Opus vs/ Swift LT

svh · Post by **svh** » Tue Jun 24, 2008 5:57 am

I'm just wondering: are there people who successfully used the Opus (regular or 360) who prefer the Swift LT? I keep trying to make the LT work, but it seems like a sturdier, but less effective copy of the Opus. I do like that it leaves less of a strap mark on my face. However, I find that the LT's hose swivels less freely, and the mask just seems less stable on my face than the Opus. It also seems heavier, which I think contributes to my problems, as the LT mask seems harder to keep on just right. I get a tiny, tiny whistle on exhale from one pillow, and if I move around in bed, it gets worse very easily. I keep experimenting with it during the day, thinking I have it right, then abandoning it at night for the Opus....

I know no mask is right for everyone, but I'm just curious, what do people see as the advantage of the LT over the Opus? For me, I'd like it to work, since the one that really works well for me is the original Opus ,not the 360, and that makes me nervous that I won't be able to replace the mask when I need to. I have put small hair elastics on the pillows to reduce the trampoline factor, and that absolutely helped (thanks, Oldtimer!)

My elastic pillow fix: http://picasaweb.google.com/s.hethering ... 5054698136
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Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jun 24, 2008 8:53 am

It appears that Swift LT is a fix for the side tubing problem which precludes side sleeping in its predecessor's design (Swift II).

Swift LT is better built than the Opus, but that couldn't overcome the Opus' better design which is deceptively egenious.

Over all, Swift LT is copying Opus, but it failed to match the Opus' elegant simplicity and effectiveness.

jsmythe · Post by **jsmythe** » Tue Jun 24, 2008 8:28 pm

[quote="svh"]I'm just wondering: are there people who successfully used the Opus (regular or 360) who prefer the Swift LT? I keep trying to make the LT work, but it seems like a sturdier, but less effective copy of the Opus. I do like that it leaves less of a strap mark on my face. However, I find that the LT's hose swivels less freely, and the mask just seems less stable on my face than the Opus. It also seems heavier, which I think contributes to my problems, as the LT mask seems harder to keep on just right. I get a tiny, tiny whistle on exhale from one pillow, and if I move around in bed, it gets worse very easily. I keep experimenting with it during the day, thinking I have it right, then abandoning it at night for the Opus....

I know no mask is right for everyone, but I'm just curious, what do people see as the advantage of the LT over the Opus? For me, I'd like it to work, since the one that really works well for me is the original Opus ,not the 360, and that makes me nervous that I won't be able to replace the mask when I need to. I have put small hair elastics on the pillows to reduce the trampoline factor, and that absolutely helped (thanks, Oldtimer!)

My elastic pillow fix: http://picasaweb.google.com/s.hethering ... 5054698136
_________________

brian2223 · Post by **brian2223** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 2:32 am

I have the Opus. Have not try the other but I love my Opus!!!!!!!!!

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 10:24 am

Just goes to show that there will always be different masks for different folks simply because we all have different sizes and shapes for our heads and faces.

So far the new Swift LT is the best nasal pillow mask I have used.

BTW - Hoseheads should be aware that brand new masks sometimes have a residue on the silicone parts that touch your skin and your skin may react to the residue. People need to wash their masks and mask parts before using if it is fresh out of a sealed plastic bag. Secondly, The Swift LT has an angle adjustment for the pillow frame and I have noticed that properly adjusting that angle makes a significant difference in the pressure the pillows place on your nares. So make sure you fiddle around with all the possible adjustments before giving up ... that goes for all masks too.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 10:38 am

I agree with Joyce,

I have tried the Swift LT for ~ 4 nights now, I just can't wear it, I makes my Nares SO SORE that it's almost unbearable (it stings like I fell and skinned my nose on the sidewalk), and it makes DEEP LINES and Dents on my cheeks! The Barrell is just huge and I can't keep it in my nares, I have to shove them back in ALL NIGHT!!!

I wish I would have bought the return Insurance at cpap.com , but I didn't, I figured as much as I love the Swift 11, that I would end up loving the Swift LT better, WRONG!

So, I am stuck with the LT! I haven't used the Optus, just the Headrest, Comfort Lite 11 a, Swift 11, and now the Swift LT, in the nasal pillow masks!!

Like DreamStalker says, There is a mask for everyone and I am so happy this works for him, I guess i'll put mine up for sale here first, then on cpapauction.com !

What a DRAG and a BIG DISAPPOINTMENT this new design is.

Take Care all,

SleepyNoMore

neverbetter · Post by **neverbetter** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 10:42 am

That's how I felt about the Liberty. For some reason, Resmed thinks they have to push those pillows upward with pressure to make them seal. The Hybrid proves you don't have to do that.

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 10:55 am

The pressure of the Swift LT pillows on my nares is no more than the pressure on my nares from the Swift I, Adam Circuit, Breeze, CL2, Headrest, Optilite, Opus, or any other nasal pillows mask I have tried ... it is a function of how tight you adjust the headgear.

