Mirage Activa with an auto-pap?

Hi All,

Does anybody have any experience using a mirage activa with either the remstar auto or the goodnight auto?

I have read that with an "auto" you need to stay with the same brand mask.

Best I can tell without trying I think the activa may work best for me. I used the comfort classic during my sleep study and had alot of leaks.

The local DMEs I've called have been no help other than quoting the company line.

Hi wader,

I have two machines. My main machine that I bought online back in February has been the Puritan Bennett Goodknight 420E autopap. My backup machine is a Respironics Remstar auto. I have the software for both, so am able to check my data whenever I try a new mask.

I use the ResMed Activa with both machines and get very good results. No problem. Also have been fine with the Breeze/nasal pillows on both machines. (No surprise there, since PB makes both the 420E and the Breeze.)

I also get good results with a full face mask - my favorite in a FF mask is the ResMed Ultra Mirage FF.

So, yes, I've mixed and matched different brands of masks with those two autopaps successfully. I will say this... it's normal to get different data results from night to night even when using the same mask/same machine. So, I'd caution against anyone with software trying to compare, say, Sat. night with Sun. night's data if one switches masks, and then assuming that every difference in the data on just two nights had something to do with the change in mask being used. There are variations in our sleep from night to night even when all the equipment is the same. That's no big deal if they are minor blips. Bottom line will always be, "how do you feel in the morning" regardless of whether 2 apneas and 6 hypopneas show up on the chart one night vs 4 and 9 another night. There are going to be normal variations from night to night to night - perhaps spending more time in one sleeping position than another, springing a mouth leak one night but not the next night, perhaps more time in REM one night, etc.

While most brands of autopaps probably work fine for a wide population regardless of the brand of mask being used with them, there will always be some people who are not "read" well by one autopap or another. If one brand of autopap is just marginally able to cope with a certain individual's breathing pattern anyway, then I can see where the airflow in a mask not designed specifically for that machine might confuse the machine even more. Interestingly, Respironics (who makes the Comfort Lite nasal pillow type interface) does not recommend using their own pillow type interface with their own Remstar autopap. Go figure. However, I've read quite a few posts from people who've had no problem using that combo anyway.

ResMed Activa mask used with Puritan Bennett Goodknight 420E and Respironics Remstar autopaps? That wonderful mask suits me fine with both machines.

WOW! ask and you shall receive

I couldn't have asked for a more comprehensive response than that.

I change positions alot while a sleep to keep my back from getting stiff and the activa seems to accomodate that.

Glad to hear you like the PB auto. I was leaning toward the remstar but when I saw the PB was getting a integrated heated humidifier I don't think I can pass it up. Hopefully it will be approved for the January release. Till then I probably will pick up a stand alone humidifier. Do you used a heated humidifier with your PB auto? Are you planning to get the integrated PB humidifier?

Thanks again for all the great info - you are a Saint!

Hi wader,

I use a separate heated humidifier (the Fisher & Paykel HC150 heated humidifier) with my PB Goodknight 420E autopap. Works fine for me having them as separate units.