Swift Nasal Pillows System

Sinister_Girl · Post by **Sinister_Girl** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 1:53 pm

I have heard nothing but rave reviews about the Swift Nasal Pillows System. It will probably the next mask I purchase, but I have a few questions first. For those of you who use it, how invasive are the cannulas? The Nasal Aire II seem to go too far into my nostrils, causing discomfort. Can you sleep in any position? Do any of you experience nasal irritation?

Snoozin' Bluezzz · Post by **Snoozin' Bluezzz** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 2:18 pm

I am a devoted Swift user but it would not be my first choice. If I could make the Headrest/Aura work consistently for me I would use it almost exclusively but after 4-5 days on it I don't feel well.

It is not a cannula type system like the NAII, it is a nasal pillow system and when the pillows are correctly fitted and used they barely go in the nostril, if at all. If they go in the nostril they are likely too small. The pillows inflate slightly and just rest against the nares with perhaps just the tiniest portion of the tip going into the nostril.

There are a lot of threads about the positive experiences, negative experiences and indifferent experiences. Also many threads about tweaking the Swift for greatest effectiveness. Many folks say that if you have "slotted" nares to not use the Swift. I don't so I can't say.

In general it is the most consistently effectively and reliable interface I have used in the 6 months on xPAP and I feel best when I use it the most. Some times it just seems to act up and I have to rotate for a few days but then I go back.

David

Datona · Post by **Datona** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 2:37 pm

If I could not ware my first choice, Nasal-aire II, I would try the Comfortlite II from Respironics. People that were not a fan of the first Comfortlite like the Comfortlite II on this forum so far. I have not tried it, but I heard the pillows pivot around for a better fit. Swift does not do that and frankly, it's loud. Also , if the pillows begin to hurt, you go to the little mask until they heal.

brasshopper · Post by **brasshopper** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 3:33 pm

The sleep lab tech said that she thought I was a medium, but I use the large size at home and even they go into the nostrils slightly - I adjust the angle for greatest comfort.

I almost exclusively sleep on my back.

I clip the hose to my shirt using a different mask's wrap around velcro piece and "badge clip". This and my IV stand stabilizes it - before that I thought tha it was over sensitive to even the small amount of movement I undertake in sleep.

But after years in a nasal mask, I love the Swift.

inacpapfog · Post by **inacpapfog** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 5:11 pm

I love my Swift! And the hint that I read here about securing the small hose to the top part of the headpiece really makes moving around easy!

Fubar2u · Post by **Fubar2u** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 5:31 pm

At 15cm its a jet engine on your face.
9 is not so bad, I'd say ok
7 should be heaven.

cl2 is good but not for my head shape or oil scalp. I used my chip strap secondary to hold it in place.

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 6:01 pm

If you are a side sleeper, I wouldn't recommend the Swift. If you are a back sleeper, it should be fine.

Probably the two biggest supporters of the Aura Headrest on this forum (RG and myself), admit that the Aura is the most comfortable for us, but takes alot of tweaks to get it to work well. The Aura is probably the best device if you are a stomach sleeper.

She and I have both tried the Swift, and it's not our 2nd choice. I haven't tried the CL2 (ComfortLite 2), but I trust RG's recommendations immensely - she has tried them all. The CL2 is her second favorite nasal device - so that is the one I would recommend. It should be good for all sleeping positions (but not sure about stomach sleepers).

I used the NasalAire I for 3 years - I was able to wear it fine, but the NasalAire is quite invasive into the nares. Nasal pillows are not. But nasal pillows can rub more on the outside of the nares - so you do need to secure it quite well with one of the "tweaks". And there will be tweaks for whichever device you buy.

Rastaman · Post by **Rastaman** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 7:39 pm

I use the swift. But not for long. Less than 1 month now. I have what I call a nasal "spur", which is just a tiny bit of extra sensative cartilidge in on the inside of my nare (center). Medium pillows were picked for me first. Then I tried small and had less problems for awhile. Now, I'm back to medium and thinking about trying the large. I have to maneuver the nasal pillows and the mask around a bit pulling that piece out from my nose over and over again.

Sometimes I can't get to sleep easily due to the pain. And I was going to change masks but then after making the appointment to do so I had 2 solid days of no pain at all. (Smalls) So, I cancelled the appointment. Why? Well, the pain was gone (temporary) and I had looked at cleaning and taking apart a few different masks and they were MUCH more difficult than the Swift.

Then the pain came back so then I switched to medium and it's a little better. But I noticed the "spur" has gotten slightly larger or has developed a slightly different edge to defend itself against the nasal pillows.

I love reading these threads. Some people are so sensative or uptight (no offense meant ofcourse) that they would jump if someone farted next to them. For example, a 15 setting for pressure doesn't seem like a "jet engine" to me, and I don't find my machine or my mask nosey in any way shape or form. But I assume some people have tried many different machines and masks and they're comparing them to each other as opposed to nosey in general. You want to know what is noisy? ME SNORING BEFORE CPAP Now, that IS loud. Hehehe.

