Activa LT Nose Soreness

[tootiredtocare]

Hey. I have been using the Activa LT and really have had better luck from it than any other mask. I don't have a very high leak rate. However, sometime during the night, the bottom of the mask rides up to the bottom of my nose and seems to rub it raw or sort of cut it. It has been very painful. I have used neosporine, but it continues to happen. Has anyone else had a problem with like this with their Activa LT?

[OutaSync]

Yes, yes, yes! I have had that same problem. I resolved it by cutting down the inner, thick silicone where it cuts my nose when it rides up. That helps a lot and the soft silicone pads the raw cut. I also have to cut the soft silicone on the top of my cushion where it dug into my nose bride and left me bruised and raw. I use the nose bridge protector by padacheek to even out that raw edge. Those two modifications have allowed me to finally wake up without the battered nose syndrome.

Practice on an old one!

Bev

[tootiredtocare]

Thanks so much for the information! I thought I was going crazy. The problem is I don't have an old one to practice on. Do I just search for nose protector on padacheeks website? So you actually cut out a place for your nose in the hard silicone part of the mask?

[OutaSync]

Yes, I do, and I use a Large cushion and still have to trim it to fit my nose. People complain a lot about sore nose bridges. If you hold the cushion up to your face in front of a mirror, you can see exactly what the problem is. The are made for people with no bridges. If you have large bridge, like mine, you are going to have a problem.

As for the bottom of the mask. Look to see where it is hitting your nose and notch it out. Just cut a little at a time and don't get carried away on the first cut because you can't put it back. Maybe you should get a back up cushion before you start cutting.

[GaryG]

Sleep comfort care pad works for me.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/sequal ... e-pad.html

Also, others have had success with pad-a-cheek's.
http://www.padacheek.com/

[jmelby]

Have you tried changing the position of the mask, maybe moving it a little further down? I find sometimes my comfort and leak on the Activa LT has to do with how the mask is positioned on my forehead. The lower part of the mask should not be riding up into your nose, but rather sit comfortably just below it. Or, I'm wondering if you might need a larger size? Another thing you may want to consider is trying the SoftGel cushion that also works with that mask. I found it didn't work as well for me as the Activa LT, but everyone's experience with this differs. Some switch between the two cushions for the variety of its wear on your face.

[tootiredtocare]

Thanks for the info guys. I was fit for the activa lt by my pulmonologist, so I sure hope that it is right. It doesn't smother me. When I lie down, it is fits fine. it just that it seems to ride up and maybe move up on my head before the night is over. Maybe I dont' have the top tightened down enough. I'll going to probably cut some of it out as OutaSync suggested. I have the softgel ordered, but it hasn't come in yet. Thanks to you too GaryG; I'll check out those links. Oh, and thanks jmelby I appreciate it.

edit: GaryG, unfortunately, my problem is not with the bridge of my nose, but underneath, where my lip and nose meet.

[AirBreather]

I used a Mirage Activa LT Nasal Mask for several years and didn't have the problem you described. In mid-December I switched to a Mirage SoftGel, but after a month of use didn't like it as well, so I recently switched back. I suspect that you may not have the Activa LT adjusted properly. It is a very comfortable mask when it is properly adjusted.

[tootiredtocare]

Well, OutaSync had the same problem I did, so I don't feel completely crazy. It is difficult to describe, but it is like my nose pushes the bottom of the plastic mask out of the way and rubs in inner hard silicone piece. It probably happens when I toss and turn at night.

[GaryG]

Yes, I do, and I use a Large cushion and still have to trim it to fit my nose. People complain a lot about sore nose bridges. If you hold the cushion up to your face in front of a mirror, you can see exactly what the problem is. The are made for people with no bridges. If you have large bridge, like mine, you are going to have a problem.

As for the bottom of the mask. Look to see where it is hitting your nose and notch it out. Just cut a little at a time and don't get carried away on the first cut because you can't put it back. Maybe you should get a back up cushion before you start cutting.

Gee, search is a wonderful tool. I've been using Activa Mask now for months, and all of a sudden I have soreness under the nose. Now I know why it happens. It happens cos I get better therapy when I fit the mask up higher on my face. But in doing so, ouch! And great news as I have a new cushion on the way, so I can try this ( or at least consider it). Thanks OS for the suggestion.

[OutaSync]

I hope it works for you, GaryG. I'm trialing the Softgel insert for my Activa LT. I don't think there is any way to notch this thing and I'm getting that red line across the bottom of my nose again.

[pdean44]

Hmm so far i have good luck with my mask. Hope it stays that way.

[Guest]

has anyone had leaks from the cushion??

[Gilley]

I'm trialing the Softgel insert for my Activa LT. I don't think there is any way to notch this thing and I'm getting that red line across the bottom of my nose again.

I tried the softgel insert "large" for one night. I had to tighten the bottom straps so tight to get a good seal it was painful on my upper lip. I put the old one back on...
Do you find the same thing or am I doing something wrong???
Gilley

[OutaSync]

I'm trialing the Softgel insert for my Activa LT. I don't think there is any way to notch this thing and I'm getting that red line across the bottom of my nose again.

I tried the softgel insert "large" for one night. I had to tighten the bottom straps so tight to get a good seal it was painful on my upper lip. I put the old one back on...
Do you find the same thing or am I doing something wrong???
Gilley

So far, I am finding that the Softgel insert puts less pressure on my upper lip than the original Activa LT. I have been using a homemade gasket made out of T-Shirt material, so I've never had the softgel actually touch my face. THis is working well for me, although my leaks have been more, but not enough that the machine cannot compensate. It's interesting how different masks fit different people. I'm so glad that there is such a variety to try.

Good luck,
Bev