What size Mirage Activa Nasal Mask?

needingu · Post by **needingu** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 6:14 pm

I have a ComfortGel Nasal Mask in the size -petite (I like it)..Which of the activa sizes , standard or shallow do I need? I have the Swift Nasal Pillows and at 15 pressure it blows me away.

Fubar2u · Post by **Fubar2u** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 8:11 pm

I tried Swift at 15 and it was a jet engine on my face.
The Activa fits loosely on your face to seal and doesn't leak for me.

Rastaman · Post by **Rastaman** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 8:31 pm

I'm using the Swift now but I plan on trying the Activa in 5 months. Sounds like it's a good mask. How easy is it to take apart and reassemble? And clean?

jmurkve · Post by **jmurkve** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 5:37 am

I'm new the he CPAP experience, only 2 weeks now, but I used the Activa mask for the first 12 days. I had trouble in the first few days with a sore under my nose so I readjusted the mask to sit a little lower on my face so it wouldn't rub under my nose. Then I got a sore across the bridge of my nose! My DME wanted me to try the swift because she wanted the sores to heal, before we tried a different size activa. I have the standard size activa. I can't find any info about how the sizes differ. I'm wondering if I should look at the shallow, because I think I saw a comment from someone that the shallow had a wider dimension for the bridge of the nose. I am also wondering if I should just look at the large because it might be bigger, meaning a little longer from the bridge to the bottom of the mask, so I wouldn't get sores in either place?

How come ResMed doesn't publish the actual dimensions of the mask openings? Seems to me that would be very handy when trying to determine what to try next.

For what it's worth, I slept through the night with the swift last night, although it's not as comfortable as the activa in my opinion.

Thanks,
Jeff

needingu · Post by **needingu** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 8:50 am

[quote="jmurkve"]I'm new the he CPAP experience, How come ResMed doesn't publish the actual dimensions of the mask openings? Seems to me that would be very handy when trying to determine what to try next.
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This is something that will be helpful.. I contacted the cpap.com "contact us" I should have gone there instead of posting for help on the forum.
https://www.cpap.com/cpap-mask-sizing.php?PNum=1795
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Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 9:32 am

Unless they've changed it, CPAP.com's sizing guide is "famous" for coming up with a message stating that the Activa will not fit well no matter what face dimensions you enter. However, a lot of folks on this forum love their Activa (me included, even though the sizing guide said it wouldn't fit me). Also, unless you have a quite prominent nose, I think the "shallow" size will fit better and will be more comfortable.

Selena (but really Julie) · Post by **Selena (but really Julie)** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 10:00 am

Hi, The large size won't make the difference you're looking for (longer so it doesn't hurt either 'end' of your nose) because the frame size is the same for all, only the cushion size changes.

sleepyred · Post by **sleepyred** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 10:06 am

I was lucky enough to have a DME (former - insurance changes) who measured me for a standard. However, I have a very thin bridge of my nose and my nose is very long (very proud of my snout, thank you!) and the standard fits great for me. The sizing chart with cpap.com said I was not a candidate for the activa as well, but it's what my original DME gave to me. I love it. I've used the breeze, cc2 and keep coming back to the activa. I use a chin strap (modified by our own Karen padacheek!), padacheek straps, and have the headgear piece on order from her. I can sleep on my side, move to my back and everything stays in place.

As far as the shallow vs. standard - RG had a good post awhile ago about that. My advice is to measure, call cpap.com and just try what you think is closest.

Good luck!

Moogy · Post by **Moogy** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 2:10 pm

jmurkve wrote:I'm new the he CPAP experience, only 2 weeks now, but I used the Activa mask for the first 12 days. I had trouble in the first few days with a sore under my nose so I readjusted the mask to sit a little lower on my face so it wouldn't rub under my nose. Then I got a sore across the bridge of my nose!

The Activa has a very soft cushion, and it works best if it is NOT over-tightened. I can't imagine anyone getting rubbed raw from this mask. Is it possible the headgear was too tight?

Moogy

jmurkve · Post by **jmurkve** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 3:03 pm

I did have it very loose...I don't think it was to tight. I'll try some additional adjustments in a couple of days. I really do like the activa, it is very comfortable and during my titration study, I had a leak rate of .11% which my DME said was very good! (They like to see a leak rate under .40%.) So the mask was sealing very well!

For what it's worth, the sore under my nose was between the nostrils, not on my upper lip. It was like the edge of the cushion flap was rubbing it raw. So I thought I had the mask to high on my face. When I moved it down a little, I think the cushion might be to low on the bridge of my nose. Again, I'll keep trying things.... Perserverence!

Thanks,
Jeff

Snoozing Gonzo · Post by **Snoozing Gonzo** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 5:06 pm

I alternate between the Activa and Swift. I have to say that even though the Swift is nice its like coming home after a vacation to strap on the Activa.

To size me, CPAP.com just cross-referenced my Comfort Gel size. It turns out the reason the Comfort Gel didn't fit well was because it was too large, so the Activa was as well (Large). I ordered a Standard when I called CPAP.com and we went through the measurements described on their site. The Standard fits great; even the Large was far better than the CG. I still get a red mark on the bridge of my nose that goes away in an hour or so.

As advised above, definitely read Rested Gal's comments on the shallow. From her comments, I think a Shallow with a broader bridge may eliminate the red mark. I'd also suggest the Pad-O-Cheek for the forehead rest as I found that piece "sweated" a bit in warm weather.

needingu · Post by **needingu** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 5:31 pm

Thanks all for the response...How do I find Restedgals thread on the shallow Activa Mask??

Moogy · Post by **Moogy** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 10:09 pm

needingu wrote:Thanks all for the response...How do I find Restedgals thread on the shallow Activa Mask??

viewtopic.php?t=9198&highlight=moogy+shallow+activa

RestedGal's post is about the 5th one down the page.

Moogy

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