Activa Beak Eater

[Hoganflagle]

Wore my Activa last night for the first time and thought it felt pretty good. Had no leaks last night but I think I might need to tweak the adjustment as I woke up to find a fairly wicked crease on the bridge of my nose. Thought I had the straps loose enough, but not sure if I have the forehead support bracket angled right. Any activa wearers out there that can tell me what I need to do?

[blarg]

The activa is worn very loosely. Try simply placing the mask on your nose with nothing but your hand. If your machine is turned on, it should kind of "reach out" to your nose when it gets close. Experiment with how you're holding it, and you'll notice that with only the slightest amount of pressure, it seals. Mine's loose enough that the forehead pads move back and forth throughout the night.

Also, set that angle to be the most angled down towards your mouth you can get away with.

What size cushion do you have at the moment? Many here believe that the shallow cushion fits more people than the standard cushion.

[Vader]

Wore my Activa last night for the first time and thought it felt pretty good. Had no leaks last night but I think I might need to tweak the adjustment as I woke up to find a fairly wicked crease on the bridge of my nose. Thought I had the straps loose enough, but not sure if I have the forehead support bracket angled right. Any activa wearers out there that can tell me what I need to do?

I have found the Activa to be the most comfortable mask of all, but everone's face is different, of course.
If you already have the straps pretty loose, you probably need to adjust the nose bridge piece. There are four different positions. Try the one that sets the mask farthest from your face, first. If you are getting leaks, try the next, etc.

I've said this MANY times, but Nexcare paper tape is excellent to protect the bridge of your nose. All you need is a small piece to place on the spot of your nose that is affected.

Also-- If the forehead bracket gives you marks on your forehead, the most unbelievable product I've tried is the PAD-A-Cheek cushion for Activa (and Ultra Mirage )

Click here: http://www.padacheek.com/


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

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

[GoofyUT]

I agree that the Activa is amongst THE most comfortable nasla masks available and it has an uncany ability to give a stable seal throughout the night.

As others have pointed out here, the trick is to wear the straps VERY loosely. The test that the straps are loose enough is to apply pressure from your xPAP and the mask ought to be loose enough so that the "bellows" of the "ActiveCell" membrane fully inflate. Feel around the mask with your finger-tips while its on and under pressure and ensure that the membrane is fully inflated. That's what provides the seal. If it's not, continue to losen the straps until you can feel it inflate ALL the way around the mask.

As Blarg pointed out, and RG also reported after a conversation with a ResMed customer service RN, the shallow cushion is thought to fit MANY! It really isn't more shallow. It does have a wider, more U shaped notch for the bridge of the nose. I tried it and found it to be comfortable, but awoke with a bleeding gash on the bridge of my nose. I wound up very comfortable with the large cushion.

I would like to respectfully disagree with one thing that Vader said. I believe that adjusting the angle of the forehead cushion to its more angular setting results in the GREATEST pressure on the bridge of your nose. Doing so makes the bridge a fulcrum for that rotation of the forehead piece. So, I'd suggest that you start with the forehead piece in its flattest, most upright position, and adjust it inward only to the point that it allows the greatest inflation of the bellows at the bridge of your nose.

Hope this helps!

Chuck

[dwbeagle]

I tend to move a LOT while sleeping. So far the masks that I have tried are: Flexfit 405, Mirage Activa and the Comfortlite II.

All seem to have their own positives/negatives but they all seem to suffer, for myself anyway, the same problem.

As i said, I move a LOT when sleeping and every night the same is true no matter which mask I try, the headgear does not seem to hold the mask in the original position. I start out on my back but eventually end up on my side. And my pillow usually ends up pushed against the headboard etc.etc.

Since I also use a chin strap I always put it on over the mask headgear to try to hold it in place. This doesn't seem to help either.

I have been on CPAP for 6 months and am really tending to take my mask off during the night if I wake up.

My doctor just changed my pressure from 7 to 12cm after having me use their ABAP machine for a week. Not sure if this should make a difference or not.

