Mask help needed

Diane in CA · Post by **Diane in CA** » Fri Aug 12, 2005 10:23 pm

I have now tried 5 or 6 different masks. Several were at the DME location and I don't even know their brand/names. I can't seem to eliminate the leaks around the eyes. My nose is just too little! I have also used the swift but it doesn't stay put any more (it's like the straps all stretched out too far). It also seems to make too much noise.

The Comfort ProfileLite ALMOST fits but the gel irritates my skin badly.

Do I accept the leaks or does anyone have a suggestion?

Any words of wisdom will be appreciated.

rock and roll · Post by **rock and roll** » Fri Aug 12, 2005 11:38 pm

Have you tried the Activa? It's hard to advise not knowing what masks you have. The Swift is a great interface and you can replace the headgear. If you had good luck with it, I would not change upon wearing it out. Order another.

Diane in CA · Post by **Diane in CA** » Sat Aug 13, 2005 9:11 am

The swift is less than a month old........I think that I just move around too much.

As for other masks.......the DME started me out with a ComfortClassic (small). It was too big. They tried 2 more masks (un-named) that were also too big. (and they weren't happy about it either). They settled on the Comfort ProfileLite but I really hate that gel stuff. It burns.

I bought a ComfotCurves and it worked great one night but could never get a seal after that.

I just purchased a ComfortSelect based on the measurements and recommendation from this or another website. It arrived yesterday. I was able to use it for about 3 hours last night but it is still too big around the bridge of my nose so it leaks into my eyes. I considered an Activa but that measurement guide didn't recommend it for me. Also, After purchasing 4 masks in less than 1 month I was watching the pennies a bit. I've only had the machine since mid-June.

Like I said, any advice is appreciated.

OldSeaRock · Post by **OldSeaRock** » Sat Aug 13, 2005 11:20 am

Rock and Roll asked a great question - Have you tried the Activa?

I've found the Activa to be the best nose mask for me.

Diane in CA · Post by **Diane in CA** » Sat Aug 13, 2005 1:16 pm

No I haven't tried it..............all of the measuring guides and the DME sya that it will be too big. That's one of the questions I'm asking.......will it fit a VERY small face? I don't have a bridge to my nose (well, it's about an 8th of an inch, maybe) and my nose is tiny. for what it's worth, I have the same problem with glasses!

rock and roll · Post by **rock and roll** » Sat Aug 13, 2005 1:26 pm

I don't have a small face or nose but just the principle of how the Activa works through suction and not like any other interface would suggest to me IMHO that it would work. It sucks to your face like an octopus and does not sit on the bridge of your nose.

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Sat Aug 13, 2005 1:31 pm

Diane,
The gel felt dreadful on my face too. I read a recommendation to soak the mask for 30-60 minutes in warm soapy water, I did that, and it made big difference.
soak <-- click to read the source.
O.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sat Aug 13, 2005 2:08 pm

Diane, at the risk of encouraging you to spend money for yet another mask that might not work, I echo what R 'n R says about the unique way the Activa's cushion works to hold a seal.

I personally think all bets are off when it comes to sizing guide for an Activa. If I were you, I'd put a "shallow Activa" on my Christmas wish list...let the relatives chip in to get you one.

Even if the Activa is too big vertically for you, and maybe even hangs down on your lip, it just might work. Exact position of where the mask is on the face doesn't seem to matter anywhere near as much with the Activa as it does with other nasal masks. Heck, you might even be able to use a Shallow Activa as a full face mask on your face and have it work fine.

I've actually pulled my "Shallow" Activa down over my mouth - deliberately - to use for mouth breathing rather than switch to my full face mask. Just by luck, the top of the shallow cushion is wide enough to sit exactly under and against my nares (the entrance holes to the nose.) The top of the "shallow" cushion blocks my nostrils perfectly to prevent nose-snort air leaks when I want to use the Activa for mouth-breathing exclusively. The forehead pad hits right at eyebrow level when I do that, but doesn't really touch anyway.

I mention that just to show how forgiving the Activa cushion is - it's really hard to make it leak, even when worn on an area of the face it wasn't intended to "seal". I've jokingly said before that I think I could wear my Activa on my KNEE and get good treatment!

lindas88 · Post by **lindas88** » Sun Aug 14, 2005 11:22 am

I have tried the "shallow Activa" but found it too wide for my nose...so went to the standard one and that one fit better. I have a small nose too...probably not as small as yours Diane in CA...and I find the standard a bit big but the only mask that didn't leak for me. It still leaks sometimes but not too much. I have to wear it down low on my lip and it goes a bit high on my nose but it still worked the best and I am having pretty good results now. Diane in CA , I think you should give it a try.