first night with activa

catbirdgirl · Post by **catbirdgirl** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 9:28 am

overall, a good night's sleep.

the head straps feel strange, because they don't have to be tight. but they feel kinda big.

and I definitely had marks on my face in the morning from both the mask and the forehead thingy.

the only thing that annoyed me is that the lower mask edge kept hitting my upper lip.

it does have kind of an alien face-hugger feeling.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 10:53 am

catbirdgirl wrote:overall, a good night's sleep.

the head straps feel strange, because they don't have to be tight. but they feel kinda big.

and I definitely had marks on my face in the morning from both the mask and the forehead thingy.

the only thing that annoyed me is that the lower mask edge kept hitting my upper lip.

it does have kind of an alien face-hugger feeling.

I have found that because it has the inflatable curtain thingy it should be put on very loose.

Robbie · Post by **Robbie** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 3:25 pm

CatBirdGirl,

I've been using the Activa for 2 weeks now. It's a face hugger, isn't it? Have you had the experience where it actually "hugs tighter" when you exhale -almost like all the air was vacuumed out of the mask? Mine actually collapses down when I blow out through my nose. I would expect the opposite to happen.

On the plus side, my leak rates are next to nothing now. I also have something to wear to scare small children with when they knock on my door tonight for Halloween. First there was Jason, then Freddy, now there's Robbie in his Activa - looking like Darth Vadar's cousin Irving.

ColoradoDreamer · Post by **ColoradoDreamer** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 6:00 pm

Agree that the mask must be very loose and it may take you several nights to get it right for you. It took me two weeks, but then I didn't know how loose it really had to be. I have had no marks on my face in the morning.

You may want to loosen your straps more. I found that the forehead piece would give me headaches and be uncomfortable on my upper teeth if it is set too severe.

What you may try is laying down with the machine on and release the straps fully to allow the pressure to identify the position of the straps for you (example: extend the top two straps straight out and then do the same for the bottom two). Once secrued, it will be very loose but should stay on even when turning to the side. This is what I did and have not had to adjust it since and its been almost a year. My forehead piece is in the flat (lowest setting at the base of the mask) position. I find it comfortable and a pleasure to wear.

Continue to adjust it till you find that sweet spot.

Hope this helps

Suz-E-Q · Post by **Suz-E-Q** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 7:21 pm

I agree on the lose fit of the straps...I recently switched to the Activa from the Swift (nasal pillow). I do have mask marks on some mornings, but I think that is from side sleeping and putting pressure on that part of the mask.

It does annoy me with the fact that the bottom does seem to sit on my upper lip. That is the most annoying thing.

But for me since the hose comes directly out of the center; it isn't so much Darth and his cousin Irving, but elephant man for me: "I am not an animal, I am a man"

I have it so lose that the forhead piece has no pressure what so ever on my forhead.

drummergirl410 · Post by **drummergirl410** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 7:30 pm

I've used the Activa from night #1 and nothing else. I agree with what has been said so far. Yes, the most annoying part for me as well is the sitting on the upper lip thing. I find though if I have the mask fitted properly it doesn't happen quite as much. You will get used to the mask doing its "push ups" on your face after a while. Either I don't notice it now or it doesn't do it as much. It took a couple of fittings to get it right. My RT fitted it when she brought my machine and had the forehead piece not touching much at all. It was fine then. My pulmonologist refitted it and now has the forehead piece sitting much more forward but it still feels good and actually fits better. You shouldn't have marks from the forehead piece, but padacheeks has a forehead pad to fit it if this becomes an issue. I don't have them because I have no trouble with that currently. I do wake up with the occasional marks but I also think those are from side sleeping. My leak rate is usually 0.04 or 0.06. It's a really good mask once you get used to it. I may eventually branch out and try some others, but have the feeling that the Activa will always be my "go to" mask.

