question re Swift and CPAP in general

I have been using the SWIFT for over a week now. I keep fiddling with it to get it more comfortable, a little better past 2 nights.
These may be silly questions, but I got no education or help from APRIA at all. I really can't stand those people.
1. How do I know if my mask is leaking?
The SWIFT has those vents swooshing out air and I just really don't know if it leaks or not. Everyone says the SWIFT is noisy but mine is not at all. In fact I barley seem to notice the pressure at all. My setting is 9. I opened my mouth a few times and the air came gushing out so I guess it is going in. I have small slotted nares and until I used a thicker lubricant I was really in pain. I also moved the top strap more forward on the top of my head and that seemed to ease the pressure of the clip. I anchor it with bobby pins, I have thick hair.

2. I have a basic machine with no software. How do I know if this is even helping me? I still feel really tired and confused in the morning and have a headache. Some days edema is better but not always.
I asked my primary care doc (I never even saw the sleep doc only a technician at the sleep study) if I ever go back for a follow up study and the reply was only if I don't feel any better. This just seems stupid to me. My study stated that I had numerous episodes but that even when I was not having episodes my oxygen saturation was low. So how do we know it is any better if it is never measured again with the system I am using?

3. How do I get rid of this basic machine and get one that records my data and get my insurance to pay for it? I have a 50% copay and my insurance company makes me rent for 10 months to insure compliance. so I have a 50% co-pay for that. APRIA is charging $68 a month rental fee. I could have a much better machine for that price.
3. SleepNet's MiniMe Nasal CPAP Mask Has anyone used this mask and what do you think of it?


I would really appreciate any help or advice you can give. I have limited time to spend on all this research and this whole process has been frustrating

tirdofbeingtired

1. Sometimes, to test if my mask is leaking, I'll take my finger and cover the exhalation ports and then feel around the mask seal with my other. I only briefly tried the Swift so I can't speak to that particular mask, but I know that with the ComfortLite 2 this process was a little difficult because the ports weren't in a straight line, but I could kind of cover them with the palm of my hand then feel around my nares with my other hand and feel if I was leaking. With the Hybrid that I'm using now, I can cover the straight line of exhalation ports with one finger and then feel all around the nasal pillows and mouth cushion to feel if there is any air coming out where it isn't supposed to be.

2. Did you have a split night study or did you go back for a full night titration? If it was split night, your pressure may very well night be right. Lots of people have trouble when pressure is set based on only half of a night's sleep. Many people try to get an APAP machine so they can find what their pressure needs to be. This is an auto-adjusting machine that will change pressure based on what is happening when you sleep and tell you what your median pressure is. Unfortunately, it is a fight to get an APAP from some DMEs and from some doctors.

3. If you are still renting, you should be able to upgrade. I just switched a basic ResMed S8 Escape out for a ResMed S8 Elite. I had other issues as to why I needed to switch, but my DME switched me out without any problem. Since you are still in the rental stage, your DME might be willing to do this for you. If they will, you might want to try for an APAP. Unfortunately, even if you are able to get a better machine, insurance doesn't pay for card readers or software. We are on our own to purchase those things. That is why I don't have them, but my machine does report for the previous night as long as I look before noon so I know my basic numbers. It is better then nothing!

4. Sorry, I have no experience with this mask so I can't help you there. You might want to try searching. There are people on this board who have tried everything and I have found the Search tool to be extremely helpful!

Good luck, and keep at it! Remember that you are probably suffering from a huge sleep debt so it may take a while to "catch up", so to speak, and actually start feeling the effects of your therapy. At least you've found the right place to get the answers you need!

I know your frustrated but try to hang in there! The swift worked really well for me and in themorning I couldn't even tell if it was on - when it was -
when you have it on, pull one of the nasal things out of your nose and you will then know what it sounds like/feels like - I always would run my fingers all around the nasal area to ensure that it wasn't leaking as it felt so comfortable - my pressure is 8 so 9 is likely comfortable.

you should also go see your sleep doctor - there has to be a sleep doc who prescribed your equipment so far - and they could likely help (hopefully) with helping you figure out why you feel so bad

also, may be you are mouth breathing and not know it - that could be why not feeling better - this is a process and knowing the benefits outweigh the alternative - heart probs, dying, etc. - it's worth it to hang in there
good luck!!

I am willing to hang in there really because of my health. My family doc ordered the seep studies. I had 1 to determine if I had a problem and a second where they titrated the pressure. My family doc got the reports and he is the one who wrote out the script. His attitude just seems to be use it and if you feel better it is working. I had no input on the script at all and I did not know enough at the time to request a specific machine. I don't feel too tired during the day, that horrible bone numbing fatigue had left me several months ago anyway. I have been tested for a million things and was diagnosed with chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia, don't think I have it. that was before the sleep studies. I took cymbalta and got my sleep pattern regulated and felt better but still unable to get up in the morning and feel pretty lousy the first hour. Not taking the cymbalta anymore that was actually make me really sleepy! I feel OK during the day though and am not really sleepy. I have edema, morning headache and unrefreshed feeling in the morning. I guess i will see how it goes for a few more weeks and then see if I can get him to change the machine even if I have to pay for the card and software myself. I like being in control and I really don't wat to wear this mask and put up with this stuff if it isn't helping me. and I need some hard cold evidence to know it is helping me.

Thanks for taking the time to reply
tirdofbeingtired