mirage activa ?

whatrdreamsmadeof · Post by **whatrdreamsmadeof** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 11:31 am

Hi out there,
I just spoke with a rep. at cpap.com and he suggested that the exhalation port on the breeze (which I love) is causing my swollen shut eyes.... I have tried the comfort lite 2 and can't tolerate the head gear.. the rep. suggeted the mirage activa as I am a stomach sleeper........any ideas before I go broke?.............thanks Ellen+

GoofyUT · Post by **GoofyUT** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 11:33 am

Ellen- PM me.

Chuck

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 1:05 pm

Did the DME explain how the Breeze is causing your eyes to swell? I just don't see the correlation.

- roberto

ScottB · Post by **ScottB** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 9:33 pm

I have that mask and I don't know if I could sleep on my stomach with it. Side and back are no problem. It is pretty comfortable and I have NO leaks and I have facial hair. It does leave a small red spot at the top of my nose though. I have tried to adjust without any luck.

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 5:09 am

Ellen -

Check to see if your machine has an air filter in the back ... look at your manual if you don't know where it is.

- roberto

JCraig · Post by **JCraig** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 5:48 am

I can sleep on my side or stomach with the Activa. It's an awesome mask.

Pirate · Post by **Pirate** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 6:04 am

JCraig wrote:I can sleep on my side or stomach with the Activa. It's an awesome mask.

Ditto that! I have the same experience with the Activa. Its my favorite mask and pretty much all I have used for the last 2 years, except for a short stint trying the CL2. As for the redness and soreness at the top of the nose from the Activa; place one of the very small bandaids with a little neosporin on it across the bridge of the nose for a few nights. This will allow the nose to heal and actually toughen the nose bridge. When I first started using the Activa, the bridge of my nose actually developed a pretty good ulceration which was pretty sore. I went back to my original mask for a few nights, but when it disentigrated, I had no choice but to go back to the Activa. I did the bandaid and neosporin treatment for a couple of weeks and after it all healed up, I found I no longer needed the bandaid. The mask doesn't even leave a mark now. I also learned to leave the headgear real loose as the mask seals with the air pressure.

Moogy · Post by **Moogy** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 3:55 pm

Pirate wrote: Ditto that! I have the same experience with the Activa. Its my favorite mask and pretty much all I have used for the last 2 years, except for a short stint trying the CL2. As for the redness and soreness at the top of the nose from the Activa; place one of the very small bandaids with a little neosporin on it across the bridge of the nose for a few nights.

I got the little red spot on the bridge of my nose when I tried the Shallow size Activa for a few nights. I never get the red spot with the Standard. I think because I have a very narrow bridge, the Shallow (which is wider at the top of the opening) rubs when the air flows. Since I have a bipap auto, the pressure inside the mask changes frequently, and this probably causes it to move around. The little narrow "slit" at the top of the Standard mask opening is the right size for my bridge, so no red spot.

I agree that the Activa is an awesome mask--just get the right size!

Moogy

wabmorgan · Post by **wabmorgan** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 7:29 pm

Well... I will tell you that I started out with the Active

Brought six other mask since

Wound up going back to the Active

All in all, I think it is the most comfortable mask available.

One thing I really like about it is that you don't have to really stap it down for it not to leak. You can leave it lose and it won't leak!!!!!!!!!!

dwdenny · Post by **dwdenny** » Thu Sep 14, 2006 7:15 am

I am looking at trying the activa out as well how is it on noise. I have a Comfort Classic and to all honest it is loud and leaks(not to bad but enough to wake my up in the middle of the night.

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Thu Sep 14, 2006 7:28 am

wabmorgan wrote:Well... I will tell you that I started out with the Active

Brought six other mask since

Wound up going back to the Active

All in all, I think it is the most comfortable mask available.

One thing I really like about it is that you don't have to really stap it down for it not to leak. You can leave it lose and it won't leak!!!!!!!!!!

Let us know how your swelling turns out ... I hope the activa takes care of the problem.

- roberto

Jerry69 · Post by **Jerry69** » Thu Sep 14, 2006 10:58 am

dwdenny wrote:I am looking at trying the activa out as well how is it on noise. I have a Comfort Classic and to all honest it is loud and leaks(not to bad but enough to wake my up in the middle of the night.

I used a new Activa for the first time last night. Took me a while to go to sleep because I was "experiencing" the innovative "ActiveCell" Technology incorporated in this mask. It is fascinating! I don't understand how pressurizing the expandable chamber can make the mask seem to cling to the face. But, I like the result. The straps do not have to be very tight at all. The Encore Pro results showed a little leaking, but AHI=0! (Averages 0.3).
http://jerrylester.com/CPAP/Daily%20Det ... Activa.pdf

The Activa noise from the exhaust vent is a steady shhhhh, and not very lound. In fact, it is about like the ComfortGel that I've been using. I don't have a problem with steady noise from an exhaust port. What really bothers me is the "head noise" that I get when using a pillow interface, especially the Swift or Aura and less with the Breeze. I don't like the whoosh of the CPAP machine in concert with my breathing, either.

