Mirage Activa - how to picka size. Also cleaning help?

[flynn37]

Okay, my test worked, so let's try this again. I started CPAP in January, used it faithfully for a month, then quit due to constant headaches. Stopped and still have headaches... I've tried on and off since then, have bought a number of masks on my own, but always have issues with bridge-of-nose and/or under-nose soreness, or headache from pressure of little pads pressing against my forehead, or straps that rub my earlobes despite my making pretty little fleece strap wraps... But I am determined to get a decent mask, because I definitely sleep better with CPAP than without it!

After extensive research here and elsewhere, I've decided to try the Mirage Activa. I do sleep on my side a lot, or smoosh my face into the pillow, and it seems to be the most popular for people who do that. I'm due a new mask from my insurance co., but my DME says to pick a mask and size and they'll mail it to me. And if the size is wrong, tough luck... I called my sleep doc and they said come in to the lab in the evening and the tech would try some different masks on me. But they only had one size of Activa - shallow. It seemed okay, but of course that was not hooked up to headgear or CPAP! When I use the online sizing guide here, it tells me to get a large! Someone else told me a regular is fine for most people... (*%$F^*!

Now what? I called the doc and complained and asked if I could use a different DME and they said, oh call this guy, he will help you. So I did, and he said well, I'll have a rep come over with two mask sizes and he'll look at your nose and face and decide which one you need. But I can still only take one. Once it's opened, that's it. I can't actually try them both. I know I can order the cushions separately for like $50 each, but I hate to do that only to find that the original was the best fit!

The DME is also encouraging me to take the Vista instead of the Activa - he seems not too enthused about that one. He says people complain about the bellows going in and out when they breathe, although my research seems to indicate that that's not such a problem unless the straps are too tight. And my pressure is only 4 so it shouldn't be a problem. And frankly if I'm comfortable I don't think that will bother me!

Another question - the directions for this (and all) masks say to take everything apart to wash every day. This mask has like a bazillion parts! And you have to unthread the forehead straps - which means readjusting it every night! Is that what everyone really does? Or is it enough to wipe down the parts that touch the face every day, and do a thorough cleaning once a week or so?

Sorry for the superlong post... I appreciate all the collective wisdom found here!

Amy

[darthlucy]

I, too, think the Activa will be the mask of my dreams. My suggestion would be to go back to the sizing guide and be very careful when taking your measurements. A small variance can apparently make a big difference. If you tried the shallow and it seemed ok (admittedly under poor conditions), I'd be surprised if you were a large rather than standard.

[flynn37]

DarthLucy, thanks for your comments. Kind of what I thought, but this whole process seems so fraught with opportunities to mess up! I'm not sure whether to ask the rep to bring a shallow and a standard, or a standard and a large. I don't know why he can't bring all three!

Good luck in your search for mask heaven too!

[Craig-Tx]

I use the Activa (Standard size). As for cleaning, ok, so I don't clean everything the best, but I find what has been working well for me is to remove the cushion (snaps off and on easily) and clean it with warm water and soap (I use the basic hand soap...) I figure this is the part that touches the face and gets all the facial oials, etc.

As for the rest, about once a month I hand wash the whole mask in the sink. Since I am washing it all, I don't bother removing the head gear, I just wash it with the same soapy water. I've been tempted to mark the headgear with a sharpie to note where I have the straps set to, but so far I haven't.

I've been using this mask since January, and this process has worked well so far. And in my opinion, cleaning the mask (hard parts) every month is more than enough. It's just like the hose... I haven't found a true need to clean it either, although I do every couple of months.

-craig

[flynn37]

Thanks, Craig, for the reassurance. That's pretty much what I intended to do. It's nice to know you haven't keeled over from some toxic infection. It's like following the instructions for a washing machine - if I paid attention to all the details on how to sort laundry, I'd be doing each article of clothing in a separate load!

This is a great forum, and I'm glad for the support. I'm determined to stick with the CPAP therapy this time, and reap as many benefits as possible from it.

Amy

[rested gal]

The DME is also encouraging me to take the Vista instead of the Activa - he seems not too enthused about that one. He says people complain about the bellows going in and out when they breathe, although my research seems to indicate that that's not such a problem unless the straps are too tight. And my pressure is only 4 so it shouldn't be a problem. And frankly if I'm comfortable I don't think that will bother me!

