I am having success with the F&P ff mask but I would give it up in a minute if I could use my Activa every night. The Active is a great design. I wish ResMed would redesign their ff mask to make it work more like the Activa. They would surely have a winner.
ACTIVA - H E L P
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Newsgrouper
- Posts: 244
- Joined: Sun Mar 27, 2005 11:39 pm
- Location: Southern Nevada
_________________
| Mask: Mirage Quattro™ Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear |
| Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control |
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Janelle
I think it means that I don't need surgery anymore at least not for that. Maybe if more people would try xPAP for 6 months before considering surgery they wouldn't need it either.
Quit xPAP? Not on your life. I'm sure the snoring would gradually return, I wouldn't be getting the humidification I am now, which I'm sure has helped all the congestion in my nasal passages, and the ENT agrees. Plus I'm sure it plays a part in helping my oral cavity return to normal.
That APAP is part of me and I can't go to bed without it. I use it even if I can't sleep at night because I figure at least I'm being well oxygenated if nothing else.
I also recently had another sleep study with mask. I was still having quite a few events at low pressures which were still resolved at the same pressures as 8 months ago when I had my first titration. I might add that I am also about 10-15 pounds heavier now than when I was first titrated.
I wish more people would insist on another sleep study to find out why they are not feeling better after several months or even years on xPAP. In my case I wasn't getting any deep stage sleep. Addressing that issue has helped enormously!
Quit xPAP? Not on your life. I'm sure the snoring would gradually return, I wouldn't be getting the humidification I am now, which I'm sure has helped all the congestion in my nasal passages, and the ENT agrees. Plus I'm sure it plays a part in helping my oral cavity return to normal.
That APAP is part of me and I can't go to bed without it. I use it even if I can't sleep at night because I figure at least I'm being well oxygenated if nothing else.
I also recently had another sleep study with mask. I was still having quite a few events at low pressures which were still resolved at the same pressures as 8 months ago when I had my first titration. I might add that I am also about 10-15 pounds heavier now than when I was first titrated.
I wish more people would insist on another sleep study to find out why they are not feeling better after several months or even years on xPAP. In my case I wasn't getting any deep stage sleep. Addressing that issue has helped enormously!
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Sleepless on LI
- Posts: 3997
- Joined: Mon May 30, 2005 6:46 pm
- Location: Long Island, New York
Janelle, did anyone ever tell you why you gained weight after starting therapy? You would think that to be the opposite. Well, maybe not in the case where you don't get energy until six, seven months down the road. Maybe now that your energy level is elevated and you start doing more, your weight will lower. I hope nothing but good things start to happen for you. Keep up a positive attitude. I am a great believer in karma! Best of luck.
L o R i
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Sleepless on LI
- Posts: 3997
- Joined: Mon May 30, 2005 6:46 pm
- Location: Long Island, New York
Newsgrouper, last night I found I DID open my mouth a couple of times with the Activa on. You know what? No biggie. I closed it and went back to sleep. Like my DME said to me about the Oracle (when I was using it), if you happen to breath through you nose, so what? You'll lose pressure for a second and go back to it right after. That's what happened with me last night with the mouth. It is no big deal unless you can't keep your mouth closed at all.
Anyhow, I was wondering since you just wrote what so many others have written about a ff Activa mask, how do we get Resmed to hear what we're saying and take us up on the idea? They stand to make a fortune on it if they listen. Food for thought, no?
Anyhow, I was wondering since you just wrote what so many others have written about a ff Activa mask, how do we get Resmed to hear what we're saying and take us up on the idea? They stand to make a fortune on it if they listen. Food for thought, no?
L o R i
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Janelle
As you probably already know, sleep apnea causes your cortisol levels to be high and that is what controls weight. Usually CPAP therapy enables you to get better sleep, along with deep wave, delta sleep and your cortisol levels return to normal. This is why you usually lose weight on xPAP right from the start.
