Any masks similar to Activa but less bulky?

Maddcow · Post by **Maddcow** » Fri May 30, 2008 7:13 pm

Hi all,
I switched to the Activa from the Swift II earlier this week and am extremely happy with the seal of the Activa. However, in my quest for the CPAP Holy Grail (the perfect mask) I'm wondering if there are any masks out there that might seal as well as the Activa but are less bulky and not as hard on facial features i.e. I'm starting to get pressure sores on the bridge of my nose and also the very base of my base of my nose where it meets my upper lip.

I know that there are certain tweaks I can make to the mask to alleviate the pressure point issues but I figured that there may be something else out there that's even better suited than the Activa but without the bulk and pressure point issues.

I also realize that masks are very individual items and what seals perfectly for others may not work for me, but are there any other masks on the market that enable the frame to move but don't break the seal? In particular, I haven't tried the ComfortGel masks and am not sure how these compare to the Activa in terms of excellent seal and bulk/pressure point issues.

Any advice?

Cheers
Gary

P.S. Is it normal for the bigger masks to trap a lot of condensation in the mask itself (not the tube)? I've found that the Activa tends to have accumulated a lot of condensation by morning but I'm using an Aussie heated hose and a humidifier and never had an issue like this with the Swift II.

bap40 · Post by **bap40** » Fri May 30, 2008 7:36 pm

I am glad you asked that question and you can give me some advice on the Activa mask. In return I will tell you about the comfort-gel I use. It is a bulky mask and not that light. Most of the time it seals well, but have problems with it sliding to the side at night causing some leaks. I actually prefer the Profile-lite mask. This is the older version of the comfort-gel. I wear a size petite.

I have been looking at the Activa mask to try out. I have read a little bit about how it seems to float on your face. I am afraid that the mask will be too big, since I wear the petite. Can you give me any thoughts on it??

Feel free to butt in anyone !!!!!!!!

Thanks Again,

gasparama · Post by **gasparama** » Fri May 30, 2008 7:45 pm

Just from reading posts on this board, it seems that the Activa mask seals well for many people. My DME also says that he's not had anything that seals for such a large number of people has the Activa.

The only complaint that I have about it is that is is difficult to see the TV with it on. The straps don't have to be pulled tightly, and that is definitely a plus. I've broken the headrest support several times because I roll over and bury my face in my pillow. Most people don't have that problem, however.

The Micro, which I am trying to adjust to these days, is smaller, but has to be kept on quite a bit tighter.

When I go in for a total knee replacement in a few weeks, I plan to take my Activa

zorrro13 · Post by **zorrro13** » Fri May 30, 2008 7:55 pm

If your getting any pain from the Activa you may have it a tad to tight. Try loosening the straps while lying down until the mask starts to leak and then retighten just a bit. Mine hangs very loose and only seals when I fire up the machine. Also the bridge of the nose pressure can be relieved by adjusting the forehead leg. I think maybe this mask is successful because of its bulkiness however if there is anything slim n trim that does the same job I too would like to know

bigk · Post by **bigk** » Fri May 30, 2008 10:23 pm

Hard to see the TV????

You should only put the mask on when you are ready to sleep.

Maddcow · Post by **Maddcow** » Fri May 30, 2008 11:12 pm

bap40 wrote:I am glad you asked that question and you can give me some advice on the Activa mask. In return I will tell you about the comfort-gel I use. It is a bulky mask and not that light. Most of the time it seals well, but have problems with it sliding to the side at night causing some leaks. I actually prefer the Profile-lite mask. This is the older version of the comfort-gel. I wear a size petite.

I have been looking at the Activa mask to try out. I have read a little bit about how it seems to float on your face. I am afraid that the mask will be too big, since I wear the petite. Can you give me any thoughts on it??

Well, first of all I'd have to say that I don't think you'd have any problems with the Activa sliding to the side at night and causing leaks. It really does have an amazing seal that is unlike anything else I've tried, and I've now tried quite a few masks in the past few weeks.

