Swift II vs Opus?

[LavenderMist]

I've heard lots of good things about the Swift II. However, I did see one post where someone mentioned that the part that sits under the nose made their upper lip sore. I looked at the Opus which seems to be the same except it doesn't have that barrel thingy under the nose but rather a silicone type support. I've read that some who have used Opus have had to do tweaks w/ velcro or dental floss to stabilize the support for the pillows. I have gone through two years of trying various nasal masks, full face masks and the nasal prong Lyra and can't find one to be comfortable and not leak. I want to try nasal pillows. This mask will be paid for out of pocket. I am having major dental work done soon and don't want anything pressing hard on my upper lip area and my current mask does.

Soooo, having said all that, is there anyone who has had experience with both the Swift II and the Opus? Which one did you like better and why? Any other drawbacks I should know about? I don't want to pay for another mask and it end up in my bag of unused masks. I need relief.

[LavenderMist]

Forgot to mention that I am a side sleeper and move a lot.

[Pad A Cheek]

The PAD A CHEEK Swift Barrel Cozy is available to make the Swift easier to wear.






Here is a very light padding solution that is now available for that area below your nose and above your mouth. This is for the Swift and Swift II.
This may help some to tolerate this interface a little easier.

PM me if you are interested in this PAD A CHEEK product.

Thanks
Karen

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): swift

[kwa430]

I tried the SWIFT and it lasted 2 days for me. I've been using the OPUS for a week now and find it more comfortable. The design also will not put pressure on the upper lip.

One other big bonus for me is that the OPUS really makes side/stomach sleeping much easier.

I'm new on the forum and new to CPAP so my only experience is with these 2 masks. I hope the feedback helps.

[lifeartist59]

I had been using the swift II for six month, with several problems. I felt that I was in between sizes for the pillows, and the small ones did not let me get enough air while the medium were a little to big and blocked one nostril when I moved at all. The side tubing made sleeping on my side or stomach a lot harder. The opus that I am currently using seems much better, and I can actually lay on my side without discomfort.

[soulrhythm]

I've used both the OPUS and SWIFT II...

At my sleep study I used the Swift II, but chose the OPUS as my first mask mainly because of the hose placement over the head and the ability to move from side to side -- For that the OPUS is perfect. However after a couple of weeks I started really struggling with leaks and had to adjust the straps so tight my nose was sore all day.

So I switched to the Swift II, which got rid of the leaks (mostly...keep reading), and it is MUCH quiter. But like you might guess, I struggled when I wanted to sleep on the side where the hose is attached, as the pressure on the hose would push the pillows slightly out of position which would cause a leak. I also started struggling with mouth-breathing.

As a result I switched to the ResMed LIberty full face with Nasal Pillows. I route the hose over my head through a piece of velco I sewed into the headstrap. This has been the solution for me. I get a good seal all around (when everything is cleaned daily) and can sleep on either side with no problem.

Hope this helps.

JIM

[onecoknower]

I have both the swift II and the opus. I have used the swift for nearly a year. I've tried about 5 different masks and have always come back to the swift. Anyway, my comparison of the two:

the opus has a smaller footprint for side sleeping. The pillow doesn't shift the opus as much.

the swift is overall more stable - the opus seems flimsier somehow

the pillows of the opus are aimed a little too wide for me - I use dental floss to tie them closer together to fit my nares better

without the dental floss, the opus leaks badly within the first hour or so

the opus headgear is not as flexible as the swift, therefore, it leaves marks on my wide cheeks

I have to tighten the opus straps tightly so that the headgear is not as comfortable

I'm exclusively a side sleeper. I got a memory foam pillow which allows me to settle into the pillow somewhat and still have stability for the mask, in fact, the pillow molds to the mask and sort of holds it in place.

Oneco

[Ralph]

I just started using the Opus (the new 360 version) and really like it.

I have been using the Swift I for about two years. I tried the Swift II but didn't like the way the air exhaust hits the covers and makes noise unless you are very careful with cover placement. I have also tried about six other masks but always returned to the Swift because I like to be able to rub my forehead and nose at night unobstructed. (I use the Opus with the tube running on the side).