Since I wasn't getting that deep sleep, my theory is as well as the PA at the Sleep Drs. that my cortisol levels were not going down. I think maybe on the Xyrem they are because I suddenly have very little "Belly" since starting it.
I'm getting bloodwork done shortly along with a Cortisol test.
Since I wasn't getting that deep sleep, my theory is as well as the PA at the Sleep Drs. that my cortisol levels were not going down. I think maybe on the Xyrem they are because I suddenly have very little "Belly" since starting it.
I'm getting bloodwork done shortly along with a Cortisol test.
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rock and roll
- Posts: 1222
- Joined: Mon Nov 01, 2004 7:30 pm
- Location: Texas
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Sleepless on LI
- Posts: 3997
- Joined: Mon May 30, 2005 6:46 pm
- Location: Long Island, New York
R&R,
Eh...not perfectly. I don't know what else to do. Had to be in the city today and had no time to take it to the DME, so I did the best I could last night. Now please refresh my memory since I only had it two nights before this happened. How inflated is this supposed to get when the pressure is on? When you squeeze the sides of the mask, should it be soft and very depressible (is that a word?)? I find it can almost collapse at times and other times it seems to have some air. I don't think that's how it was the first two nights.
Also, on the rubber diaphragm, there are two cutouts for two of the turquoise tabs, the side tabs, but the bottom of the triangle, there is no cutout. Is that how yours is, too? I just don't get it. Why would they have the sides of the lip with two cutout sections to show where the two side tabs should be, yet the bottom tab has no cutout at all? Am I missing something?
I am all out of suggestions. I didn't try putting it under water to see if it has a hole in it anywhere. But don't you think if it did, it wouldn't inflate at all?
Help me, R&R. I need that power of yours to zero in on my problem like you always do. Don't fail me now (nothing like putting a little pressure on someone, right???). You know I'm kidding with you. I appreciate any help you might have. If not, hey, what can I say. Last night was not a bad night after all. Hardly woke up at all, believe it or not. I didn't awaken as refreshed as the other morning, but I'm looking forward to a great morning tomorrow (can't lose that positive attitude).
Talk with you later .
Eh...not perfectly. I don't know what else to do. Had to be in the city today and had no time to take it to the DME, so I did the best I could last night. Now please refresh my memory since I only had it two nights before this happened. How inflated is this supposed to get when the pressure is on? When you squeeze the sides of the mask, should it be soft and very depressible (is that a word?)? I find it can almost collapse at times and other times it seems to have some air. I don't think that's how it was the first two nights.
Also, on the rubber diaphragm, there are two cutouts for two of the turquoise tabs, the side tabs, but the bottom of the triangle, there is no cutout. Is that how yours is, too? I just don't get it. Why would they have the sides of the lip with two cutout sections to show where the two side tabs should be, yet the bottom tab has no cutout at all? Am I missing something?
I am all out of suggestions. I didn't try putting it under water to see if it has a hole in it anywhere. But don't you think if it did, it wouldn't inflate at all?
Help me, R&R. I need that power of yours to zero in on my problem like you always do. Don't fail me now (nothing like putting a little pressure on someone, right???). You know I'm kidding with you. I appreciate any help you might have. If not, hey, what can I say. Last night was not a bad night after all. Hardly woke up at all, believe it or not. I didn't awaken as refreshed as the other morning, but I'm looking forward to a great morning tomorrow (can't lose that positive attitude).
Talk with you later .
L o R i
Hi Lori,
I have the Activa and found you have to be certain you have put it together correctly. There is a slot for the bottom clip and if you look at the front of the mask you should see all three clips sticking out of their slots. The two side ones click into place but the bottom one just kind of slides in and does not really click into place like the other two.
When it's properly assembled you should only hear the quite whooshing sound of the air exiting the three ports and feel little or no air escaping anywhere else. If you hear anything else or if you feel other air escaping you go back to the drawing board.
Within three washings you will be the expert Activa assembler on the forum.
Good luck - and have fun, always think jigsaw puzzle.
