[quote="BP"]snork1, hey I'm like you, I have never taken my mask apart to clean, with one exception. Every morning I thoroughly wash the silicone based seal that actually touches my face. The oils from my face would slowly destroy the somewhat sticky silicone that forms the incredible seal of this mask if I didn't. Otherwise I envision cleaning the whole thing maybe once a month or two. Don't really understand the taking apart every day concept. Seems like that would just wear the parts down more quickly, and cause more leaking.
-BP
does anyone not like their activa and why?
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Sleepless on LI
- Posts: 3997
- Joined: Mon May 30, 2005 6:46 pm
- Location: Long Island, New York
Loved the Activa in the beginning, but then did the same thing of taking it apart to clean it and it was never was the same again. Caused pressure sores on the bridge of my nose, but used mole skin to help that. Also leaks, no matter what I do, around the bottom corners of the mask.
Better than the nasal mask used in my sleep study, but prefer my Swift. Now waiting on delivery of my Aura to try.
Better than the nasal mask used in my sleep study, but prefer my Swift. Now waiting on delivery of my Aura to try.
L o R i
I do not care for Activa
I did not care for the Activa, in fact I traded it to a member of this list. I found it too large and heavy for my liking and could not get my mind off it when trying to sleep. I can see why others like the mask tho, I have to say it did not leak no matter how I slept and it does not need to be very tight, just was not my cup of tea
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texan27028
- Posts: 25
- Joined: Tue May 24, 2005 7:05 am
- Location: North Carolina
- Contact:
I switched from an HC405 to an Activa a couple of weeks ago. I found it to seal a whole lot better than what I had. I seems to keep its seal even when I flop around in the bed. The 405 seemed to be more stiff and unforgiving, but the Activa is extremely comfortable. At least it is for me. Everyone is different, but I love the Activa.
Richard
Richard
AHI - 25
11 cm/H2O
'Never Squat With Your Spurs On'
11 cm/H2O
'Never Squat With Your Spurs On'
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lorrie
activa mask
i have this mask and it has the best seal so far...the only that annoys me is the very high pitched wining sound i hear alot - i think this mask is somewhat noisy but has that good seal.
I just returned from the DME, and was interested in reading this thread. I just came home with this mask to try. I already know I need to mess with the head gear but am hoping to get a better seal. I am still leaking with my current mask. So will try this out tonight. Nice to see such a list of positive results with this one.
Nancy
Nancy
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rested gal
- Posts: 12881
- Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2004 10:14 pm
- Location: Tennessee
Hi Nancy,
The Activa has long been one of my favorites. On the rare occasions that I want a break from my "every night" favorite (Aeiomed's Headrest - Aura), the Activa is the one I reach for. It's good to have several masks to switch between from time to time.
Here's a thread with some handy tips for using the Activa:
Jun 06, 2005 subject: Activa mask leakage
The Activa has long been one of my favorites. On the rare occasions that I want a break from my "every night" favorite (Aeiomed's Headrest - Aura), the Activa is the one I reach for. It's good to have several masks to switch between from time to time.
Here's a thread with some handy tips for using the Activa:
Jun 06, 2005 subject: Activa mask leakage
I have recently replaced activa for several reasons:
1) Very noisy
2) The cushion is very thick and blocks the air flow
3) The headgear is not stable, the mask tends to move upwards,
pressurizes my nose and wakes me up.
In addition to these cpap.com determined my mask size incorrectly.
I have noticed this last week when I was shopping for a new mask,
I actually needed a large mask instead of standard.
Cpap.com claims they did not change the size calculator, however,
I am pretty sure my nose size remained constant within last 6 moths.
1) Very noisy
2) The cushion is very thick and blocks the air flow
3) The headgear is not stable, the mask tends to move upwards,
pressurizes my nose and wakes me up.
In addition to these cpap.com determined my mask size incorrectly.
I have noticed this last week when I was shopping for a new mask,
I actually needed a large mask instead of standard.
Cpap.com claims they did not change the size calculator, however,
I am pretty sure my nose size remained constant within last 6 moths.
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dsm-guest
My activa was at one time my preferred mask but at that period the mouth leaks were to big a problem so I shelved it.
Then recently when I wanted to retry it I found it (standard) was causing me nasal congestion as soon as I put it on so I reverted to a Breeze I had previously given up on.
Have had the Breeze on for 3 nights & at this point regard it as a success. Greatest satisfaction is appearing to have got away from mouth leaks (but I suspect that it is switching to a BiLevel that has contributed that great leap forward).
Anyway, I do like the Activa so much that I ordered a large & have it ready to try sometime soon.
Technically these are a great interface. The loosest mask I have evr had to wear.
