Aura vs Activa

karenann33 · Post by **karenann33** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 1:16 pm

I've read a lot of old posts and am really thinking the next mask my husband should try is the aura. I don't have a ton of money so right now one more mask is all I can do until we save up.

My husband keeps thinking he'd like to try the activa but I'm afraid of the claustrophobic feel of it. He tried this type of mask (not sure which brand) in the lab and woke up in a panic after only an hour or so of wearing it. He said it was very comfortable though. It lost the seal and so he woke up because he couldn't breath more so that claustrophobia. Make sense?

So if you HATED the breeze, tossed and turned, slept on your side and back and could only buy ONE mask would you buy the aura or the activa?

Darth Vader Look · Post by **Darth Vader Look** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 1:24 pm

I'm claustrophobic and use the activa. Once you are use to it and know how easy it is to get off the fear gets less. It sits on your face very loose. His best bet is to wear it while watching TV or reading in order to get use to it. I haven't tried the Aura so no input on that mask.

Snoozing Gonzo · Post by **Snoozing Gonzo** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 2:06 pm

If going for the Activa, make sure the DME does all the measurements and checks the Resmed recommended sizing. The size of your shirt or hat is not an indication of the size needed for your mask as some DMEs may believe.

(From personal experience) if you order online, do the measurements as indicated on CPAP.com or the Resmed site. When ordering use the measurements and do not have them cross-reference the current mask size - -it may be wrong for the reasons listed above.

The shell of the Activa covers a large part of the face compared to the Comfort Gel I was familier with and certainly a pillow system. That said, I have to be sedated to be stuffed into an MRI machine but have never felt claustropobic using the Activa. It feels odd the first couple of times used because of the seal, but doesn't seem to leak even if you push and pull it a lot while moving. Overhead tubing reduces the exhaust noise.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 2:09 pm

karenann, if your husband thinks he would like to try an Activa, then that's the mask I'd try, if I were him. It's a very good one.

Masks are expensive and all of us hope that we'll hit on the one that suits us best, and never need to "try" another one. Unfortunately that's not the way it works most of the time...for any of us.

The one mask I'd choose, if I could choose only one, wouldn't necessarily be the same for someone else. Both the Aura and the Activa (and quite a few more) are excellent interfaces, each with its own strong points. Every mask also has its own quirks that might be ok for one person but make a mask be virtually unusable for someone else.

The mask is such an important key to making this kind of treatment work, it's best to adopt the attitude of, "I'm going to keep trying mask after mask after mask until I find one I can sleep in." Expensive, yes. But cheap compared to the consequences of untreated OSA.

Moogy · Post by **Moogy** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 5:22 pm

I am claustrophobic, and I use the Activa without any problem. Different things trigger different people's claustrophobia. For me, breathing stale air is a trigger, or feeling trapped (zipper stuck on a dress, for example). So the Activa is not a problem, since I am getting a LOT of fresh air, and the straps make it easy to rip off quickly.

Moogy

Darth Vader Look · Post by **Darth Vader Look** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 10:22 pm

The only thing I dislike about the Activa is the vent holes. With the hose from the mask going down, the vent holes blows air on your arm. This would be your arm on the side you are sleeping on if you place it beside your pillow while sleeping on your side. This can be fixed by turning the hose so that it goes up over your head.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 2:16 am

I've tried just about all the masks on the market, my work as a sleep tech allows me to try the different masks and by far my favorite is the Vista.

It has great side support for side sleepers, no forehead support or eye interference and is easily adjusted to float on the nose.

Good luck
Bob

sleepyred · Post by **sleepyred** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 4:22 am

With all this talk about the activa, I tried the breeze in Feb (liked it a lot), bought the comfortlite II last week (still trying to get it adjusted without leaks on the simple cushion) and just went back to the activa.

I have never tried the aura, but have heard rave reviews, but decided to buy the comfortlite II because of my small head size.

Going back to the activa was like going home. Like putting on that old sweatshirt or t-shirt that you just love. It is a wonderful mask and I'll probably just continue that until I'm ready (if ever) to go back and try the others.

Did not have a single leak, nothing bothered my hubby about it and it just felt right.

Hope this helps!

reval · Post by **reval** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 5:04 am

Sleepyred, exactly!
I've tried several other masks (including the CL2), but the Activa is by far the best mask for me.

I didn't try the Aura though.

PEELS · Post by **PEELS** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 10:15 am

I have both the Activa and Aura (and a FF mask as well). What I like about the Activa is that it seals very well and the straps do not have to be tightened. Why I switched to the Aura (and is my favorite) was because the Activa put a lot of pressure on my upper gums and actually pushed my upper teeth back a little so that I could not bite down. And as the pressure on my APAP increased the pressure on my upper teeth/gums increased as well. When I first tried the mask it felt fine but after awhile it was too bothersome for me. I am sure it works very well for others.

I really like the Aura as it is much more comfortable and I can even scratch my nose at night if needed. With the Activa an itch is a challenge - do you turn the machine off and remove the mask to scratch it or try to slip a finger under the seal or lay there hoping the itch goes away all by itself?

Anyway, both are good masks.

Wow, I wish my spouse would take such a great interest in my CPAP Therapy - I'd have at least one different mask for each day of the week by now. I think it is remarkable working with your spouse on this. Best of luck to you.

PS, I do have to say I think that RG is right, get the Activa if that is the mask your spouse liked. Otherwise, if he did not like the Aura he might have another complaint. We should never blame anyone if a mask doesn't work for us. Everyone is different and what works for one may not work for another.

karenann33 · Post by **karenann33** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 12:52 pm

Peels,

Thanks but don't give me too much credit. I've been married for almost 15 years and quite frankly I'm high energy and am ready for my husband to come back to life. He does okay with energy (lots of coffee helps) but I hate to see him relying on stimulants.

We have 3 small children and I want my husband to have energy to be there for them to play. Not to mention the fact that his work is dangerous, he's a cop, and therefore he needs to be as rested as can be. I worry about him falling asleep at the wheel.

If I had the money yes he'd have a mask for every day of the week. LOL!!

Ordering the Activa today. Wish him luck.

Karen

Born Tired · Post by **Born Tired** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 5:41 pm

karenann33 wrote: So if you HATED the breeze, tossed and turned, slept on your side and back and could only buy ONE mask would you buy the aura or the activa?

Karen,
I HATED the breeze, tossed and turned, slept on my side and bought the activa, but for me it leaked and put too much pressure on my upper lip. (I tried leaving it very loose which is what works for most people, but not for me. ) Hopefully your husband will love his like many folks here, but if it doesn't work out for him the Aura is the best I've found (for me)! I also really appreciate being able to scratch my nose when it itches, and the vented air doesn't hit me or my husband.
Esther
____

rock and roll · Post by **rock and roll** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 8:12 pm

Put me doen as an Aura fan. Sleepless talked me into tryying it and I left my Activa behind. It to me...is the best interface out there. But we all know that one mans poison is......

Mask

Additional Comments: Aussie Heated hose for rain out/PapCap Headgear and chin strap

Aura vs Activa

Aura vs Activa

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