Activa mask pros and cons

I know how it's supposed to fit, it just doesn't fit. It doesn't curve around my teeth on the bottom edge, which sits on my taped upper lip. So the bottom corners are up in the air. If I tighten it enough to stop the corners from leaking, it cuts off the circulation to my upper lip and hurts my teeth. And then there is the problem with the two layers of seal pinching the skin on the bridge of my nose and causing a huge red bump. Nose pad helps a lot, but then I have leaks into my eyes where the cloth and the seal meet. I try and try to ignore the leaks and go to sleep, but I guess my HSP reaction is to keep figiting with it until it stops long enough for me to get to sleep.

It's not the mask, it's my face. Wrong shape.

Bev

Catnapper wrote:Someone gave me a used Activa when I was a newbie. It worked for me. It showed me that a mask can be sloppy loose and still get a good seal. I had it so loose that I had to hold it with my hand until my machine started or it would fall around my neck. The top strap and forehead piece never touched my face. It is big and covers a lot of face - a downside in my opinion. You do have to become accustomed to the way the Activa moves. It got me through those difficult early months as my fallback mask while I tried 13 of the other ones available then.

I have since switched to bi-pap, and Activa won't work with it. That sucker does push-ups with the bi-pap!

I now use the decapitated, minimized mask that is currently called the Headrest. Doubt that I will change. I like the way the exhalation goes over the head, and I like the homemade straps.

Catnapper - Joanie

I laughed really hard and loud at the image of the mask doing push ups. I am not on Bi-Pap, but I know what you mean sometimes it will do that to me too. With each breath in and out the mask will up and down...

I love the activa, started with a Fisher Paykel mask that had a small hepa filter on the elbow, then a profile light, then my activa.

Thinking of considering a nasal prong type of mask.

I too use an Activa. I apparently have quite a small head, and the mask is large, but that never seems to be a problem. The strapping also is kind of superfluous in places, and hangs loose - particularly the lower back pieces, which seem to join into one! Again, it is not a problem, the thing seals like a demon, and stays there. Any small leaks can be tweaked easily, and you can toss & turn with minimal effect. Additionally, although it's heavier I can sleep better in this than any other, and get far better AHI and leak results.

Regular cleaning of the parts which contact the face are essential, but I don't take it apart as often as recommended, just wipe down and then swish through and rinse.

grandmma wrote:I too use an Activa. I apparently have quite a small head, and the mask is large, but that never seems to be a problem. The strapping also is kind of superfluous in places, and hangs loose - particularly the lower back pieces, which seem to join into one! Again, it is not a problem, the thing seals like a demon, and stays there. Any small leaks can be tweaked easily, and you can toss & turn with minimal effect. Additionally, although it's heavier I can sleep better in this than any other, and get far better AHI and leak results.

Regular cleaning of the parts which contact the face are essential, but I don't take it apart as often as recommended, just wipe down and then swish through and rinse.

Yup I use the Citrus Wipes and they work wonderfully, and the cost is not too bad. I am all about easy (I guess lazy! )

I have a small head and face even though I am overweight. The activa is my go to mask because I can almost always get it to seal. My only problem with it is that even though I have the standard which is the smaller one it is still really to long for my face. If it were any longer I could almost use it as a full face mask! As it is it basically sits on my top lip but it seals so well I haven't been able to find another mask I like as well.
If it came a little shorter it would be the perfect mask for me but even now it is my everyday mask. My other option is a F&P HC407. It is just a good fit in a nasal mask for me and when I am having a bad mask night I can go from one to the other.

I too give a thumbs up to the mirage activa nasal mask!! It took me more than two years to finally find one that lowered my AHI and felt comfortable.
Is it perfect, no, but I am comfortable wearing it 7-8 hours each night. And no more marks on the bridge of my nose!

Jeff

dieselgal wrote:I have a small head and face even though I am overweight. The activa is my go to mask because I can almost always get it to seal. My only problem with it is that even though I have the standard which is the smaller one it is still really to long for my face. If it were any longer I could almost use it as a full face mask! As it is it basically sits on my top lip but it seals so well I haven't been able to find another mask I like as well.
If it came a little shorter it would be the perfect mask for me but even now it is my everyday mask. My other option is a F&P HC407. It is just a good fit in a nasal mask for me and when I am having a bad mask night I can go from one to the other.

dieselgal, have you tried the shallow? The I believe the shallow is not as long as the standard. Check it out with cpap.com or check the sizing guide.

For those of you that are interested in the Mirage Activa here is a link to their video on the mask:

http://www.resmed.com/en-us/products/ma ... nglish.wmv

Didn't know they had a shallow, I'll check that out also - I always think if I wriggled it around a little, I could fit my whole mouth in & it would be an FF mask!

grandmma wrote:Didn't know they had a shallow, I'll check that out also - I always think if I wriggled it around a little, I could fit my whole mouth in & it would be an FF mask!

I was told by CPAP.com that the shallow mask was made more for oriental people with smaller faces and noses. However, I would assume that non-orientals also have
small faces and noses (except me that is!)

Jeff

The shallow is the same length as the standard. It fits in the same frame. It is made for people who don't have a raised nose bridge. Asians aren't the only ones with noses like that.

I need one designed for ginormous Roman noses.

There also is a new Mirage Activa Lt, which will be available soon, if not already.

Bev

I just got a new replacement activa , the rubber part a couple days ago and they have refined it. I don't think it leaked any since. It is improved a lot. I love it.

jrfoster wrote:

grandmma wrote:Didn't know they had a shallow, I'll check that out also - I always think if I wriggled it around a little, I could fit my whole mouth in & it would be an FF mask!

I was told by CPAP.com that the shallow mask was made more for oriental people with smaller faces and noses. However, I would assume that non-orientals also have
small faces and noses (except me that is!)

Jeff

Well I am Caucasian, I have a very pronounced nose bridge, I think.... Take a look...oh I am at Sushi restaurant although!!!

Amateur! Now this is a honker:



And my nares are so slotted that I can't get those nasal pillow thingies to work, either.

And, no, that is not the worst picture ever taken of me, but it ranks up there.

Bev

Yes, I did try the shallow in fact I have that one too but my nose works best with the regular. Just need it to be shorter.

I've been on the hose for 5 months now and on the activa for more than three of them. I had SUCH a hard time with masks hurting me and leaking as i'm sure we all experience. I tried literally one and a half dozen masks, just about bankrupting myself and had just no luck. I didn't try the activa because when i put in my measurements in sizing page it came back saying that this mask is not recommended for my facial dimentions. Eventually, I ordered one anyway from despiration. So glad I did. It fits. It doesn't hurt. it's incredibly comfortable (considering it's on my face) and it doesn't leak much... and the straps are supposed to be loose. it's a great design. OK, it's a bit big so I can't read or watch t.v. in bed, but hey I'm supposed to be sleeping anyway. frankly, I'd try it. a painful face is the worst.