What's Your Mask?

Rastaman · Post by **Rastaman** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 7:53 am

I've been using Swift Nasal Pillows, which would be great, except I have a cartilidge "spur" in my left nare. It's excruciating to get to sleep. And hurts for hours afterwards. I've been using the Swift for about 2 weeks now.

I looked at this poll and notice that Activa is 2nd most popular and I'm hoping it doesn't have nasal prongs that sit just inside your nostril. That's why I get the pain. I think something that just fits over my nose would work fine. Do you think the Mirage Activa would work?

In all the excitement of switching out my CPAP for an APAP I forgot to mention this yesterday to the DME when I was at the sleep ORDER center. I called first thing this morning and thanked her for a good night's sleep. And then mention my problem that I'd been discussing with her co-worker who gave me the test results. (Basic test results...I hope to get more from my doc next visit.....not currently scheduled.)

Anyone love their Activa? It's actually cheaper than the Swift Nasal Pillow system and it's one of the masks that my S8 Autoset Vantage works well with.

Snoozing Gonzo · Post by **Snoozing Gonzo** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 10:55 am

I have both and interchange them every few days. I continue to have a tough time with the Swift due to leaking while side sleeping but it is, as you know, very light weight and easy to use.

The Activa is a nasal mask. That is it covers your nose and builds up pressure that is there when you breathe rather than the pressure being sent directly up your nose though a pillow or prong. The Activa is a tank in comparison to the Swift. It is relatively heavy and covers a fair portion of your face (look up pictures at CPAP.com or Resmed). That said, it has a unique sealing system that feels like it is a suction seal. The seal allows you to leave the straps much looser than other nasal masks (seach this site for helpful hints in fitting Activa ). Once you get adjusted, I think you could do pro wrestling and not have it leak. Take the measurements listed both at CPAP.com and Resmed. Use the measurements, not a cross-reference from your Swift when ordering if you use an online vendor. Try it on and get it fit if at a DME. You will still likely have to play with the fitting at home using the advice found here.

Datona · Post by **Datona** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 11:37 am

Hey, no fair, mine isn't up there.
I luv my little baby nasal aire II

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 12:02 pm

Sorry. I dropped the NasalAire in favor of Comfort Curve. My Bad. But hey, if I'd know ahead of time which masks were the most popular, then there wouldn't have been any need for the poll. .

I think we know now that the NasalAire has a few devotees though.

Regards,
Bill

Rastaman · Post by **Rastaman** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 12:12 pm

Snoozing Gonzo.

Would you recommend the Ultra Mirage over an Aptiva? A Tank!? Uh oh. I hope it's not too bad. I do like the light weight-ness of my Swift. It's tinee tiney. But I can live with heavier vs painful. No problem there. My DME is in my sleep doctor's office. This is my 1st mask so they're going to replace it. I'm going in next Wednesday which is my next day off. But I have the option of other mask. My primary two concerns are fitting over the nose instead of nasal pillows and also lack of leaks. That seems to be a major issue.

You might not have experience with Ultra Mirage. I didn't see Ultra Mirage II on their website (sleep doc's) so If I decided for good reasons against Aptiva, such as problem some people have with them, then maybe I could consider another nasal mask? Any suggestions. Or is Aptiva a good option and will do the trick. All I want to do is stop the pain and keep the seal. As long as it's not TOO heavy, I'll be just fine. (I don't have any skin conditions or anything like that.)

Murkk · Post by **Murkk** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 12:13 pm

Respironics ComfortGel Nasal Mask

Rastaman · Post by **Rastaman** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 12:35 pm

There are so many good mask that it defies comprehension. Every time I turn around another viable option pops up. Alas, for nasal reasons I can't use the pillow systems. That comfort gel mask is half the price of the Swift Mirage Nasal Pillow system. Wow! And it looks like it would be comfy IF I could keep it from leaking. And from the descriptions that sounds like it's very possible.

Rastaman · Post by **Rastaman** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 1:43 pm

It's come down to Comfort Gel or Mirage Activa.

I'm worried about the nose bridge pain. I don't want to trade my Swift Nasal Pillows causing me nostril pain to end up causing me nose bridge pain.

Activa sounds like it would work IF my nose fits it just right. It's also more expensive than the Comfort Gel. I could buy two Comfort Gel's for the price of ONE Swift. So, I've got to figure this out. Maybe I can try both at the DME/Sleep Doc's office.

I guess no one can really tell me since no one knows what my nose is like. LOL!

Rastaman · Post by **Rastaman** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 1:47 pm

I just called them and I can TRY ON both of them

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 1:50 pm

RastaMan, perhaps you should get the CL2. That way you would get a nasal mask and another set of nasal pillows for one price.

Snoozing Gonzo · Post by **Snoozing Gonzo** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 2:32 pm

Rastaman,
Everbody has their favorites that seem to fit their faces, sleep habits, and lifestyles better than others. I haven't used the Ultra Mirage - others on this and other sites love it, or don't. I have never tried the CL2 either but it gets good reviews from many (not all) folks on the various boards.
I have used the Comfort Gel. I liked it for a few weeks and then it seemed to need tighter and tighter adjustments to keep leaks to a minimum. I was never able to adjust out major leaks without severe overtighting. That said, other people are fine with it and I understand it may be the most used mask although that may be because of cost.

The Activa works for a lot of people that have leak problems. It is bigger (relative term - its not like a diving mask or anything) than some nasal masks because of the "active seal". For some people it seems to push on the nose bridge. In fact I get a light mark on one side of my nose bridge when I use it - not painful, just there for a few minutes after I take off the mask. Fine tuning straps and forehead piece adjustment (usually looser) takes some time (as apparently it does with the Swift - I'm not there yet). Once dialed in, mark adustments with a permanent pen. The Activa works better for me if the hose comes from above my head with some slack.

If nothing else, being a hosehead forces patience.

Rastaman · Post by **Rastaman** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 4:30 pm

When do I get my fighter jet? 1000 hosehead hours? Hehe.

I don't plan on using nasal pillows again because of the "Nare spur" that I have on my left nostril. Talk about being a problem child. That would be me. First you guys helped me get the right unit. One night with the S8 Autoset Vantage lets me know I have a real winner there. I love it. I slept fine last night. No wake ups when I changed position. If I can get rid of the SORE nostril then I'm good. I'll even deal with the nose bridge thing.

My DME says I can try both but I was under the impression that the comfort gel seals better than you say it does. If that's true, I'm coming home with the Activa.

RedThunder94 · Post by **RedThunder94** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 5:05 pm

i use a comfort gel off and on and i never have had any leaks, you can also customize the gel with boiling water.

Rastaman · Post by **Rastaman** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 12:02 am

To leak or not to leak. That is the question.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 2:09 am

If you want a nasal mask with the best chance of NOT leaking of any nasal mask (covers the nose)... get ResMed's Activa.

If you want a nasal mask that doesn't leak even with the straps worn ridiculously floppy, comfortably loose... get that Lexus of nasal masks, ResMed's Activa.

My two cents, anyway.

What's Your Mask?

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