Bob F
I have the Activa and found you have to be certain you have put it together correctly. There is a slot for the bottom clip and if you look at the front of the mask you should see all three clips sticking out of their slots. The two side ones click into place but the bottom one just kind of slides in and does not really click into place like the other two.
When it's properly assembled you should only hear the quite whooshing sound of the air exiting the three ports and feel little or no air escaping anywhere else. If you hear anything else or if you feel other air escaping you go back to the drawing board.
Within three washings you will be the expert Activa assembler on the forum.
Good luck - and have fun, always think jigsaw puzzle.
Bob F
unclebob
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rock and roll
- Posts: 1222
- Joined: Mon Nov 01, 2004 7:30 pm
- Location: Texas
Lori,
Uncle bob is right about the slots, there should also be a small one on the bottom. There should be a pretty good amount of suction to your face, but not knowing your pressure I don't know how to tell you how much. If your pressure is high, mine is 14, then it is like an octopus stuck to your face, if it is low then it will be less. When you pull the mask from your face it should be like you are releasing air from a balloon. Also I find that putting the mask on before turning the machine on helps it seal better.
Uncle bob is right about the slots, there should also be a small one on the bottom. There should be a pretty good amount of suction to your face, but not knowing your pressure I don't know how to tell you how much. If your pressure is high, mine is 14, then it is like an octopus stuck to your face, if it is low then it will be less. When you pull the mask from your face it should be like you are releasing air from a balloon. Also I find that putting the mask on before turning the machine on helps it seal better.
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Sleepless on LI
- Posts: 3997
- Joined: Mon May 30, 2005 6:46 pm
- Location: Long Island, New York
To Uncle Bob and Rock and Roll
I am totally lost now. I know there are three slots, but I was talking about on the rubber part, not the mask. The rubber has little cutouts to line up the two side tabs but nothing for that bottom tab, no cutout, that is. I agree that the two side tabs click into place and the bottom one doesn't do what the side ones do. So far we are all in agreement.
Now, my pressure is a 10. I do put the mask on first and then turn on the machine. It does NOT stick to my face like an octopus. It is rather easy to pull the mask away from my face and also rather easy to push in the sides of the mask with my fingers. I feel honestly that I could put the mask back together with my eyes closed. I am the mechanical person when it comes to putting things together inside the house (not outside of it, i.e., cars, etc.) the one that hooks up the VCRs, HDTVs, puts together any furniture that needs assembling, like little shelving units, etc., so a mask like this is exactly like Uncle Bob said, a jigsaw puzzle, but at a beginner's level. I find it very unchallenging. I guess that's what is so puzzling (no pun intended) that I have to have done something wrong if it's not holding the air properly and I can't figure out what it can possibly be. Maybe it really does have a little leak somewhere in it. I guess I will have to bring the whole system, machine, humidifier and all, back to the DME when I get a moment off from work sometime next week and see if they think something is wrong somewhere. In the meanwhile, I will try my best to rig it up to work as best as I can make it work. I refuse to put that Oracle back in my mouth. My lips are still sore and recovering, as is my jaw. Not going back there again.
I thank you for your input. I just wish you guys lived closer to me so you could look it over in person and see if you could tell what, if anything, I did wrong. Lord knows I can't find anything. Have a pleasant evening and a relaxing weekend.
Now, my pressure is a 10. I do put the mask on first and then turn on the machine. It does NOT stick to my face like an octopus. It is rather easy to pull the mask away from my face and also rather easy to push in the sides of the mask with my fingers. I feel honestly that I could put the mask back together with my eyes closed. I am the mechanical person when it comes to putting things together inside the house (not outside of it, i.e., cars, etc.) the one that hooks up the VCRs, HDTVs, puts together any furniture that needs assembling, like little shelving units, etc., so a mask like this is exactly like Uncle Bob said, a jigsaw puzzle, but at a beginner's level. I find it very unchallenging. I guess that's what is so puzzling (no pun intended) that I have to have done something wrong if it's not holding the air properly and I can't figure out what it can possibly be. Maybe it really does have a little leak somewhere in it. I guess I will have to bring the whole system, machine, humidifier and all, back to the DME when I get a moment off from work sometime next week and see if they think something is wrong somewhere. In the meanwhile, I will try my best to rig it up to work as best as I can make it work. I refuse to put that Oracle back in my mouth. My lips are still sore and recovering, as is my jaw. Not going back there again.
