Sealing the Swift LT

I think I finally found the secret (at least for me). When I was first fitted it seemed that the medium pillows fit the best. The large were just a bit too wide. I have slightly slotted nares, so when I got the pillows to seal, it didn't take much to get the seal to break. This would wake me up at night. The leaks seemed to come from the top or bottom of the nares. It just seemed that the pillows were too small, but the large were a bit too wide. It finally dawned on me that if I could widen the nares to make them more round, the large would be perfect. Last night I used a breathe-rite strip and the large pillows and a little lannolin, viola they stayed sealed all night no matter what position I was in.

I dont know if this would work for very narrow nares, but for just slightly to medium slotted nares, the strips open them up just enough to get the pillows to seal wonderfully. I had a great nights sleep.

Brian

Great tip, Brian! I don't have that problem, but that's an elegant solution for those who do.

Thanks for the information. I have the exact same configuration you have, machine and mask, and my wife complains about leaks waking her up and she has to adjust my swift LT. I only have been on CPAP 2 weeks, but so far it has made a world of difference in how I feel! I am going to try the breath right strips to see if it helps the seal.

bdivine wrote:I think I finally found the secret (at least for me). When I was first fitted it seemed that the medium pillows fit the best. The large were just a bit too wide. I have slightly slotted nares, so when I got the pillows to seal, it didn't take much to get the seal to break. This would wake me up at night. The leaks seemed to come from the top or bottom of the nares. It just seemed that the pillows were too small, but the large were a bit too wide. It finally dawned on me that if I could widen the nares to make them more round, the large would be perfect. Last night I used a breathe-rite strip and the large pillows and a little lannolin, viola they stayed sealed all night no matter what position I was in.

I dont know if this would work for very narrow nares, but for just slightly to medium slotted nares, the strips open them up just enough to get the pillows to seal wonderfully. I had a great nights sleep.

Brian

Might I suggest you get on the list for the trial of the Nasal Aire II...

viewtopic/t23207/Babettes-Nasal-Aire-II-Tip-Sheet.html

I've used it just one night, with success, but so far just one night. The concept is a bit different as the cannulas actually insert up into your nostril and I would imagine would just form the circle that you need much like the breathe right strips are doing. I'm absolutely sold on Swift LT, but I'm up to try anything and so I'm giving these a try. I can already tell you that if I had any issues with LT's at all I would be getting one of these Nasal Aire II's...

I used breathe right strips when I was still in my denial mode about getting a sleep study done and I can tell you those things can be brutal after repeated usage.