Opit-Life vs. Mirage Swift LT

[sleeplessinaz]

Hello--I am currently using the OPT Lift with the nasal pillows now. I like it enough but as you all know --we hose heads have the quest for the "ulitmate" mask that we can use forever and ever. I was wondering how that new Mirage Swift LT compares to the OPTI LIFE? I tried and still have the orginal Mirage Swift nasal pillow mask in my closet and hated it. I am a side sleeper and it leaked all over the place --it is a horrible mask not to mention LOUD. Did they really improved the Mirage Swift LT that much? I have really good insurance that will cover what ever I want to try next but I don't want to have a closet full of masks that I don't use--

Please advise if anyone has used both --let me know the pros and cons!! thanks!!
Carrie

[BeanMeScot]

I haven't tried the Opti Life but I really like the Swift LT. I am an exclusively side sleeper and it works very well. The only time it really makes noise is when you block the exhaust with a pillow or something. It seems to get quieter as the night goes on. I think the increase in humidity overnight does it. I have woken up and didn't even think I had my mask on but I did. I will sometimes just lay there and try and hear it and I don't. It doesn't even feel like it is working but when you take it off, there is a sudden gust of air. I really like it. It seems like when I first put it on, it is right and if I have to fool around with it or take it off again, it is hard to get right.

[sleeplessinaz]

thanks---what about the head gear? it is made for a woman's smaller head? if I think back --that Mirage Swift had a HUGE headgear made for the HULK!! LOL!
Carrie

[BeanMeScot]

thanks---what about the head gear? it is made for a woman's smaller head? if I think back --that Mirage Swift had a HUGE headgear made for the HULK!! LOL!
Carrie

It's not bad. They do have a new version of the LT for women. It might fit even better but I don't have much trouble with it as is.

[JZ]

Carrie,

I have a small head and the Swift LT headgear works well for me. And the pillows are a huge improvement over the original Swift. As a side sleeper, that original Swift was a disaster for me.

My Swift LT does make some noise, but it is not real loud. I do some turning from side to side during the night and can generally keep a good seal. Occasionally I have a problem night with leaks. That happened Tuesday night, so last night I used the medium pillows (had been using small),and I got a very good seal. While this is not true of everyone, I personally find the LT to be very comfortable. I did get a pair of Padacheek strap covers (http://www.padacheek.com) that make the straps more comfortable and keep me from getting strap marks.

Janna

[rock and roll]

I have used both and am a fan of both. I used the old Swift for well over a year and I like it a lot except for the fact that I am a side sleeper as well and a tosser and turner. I have woke up many times with the hose wrapped around my neck (my wife denies any involvement ). But it sealed well and was for me pretty comfortable. I just recently received the new LT and a new machine and the new LT is really not even like the old swift. The hose has not even been an issue yet, I can use headphones while wearing it, and the feel is very different. The LT puts a pressure on the end of the nose that was not even an issue on the old one and the pillows have a whole different feel to them. I have tried all the different sizes on it whereas it was no contest for the large on the old Swift. I would tell you these are really two different pillow systems that just happen to share a name. What you disliked about the old one really won't be an issue with the LT.

[jjzanti]

I use the Swift LT. I have a large nose and seem to get a lot of leeks. (The fun part of being Italian) I like the comfort of the mask, but I run into problems with it staying in place. I seem to nock it off my face. I tried a hybrid mask to help with that and the clips seem to be very flimsy. I was back to the Swift LT within a week. I looked at the Opit-life pillow system on CPAP.com. It seems to have much more defined nasal pillow. I am going to call my provider and give it a try. I will give you my opinion in a week or so...

