Activa/Mack's & Leakage Issues - I know,another leak thread

[dgsupersleepy]

So I went and got Mack's yesterday and I am at my wit's end with leakages (see my other thread is leakage a way of life?). I was super pumped about trying it. I had just kept having the problems where the straps were too tight for full pressure (blow-outs) or too loose for the ramp (slippage leaks). So I threaded my mack's up last night.

Here are my results: It sealed to my face very well. I couldn't have been happier with that seal. The seal against the mask to the Mack's however was much harder to keep. It was much more obvious when there was a leak, but eventually I just couldn't get it to keep from leaking constantly and gave up on it.

So the question: How do I keep Mack's sealed against the mask and from leaking? It also felt like there was a general light breeze all over (like it was never completely sealed mask to mack's all the way around) even though I couldn't see how. I spent more time trying manipulate the Mack's against the mask than I do w/o the mack's on.

Any help would be appreciated. I think I must be doing something wrong. Thank you.

[LoQ]

Hmmm, I don't know the answer to your question, because I have trouble getting the Mack's OFF of my mask. It sticks quite well and makes it difficult to clean the mask.

But your question prompted me to do some thinking, and perhaps here is an answer to both of our problems. Suppose you cut some medical tape (I like NexCare's paper tape) so that it is a thin ribbon, and stick that around the cushion of your mask. Then try the Mack's silicone on the paper tape. I bet it would stick good!

Before I try this I'm going to put some tape on just a bit of the cushion to make sure I can get it off. I suspect that a night of contact with the paper tape might make it stick tighter. But I also suspect cleaning the mask in warm water will make the tape come right off.

[dgsupersleepy]

That is a good idea. I'll give it a try. The inside of the Activa mask is so soft I was having trouble getting it to stick when I put it on. Maybe I should put it more outside instead of to the inside in addition to the tape.

Anyone try the tape on the mask already?

[bdp522]

Just an thought...did you clean the mask well right before trying to put the macks on it? Maybe try soaking with 1 part vinegar:2 parts water, then rinse well, to be sure that there are no skin oils or soap residues on the mask. Don't be afraid to really push the macks onto the cushion.

Brenda

[dgsupersleepy]

You know, I may not be cleaning the mask enough either. I am kind of bad about that, and it didn't really want to stick all that well last night. I'll give that a try too. Thank you.

[dgsupersleepy]

Not to mention I was kind of afraid to really push the Mack's on there very hard.

[alnhwrd]

In my experiance, you have to kind of play with it a bit. The trick is to place the rope of Mack's on the cushion where it will touch your face, thus forming an effective seal. If you get it in the wrong place, the air will just blow out like it wasn't there. It took me a bit of experimentation, especially over the nose and above the lip. I will try to take some pics of my process and pm them to you. The operative phrase is "try to remember"

[jsmythe]

I have used the Activa off and on for a year now. It is my grail of a mask , not to mention my Favorite... The most important thing to remember about this cushion, it does not like facial oils at all!
Clean your face every night before you put on the mask and the cushion every morning when you get up. When you get out of bed, make it a habit to remove the cushion and take it to the bathroom with you. (Cant forget that way). Here is something else that I found to be very helpful:

by forumadmin on Tue Apr 19, 2005 2:49 pm
To clean a CPAP mask, take the mask apart and apply a small amount of baby shampoo to your fingers. Allow the mask parts to soak for 10 to 15 minutes. Wash thoroughly with water to remove all soap. Place the wet mask parts on a towel and allow to air dry. This should be done daily.

To disinfect hoses, and humidifier water chambers, use one part vinegar, to three parts water. Let the mask soak for 10 to 15 minutes, rinse with warm water, and place on a towel or over the shower rod to dry. These methods do not require any special chemicals.

The only care the machines require is that you clean or change the filters in the back of the machines to keep the internal parts from accumulating dust.

[dgsupersleepy]

Well, I have to admit, the oils on the mask were what was killing me! I am ashamed to admit it, but that is what it was. To be quite honest, I just lost sight of cleaning the mask off daily after starting it all, and then never got into a habit of it. My wife loves to clean, and did so, but thought I was taking care of the mask. I know it isn't her place, she just helps out like that. So daily cleaning of it didn't happen.

I tried like hell last night to get the Mack's Silicone to work after I cleaned it and could not. For some reason when I pulled the Mack's off, I used the washcloth still right there to wipe it all down again. I put the mask back on and BAM!!!!, perfect seal, ALL FREAKING NIGHT!!!

Now normally I wouldn't want to share a story of me being a dumba** like this, but I am just hoping that it helps someone else here. Clean that mask like people below advised me. Thank you everyone for your advice!!