Here we go.......

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 7:22 am

jcobb607 wrote:Thanks Lori----I knew that piece between the brow COULD be adjusted, I just haven't looked at it or my manual yet to figure out HOW to adjust it. I also really like the idea of the moleskin. I didn't really get frustrated night before last, it was more of a "I am too tired to screw with this right now" type attitude.

Iamb definitely beginning to see the positive effects of the treatment and have faith that it will continue to improve to the point that I feel it as well.

J,
There's a little sliding piece that all you do is slide up and down and it angles the Activa's seal on your face. It really can make a big difference. So glad you're feeling imrprovement. As TXKajun writes at the end of his posts, "This therapy works!!!" It really does.

jcobb607 · Post by **jcobb607** » Sat Oct 22, 2005 6:18 am

Lori,

I REALLY want to thank you for the advice on adjusting the activa. Last night, it was perfect! Most comfortable thing I have ever had on my face. Slept GOOOOOOD too! Thanks again!!!!

_________________

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

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Sat Oct 22, 2005 7:49 am

[quote="jcobb607"]Lori,

I REALLY want to thank you for the advice on adjusting the activa. Last night, it was perfect! Most comfortable thing I have ever had on my face. Slept GOOOOOOD too! Thanks again!!!!

Lyn · Post by **Lyn** » Sat Oct 22, 2005 10:12 am

J,

I've seen other people say on this forum that the Activa hurts the bridge of their nose. So I'm just curious ... which style of Activa are you using, the shallow or one of the others? I use the shallow & I can't tighten mine enough that it even hardly touches the bridge of my nose.

jcobb607 · Post by **jcobb607** » Sat Oct 22, 2005 11:28 am

Lyn I am using the standard. My problem at first I think was that the bottom straps were too tight, and that the adjustment across the bridge of my nose was off. Currently, I have that adjusted to the topmost position. My top straps are snug, but not overly tight. My bottom straps almost seem to be too loose, BUT the activa really grabs ahold of your face and the bottom straps do not have to be as tight. The mask literally feels like a bubble sitting around my nose. Before I adjusted it, it felt like a mask.

captcpap · Post by **captcpap** » Sun Oct 23, 2005 8:27 am

Jay,

Sounds like you are on the right track. Stick with it. It took me about 6 months with the help of the folks on this forum to finally get everything just right and for most of that time I felt even worse. However, once I got the right combo for me it was incredible. I was like you when it started before I was diagnosed. I could never understand it when my wife described a nights sleep as going to bed and then waking up in the morning. No tossing and turning when that is all I ever did. The sleep deprivation baggage was always there but I thought it was normal. Can't believe I survived 20 years that way. NOW I do understand what it is like to go to bed at night and then wake up in the morning. It sounds over simplified but it's the best way I can describe it. My nights feel like minutes in length not days but it took me some time to get there. Keep with it and don't give up. I was close to giving up and am so glad I stuck with it.

Keep us posted.

Janelle · Post by **Janelle** » Sun Oct 23, 2005 3:41 pm

I have an Activa Standard and have found that it has to be so loose, that uninflated the thing falls off, so I have to literally hold it on until it inflates. According to the measurements on CPAP.com I needed the Standard, even though it inflates a good two inches past the end of my nose! Now I know why RG recommends a Shallow for women.

Also when adjusting the Activa, don't adjust the straps until the thing is totally inflated, and then, and only then, adjust it WHEN LYING DOWN. This mask literrally sucks itself to your face, so you don't need the straps really even snug on the bottom.

The headrest should come about to your hairline, also.

Only problem I've had was it causing my upper incisors to get loose from pressure on the upper lip. I don't know if this was because of the angle I had the headrest adjusted or from actual air pressure, but I've heard of this happening to others too.

So, I'm back to my Swift.

J, I have a Comfort Curve too, and have tried to use it several times. Sometimes it is wonderful and other times it leaks all night long.

Remember to wash your mask and your face to get a good seal. If your Activa starts leaking it probably needs washing with soapy water or even maybe a soaking in water/vinegar solution.

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Sun Oct 23, 2005 3:46 pm

Janelle,

Just wanted to say hi since I haven't seen you on the site in awhile. Hope you are well. Good to see you again.

jcobb607 · Post by **jcobb607** » Sun Oct 23, 2005 7:40 pm

Thanks to Lori, I have gotten the activa adjusted perfectly. Just for giggles, I plugged in the comfort curve earlier and within a couple minutes hooked the activa back up. I also wash it every day so that I don't have to worry about oils interfering with the seal. All in all, its going very well.

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Sun Oct 23, 2005 8:31 pm

jcobb607 wrote:Thanks to Lori, I have gotten the activa adjusted perfectly.

YAY!!!

Jan in Colo. · Post by **Jan in Colo.** » Sun Oct 23, 2005 11:11 pm

I keep thinking about getting an Activa...but that thing about keeping your face and mask so clean for a good seal is kind of stopping me in my tracks. Not that I don't intend to be clean, mind you, but at the ripe ole age of 52, I still need my acne meds at night, here and there, and then my anti-wrinkle cream, here and there.......A clean face at night? Depends on your definition...

The Swift is still my favorite because it doesn't care what the heck is on my face at night!

Jan in Colo.

jcobb607 · Post by **jcobb607** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 6:17 am

Jan,

I think you are reading too much into "clean". By clean, all I meant was oil free. Before bedtime, I wash my face, dry with a towel, and go to bed. Thats all there is too it. If you need to apply creams, lotions, or ointments at night, it could possibly interfere with the seal.

Snoozie · Post by **Snoozie** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 9:27 pm

I, like Jan, am still debating on the Activa. I also like my moisturizer at night, especially in the winter, but I could make amends and just wear it during the day or early evening. I was going to get the standard, but after reading these posts, I am rethinking the shallow since that is what seems to be recommended for women. I seem to remember that the hard part of the mask is the same in all sizes - am I correct? If so, I can always get a new liner if one size doesn't work.

Jan in Colo. · Post by **Jan in Colo.** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 11:26 pm

Yes, JCobb, that is what I'm saying. I have to have creams and lotions on my face at night. If I don't I have acne to rival any teenagers. Actually WORSE than any teenager because they are all probably on Accutane these days. Strange but true. Wear the acne creams at night and during the day both. Then if I have to do that, then I have to work on those wrinkly, crinkly areas as well, because they don't LIKE the acne meds, it just makes those areas look worse. Damned if you do and damned if you don't. If I'm really vigilant I can keep the zits at bay. But I'm thinking the Activa mask wouldn't like ANY of the stuff I use.

Come on guys...tell me there is a connection between OSA and adult acne? And this will go away once I get loads of restful sleep??? Huh? Please? That's just GOT to be on the lists of associated symptoms SOMEWHERE! LoL, lol....

Jan in Colo.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 12:06 am

I seem to remember that the hard part of the mask is the same in all sizes - am I correct? If so, I can always get a new liner if one size doesn't work.

Hi Snoozie,

Yes, that's correct. The hard plastic outer frame of the Activa is one size. The cushions that can be replaced are what come in different sizes. All of the Activa cushion sizes fit that one frame.

Mask

Here we go.......

Mask Adjustment