The reasons I like the Opus more than the Swift: the pillow holder is much smaller and softer than the Swift and so you can move more into pillows without bumping the seal. Also, you can make more"vigorous" motion when turning on your back or side without the pillow seal being broken. The pillow holder is lighter and sits more gently on the lip. The exhaust holes are placed so that you can move the covers closer to your head without noise. Although I would pay a small fortune for the most comfortable mask, it doesn't hurt that the Opus is cheaper than the Swift.

Maybe it's the new 360 version, but I had no trouble with the leaks others reported.

So, for Swift users, I would suggest trying out the Opus next time you are in need of a mask replacement.

I post rarely in this forum. I really appreciate those who do post often and give generously of their knowledge for those of us who need help with this "challenge" to their sleep.

[LavenderMist]

Good deal. Thanks y'all.

[mindy]

I guess we all have different experiences! I started with the Swift II and I would call it better than average. I also tried the Opus, Optilife and Bravo. Even with fixes, i couldn't get the Opus to stop leaking; it's nice and light but just won't work for me. Ditto Optilife. Bravo is at least equal to Swift II for me, and better in that it leaks less so I now have 2 nasal pillow masks that work.

Since I need FFM in winter because of nosebleeds, I'm now going through a similar process with those masks. I've been through four loaners and now have what I think will work for me.

I've also found that I need to change masks on a regular basis - suddenly one will start leaking a lot and when I wake up like that, I don't have the patience to adjust it. So I always have at least 2 masks "ready-to-go" so I can quickly switch.

It does get tiresome but it's a really good feeling when it pays off in better therapy and sleep.

Mindy

[lifeartist]

I had been using a swift for six month, but found it was hard to sleep on my side. I am a mobile? sleeper, toss and turn a lot. I got an opus about three weeks ago and it is much better for me. I never thought about using floss to bring the pillows closer together, thanks everybody!

[dllfo]

My wife and I both switched to the Swift II and she went back to the Swift I
because of the "fit" between the upper lip and nose.

I noticed the Swift II feels a little stiffer, but I still use it. It appears to be a little better built than the Swift I. THAT may be why people perceive it to be
'stiff". We clean our masks daily in warm soapy water and the hose would come apart fairly often on the Swift I, but the Swift II hose is holding up much
better.

I also noticed the size large nose pillows have started ...what is the word..uh... caving in. I am using it under extremely high pressure (IPAP MAX of 30 cm H2O) and the nasal pillows make a "plopping" sound. Yeah, I think I made that word up, but I can hear them flexing...the outer tip sounds like it is being pushed inside the pillow..downward or outward, so I started switching pillows every 15 days and it stopped doing it. Medicare says I can have two sets of nasal pillows a month, so I am trying that for a couple of months to see if that stops the weird noise. I don't think the pillow flexing is effecting my breathing, it is just noisy for me. I sometimes breathe over 20 times a minute and it gets irritating after a while.

[Flying_Norseman]

I think that if people are finding the Swift II puts too much pressure on their upper lips it's because they have it too tight. It doesn't need to be that tight and having it a bit looser makes for less leaks in my experience. The Swift II is the mask I have used the most, but I have found that it can get shifted around too easily by pillows and covers too.

I recently traded for a Headrest and I like that a lot, but I need larger pillows.

[DreamStalker]

Only way to find it which one works for you is to try how ever many it takes to find one.

Only way to know which is best for you is to try 'em all.

[Stoddart]

There's been a lot of postings on this board and others about leak problems with the Swift II.

I'm convinced it is a design flaw -- too many people complaining about it (many experienced CPAP users, so you can't attribute it all to over-tightening and user error) and resorting to plumbers tape, dental floss, and other home fix-its.

I recently switched back to my old Swift I. A little worn and tattered but no problems with leaks and after a couple of weaks on this old standby, I have a noticeable increase in energy. Take a look at the original Swift, which in my opinion, is still the best out there.