[sleeplessinaz]

Thanks everyone for your replies --they are very helpful to me and I think I might just give that Swift LT a try. I do use the Opti-life pillow system for the person of Italian background----I got the pillows as well as the nasal cusions in all diff. sizes. Both of the small sizes worked well except if you are a side sleeper and a toss and turn person like me. The hose that comes off of the Opti Life is very stiff ---it does not flex at all so I find that at times it pushes the head gear off the back of my head and then the leaks will start. I have been using it for about 4- 5 months now --you can watch TV, and even read a book with it on. I just would like something that is more flexible and keeps itself stable around the nose. I am only part Italian so I have a smaller German nose--LOL! The think I liked about the new Swift LT is that is seems more compact, more secure, and very well re-designed. I am glad you all gave your opinions about it --it really helped. I just hope the headgear is smaller--the original headgear was awfully big on me. I washed it and dried it --hoping it would shrink but I did not do that --I had to fold it over at the back of my neck a few times to get it to work, but it was not a good mask for side sleeping, as it leaked and made tons of noises.

Carrie

[Slinky]

Oh goshes, for most any headgear that is too large there's nothing like a fold or two to find the right fit and then a pair of scissors and a velcro strip. I had to "modify" the center strap of my Respironics Simplicity simple nasal cushion that way. Works like a charm and that velcro holds the cut ends together like crazy glue. 9 months and still going strong.

[sleeplessinaz]

Hi Slinky-----in regards to: for most any headgear that is too large there's nothing like a fold or two to find the right fit and then a pair of scissors and a velcro strip.
Where did you do the cutting? was the Velcro sewn on or is it sticky velcro on one side? Just curious how you cut it and velcro'd it! LOL!
Carrie

[seanconnery]

Used the Swift for 3.5 years - then discovered the Opti-life. It is more cumbersome but it is QUIET.
Bought the new Swift Lite to see if improvement over the original . It was LOUD. Back to Opti-life and I bought many pillows - Sleeping like a baby these lsst 18 months.

[Slinky]

Hi Slinky-----in regards to: for most any headgear that is too large there's nothing like a fold or two to find the right fit and then a pair of scissors and a velcro strip.
Where did you do the cutting? was the Velcro sewn on or is it sticky velcro on one side? Just curious how you cut it and velcro'd it! LOL!
Carrie

I made the fold (V) and cut at the two ends of the V so that I was sure to cut out the right amount. Of course, the fold wasn't really a V in that it was folded tight but the V helps to clarify where I made the cuts. I just bought a roll of sticky-on-one-side velcro at the craft store and just laid it on the strap whilst holding the two cut ends together.

Me? Sew? I haven't sewn in YEARS!

Now - to find a good substitute for WD40 and I'm the female Rita Green. What did we women do before velcro?? And to think it was a man who invented it? Mind boggling!

[Treesap (not logged in)]

I thought I was going to be a lifetime user of the Optilife. I too, bought the Swift LT, and it sat for several weeks because I couldn't get used to it. Then I got padacheeks for the Swift LT and I haven't gone back to the Optlife since. I think it far exceeds the Optilife. Resmed masks seems to hold up better than Respironics. I don't have the problem with the headgear stretching on my Swift LT like I did with the Optilife.

I also am exclusively a side sleeper who changes sides several times in the night. I keep the hose down like I did with the Optlife. The reason for that is because I can't stand to have the hose up over my head because it pulls up on my nares. I've NEVER had a problem with the hose down or it getting in my way of turning.

I have long hair, and I always grab all of my hair and put it through the two straps which helps to keep the mask on better. Otherwise it would slide off my hair in the night.

[sleeplessinaz]

Hi Everyone--thanks so much for all your replies. On Friday the 14th--I called Apria to send me the Swift LT--so I will give it a try--I am excited to get something that I like and that will work for me every single night. I will let you all know how it it going once I get the mask and give it a try,
Carrie

[sleeplessinaz]

Well, the Swift LT is a great sucess from night one!! YEAH!! Zero leaks all week---I was really surprised that it was so comfortable right from the start!!!!! I took it out of the package washed it up and it was great!!! The headgear is so much better that the OLD Mirage--it fits so much better!!! I have hung up the Opti Life for now and am going to keep using the Swift LT. I like the swivel hose piece that connects to the nasal cusion--it is so much more user friendly than the Opt Life in that respect. I would advise any SIDE sleep to give this mask a whirl!!!

Carrie