Looking for a good alternative to the Swift II

Pilot_Ron · Post by **Pilot_Ron** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 1:10 pm

Just curious if anybody knows of a more comfortable alternative to the Swift II nasal Pillow system. I tried the Headrest, and I can't stop the leaks yet. I will be doing some experiments with it this weekend to try to make it work.

The problem I have with the Swift is that it is just to much pressure on my nares. I have tried lotions of various types (KY and lotions for nipple irritation due to breast feeding) I wake up feeling like I had a cold and blew my nose with 80 grit sandpaper a bunch of times. I also dont like the relief vent location, because I sleep on my side and when I hug a pillow, which I normally do when I sleep, the air comes right back in my face.

I have already got the Activa - No Good
and the Ultra Mirage Full Face mask - laughable results with that god awful thing.

Your help is much appreciated.

sleeplessinaz · Post by **sleeplessinaz** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 1:37 pm

Hi There---I am on my 4th mask --I do like this one but of course I am always on a search for the holy grail of masks!! I found that the Flexifit Comfort Gel is a great one --I use the PETITE size --but be aware that they do come in different sizes and the gel in the mask area conforms to your face and nose area---I get very little leakage and I am a SIDE sleeper!!

Good luck with your quest--
Carrie

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 2:21 pm

I find the Nasal Aire II to be FAR LESS PRESSURE on my nares. I don't have the sore nose that I had with all the pillow systems I tried. I also no longer have the red and raw upper lip that pillows sitting on my upper lip caused.

Give it a shot. If you hate it, sell it off here or on CPAPauction.com.

Cheers,
Babette

KenC · Post by **KenC** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 2:34 pm

Try the large pillows if you haven't already. My soreness went down a great deal after switching.

Pilot_Ron · Post by **Pilot_Ron** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 2:43 pm

Didn't think of changing. I know they set me up with the mediums, but it didn't occur to me to look in the bag for the large set. Thanks, I'll give that a try tonight.

I would still like to get an alternative though, so lets keep those suggestions coming.

The Nasal Air wouldn't work for me, I'm a side sleeper. My wife says that she is ready to get the shovel out and bury my fat butt when I try to sleep on my back.

sleepycarol · Post by **sleepycarol** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 2:47 pm

The Nasal Aire CAN work for side sleepers. Don't let the pictures deceive you.

I was very skeptical of it when Babs kept saying how comfy it is, etc. My concern was side sleeping and with Babs and Jerry's help I tried the Nasal Aire and it worked fine for side sleeping.

Pilot_Ron · Post by **Pilot_Ron** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 2:54 pm

The Opus looks like it may work as well, the problem, as I am sure every single member here recognizes is the cost of these masks. Even the simplest mask such as the nasal Air II is 90 bucks, the opus is 100 bucks. If I slapped a couple of pieces of tubing together and stuck some velcro on it, and tried to sell it for 25 bucks people would thiink I was nuts. I know it's not CPAP.com's fault, but that's a lot of money to experiment.

sleepycarol · Post by **sleepycarol** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 3:08 pm

That is why many of us purchase masks from cpapauction.com, eBay, and by trading with each other.

I have many masks and have only spent the full price for two of those and they came from the DME. The one was the Fisher and Paykel 431 -- the mask I started out with. I thought at the time that anyone that used the other types of masks had to be crazy -- but I have joined their ranks now!!
I tried the Optilife mask next and was able to purchase it from cpapauction -- brand new mask for about 1/3 the cost of new. I liked it and when the DME allowed me another mask I still hadn't tried any of the others one available so I took it.

There are as many opinions on which mask to use as there users on this forum. What works for one will not work for another and vice a versa.

A few posters raved about the ComfortCurve. From the pictures I have seen it looks fabulous and so I got it and guess what -- doesn't work for me.

A few other posters raved about the Comfortlite 2. I purchased it and thought I had found the ONE mask that was perfect -- until I tried sleeping with it.

The list goes on -- my point is that I was able to try these masks out for a fraction of the cost of retail (either DME or online) since I picked them up from other forum members, cpapauction, eBay, or by advertising locally.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 3:32 pm

My two cents - I'm a side sleeper. I can't sleep on my back. NAII is the ONLY mask I can get to consistently seal for me.