Exactly..if you're comfortable using the Activa, the up/down movement of the mask will be very easy to get used to -- was for me, anyway. A lot easier to get used to than the problem of leaks springing out here and there with most other nasal masks (the Vista was one of the worst for me...leaks up toward my eyes that just wouldn't stay "stopped".)

Another question - the directions for this (and all) masks say to take everything apart to wash every day. This mask has like a bazillion parts! And you have to unthread the forehead straps - which means readjusting it every night! Is that what everyone really does?

I sure don't. I don't EVER take a mask completely apart.

Or is it enough to wipe down the parts that touch the face every day, and do a thorough cleaning once a week or so?

A casual swipe of the parts that touched the face (in my case, just the nasal pillows) is all I do. A thorough cleaning? I might rinse the thing out occasionally, but not for weeks at a time. All it is, is "air" -- filtered air blowing over distilled water.

I don't dump the unused water out of the humidifier chamber either. I just add more distilled water....for weeks at a time before rinsing it out to start over.

We do what we are comfortable with doing. I've been doing it that way for almost 4 years. Have rarely had so much as a mild cold during that time. But everyone's mileage varies, I'm sure.

On another note, that pressure of 4 you were prescribed is as low a pressure as you can have. Not to say that can't do the job keeping some people's throat open, but I'd kind of wonder about whether a cm or 2 more might not do better. I'm not a doctor, though.

[flynn37]

Rested Gal, so glad to hear someone *doing* what I'm *thinking*!

And you're right about the pressure - it is as low as possible, and I believe my condition has worsened in the 8 months since I did my sleep study. Although my husband says I do sleep very peacefully when using the machine, I have been thinking about asking the doctor if I can try it one or two notches higher. Is there anything bad that can happen if it's a little higher than I need? I'm in no way interested in doing another sleep study!

Thanks for the reassurance.

Amy

[Swolcott]

Amy,

I am with rested gal. I have used the Activa for about 4 months now and like it but I find it a bit big. The bellows were no problem. I think I am going to try a nasal mask next.

As far as cleaning. I wipe the mask off each morning with a alcohol free baby wipe. Unclip the bellows part once a week and wash with soap and water and do the whole mask( I also do not take it apart) once a month.

Good luck,

Sam

[Snoozing Gonzo]

I've used an Activa pretty much every night for over a year. Its fairly heavy and large compared to other masks but with a little tweaking it will seal well and consistantly. All three sizes are the same mask; just the opening for your nose is different.

I'm a fairly big guy and have tried all three sizes.

Shallow irritated the bridge of my nose but I think it was just too small. I did like its relatively broad opening at the nose bridge - if I had a smaller face it would have been great. Regular seals the best for me and is easiest to adjust for leaks and comfort. I'm not sure if my face grows longer or the mask shrinks but sometimes it just seems too small (marks below the nose). So I switch to the Large which, as I inferred above, takes more micro-adjustments to find the sweet spot but seals pretty well and is the most comfortable of the three.

I wash the cushion or spray it with 3:1 water:vinigar and rinse roughly every other night as I find it seals better but everybody is different.

The billowing action seems more pronounced at lower pressures. Start the adjustments very loose. There are lots of posts here with Activa adjustment advice and tricks.

Good Luck

Chris

[ICantGetNoSleep]

I built a PVC rack to hold the hose over my head to prevent the hose from tugging on the mask. I find I sleep better with the hose over my head.

It looks like something like this
viewtopic.php?t=5006

[Elle]

I've been using the activa since last august and I forget about the "bellows" until someone here mentions it. I don't remember noticing it during use. I clean the cushion every morning because I think it seals better if it is squeaky clean but the rest not very often. i have taken it apart and it is easy to put together (first time scared me there were so many parts). You can get a replacement cushion at cpap.com for $35. I use the standard size and although it seems huge it seals nicely when turned on. I also sleep on both sides and switching back and forth doesn't seem to unseal it. Some nights I think I am just tense and don't want anything touching me and I get fed up with it but I am leary of trying something new when this works so well....I keep reading though there might be something better. Good luck with whatever you choose.

[Guest]

Thanks all for your support. I ordered the Activa, and the rep should be bringing out a regular and a large next week. He will visually assess my face and choose the correct size. Supposedly. I guess if worse comes to worse I can always order a different size cushion. But I'm looking forward to a good comfortable night's sleep without fidgeting and adjusting the mask every few minutes!

I'll let you all know how it goes...

Amy

[Batman]

I have a Vista that I bought on my own and it does solve the problems with the soreness on the bridge of the nose I have only been on the C-pap for a little over three months but it has been good to me.