best sealing mask for the nose...

gcsdls · Post by **gcsdls** » Tue Jan 11, 2005 1:07 pm

Hi all,

I'm new to the forum...but have used CPAP for at least 8 years now. I didn't have a lot of help when I first started out...just basically took what they gave me and made the best of it. I have used Goldseal masks, even though they didn't seal very well. I did my own modifications to their support rings to help.

Then last year I went to order another...and they quit making them. So the guy I ordered from sent me a Profile Lite. Well, that sealed even worse than the Goldseal, and I ended up modifying it as well. Now that one is ready for the trash...and I've just recently found you guys (and gals). So...with all of your expertise...which mask seals the best? I sleep on my side most of the time...and I have to make a hole in my pillow for the mask! But I have trouble with all of the masks (goldseal and profile lite) leaking around the narrow part of my nose and blowing in my eyes.

Any suggestions? I'm ready to throw this one away...please tell me there's something better! And yes, I'd like to stay with the mask idea for now...not ready to jump over to the nostril-hose variety.

thanks,

george

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Tue Jan 11, 2005 1:16 pm

Welcome George,

Hands down the Resmed Mirage Activa is the best sealing nasal mask. It uses bellows type cushion that actually can be worn quite losely. The air pressure from the cpap inflates the cushion to seal against your face. Follow the link below if you like to take a look at it.

Resmed Mirage Activa

Fifi · Post by **Fifi** » Tue Jan 11, 2005 2:22 pm

Read up about the Resmed Activa. I thought I had read up enough but it obviously was not. I bought one and bitterly regretted it. Some peopel are happy with it I certainly was not.

I use a Resmed mirage (not the ultra) which is a small nasal mask. I have been using it for quite a few years and have been happy with it.

I recently bought the activa which fist of all is reported to be very difficult to get a correct fitting of. From what I have read on the posts, the standard size it is often too big for certain people and ends up sitting on the lip which mine does. This causes immense discomfort.

The other thing I did not realise was that the retched thing sticks to the face like someone on one of the postings described as a love sick octopus. A very apt description I thought.

Forther more it has a bellows or bib which pulsates in and out as you inhale and exhale. This can also be very off putting.

UKnowWhatInSeattle · Post by **UKnowWhatInSeattle** » Tue Jan 11, 2005 3:53 pm

George,

I alternate between the Resmed Activa and the Resmed Ultra Mirage nasal masks. I found that they seal better for me than others I've tried (I own 8 masks total...). No one mask is going to work for everyone... I've found that since I must either have a more protruding forehead or a smaller nose bridge than most people, the "Shallow" cushion works best for me on the Ultra Mirage. With the "Standard" cushion, I get air leaking into my eyes like you described. I sleep on my side and have a mustache tou deal with also.

From reading several online forums, it appears that many people think the Activa is the best nasal mask and the Breeze or the new Mirage Swift for "pillows" style interface. As Fifi points out, the Activa isn't for everyone.

Jim

WillSucceed · Post by **WillSucceed** » Tue Jan 11, 2005 4:05 pm

George:
I hope you try out as many masks as possible before making a decision as there is no one mask that fits everyone. It is highly individualized. I have an Activa, and like it, but it is not the "best" for me. I've had great success with the Respironics Comfort-Lite nasal and use it almost every night.
Good luck!

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Tue Jan 11, 2005 4:33 pm

George, if you want to stick with a nasal mask, try the Activa. I like mine very much. I use the "shallow" size. If there was no such thing at the Activa for a nasal mask, I'd use an Ultra Mirage mask. For me, the masks made by ResMed seal better and are more comfortable than any made by Respironics. Everyone's mileage varies, of course.

If you want to try something that you might like better than any covers-the-snout mask, try my favorite of all masks - the Breeze with nasal pillows. Get a Breeze with both large and extra large "pillows".

I, too, sleep on my side most of the time. You don't have to "make a hole in the pillow" for the Breeze. An amazing interface - my favorite, by far. I use my Breeze most nights; switching to my Activa occasionally just for a change.

gcsdls · Post by **gcsdls** » Tue Jan 11, 2005 7:18 pm

Hi y'all,

Thanks for the opinions and experiences! This is one of those things that I don't have the cash to try a bunch of masks and find the best...I have to try and guess which is best for me based on feedback from you all.