Maybe you just have it on too tight

EDIT: Now if loosening the headgear to relieve pressure on nares makes the mask less stable causing leaks, then your head/face just doesn't fit that mask ... so it is everyone is different.

mellabella · Post by **mellabella** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 1:39 pm

sleepynomore:

I can't PM you on this because I don't think you logged in to post, but if you (or anyone) are willing to sell your hated Swift LT for a reasonable amount to someone stuck with selfpay for masks, let me know!

I have various hybrid cushions available for trade, and/or professional grade art work as well.

My_Dream · Post by **My_Dream** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 7:54 am

I have been using the Swift Lt for 4 days now and am also finding this soreness around the nose. I was hoping that it would slowly go away but hasn't so far. Other then the opening to my nose being sore I like this mask since it has gotten rid of my leakage problem at setting 12. If the Opus model you are referring to is the Opus 360, I read the reviews and found several users also complaining about the same soreness issues with the Opus as well as leakage problems. If the Opus is having leakage problems as well as the same soreness problems then I think I may stick with the Swrift LT.

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 8:11 am

I think soreness 3-4 into your first nasal pillows mask trial can be expected, no matter who made the mask.
Your nostrils have spent a lifetime of being untouched - becoming sore and red only when have a bad cold and wipe and wipe and wipe them. Now, for the first time in your shared life, you're having silicone touch them for hours on end. So they protest.

O.

roncron · Post by **roncron** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 8:14 am

My_Dream wrote:I have been using the Swift Lt for 4 days now and am also finding this soreness around the nose.

I and several other LT owners initially had SNS (sore nose syndrome - I just made that up, btw) but found we had the headgear too tight.

It's very easy to overtighten the headgear with this mask. Maybe it's because of the shape of the pillows piece (especially the large one) - it's a round spongy blob that inflates a little when your cpap is on. When you're just putting on the mask and you haven't turned on your machine yet, it's not inflated so it should feel a little looser than you're used to. If you think it feels too loose and tighten, then it'll be too tight when you turn on your machine and you'll wake up with SNS.

The other thing to watch out for is to make sure the pillows are angled correctly - do this by putting on your mask in front of a mirror for the first few nights - because of the round spongy shape of the pillows piece, it's hard to do this just by feel, a mirror really helps. If the pillows are not angled correctly, they will leak a bit, and you'll think the headgear needs to be further tightened to get a better seal, but this extra tightening also leads to SNS. If you angle the pillows correctly, then you'll get a great seal without over-tightening the headgear.

I hope with these minor adjustments that you find your LT to be much more comfortable.

Good luck!

-Ron

My_Dream · Post by **My_Dream** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 8:01 pm

Thank you for the information both ozij and roncron.

roncron if I may ask you a question?

I read in your sigi that you state "Pressure: titrated at 8, my auto machine is set to 7-14 and usually runs at 8-9." I don't understand how you can set a maching at 7-14 and have it run at 8-9? I though if you set it at 8 after ramp it runs at 8. How does it adjust automatically and do you adjust that setting?

roncron · Post by **roncron** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 8:48 pm

My_Dream wrote:roncron if I may ask you a question?

I read in your sigi that you state "Pressure: titrated at 8, my auto machine is set to 7-14 and usually runs at 8-9." I don't understand how you can set a maching at 7-14 and have it run at 8-9? I though if you set it at 8 after ramp it runs at 8. How does it adjust automatically and do you adjust that setting?

Others can probably explain better but I'll give it a try.

My machine is an APAP (a respironics M series APAP with A-flex). With an APAP, you specify a range of pressures. It starts at the lowest one (7 in my case), and gradually increases the pressure until your apneas stop. Thus, an APAP is an auto-titrating cpap machine. The nice thing about it is that it only gives you as much pressure as you need. Sometimes, I might need more pressure, other times less, and the APAP finds the pressure I need (as long as it's in the range I set, 7-14). Most nights, my machine settles in around 8 or 9 and that's enough to keep my AHI low (usually around 2).

I don't use the ramp feature. It seems redundant on APAP machines.

(If you already knew what an APAP does or knew other parts of my answer here, please accept my apologies, I absolutely do not mean to condescend.)

Hope that helps. If not, maybe others can chime in and tell you what I was trying to say.

Best,
Ron

My_Dream · Post by **My_Dream** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 6:38 am

If this is any indication of my CPAP or APAP knowledge I didn't even know what APAP was.

You explained it very well roncron, but I wonder why in my case or most for that matter..they didn't recomend your machine since it seems to be the better choice?

Rather than me experimenting to find the correct setting, as I understand it, the machine will do most of the work for you as long as you adjust it within those parameters. Does this make sense?

Mask

Opus vs/ Swift LT

Opus vs/ Swift LT

Re: Opus vs/ Swift LT