SleepGuy · Post by **SleepGuy** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 9:55 pm

Activa is my favorite mask--been using it for years. I really like how the whole mask essentially functions as a gasket. It is kind of strange that it doesn't need to be tight though I do like my forehead straps to be snug. Haven't tried SnuggleStraps / PadACheek--maybe that would help make it more comfortable?

echo · Post by **echo** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 7:55 am

thanks to a few people on the forum here (ya know who you are!) i also went for the activa, and i love it.

In the beginning i was also getting horrible red marks, here's what's helped me:
- Adjust the forehead piece (for me, it's angled at the 3rd more angular setting, and it does touch my forehead)
- Push up the whole mask so that it's sitting just below my nose (also seals better this way.. if it drops down to my upper lip then i lose the seal plus I get horrible marks on the bridge of my nose. The mask is just a tad too big, as others have also said)
- Make sure it's loose (as others have also said), both at the top and the bottom straps

It definitely IS a face hugger!!

p.s. mark the location of the straps once you've adjust it. It' s a pain to have to readjust if you have to take it off to clean or whatever.

drummergirl410 · Post by **drummergirl410** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 3:15 pm

Yes it is, echo. I finally memorized where mine fastened for the two top straps that go to the forehead piece. I do have metallic sharpie and will definitely make a mark there before I wash again. Seems as if they'd just find a way to make the two top straps the way they do the bottom ones, with the plastic fasteners attached so that it doesn't have to be all the way undone to wash. It would be much easier. I also agree that for women it is a bit too big. Some have made adjustments to their headgear to compensate for this. I juse use it the way it is. ResMed if your're reading this, please make a women's Activa, or even a small mask cushion might do the trick!

Teej813 · Post by **Teej813** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 12:58 pm

Agreed... the best mask i've tried, but i'd like to try a slightly smaller model to see if it's more comfortable. The bit about resting on the upper lip is a bit annoying.

But as far as sleeping well, the Activa works great for me.

Oh! And a note of encouragement to anyone who's just getting into CPAP... be patient. CPAP therapy works!

tj

pssssst... drummergirl. i'm a drummer too.

drummergirl410 · Post by **drummergirl410** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 2:14 pm

All right! Another drummer hosehead on the forum! I was wondering if I were the only one.

Teej813 · Post by **Teej813** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 3:30 pm

Nope, not the only one. I've been 'Papin' since '05.

What do you play? You in a band? I started in school (5th grade), discovered rock in high school, did the symphony thing for a bit, ended up playing C&W in weekend bands... bar scene.. you know, drunks n smoke. Drinking got old, so i 'retired' awhile back. Set up a small recording studio and play for my own entertainment. I find myself in much less trouble these days.

And you?

tj

drummergirl410 · Post by **drummergirl410** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 6:24 pm

Cool! You've had a lot more time on the hose than me. I just started at the end of July.

As far as drums go, I've been playing drumset for three years. I started (and still do) take lessons just because I wanted to persue something of my own choosing that had nothing to do with my career as a teacher. I get so burned out with the general academic state of affairs after a while. Teaching all day, taking courses, etc. The drums give me something completely different to think about. It's been a blessing to me for sure! I've had one "gig" if you can call it that, playing behind our school choir during last year's Christmas recital. I want to either form or play with a band somewhere down the road. Exactly when still remains to be seen, LOL.

echo · Post by **echo** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 6:39 pm

quick question for the activa fans - how often do you need to replace the cushion because it's not sealing well?

j.a.taylor · Post by **j.a.taylor** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 6:50 pm

I just started using the Activa last week, and love it (especially since I upgraded from the infamous Comfort Classic).

Fortunately, I read up on the Activa on this forum, so I was prepared for some of the adjustments this mask requires when you make the switch.

The first night, even though I adjusted it loose, it was sill a bit too tight. Since then, I've had no problems with the adjustment.

It took a couple of days to get used to the thing touching my upper lip, but now that doesn't seem to bother me much either.

And my numbers have went down, along with my leak rates. So I'm very satisfied.

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first night with activa

first night with activa

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