Anyway, for those who've tried the Activa and liked it...does your nose tend toward the bigger or smaller size? My nose is small for a medium Goldseal...and almost too big for a medium/small...so I might have the same experience as Fifi when it comes to the Activa.

Has anybody here tried the Comfort Gel from Respironics? It looks from the pictures like it may not go up on the bridge of the nose as far as the Profile Lite...thus maybe not leak as bad.

Thanks again for your kind responses...and for any further input you can give.

george

PS. Meanwhile, I'll look into the Breeze idea...never really considered it before.

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Tue Jan 11, 2005 7:37 pm

George,

Here's a link to the nose sizing video at cpap.com If you measure your nose as instructed in the video and call them at cpap.com they will be able to help you with finding the correct size mask. My nose has the exact same measurements as in the video and the standard Activa fits me fine.

nose measurement video

gcsdls · Post by **gcsdls** » Wed Jan 12, 2005 10:17 am

wading thru the muck! wrote:George,

Here's a link to the nose sizing video at cpap.com If you measure your nose as instructed in the video and call them at cpap.com they will be able to help you with finding the correct size mask. My nose has the exact same measurements as in the video and the standard Activa fits me fine.

Thanks Wading...do you happen to know if this video is for all brands of masks or just the Activa? Or is this specifically a cpap.com video?

george

PS I'd like to hear from anyone who's had experience with the ComfortGel, if possible. Thanks!

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Wed Jan 12, 2005 1:03 pm

George,

This is a cpap.com video made to help people measure their nose for the purpose of communicating the measurements to cpap.com for any mask size determination. I'm sure the method is not guaranteed perfect but it helps to be working with accurate messurements instead of guessing.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Wed Jan 12, 2005 2:06 pm

George, I have an average size woman's face with a small nose. The Activa in the "shallow" size works fine for me.

I used the Comfort Gel by Respironics quite awhile when I first began using cpap. I did not like that mask at all - kept springing leaks here and there, no matter how I adjusted it. Having gotten much more accustomed to cpap now (and using far better masks - for me, anyway) I got the Comfort Gel back out to see if I had just not been experienced enough to adjust it right before. Still leaky. Activa and Breeze for me! Everyone's mileage varies, of course.

SleepNoMore · Post by **SleepNoMore** » Wed Jan 12, 2005 2:18 pm

I have used the Respironics Comfort Gel small mask since June. I have been happy with it, with only occasional air leaks which are easily fixed. I sleep on my side all the time too. When my insurance would allow me to buy another mask after 3 months, I purchased an Activa - shallow size, due to the many positive things said about it on these forums. It was OK, and definitely was lighter on the face and the head rest higher up on the forehead, but the constant "puffing" in and out of the mask bothered me a little and it seemed to sit heavily on my lip, and I have only used it 2-3 times. Maybe if I had been given the Activa from the beginning, I would like it best. I might just be what you get used to. At any rate, it's what works best for you.

gcsdls · Post by **gcsdls** » Wed Jan 12, 2005 2:51 pm

I want to thank you all for your input. I stepped out on a limb today and ordered the Activa in the standard size. I had downloaded and printed out their sizing guide, and it looked like that was the best fit. I sure hope (and pray!) so...or I'll have made an expensive mistake!

I'm glad I ran across this website...I'll be visiting often!

george

UKnowWhatInSeattle · Post by **UKnowWhatInSeattle** » Wed Jan 12, 2005 3:31 pm

George,
Good luck with your new mask. If the Standard is too big, at least you only have to replace the cushion, which is expensive, but not as expensive as a new mask. They use the same mask frame.

As I said earlier, I use the shallow for my Ultra Mirage, but the shallow was a little too small with the Activa, so the standard does better there. Likely you will find the same.

Make sure that you take the time to understand how to fit the Activa. There will be a brochure with your mask when you get it. You need to start out with the straps very loose, then let the whole system "inflate" with pressure from your machine, then adjust the straps so that the bellows are inflated "just right". You'll get the hang of it.

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Thanks!!!

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Well...I ordered the Activa today...