AND I have sensitive skin. Every other mask I've tried has rubbed my face raw. NAII doesn't. There is very little mask touching skin AT ALL.

I was initially skeptical - sticking things up my nose sounded horrible. What I found was that sticking things up my nose was SO VASTLY MORE COMFORTABLE than any of the 6 other masks I tried before it.

I've been offered free trials of other masks and I keep turning them down. This is just too comfortable for me.

Cheers,
Babs

Pilot_Ron · Post by **Pilot_Ron** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 3:35 pm

Even with the hoses routed up the side of your face? I would think you would wake up looking like an Aussie Abbo. with grooves in your cheeks.

CalicoskiesNC · Post by **CalicoskiesNC** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 3:50 pm

Do try the large pillows. I started with the original Swift 2yrs ago, the DME told me (a naive newbie) that I was a size small. For a month, I had a sore nose, leaks. I thought I might not be able to continue with CPAP. I found a forum, asked about my problem. I was told to use Ayr gel all around my nostrils and to move up a size in pillows. About 3 days later I had solved my comfort issues and to this day I love the Swift and just last week got the Mirage Swift II, I think its a great improvement. I tilt the nasal part just enuf so that the air goes nowhere near my face. I sleep on my side, had to adjust my position a bit so that the covers and pillow didnt obstruct my vent. Give it some more time. Try a new pillow. I use a memory foam pillow now, great results. I can push my hand down and make like a well, I keep to the edge of the pillow and I have no leaks and no air in my face.

Good luck finding some good sleep, I hope you are more comfortable soon.

Pilot_Ron · Post by **Pilot_Ron** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 3:57 pm

I gots me da pappillow.
But that's not the problem with the vents. The problem is it blows back in my face when an obstruction obscures the vents, ie the pillow I am holding on to for dear life so as not to crush my thorax because of the mass of my upper body. I'm not obese, just about 30lbs over wheight, but for some reason when I sleep on my side without the pillow, my chest hurts.

I will however change the inserts this evening and see if that fixes the problem. I just hate using the peanut butter lotion for my nose

Thanks!

Post Script:
Still considering the alternatives

sleepycarol · Post by **sleepycarol** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 4:13 pm

Just curious and you don't have to answer if you don't want.

I see in your profile that you have the M series Plus machine. This is a non-data capable machine that just shows compliance. It is the lowest end of the M series that you can buy to my knowledge.

You apparently have purchased the Swift and the Headrest masks -- both good masks and not at the cheap end.

You list that you use the Aussie hose which in my opinion is a lot of money (so far no rain out but if I start having problems will probably break down and buy one).

You indicate you have the Pappillow which is a great pillow and fairly expensive at around $60.00 or so.

You seem to take steps to ensure your therapy is going in the right direction and don't understand why you haven't upgraded your machine to a data-capable xpap. Of course all of us have different priorities, but the first thing I wanted to do was to upgrade my Plus machine with the scripted (I was given a script for an APAP) one!! I had a fight to get it but got it done!!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 5:23 pm

I agree with Babs

NA II is my interface of choise

Sleepdeprived

yardbird · Post by **yardbird** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 5:33 pm

If a Swift is hurting your schnoz, then there is an EXTREMELY high probability that you have the straps too tight. If you have the wrong pillow size, you have to tighten the straps to get it to stop leaking. (been there, done that).

I started out with medium pillows. "NO WAY I'm a LARGE!" and it hurt my nares. I tried the large pillows.... holy CR**! Completely different mask with the right sized pillows. Once you have the larger pillows on there... LOOSEN THE HEADGEAR... hehehe... make the headgear loose enough to leak and then slowly and in small amounts tug the headgear tighter just until the leaks stop.

Remember you can angle the pillows. You may have to give it a tiny bit of a tug to tighten it but this thing REALLY seems to work best when it's a bit loose.

I have had the hose running down and running up. Up works better for me.

AND.... I'm going to add this "standard disclaimer".

What "works best" is whatever works best for YOU!

Humidifier

Additional Comments: Remstar Auto A-Flex Aussie Heated Hose Auto 8-15 cm H2O pressure A-Flex 2 Backup Remstar Plus w/C-Flex

Machine	Mask

Additional Comments: new Airsense auto set 12/08/14. Cpap pressure is