Activa users-I could use your help

snork1 · Post by **snork1** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 11:29 pm

Good advice in the above posts.
Definitely don't remove the straps, other than unclipping.
I wash the seal area with dilute castille soap after every use and the straps about once a week. Of course the straps get a bit wet and washed daily since I don't remove them.

I NEVER take the mask apart.

I think the straps do stretch out a bit after awhile, but only a tiny bit of tweaking is required. Do keep the straps loose. And fiddle with forehead piece angle.

FL andy · Post by **FL andy** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 5:22 pm

I agree with Rock and Roll's tip about 1 part vinegar and 3 parts water. If his Activa is just fine thank you after 18 MONTHS using a vinegar/water cleaning solution, I must wonder why ResMed said not to use vinegar? To sell more masks?

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): resmed, activa

HeidiHose · Post by **HeidiHose** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 6:19 pm

Babbie wrote:It sounds like you guys are cleaning, etc. about the same that I am (except for biggziff). I've got the straps set very, very loose (as Lori, restedgal, etc recommended), I've had them set the same since I got it. It seems just fine in the beginning, then after wearing it a couple weeks or so, it starts leaking. I just don't get it and was wondering if this is happening to anyone else (apparently not so far in the posting anyway). Thanks for the help and suggestions.

YES! YES! YES! I'm having the exact same problem! I thought maybe it was my high pressure (I have a separate thread I just started about that), and I'm getting tired of the thing leaking when it was perfectly fine before!

I also notice that when I'm at the highest pressure (18), the bladder is fully extended, and it gets hard to exhale.

rock and roll · Post by **rock and roll** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 6:25 pm

Quit cleaning it so much! Take it and soak it without taking it apart in one part vinegar and three parts water for at least eight hours. It will rejuvenate the rubber and it will seal so much better. Then don't clean it with anything else and don't EVER take it apart.

HeidiHose · Post by **HeidiHose** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 10:28 pm

[quote="rock and roll"]Quit cleaning it so much! Take it and soak it without taking it apart in one part vinegar and three parts water for at least eight hours. It will rejuvenate the rubber and it will seal so much better. Then don't clean it with anything else and don't EVER take it apart.

Apneaat22 · Post by **Apneaat22** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 4:03 pm

Since we are on the activa discussion I have a question. I am recieving one today that I ordered from CPAP.com. I did the measurments on the page for sizing and it said I should use a large. I use a Small/Med Comfort Gel though I have never been sure if it is right for me since I have issues with that mask. I spoke with a rep from Cpap.com and they suggested I may want a Standard size. It had already been shipped so I could not change.

Does anyone have sizing comparisons that may encourange me to try the mask when I get it? or should I ship it right back? CPAP.com does not let me return anything If I have opened it, so I am looking for wisdom here on if I should risk opening or go with a smaller size.

Adam

HeidiHose · Post by **HeidiHose** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 4:31 pm

[quote="Apneaat22"]Since we are on the activa discussion I have a question. I am recieving one today that I ordered from CPAP.com. I did the measurments on the page for sizing and it said I should use a large. I use a Small/Med Comfort Gel though I have never been sure if it is right for me since I have issues with that mask. I spoke with a rep from Cpap.com and they suggested I may want a Standard size. It had already been shipped so I could not change.

Does anyone have sizing comparisons that may encourange me to try the mask when I get it? or should I ship it right back? CPAP.com does not let me return anything If I have opened it, so I am looking for wisdom here on if I should risk opening or go with a smaller size.

Adam

snork1 · Post by **snork1** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 9:36 pm

I seem to have a knack of needing between sizes on interfaces.

By the template I was RIGHT on the edge of sizing for standard or large.

I first went with a large and 6 months later used my insurance replacement option to try a medium.

What I found......

In my borderline case, the standard seals a lot EASIER (note I did NOT say BETTER) than the large, but for some reason I feel like I am laboring to breath using the standard though. I THINK the standard tends to pinch my nares shut a bit, and maybe tends to clamp down the bridge of my nose to restrict air too. I am not exactly sure why, but I breath much easier with the larger size, but I like the easy sealing of the smaller standard size.

Sunflower · Post by **Sunflower** » Sat Dec 03, 2005 7:21 am

Babbie wrote: I actually have marked on the straps with "white-out" where they're to be---when I say I take the bottom straps off, I don't take it all apart, I just unclip them. Kathy

I mark my straps with a pen or a marker so I know exactly where they go again. I take my straps apart once a week and give it a good washing....and know exactly where to put them back together again because of the pen marks....works for me.