DSM
Then recently when I wanted to retry it I found it (standard) was causing me nasal congestion as soon as I put it on so I reverted to a Breeze I had previously given up on.
Have had the Breeze on for 3 nights & at this point regard it as a success. Greatest satisfaction is appearing to have got away from mouth leaks (but I suspect that it is switching to a BiLevel that has contributed that great leap forward).
Anyway, I do like the Activa so much that I ordered a large & have it ready to try sometime soon.
Technically these are a great interface. The loosest mask I have evr had to wear.
DSM
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Guest
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FairSpirit
- Posts: 127
- Joined: Fri Jun 10, 2005 4:35 pm
- Location: Western, NC
- Contact:
When I started CPAP I was given the Profile Lite Gel Mask, it was very nice and comfy but I wanted to try something different, so I tried the H&P Flexifit 405, didn't care for that one much as it just irritates my face. I went back to the Profile Lite Gel. I then decided that as much as I loved the comfort of the gel mask, I wanted to try something that would do better in preventing leaks, so I got the Activa. The Activa does indeed do well in regards to not leaking, however I just find it uncomfortable. No matter how loose I wear it I just can't get used to the pressure it puts on my face, also I have lots of leaks around the inner eye area. If I lower the mask on my face to try to prevent the eye area leaks, it practically sits in my mouth, pressing uncomfortably on my lower lip. Oh, the headgear also does not fit me well, the top part of it doesn't sit where it should, it's like, way above my head. I'm back with my gel mask and though I sometimes have leak problems, it's by far my most comfortable and fav mask. I'm sure I'll be trying others in the future though.
It just really varies from person to person on how well a certain mask is liked. I like a light weight mask that takes up as little room on the face as possible, just like the profile lite. Others do not mind the larger/bulkier masks and do very well with them, most love the Activa, I just am not one of them.
It just really varies from person to person on how well a certain mask is liked. I like a light weight mask that takes up as little room on the face as possible, just like the profile lite. Others do not mind the larger/bulkier masks and do very well with them, most love the Activa, I just am not one of them.
~FairSpirit~
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ProfessorSleep
- Posts: 338
- Joined: Sat Sep 10, 2005 7:42 pm
- Location: Wisconsin
The Activa didn't work for me. Too bulky, heavy, protruding, wouldn't stay put, and it felt like I had a squid pulling at my face when the seal would inflate. too much pressure on upper lip, also, which made my teeth hurt. Obviously YMMV, but since the question was about who didn't like the Activa, thought I'd chip in.
The Activa is the only mask I use and it is fabulous for me. I could never get the Aieomed Aura to work for me. I take the Activa completely apart for cleaning and disinfecting on a weekly basis and clean it daily.
Very little leak and it allows me to sleep on my stomach, which is my preferred position. I also like the Swift but , like the Aura, I have a hard time keeping it positioned correctly in my nares without it pulling out.
Very little leak and it allows me to sleep on my stomach, which is my preferred position. I also like the Swift but , like the Aura, I have a hard time keeping it positioned correctly in my nares without it pulling out.
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The Activa really did not work for me. I paid over the odds for it and despite really perservering I was never able to get used to it.
Admittedly i did not buy it from cpap.com but form the reps who represent the manufacturing company in my country. I think, not only was I fitted incorrectly, also:
1 ) The mask sits on my top lip no matter what I do it ends up sitting there, often resulting in causing an irritation on my top lip.
2 ) Despite thoroughly cleansing my face, I do have oily skin, and as soon as the natural oils begin to collect on my skin during the night, which, for me, on average takes 2 hours, the mask develops major leaks! I then need to switch off the machine dry the mask with tissues and go back to sleep. I need to repeat this process 3/4 times a night.
3 ) Since the mask moves, as other have described like a sick octopus on your face it make me feel sea sick, as it move up and down on your face with every in hale and exhale. Which is plain weird!
This is my experience of the Activa. For me it was the worst mask and the greatest waste of money ever.
Admittedly i did not buy it from cpap.com but form the reps who represent the manufacturing company in my country. I think, not only was I fitted incorrectly, also:
1 ) The mask sits on my top lip no matter what I do it ends up sitting there, often resulting in causing an irritation on my top lip.
2 ) Despite thoroughly cleansing my face, I do have oily skin, and as soon as the natural oils begin to collect on my skin during the night, which, for me, on average takes 2 hours, the mask develops major leaks! I then need to switch off the machine dry the mask with tissues and go back to sleep. I need to repeat this process 3/4 times a night.
3 ) Since the mask moves, as other have described like a sick octopus on your face it make me feel sea sick, as it move up and down on your face with every in hale and exhale. Which is plain weird!
This is my experience of the Activa. For me it was the worst mask and the greatest waste of money ever.