I've just compared the Activa and ComfortGel almost side by side by using adjacent tabs in Firefox with these 2 links: Activa and ComfortGel
The Activa is definitely the bigger mask but having said that, I haven't seen the shallow-sized version. (I currently use the standard size). I will say that the Activa does hang fairly low over the upper lip and if it was too much bigger it'd almost be a full-face mask! In fact, I've considered looking at the large size to see if I could use it just like that! The only advice I could give would be to try it....I think the seal on its own is worth spending the money. As I originally posted, I can move around as much as I like during the night and it never leaks. I just wish it were smaller OR full-face, not in-between.

EDIT: Anyone have any advice re. the mask condensation? Perhaps it's just a matter of turning down the humidifier a bit?

sleepyred · Post by **sleepyred** » Sat May 31, 2008 7:05 am

Have you tried the resmed micro? It is smaller, easy to adjust and much, much smaller than the activa.

I thought I'd never give up my activa - used it for 2 1/2 years - until now.

I do have to tighten down the straps more, but it is working great for me.

And I can see the TV if my hubby is watching it as I am going to sleep.

Mine came with a medium and a large cushion.

Hawthorne · Post by **Hawthorne** » Sat May 31, 2008 7:24 am

I have a Resmed Mirage Micro and it is very light and has a good seal for me. Something even lighter, but similiar, is the Respironics Simplicity. The Simplicity has very little hard plastic at all and no forehead rest except for the headgear.
I have had nasal masks, such as the 2 I mention here, leave some condensation in the mask once in awhile but not often. I an using passover humidity at the moment though so I would be surprised if I have any condensation until I turn on some heat, with the humidity, probably in the fall.

bap40 · Post by **bap40** » Sat May 31, 2008 7:43 am

I did try the simplicity mask and it was too big for me. It felt good on and was very light in weight. I was so excited to try it, and so disappointed it did not fit.

Another question. Even my comfort-gel petite lays right on my upper lip. So would the activa be hanging even lower than that??? It just sounds like such a great mask to me and I really want to give it a try. I just don't want to end up not being able to use it because of the size.

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Hawthorne · Post by **Hawthorne** » Sat May 31, 2008 8:30 am

bap40 - What size did you try in the Simplicity? I use the small. That may be too big for you but just wondered if you tried the small.

bap40 · Post by **bap40** » Sat May 31, 2008 8:36 am

Yes, that was the size I tried. I did only use it for 1 night so to be fair, I should give it more of a trial, but did have lots of leaks with it.

Hawthorne · Post by **Hawthorne** » Sat May 31, 2008 9:14 am

Getting the headgear just right was, for me, the biggest problem with the Simplicity. I used it for my first titration 5+ years ago and, that night, it did leak as far as I could tell. I knew nothing about cpap equipment then! After I bought my own, with my first machine, I had to play with it to get the headgear just right for me. I think it is worth another try because it is so simple compared to other masks and can work well for some people.

bap40 · Post by **bap40** » Sat May 31, 2008 10:24 am

Okay, you convinced me to give it another try. I'll see how it goes tonight!

Hawthorne · Post by **Hawthorne** » Sat May 31, 2008 12:22 pm

bap40 - good luck! It may take a few nights..

Lyn · Post by **Lyn** » Sat May 31, 2008 2:38 pm

bap40,

If you wear a petite now, be sure to get the shallow size if you get an Activa.

I've had an Activa since I started CPAP almost 3 years ago. I love the mask, but hate the headgear. You may have to work with that to get it to fit the way you want.

Lyn

Any masks similar to Activa but less bulky?

Any masks similar to Activa but less bulky?

Less bulky

Less bulky nasal masks

Simplicity

Simplicity

Mask	Humidifier

Additional Comments: S9 Autoset, H5i, Resmed Swift FX, Resscan 3.10

Mask

Additional Comments: Aussie Heated hose for rain out/PapCap Headgear and chin strap

Machine	Mask

Machine	Mask