Swift or Comfort Curve?

[Woodsy]

Hi folks,

Looking to replace my exhausted Adam circuit with something a bit more up to date. Need to do it soon before this set of headgear totally disintegrates, another wash will likely do it in.

Seems like these two are good candidates. I'm kinda leaning towards the Comfort Curve to give my nares a break (two years on the pillows..), but a bit apprehensive re the leak reports.

My wife would probably appreciate something that doesn't have a forward vent too. :^)

Thanks,

[NeurosurgeryNP]

Everyone is different, but I can tell you that the CC did not work for me at all - knew it in less than one hour of use. There seems to be more people on the forum that the CC DID NOT work for than it is working for (at least in it's original form and not jury rigged). I have the swift as well - but I have not been able to wear it for any long period of time - other than a nap. The Activa has been my faithful mask.

[MartiniLover]

I have both.

I have gotten the swift since the CC and am trying to used to both. Both less than three weeks.

I think I lean a little more to the Swift than the CC only because of my facial features.

Both irritate my nose, and have trouble with leaks from both.

Side sleepers automatically have problems.

[barbarossa]

Swift or Comfort Curve

I'm a mixed sleeper: when awake I try to sleep on my side. when asleep I seem to gravitate to my back. And I move around a lot in my sleep.
I really like the Swift for sleeping on my side AND back. I alternate sides so I get to sleep on the other side every other night. But I can only use it for about 3 or four nights in a row, because it really irritates my nose. Too much wind! It gets irritated and closes down. Not too useful for getting air in!
( But, after reading some posts maybe I need larger pillows on it. I'll have to check that out. Oh, I digress... )

I just purchased the Comfort Curve last week. I love the interface when on my back, but sleeping on my side is OUT! It shoves off and wakes me right up.
Maybe one of those "adjustable" pillows would work. (?)

Just some thoughts...

Barbarossa

[Newsgrouper]

The Comfort Curve is uncomfortable on my face. It loses its seal when I move while on my side. Encore Pro data also shows higher leakage that any of my other masks.

I have been alternating my FF masks with my Swift (although I must tape my mouth) and really like it. If I coat the inside of my nose with AYR Gel I do not have any problem with discomfort. I am able to adjust the Swift so I hardly know I am wearing it. If it wasn't for my necessary mouth taping, the Swift would be my every day solution. OSA would be much easier for me if I didn't leak air through my mouth.

[brandy]

I couldn't get the Comfort Curve to work at all for me. It wouldn't seal decently, no matter what size cushion I tried. There was also some significant leakage from the hose elbows and whistling from the exhaust vents. The cheek pads were also very uncomfortable for me. I tried it for about 3 hours, then gave up on it.

I've had my Swift for 4 nights now. It is very easy to wear and adjust. As long as I use some KY jelly before bed, it does not bother my nose at all. If you have a heated humidifier, this is a very comfortable interface (at low humidity settings it did cause some nasal irritation, as did the Comfort Curve). The only bad part of the Swift is that the exhaust vents do face forward and slightly downward, and they blow a fair amount of air (my pressure is at 10). Luckily, my husband says the exhaust does not hit him hard enough to be bothersome.

[rested gal]

Woodsy, another interface you might want to consider, although it is "nasal pillows" too, is the Aura by Aeiomed.

I've used Breeze, Swift and Comfort Curve. (Comfort Curve leaked like crazy whenever I turned on my side...didn't work at all for me.)

The nasal pillows of the Aura are the softest, smushiest, most comfortable ones of all, imho. The exhaust vent is the most "bed partner friendly" of all, too. It is located above your eyes and exits straight up, like a neat little chimney...never hits anything even if I pull the bedcovers way up. One can sleep in any position with the Aura, including tummy sleeping face down.

Don't be put off by pictures of the Aura with the funny looking "lockbox" on top. The whole thing is actually extremely lightweight. The headgear straps don't take up enough to fit some women's heads (I had to add straps to mine) but the headgear is probably fine "as is" for most men's heads.

The only caution I'd give about the Aura for a man is to ask if they have the Extra Large nasal pillows yet. It comes with Medium and Large pillows now, but Aeiomed is supposed to be developing Extra Large too. That would be important if a person has very big nares (nostril openings.)
_____________________________________
My disclaimer: I'm not a doctor, nor have I ever worked in the health care field. Those are just my personal opinions. A mask or machine I love/hate could be completely the opposite for others. Finding suitable equipment can be an expensive trial and error experience.

[ahujudybear]

Funny thought just occurred to me:



Rested Gal is so good, so knowledgeable, and so clear in her descriptions, that she has to have a disclaimer stating that she is not a doctor! I think that is a sign of just how good she is!

I am so very glad to have met her here and we are so lucky to have her with her storehouse of knowledge!

- JB

[2listless]

I have used the Comfort Curve successfully after a little trial and error. I cannot use any interface that has nasal pillows or prongs due to nasal problems. I made adjustments to the CC headgear.....the new headgear is on its way..will probably alter it anyway. I have also used the Vista..works great with the headgear upside down!!! I also have the Activa which is pretty much leakfree but is really heavy and hot on your face. I could not use the Nasalaire at all....caused major nasal hemmorhaging. My only suggestion would be, look at all the interfaces, take into consideration your sleeping position, can you stand something in your field of vision, do you want substantial headgear on your head. I am a majorly restless sleeper and can make all of the above masks leak......on a good night, they all work! If you are on a lot of nasal steroids that thin the membranes, trust me, prongs are not a good idea. Make your choice on what you want and think will work for you. Every person on this board has made adjustments to masks, headgear etc. Have yet to read about an interface that EVERYBODY loves and swears by........it is pretty much a shot in the dark. It would be really helpful if you could see them and try them in person......good luck with that issue!! CPAPMAN.com has great pictures of just about every nasal interface and headgear the likes of which I have never seen.....but the prices are attrocious....but looking is free! Good luck in your quest....most of us search endlessly.....

[rested gal]

Judy, thanks for the much too kind words.

Actually, the reason I started doing the disclaimer thingy was because: I liked the Aura so much that I posted a message full of praise about it when it first came out and I tried it. I really thought it would suit everyone! Foolish me! I felt very bad when some people bought it based on what I said, and it didn't suit them. I can sure be wrong!! With a lot of tweaks, it's my favorite interface, but everyone's face/needs are different.

2listless is so right...

Every person on this board has made adjustments to masks, headgear etc. Have yet to read about an interface that EVERYBODY loves and swears by........it is pretty much a shot in the dark.