Any help appreciated....

[ColoradoDreamer]

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.

You may want to loosen your straps more. I found that the forehead piece would give me headaches and 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). 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. My forehead piece is in the flat (lowest setting at the base of the mask) positon. I find it comfortable and a pleasure to wear.

Continue to adjust it till you find that sweet spot.

Hope this helps

[Hoganflagle]

Thanks for the replies.

It appears that the forehead piece has 4 positions. I had it in the position just before flat. Applying the mask with out straps and adjusting it I find for my face structure that the next to most angled spot seems to put less pressure on my nose bridge. My mask is a large. No indication as to what size cushions are on it.

Love the idea of adjusting the straps after the mask is on and the unit is on. Will give it a try, and report my findings in the a.m.

[Hoganflagle]

If this is any help determining what size cushion I have, the paperwork that came with the masks lists the cushion product code as 60118.

No mention anywhere regarding standard or shallow.

Will definitely order a forehead pad cover from pad a cheeks tomorrow.

Where is the best place to pick up Nexcare paper tape?

Thanks Doug

[Catnapper]

The size of the Activa cushion is printed on the side of the bellows. Mine say Standard and Shallow. It is not in color, just off white.

Catnapper

[GoofyUT]

I'm pretty sure that the cushion size is embossed on the cushion, on the bottom, if I remember correctly.

If I'm not mistaken, unlike ResMed's UMFF and UMII, the Activa frame comes in only one size which accomodates the various sizes of cushion.

Can't help with the Nexcare tape. Sorry. Others will.

Cheers!

Chuck

[Vader]

Where is the best place to pick up Nexcare paper tape?
Thanks Doug

You can get Nexcare gentle paper tape just about anywhere. I usually buy it at Walmart, but CVS (among other places) sells it too--and usually at a considerably higher price.

[Hoganflagle]

Only thing on my cushion is "Large" on one side and "ResMed" on the other side. The bellows has no writing other than "Active Cell tm" at the bottom.

A blacklight examination revealed the words "This side up Moron" in large script. Just kidding.

Guess the new stuff is one size only.

Will check out Wally World thanks.

[neversleeps]

Nope, you're not thick as a brick! You're seeing all there is to see and you have a large cushion.

The Mirage Activa cushion comes in three sizes:
STANDARD.....part 60117
LARGE...........part 60118
SHALLOW......part 60119

[Hoganflagle]

Had only a very minor mark on the bridge of my nose but was woken up at around 4 am due to leaks. Suspect the straps were too loose as the hose had a tendency to steer the mask around my face and the fore head pad hardly even touched my forehead. Going to put the pad in the full bent position and adjust the straps to see if that helps.

As pointed out this will likely be trial and error for a little while till I get the critter right.

[Snoozing Gonzo]

While adjusting the forehead piece, at some point you may find that the dent below your nose is pronounced so you'll know to back up a setting.

I have a relatively broad face and the bridge of my nose is a little bumpy from sticking in the wrong places (like moving objects) during my youth. I've used all three Activa sizes. I found the Standard easiest to seal for my face but hard to find the adjustment for the fewest facial dents. The Large takes the most micro-adjustments to find a seal (on me) but overall is more comfortable than the Standard. Like Chuck mentioned above, I found the Shallow very comfortable and it seals well but it did some nasty stuff to the bridge of my nose. I tried to make the nose area a bit bigger - bad idea - that silicone is really hard to cut smoothly. I use the Standard most of the time.

As several folks have mentioned, let the mask create the seal, not the straps. I have found my top straps are a little tighter than the bottom and that my left bottom is slightly tighter than the right (I often sleep on my right side and rarely on my left). The hint there is that it's a custom fit for everybody.

Finally, I find that a nightly cleaning of the seal area (or every other night) is essential for a consistent seal. I use a spray of 1:2 or 1:3 parts vinegar:water and rinse or just a scent and color free soap.

Good Luck

Chris