Comfort Gel vs. Mirage Activa & other mask questions

Newsgrouper · Post by **Newsgrouper** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 9:58 am

I am getting a Respironics Comfort Gel mask from the VA because I "did reasonably well" with it at my sleep test. The comfort gel doesn't get good reviews here and I am wondering if the Mirage Avtiva is really a lot better?

I want to do well with CPAP from day #1 and will gladly buy the best masks to make that possible. I do not want to spend weeks, or months, trying to find the right masks.

I want to start with the best nasal mask, the best oral mask, and the best nasal pillow mask. If I have one of each I should have a better chance of success. From reading this board I realize that I will probably own many masks in the future and figure I may as well buy a few up front. Oh, I am a side sleeper and move a lot.

If I have to buy one of each, which would you recommend?

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 10:44 am

Newsgrouper, imho, ResMed's Activa is soooooo much better than the Respironics Comfort Gel.... it's like comparing a Mercedes and a tricycle. I'm sure the Comfort Gel works fine for some (maybe many), but I'd fight for an Activa if I were you. A good mask that suits you is 99.999% of whether treatment is successful or not. Endurable, even!!

Breeze nasal pillows for side sleeping. Swift is good too, but I much prefer the Breeze for sleeping on my side.

I'd suggest the Aura (my current favorite, but Breeze is still right up there too) except that I doubt your VA supplier has even heard of the Aura, much less have it in stock. Also, all sizes of nasal pillows are not available yet for the Aura. They are almost sure to have the Breeze, though, and the Breeze is excellent.

Oral mask? Do you mean a FF (full face) mask that will cover mouth and nose and allow breathing through the mouth? If so - ResMed Ultra Mirage FF would be my choice.

HappyHoser · Post by **HappyHoser** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 10:45 am

Greetings Newsgrouper! I started out with a Comfort Select which is basically the same without the gel. I actually got good results with it but it didn't work well unless I was pretty much on my back. The Activa is a much better seal, the nosecup is softer and the design allows for a lot better seal when you're sleeping in different positions. It doesn't require the mask to be "cinched down" tightly on your face. I would rate it very highly. I haven't tried the pillows so I can't comment on those. I would hang on to the ComfortGel for a standby and proceed with your quest for the best equipment! Good Luck!

Newsgrouper · Post by **Newsgrouper** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 3:08 pm

Thank you rested gal and HappyHoser. I'm going to order the Mirage Activa (there is a $30.00 difference in prices among the on line vendors). I would also like to have on hand an oral mask for the times I have a head cold. Not very often but on occassion. As a side sleeper who moves a lot during sleep I don't know if a full face mask would work. The Oracle looks interesting but I know rested gal and some others do not like it. I used to do some scuba diving so maybe it would work for me. Any ideas on this?

Mikesus · Post by **Mikesus** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 3:26 pm

Get the Resmed Ultra Mirage Full Face Mask. It is the best of the full face masks.

Link Here

Looks like it went up to $150 tho

Newsgrouper · Post by **Newsgrouper** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 4:36 pm

Looked it up Mikesus and it looks good. Large? Standard? Shallow??? Does the size relate to head size? The more I read the more confused I become.

53now · Post by **53now** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 9:48 pm

$139.99 (free shipping) http://www.cpapXchange.com

Mikesus · Post by **Mikesus** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 6:29 am

Newsgrouper wrote:Looked it up Mikesus and it looks good. Large? Standard? Shallow??? Does the size relate to head size? The more I read the more confused I become.

The mask size relates to face size, the seal size relates to the type of face. A shallow is good for flatter faces.

JerryR · Post by **JerryR** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 9:59 am

Newsgrouper wrote:Looked it up Mikesus and it looks good. Large? Standard? Shallow??? Does the size relate to head size? The more I read the more confused I become.

Be careful of this one Newsgrouper. I have one and, while I like the fit and comfort, my high bi-level pressure (18/12) causes this mask to have many leaks and makes "burping" sounds. I am, however, having excellent results with the Mirage Activa.

Mask	Humidifier