I'm going to make this Swift work if it kills me. I'm trying the large nasal pillows next. And in 6 months I'm going to add another mask of a different kind. I'll continue to do research on my alternative until then and continue to watch videos on how to take them apart and clean them.

Snoozin' Bluezzz · Post by **Snoozin' Bluezzz** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 8:06 pm

Linda3032 wrote:If you are a side sleeper, I wouldn't recommend the Swift.

I have to dissent. I am a confirmed, hardcore side sleeper (I can not sleep in any other manner) and the Swift gives me no problems. I switch sides at least 4-6 times a night and it still works fine.

I am pretty sure you could not sleep on your stomach with it though.

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 9:24 pm

Somehow, I know you would, SB. I'm just trying to get you to "love" that Swift so much that you will send me your Aura. Remember, I get first dibs on it when you do decide to part company.

By the way, how do you keep the Swift from shifting around under your nose - especially when it touches the bedpillow?

Snoozin' Bluezzz · Post by **Snoozin' Bluezzz** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 6:27 am

Linda3032 wrote:By the way, how do you keep the Swift from shifting around under your nose - especially when it touches the bedpillow?

It's all in the correct incantation before you go to bed. Magic never works right without the correct incantation and accoutrement.

I rediscovered the great truth that "looser is better". Now, exactly how loose? Hmmmmm!? Hard to say. When I was struggling with leaks I kept tightening up. Before long my nares were between my eyes. Talk about a pug nose! No leaks though but the exhaust was blasting directly into my eyes --- (just kidding). I was battling that sucker for days then, Eureka!, I found it. I loosened it up to start all over and it felt so good I didn't tighten it back up at all, went to bed and have been sleeping leak free every since (without nighttime tweaks either). I think looser provides enough flex in the pillow stem to keep the pillows on the nares yet handle some sideways pressure (sort of a litte mini-Activa action going on). Also, I seem to have finally mastered (for now) the art of getting on the edge of the pillow so there isn't the pressure on the barrel.

That's all I can say but it is working. It has worked in the past, gone flakey on me but is working now. I think I forget the lessons I learned before.

David

Midnight Son · Post by **Midnight Son** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 8:02 am

I initially bought the swift, then purchased the confortlite 2 when it became available. I am a side sleeper.

The swift is the least obtrusive but I had trouble sleeping on my side as the nasal pillows got dislodged with the swift. The Comfortlite 2 is IMHO a better choice for side sleepers. The head gear is more substantial but it holds the nasal pillows in place if you move around or from side to side. I also like the adjustability of the length and angle of the nasal pillows in relation to the headgear. The comfortlite 2 is now my headgear of choice.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 8:37 am

I spent an hour with the mask lady at my sleep center working with the Swift and ComfortLite II. She really wanted me to use the Swift. That's what she uses and she swears by it. I just couldn't get it to work for me. I have high cheek bones and chubby cheeks. Those pieces that come down the sides of your face to the barrel were tight even with the rest of the headgear completely loose. We tried everything. If we got it to where the pillows stayed where they belonged while laying still, they moved as soon as I did. She was determined and we spent about 45 minutes trying to make it work. I put the ComfortLite II on, adjusted it, laid down and rolled around a little and it didn't budge. Took me about 15 minutes to walk out of the sleep center with a brand new ComfortLite II mask!
Last night was a different story, however. Well, it wasn't all bad. I actually kept the mask on for the majority of the night, but the "halo" headgear is difficult to keep on. Last night, I tried pulling my hair over it and it just slid back over my hair. Tongiht I am going to try sleeping with a ponytail and see if that makes any difference. I can say, however, that after six months of trying to use a ComfortGel nasal mask, I LOVE nasal pillows!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tonya
Asheville, NC

ladytonya · Post by **ladytonya** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 8:38 am

Oops! I wasn't signed in! The above post is me

roster · Post by **roster** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 9:02 am

My experience with Swift pillows is similar to Snoozin' Bluezzz. I have been on cpap therapy 5.5 months using Swift exclusively. At first when it leaked I tightened up the headgear. Later I am wearing it looser but still not what I would call loose. Two weeks ago I switched from the medium to the large pillows. The large pillows look, well, too large, but I trusted advice from this forum. I am doing much better now and will stick with the large pillows.

I mostly sleep on my back but do like to sleep on my right side for about one hour each night. At first the pillows leaked on my side due to the pulling on the headgear between the pillow and my cheek. Now with the larger pillows and more experience I am not getting leaks when I am on my side.

Thank God for this forum. 90% of the posts are of no help to me but the advice in the other 10% is priceless. Others may find much help in the 90%. You have to work through, use the ones that help you and not get upset about any of them.

By the way, the "Vaseline Wars" posts were great. They helped me to laugh and lighten up.

Swift Nasal Pillows System

Swift Nasal Pillows System

Datona

I am a very large person