Help!! Newbie with Mask Issues -- Swift LT?

[twokatmew]

Although I'm having little leakage with my F&P 406 nasal mask, I've been waking up with black eyes that are sore and puffy. I've tried refitting (and loosening) the headgear which helped some, but I still must reseat the mask many times during the night because it's bothering my nose, my mouth, etc. I also tried the ComfortGel Petite nasal mask, but that was too heavy and didn't fit as well, so it was even less comfortable. Because I have fine features, my mask choices are limited. So ... I tried the Swift LT for Her (XS pillows). Thank goodness I bought the return insurance!

I fit the mask according to the instructions, and at first, I thought this mask was going to be a great success. However, I'm not sure what constitutes a good seal with a nasal pillows mask. Leak rate was 0.12 L/s for the several hours I wore the mask, but I was never able to sleep, so I switched back to my 406 (and reset the "mask" setting on my machine in the middle of the night). The headgear is pretty loose, and I readjusted it several times. Perhaps I have the headgear too loose now, because the top slipped down and started cutting my ears. The short hose doesn't swivel very freely, and I didn't have to move much for the hose to yank the pillows almost out of my nose. The tip of my nose got sore, indicating headgear is too tight, according to the manual, yet I can get a couple fingers easily between headgear and my head. I got up after a while and put some Ayr gel in and around my nostrils. But even before that, the pillows got rather wet, making them move around more and seemingly seal less. Finally I had to take the mask off and go back to my 406. Strangely enough, I feel more pressure using my nasal mask than with the pillows. Still, once I put the 406 back on, I slept ... finally.

I have a hose wrap and hanger, and with the humidifier set at 1.5, I get almost no moisture in my 406. Is it normal for the pillows to get so wet where they go into the nostrils? How can the pillows seal properly when wet? I also tried clipping the short hose into the hose clip on the buckle of the headgear's top strap. It still yanked on the hose so much I almost lost the mask a few times. I'm not a terribly restless sleeper, either. I was just turning from one side to the other.

I understand that nasal pillows seal by pressing up under the nose. This is what I tried to accomplish by rotating the barrel and adjusting the headgear accordingly. I also understand that having the headgear too tight will break the seal or prevent the pillows from sealing in the first place. When I had the mask fit the best (I think), I could move my upper lip with hardly any air leaking. Most of the time I wore it, however, any movement at all caused air leaks.

I expected my nose to be a bit sore while getting used to the pillows, and I know there are trade-offs with all masks. But I was unprepared to have such a horrible time in so few hours. I even tried the small pillow (as opposed to the extra small), but it is definitely too big.

If I'm having so much trouble with this mask, I doubt the Nasalaire II Petite will be any better. Can anyone comment on the ComfortCurve https://www.cpap.com/productpage.php?PNum=1842&PAID=209? Or better yet, is there a secret to making the Swift LT work?

Any and all suggestions much appreciated!

[harry33]

all new masks headgear and air hose should first be soaked then washed in warm soapy water then rinsed, suck water into hose
the comfort gell should be resized to suit your face as per the instructions and will fit much better, I get no airleaks at all from mine

eye problems are usually from airleaks at top of mask

it helps to wear mask high up on face and carefully adjust the part that presses against the forehead
mask straps are best adjusted when lying in bed on side, remembering that the el;astic stretches

[twokatmew]

Thx Harry, but I don't own the ComfortGel nasal. It worked so poorly at the sleep lab, and my DME confirmed that this was not the mask for me (even if I boiled and refit the cushion). What difference will washing the mask before use make? It's silicone, not like a new pair of jeans, right?

Anyway, I think I'm getting the hang of traditional masks. I'd really like some info on pillows and direct seal masks.

Thx again!

[harry33]

a comfort gell of the correct size may give the best seal when resized

new equipment has chemicals such as release agent, size, starch, etc that can irritate skin and eyes, and who knows who else tried it on before you

[Pugsy]

I use the Swift LT for Her and I just love it. I wish I could give you workable hints but it is so hard to put into words what I do. It's not overly tight and never has hurt my nares. Actually the headgear moves easily if I try to move it.
I added Lanonish because someone said it helped seal better which it did help significantly with the seal and subsequent leak rates.

Your finding of the Comfort Curve product is interesting, I had not seen it. It has more of the cushion thing as opposed to the individual pillows. Seems like from the reviews it is either love or hate. I think that is the way of many masks. What works for one doesn't necessarily work for someone else.

