Mirage Swift Nasal Pillow Leaks

pabond · Post by **pabond** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 2:25 pm

Has anyone else had trouble with the Mirage Swift system leaking or now staying on your head? My equipment provider switched from the Nasal Aire II and no longer supplies since everyone supposedly prefers the Mirage Swift. I do like the ease of putting it on compared to the Swift and the light weight, etc. but I have trouble getting it to not leak when I lay on my side and I wake during the night and find it off to one side or not on my head at all! I've tightened the straps, I've loosened the straps but nothing compares with the Nasal Aire II since these get placed into the nostril rather than just sit in front and are harder to dislodge when sleeping on my stomach or side. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know. I've been on CPAP for about a yeah and a half and just stumbled onto this site and wish I'd known about it sooner.

Hurricane · Post by **Hurricane** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 2:35 pm

I use that swift pillow system, not moving on me, are you using the right size pillow of the three that came with it, I have to use the large to make a good seal on my face, plus I use AYR gel on my nostrils before going to bed, if the straps are adjusted right, not loose or to tight you should be okay, I did find out that turning your head on a non forgiving pillow, will shift your head within the strap causing mis alignment of the pillows in your nose, I really like the ease of it, I haven't reajusted the straps in quite a while. Sounds to me like you just have to tweak it out.
Ed

Lyza · Post by **Lyza** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 2:38 pm

I think the issue isn't so much of leaks its that back strap staying in place... If your a woman or man with long hair you can ponytail up your hair and the back strap will stay down under the ponytail.. those without longer hair.. the backstrap will ride up and eventually pop off your head... The back strap seems to be important in keeping the pillows stable in the leakage dept. There have been some modifications made by others here. You can search for it, but I have awful luck searching on this forum and finding what I need.. hopefully someone will come along and post the links they have bookmarked for the modifications.....

major_works · Post by **major_works** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 3:06 pm

I have Swift pillows and yes, I too sometimes have trouble with the whole setup moving around on my head and/or leaking.

The RT at Apria had me start with the medium-sized pillows; after having trouble with those and posting here, I was advised to move to the large set. But they seem to pose a different problem: I find them rotating in the frame that holds them so that the pillows move away from my nostrils.

Then, at other times, I wake up to find that as Lyza posted, the straps slide off my head during sleep. I tighten the straps, I loosen them, etc.

I also have an Activa Mirage mask and switch back and forth between the two every few nights. So far, I have to confess, neither has been exactly ideal.

Snoozing Gonzo · Post by **Snoozing Gonzo** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 3:31 pm

One of the strap fixes mentioned above is to place the hook side of a velcro strip on the back straps. Try the Our Collective Wisdom link above under techical hints or search using "swift and velcro". Another hint was routing the tube up and over your face and head using the little velcro strap that came with the Swift laced through the buckle on top of your head - forms a "C" in front of your face stabilizing the whole thing and moves the tube away from your pillow (wouldn't work if you sleep on your stomach). If I remember the names of the folks submitting the hints I'll post again.

Good Luck

Chris

pedroski · Post by **pedroski** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 4:12 pm

Hi pabond,

Welcome to the forum, it is a great resource, I was lucky enough to find it straight off.

I also use the Swift and agree with Ed, it's just a matter of tweaking it out. I also had to use the large pillows to stop leaks. One thing I found was not to have the straps too tight, because that defeats the purpose of the pillows concept. The idea is to allow some air to be in the pillow section so they seal against your nares. If it's too tight you lose that air cushion effect. You can't have the top strap too tight either because it pulls the pillows out of your nostrils. I have the back strap firm and the top strap a bit loose.

I'm also a side sleeper, and I found if I sleep at the edge of the pillow it helps to stop dislodging the nasal pillows. At the end of the day I still get some leaks but not enough to effect the therapy, my figures are good, and it's by far the most comfortable mask I've used.

There's bulk threads on the forum about this subject, here's a couple of links:

viewtopic.php?t=5965

viewtopic.php?t=10032

viewtopic.php?t=4290

Good luck

Peter

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): swift, seal, Nasal Pillows

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): swift, seal, Nasal Pillows

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): swift, seal, Nasal Pillows

Hurricane · Post by **Hurricane** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 4:57 pm

Right on Pedroski !!!!!!!!!

sleepyWI · Post by **sleepyWI** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 8:46 pm

If my provider stopped supplying the mask I liked I would find a new provider or just buy one on this site. That's just me though .....

pabond · Post by **pabond** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 9:36 am

Thanks everybody for your input. I went back to my Nasal Aire II mask last night and feel much better today. I agree with all of you that if I continue to experiment with the Swift I will find a way to make it work. However, I also agree that if my provider is not able to suppy the Nasal Aire II anymore I will just purchase from this site. This seems to work the best for me and after two days of bad sleep I was completely wiped out and feeling almost sick. Only problem I hae found with the Nasal Aire II is the head straps wear out quickly. My provider would only sell me the complete Nasal Aire system not just the straps so finding this site has been a huge blessing for me.

Hope everyone gets a great night's sleep.

Snoozing Gonzo · Post by **Snoozing Gonzo** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 9:55 am

Ah yes, it was UFO13 and Tridens with the fixes that helped me the most with the Swift - thanks pedroski. I have been able to keep my Swift at minimum of leaks and a very low AHI but feel better the next day after using my Activa. I still use the Swift occationally because I like to see the clock and becuse of its light weight.

Chris

JPO · Post by **JPO** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 10:17 am

I had to stop using the Swift because of the noise when it leaked and when it didn't leak.

I'm using the OptiLife which is ultraquiet, light, and the straps are not too tight. It slips right on without any adjusting. It's brand new and works for me.

John