Frustrated!

[blogginsjoe]

As I am a beginner as well and wanted things to be as comfortable as possible for me, I tried to line up a few ducks first. Knowing that gravity causes things to fall and that sleeping on one's back is not a good position, I was determined to learn to sleep on my side. In saying this I also realized that this position could be a detriment to a good fit with my mask.

Thus my next point as I use the same mask as you have noted. I purchased a CPAP pillow from http://www.amazon.com/Contour-CPAP-Mult ... B000VLYHI4 and have found it to be very encouraging. Because I wanted a little more height I bought a piece of 1" foam (trimmed it to the shape of the pillow) and included it in the pillow case that came with the pillow. It work very well for me. I wouldn't add the foam unless you need the additional thickness. In otherwords try it first. Because the pillow has slots cut out it allows the swivel part of the hose to remain in the cavity which ultimately puts less stress on the fitting of the Swift LT.

I also use a nares lubricant that both lubricates the nares and also helps with the seal. It is called Secaris and is made in Canada. Website is http://www.pharmascience.com. It is clear nasal gel lubricant that is not greasy in any way. Hope this helps - good luck.

[AmyE]

Thank you EVERYONE for all of your input and suggestions. I will make the changes that I can for tonight, and see how it goes. I will call the sleep clinic tomorrow to see if there is a better mask for me to try. I will keep you posted....
Amy

[jnk]

I run the hose over the top of my head using the clip with the LT. Whenever I have trouble getting the pillows to stop whistling, I find that if I pop the hose out of the clip and then pop it back in, but in a slightly different part of the hose, that can help. For example, if the hose seems to be pulling down on the mask, I leave less hose between the clip and mask. If the hose seems to be pulling up on the mask, I reclip to allow for more hose between the clip and mask. Using that method plus dialing in the angle of the pillows, I have success more than 90% of the time. But I will still have a night of fighting the mask now and then.

I think you had a particularly good first night. And I am sure you will soon get back to that kind of success.

Remember to take the time to feel good about each success that you have. We need that to make up for the occasional battles on the way to getting into a successful routine.

[SaltLakeJan]

Hi,
I started on the Swift Lt, and I understand your frustration. I used the small size pillows, but I couldn't keep them in, the headgear kept popping off my head. Then the DME suggested Swift for Her. I only kept that mask 4 days. The pillows hurt my nares so intensively, that weeks later, I am still trying to get them to heal.

Many people of this forum like both those masks. They are comfortable for them and they enjoy the light weight of the entire mask.

Earlier this month I switched to the Mirage Micro. So far, I really like it. The hose directs down, but the mask is more stable and it doesn't pull as much as the Swift masks did for me. The best part to me, is that this mask doesn't hurt my nares.

The quest in Sleep Apnea is trying to find the perfect mask for each of us. Good luck to you.

Jan

[SharkBait]

i tried running the hose up and onto that little clip and immediately thought, "no way". Granted I didn't work with it at all, but it just seemed like it was destined to cause me leaks running that way. I run the hose down towards my feet and after about 2 feet (including mask hose) it hangs a U'ey and heads for the velcro strap above my head and a little to the side towards my nightstand where my machine is sitting.

It's a bit tight and I've considered 8 or 10 foot hoses, but it hasn't been much of a problem and I don't want to have to purchase both a hose and a cover unless I really need to. If it does get to be a problem, I'll probably velcro my machine to the table alleviating the tie strap before buying longer hose and cover...

[BeanMeScot]

Somethning to consider if you feel you are not getting enough air is to bump up the pressure instead of changing to another pillow. The DME thought I would use a small pillow. I changed it to medium but felt like I was suffocating. I bumped my pressure from 5 to 5.5 and I was suddently getting enough air. I have now bumped it to 6 because I think my nasal passages are narrower during the spring and now that I am used to the pressure, the 6 doesn't bother me anymore (it was too much the night I changed from 5 to 5.5).

I have found with the LT that the first time I put it on, it settles perfectly almost everytime. If I have to fool with it a lot after that, it never seems to settle as well so I have to sit up, take it off and put it on again to make it feel right. Also, as the pillows age, they tend to leak more. I now have 3 different pillows (all the same size) that I trade around with. If one seems to be leaking, I trade it out for another one. I also trade them out if they get "soggy".

[junie]

I really like the Oplilife it works for me I can move any way and no problem, I just bought the Swift LT, It's not
here yet as soon I get it I'm going to try it, I didn't get the one for her just the regular Swift LT.
What ever mask you pick good luck with it.

[AmyE]

Well, last night was actually much better. I went back to the papillow, and tried to route the tubing down toward my feet and then back up again. I also tightened the mask a bit on top. This made the pillows tighter against my nose, but I actually got used to it and I didn't have as many problems moving throughout the night. My nose was more sore this morning, but I found the lanolin at the store today so hopefully that will help.

I was all ready to go in today and try for a different mask, but I guess I will give this one a go for a while longer.
Amy