UMFF vs Activa

[darthlucy]

Got my Ultra Mirage Full Face mask today ($37 on ebay...woohoo!), and trying to fit it. Ok, so maybe I've been spoiled by the Activa always giving me an "excellent" on the S8 mask fit rating, but I can't seem to get better than "very good" with the UMFF. It certainly isn't as gentle on my face as the Activa, either. Is this normal, or should I be able to fuss it into a steady "excellent" without it hurting me?

[TXKajun]

Lisa, after 2 1/2 years on the UMFF, I can give you a few tips.

Lay down and have your CPAP blowing at pressure when you do your initial adjustments. Once you get it adjusted properly, all you have to do to remove it is to take loose the clip on one side of the bottom of the mask and slide it upward off your head. To put it back on, slide it over your head and refasten the one clip.

To get it to fit and perform best, do not overtighten. After you have it semi-snug, then grasp the front of the mask and pull it away from your face just a fraction of an inch and gently place it back on your face. This gives the thin seal part a chance to do its thing properly. NOTE: When you have it pulled away from your face, do NOT release it suddenly! LOL

If you experience leaks at the top of the mask, use the adjustment between your eyes to move the top of the mask inward, one click at a time. Start with the forehead adjuster all the way out, so that when you press between your eyes, it will go inward. Go in one click at a time.

I use some lotion-free babywipes to clean the mask and my face nightly. That removes the oil from your face and mask and helps the seal a bunch.

Do not take it apart to clean it. I take mine about monthly and swish it in warm water with some Dawn or Ivory dishwashing liquid in it and rub it gently with my fingers. It seems to help the mask to last longer (I'm on only my second one in 2 1/2 years).

Once I get my mask adjusted, it works great for a long time. I do some very minor tweaks on the straps when and if it starts to leak. I've noticed that I get the best performance from the mask when sleeping on my side. If I sleep on my back, it seems like I have to have it tighter. Also, I use a memory foam pillow and sleep on the edge of it with the mask hanging off.

Last and not least, run your hose over your bedhead. I leave mine loose all the way to the elbow connector (as in not fastened using the head fastener on the headgear) so I can twist and turn all night long and not get it tangled and it's not running down the center of my face.

Hope that some of this helps you. I wear mine nightly and usually don't even know it's on!

Kajun

P.S.
Try not to cough or sneeze when you have the mask on.
Also, give your nose a really good rubdown before you put the mask on. It seems to keep itching under the mask to a minimum.

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): hose, CPAP, seal, clean

[Guest]

Like Kajun said.....do NOT over-tighten it.
My particular preference is the forehead piece in the full-upright position and basically NO tension on the top straps......all on the bottom ones. This takes any pressure off the top of the nose and allows the a better seal in that area.

I usually try to get mine adjusted/positioned BEFORE I turn on my machine.

Like Kajun, I don't get overly crazy about cleaning either (even less than he does).....and also use Dawn dish soap.

Be sure to pay attention to Kajun's "PS", too.....

My wife made me some fleece covers for the lower straps so don't have marks on my face in the morning.

If properly sized and adjusted, it should be a VERY comfortable mask.

Good luck.

Den

[DawnTCB]

I have this and have found that at high pressures (I am at 20) you have to overtighten it... or rather, the seal that is supposedly formed by the "floating" of the mask on your face is completely blown away. What is comfortable "at pressure" feels horribly tight during ramping.

YMMV, of course.

Dawn

[Snoredog]

you need to change the mask "type" on your S8 selection menu for the **** rating system to work again with the different mask, you should select Mirage or Mirage Full, if your mask isn't listed you should select "Standard" setting.

[S-Dubya]

I liked both of those masks. Two thoughts come to mind.
1) No mask I have tried comes close to Activa for not needing to over-tighten the headgear. It is amazingly comfortable in that regard.
2) Full-Face masks are always more prone to leak. More surface area, more contact area, more opportunity for air to leak.

I found that with the UMFF the forehead adjustment was key. It took me some time to get it set just right so that the mask did not sit too hard on the bridge of my nose, but still had adequate pressure on my chin.

Best of luck!

[darthlucy]

So after one night with the UMFF, my leak rate is higher for UMFF vs Activa + tape (0.6 vs 0.38 L/s), but my AHI went down with UMFF (2.0 vs 2.6). Safe to call this a success?

[TXKajun]

Lisa, the big questions are how do you feel today and did you sleep through the night or did you wake several times? Mainly, how did you feel today.

Good news, though, with an AHI of only 2.0. How much of that was AI and how much HI?

But it sounds like you're on your way. Congrats!

Kajun

[darthlucy]

Thanks for all of your help and advice, Kajun. I felt really good today, up until about an hour ago when I started to get quite drowsy. All in all, a good day. I pretty much slept through the night, with some tossing and turning. My husband said my leak alarm went off a couple of times, but I never heard it (not unusual....it takes more than a wimpy little beep to rouse me!). The 2.0 AHI was all HI (always is, even with the Activa). I agree...I think I'm doing quite well, especially for the first night with this mask. (I don't think I'll need to take my comedian husband's advice and either duct tape or crazy glue the mask to my face! He does miss seeing me with my mouth taped, though....he clearly enjoyed that too much!)