If I use ear plugs, with a nasal mask, all I hear is a very faint, natural breathing sound, much like you hear if you listen to yourself breathe without a mask. Ear plugs stop the external noise of the vent exhaust and the CPAP machine. It is blessed serene. [I use foam ear plugs called Flents. You get a bunch of them in a pack at CVS.]

But, if I use ear plugs with a pillow interface, I still hear the a very lound breathing sound, which I call "head noise." I think it is the fact that the pillows connect the air supply directly to the nares and introduce the sound of the air flow directly into the head through the nasal passages. Bothers the heck out of me. The ear plugs will stop the whoosh of the CPAP machine and the exhaust port noise but NOT the sound of air introduced by the pillows. This sound is louder on inhale than exhale, which is also unnatural.

My wife says she can't tell much difference in the sound of any of the interfaces I have used: Swift, Breeze, Aura, ComfortGel, and now, Activa. That is because she only hears the external noise, not the "head noise."

So, I've become a nasal mask convert. No more pillow interfaces for me. [My next mask will be a full-face mask. My DME let me try on a new Ultra Mirage, briefly. I think I'd like it, also.]

Jerry

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): cpap machine, breeze, mirage, activa, swift, Encore Pro, DME, AHI, Aura

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): cpap machine, breeze, mirage, activa, swift, Encore Pro, DME, AHI, Aura

wabmorgan · Post by **wabmorgan** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 1:34 am

One of those six other mask I have is the Ultra Mirage Full Face. It is not an unconfortable mask... and it seems to make less noise that the Active.... but you do have to strap it down a lot tighter than the active. Also, since I am a side sleeper, the Ultra Mirage is much harder to sleep with than the Active, at least if you don't want leaks..... and air leaks drive me nuts

Actually the Fisher & Paykel FlexiFit™431 Full Face Mask looks like it would be more comfortable. The under chin design is supose to keep your mouth shut even without a chin strap. That mask itself acts like a chin strap. If I get another mask.... it may be next. Good lord... that will be number 8!!!!!

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): mirage

Jerry69 · Post by **Jerry69** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 6:35 am

wabmorgan wrote:One of those six other mask I have is the Ultra Mirage Full Face. It is not an unconfortable mask... and it seems to make less noise that the Active.... but you do have to strap it down a lot tighter than the active. Also, since I am a side sleeper, the Ultra Mirage is much harder to sleep with than the Active, at least if you don't want leaks..... and air leaks drive me nuts

Actually the Fisher & Paykel FlexiFit™431 Full Face Mask looks like it would be more comfortable. The under chin design is supose to keep your mouth shut even without a chin strap. That mask itself acts like a chin strap. If I get another mask.... it may be next. Good lord... that will be number 8!!!!!

I've never used a ff mask, but wouldn't the under-chin configuration interfere with mouth breathing? And, isn't that the point of a ff mask: to allow mouth breathing if your nose is congested?

Jerry

ThunderSnorem · Post by **ThunderSnorem** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 8:43 am

Hi everyone! I am new to CPAP and this forum, I just started on CPAP therapy on August 10. I was diagnosed with Severe OSA with an AHI of 59, and titrated to a pressure of 14.

In the short time on therapy I've tried the Ultra Mirage II Nasal mask, the UMFF mask, and now the Activa. The Ultra Mirage II nasal worked well, but I had some small leak issues, plus I am a huge mouth breather. I tried the UMFF mask for 4 nights, but it was HORRIBLE. Just didn't fit my face at all. Those were the 4 worst nights of my therapy to date.

Since my DME only carries RESMED products in-stock I decided to try the Activa for a small $20 upcharge, instead of paying a $90 upcharge for a special order HC431 FF mask. I figured better to have a nasal mask in my arsenal and pay cash out-of-pocket online for a FF mask for about $110, instead of being out $90 and ending up with only the FF mask.

Well, I can not begin to tell you how much better the Activa is than the others. It is a delight to wear, and I sleep through the night. Absolutely NO leaks, and I am a back, side, and stomach sleeper. This mask just rolls with you, and the seal seems to be magical. With the other masks any movement and the leaks would start. I have NEVER felt a seal leak from the Activa. To address the mouth leak, I have been taping my mouth, and that works extremely well. I am on a S8 Elite, and my AHI is 2.8, with a leak rate of 0.08 L/S. I'm not sure how the leak rate compares to other machines since the S8 is in liters/Sec. I imagine the leak rate on these machines includes the CO2 washout as well?

It is soooooo nice to finally feel rested during the day. I didn't know there would be such as dramatic difference in how I felt. The very next day after my first night of therapy and I felt like a new person.

Granted I am new to all of this, but I hope my experience can help others. By the way, thanks to others on the site for posting how 'not' to get into the S8's efficacy data menu. Having this option 'hidden' from users by the DMEs and DRs should be a crime. Heaven forbid common CPAP users would be allowed to see how their therapy was working.

As for the Activa: I LOVE THIS MASK!!!

John

mirage activa ?

mirage activa ?

Activa

Mask noise

Under Chin FF Mask

The Activa is an AWESOME mask!!!!

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