I thank you for your input. I just wish you guys lived closer to me so you could look it over in person and see if you could tell what, if anything, I did wrong. Lord knows I can't find anything. Have a pleasant evening and a relaxing weekend.
L o R i
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rested gal
- Posts: 12881
- Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2004 10:14 pm
- Location: Tennessee
Sleepless on LI, it's just a quirk of mine, but I never disassemble a mask to clean it. I have several masks, including the wonderful Activa. Cleaning the skin oils off the surface of the cushion (or surface of nasal pillows) that touches the face is the only "regular" cleaning needed, imho. Mild soap, soft cloth, lukewarm water. No need to disassemble a mask to do that. Most of the time a mask would probably go back together fine, but if it doesn't..... or if a piece gets broken.....I did clean it yesterday and no problem disassembling and reassembling it
If a person wants to do more, like sloshing or soaking the entire mask, the "more" can still be accomplished without taking a mask completely apart. I just don't want to take the chance that a mask might not ever fit back together quite as tightly after being taken apart.
Newsgrouper, I have the same problem you mentioned - my tongue will not maintain a leakproof seal inside my mouth and is "untrainable"... lol! Janelle's good suggestion works fine for many, but not for me.
I had no problem training Rottweilers to be canine ladies and gentlemen in the AKC show rings for 30 years. But train my tongue to keep a sealing position during the total relaxation of sleep? Hasn't happened. And believe me, I've spent weeks and months in the past working on just that particular problem.
Here's what I use now, thanks to frequenseeker's cool idea...makes my tongue stay in place comfortably all night, whether mouth is open or closed. I alternate between using my "DIY" mouthguard on some nights, and taping my lips shut on other nights, just for a change....sort of like the way many of us alternate which mask we use on some nights.
Link to the DIY mouthguard leak stopper idea:
Topic started by frequenseeker Dec 01 2004 subject: mouth leak solution, cheap DIY oral appliance
Page 3 of that topic has many links to other ways people have tried to fight mouth air leaks and lip air puffing.
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Sleepless on LI
- Posts: 3997
- Joined: Mon May 30, 2005 6:46 pm
- Location: Long Island, New York
Reply to Rested Gal
WHERE WERE YOU WHEN I NEEDED YOU??? They make you feel like it's so important, for hygiene's sake, to disassemble the mask completely, when you watch the video CD they give you, that you feel pressured to do so, so I did. Now I don't know what I did wrong. They probably hope you do what I did and do something wrong so you end up buying a new mask and they make some more money off of poor saps like me. I guess it's like, if it's not broken, don't fix it? I should have known better, but I didn't. I just looked at the mask AGAIN and I really can't find a thing wrong with it. I pray it works for me tonight. It was such a great night three nights ago, I want that back again!!!! You get spoiled when it works that well and I want it back (don't I sound like a big baby...).
L o R i
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rock and roll
- Posts: 1222
- Joined: Mon Nov 01, 2004 7:30 pm
- Location: Texas
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Sleepless on LI
- Posts: 3997
- Joined: Mon May 30, 2005 6:46 pm
- Location: Long Island, New York
Reply to Uncle Bob
Uncle Bob writes:
How can you have it on backwards? Now you've peaked my curiosity. Are you kidding or is it possible to do something with this mask backwards? Please let me know.
You don't have it on backwards do you?
How can you have it on backwards? Now you've peaked my curiosity. Are you kidding or is it possible to do something with this mask backwards? Please let me know.
L o R i