To make matters worse the ActiveCell component flattens when I inhale and rubs against my top lip which is also annoying. It all makes for a lousy sleep. I was wondering if any other Activa users have experienced this and if there are any tips to using the mask properly?
If you are using a bilevel or EPR this mask will work like an accordion with every breath. That wears on the skin fast. The mask seals great but I had to switch masks.

Try a pillows mask - the P10 is popular today and comfortable.

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MeToo
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Location: Alabama

Re: ResMed Activa

Post by MeToo » Fri Oct 24, 2014 12:26 pm

You may want to try the Activa LT. It is like the LT, but it has reduced "accordion" compression. I'm an Activa fan and have tried the LT but it didn't move enough for me (I'm a side sleeper and need the flexibility). Like the Activa, the LT seals well.

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