I had been wanting to try some sort of cushion just to see if they are easily dislodged but just started my treatment and money is short right now. Maybe I can find one at the auction to try. If I do, I will post results. It is too soon for me to even think of getting insurance to get me a new mask.

[Catnap]

Twokat, note that there is a free trial of the Nasal Aire II going around on the forum, if you'd like to try one for only the cost of postage. Send a PM to Babette. It is a HUGE challenge to get the Nasal Aire setup stabilized so it's comfortable, stays put, and is not leaky, but once you get there, it's a pretty good system. I use the Ultra Mirage FFM as my primary mask and the Quattro as my backup, but little by little it's getting to where I reach for the Nasal Aire first.

[Hawthorne]

I have the Swift LT and had trouble with the top strap of the headgear slipping. It would happen during the night and even when I was just falling asleep. These small strips of Velcro on each side (small white rectangles in the picture), to hold that top strap, really helped me. I use it most of the time now.

I did have some trouble with the pillows for a while too. They would not keep a seal. I was using Citrus wipes on it as I did with othe masks and only washing the pillows in soap and water once a week. I started washing the pillows every morning and now the seal holds very well.

I don't know if any of this will help you but it worked for me.

I also have the Comfort Curve and wear it sometimes instead of pillows. I really like this mask! Most people do not! The cheek pads take some getting used to and getting adjusted for each individual. I really like that way the nose piece just cradles my nose. There is no forehead piece nor is there anything to make the bridge of my nose red or sore.

It may not be a good mask for you but it does work well for me and is a nice break from the Swift LT. I do like the Swift LT too since I made those changes!

Hope this helps!

[2flamingos]

twokatmew -

I use a Swift LT and Love it! It is the first mask I tried and have only tried one other since being on pap. I tired a Hybrid, and that lasted two weeks. Went back to the LT and am glad i did. I don't have much issue with the seal and my leak rate is pretty good - well within acceptable range. Yes, there are noghts with spikes, bu the overall average is within range.... and typically those spike do not coincide with apnea events.

I would definitley recommend the LT.

[Blue Snuffle nose]

Hello Newbie with -SwiftLT,

I have this mask just recently, I find a gem to use better then the other one as I kept breaking it's connector.That was Comfort Gel Select.......When broken is useless.

[twokatmew]

Thanks all,

I figured I should give the Swift LT another go last night since I've got 30 days to try it. The mask did work better, and I did manage to wear it all night with ... get this ... a leak rate of 0.0L/s! Since I can't sew velcro on till I decide if I'm going to keep this mask or not, I just snugged up the headgear and did not clip the short hose into the hose retainer. Sure enough, although the top strap did slip a little, it was nothing like the night before when the weight of the hose was pulling on it. Based on what I read about the Nasal Aire II and having to use the largest prongs that will fit, I switched from the XS pillow to the S. It was more difficult to fit in place and feels a bit like it's stretching my nostrils, but I had leaks with the XS and no leaks with the S, so I guess I know what really fits now.

I kept the humidifier set at 1.5 and had no problems with a runny nose as I did with the XS. I don't know if the stability of the S pillow and tighter headgear kept the pillows from causing too much irritation and runny nose, but the pillows stayed dry all night. I did notice by morning that the pillows were making more noise and not sealing quite as well. But I guess it was good enough considering the leak rate.

I slept several hours and then woke up to visit the bathroom. I couldn't get back to sleep and was awake for another couple hours. I think it's going to take a bit to get used to the pillows and thus sleep with this mask all night. But ... I think in the long run, it'll be much more comfortable than my 406 nasal mask, so I'll try the Swift LT again tonight.

I noticed this morning too, that my eyes are not as black as they have been. I'm hoping this continues as I recover from sleep deprivation....

Thanks again everyone, I'll keep you posted.

[twokatmew]

Your finding of the Comfort Curve product is interesting, I had not seen it. It has more of the cushion thing as opposed to the individual pillows. Seems like from the reviews it is either love or hate. I think that is the way of many masks. What works for one doesn't necessarily work for someone else.

Yes, I almost ordered both masks (with insurance) to see which one would work better and then send the other back. But ... I've been spending so much $$ since I just started treatment, that I decided I should concentrate on one mask at a time to keep the cost down and confusion limited. I decided to go with the Swift LT since it's so much more popular, and since the ComfortCurve uses a non-standard hose. Even though it comes with this hose, having a separate hose makes swapping masks more difficult, especially in the middle of the night! Further, I'm kind of biased against Respironics masks now that I had such a bad experience with the ComfortGel nasal. They do have yet another direct seal nasal mask though, and it uses a standard hose, though it has a chin support instead of cheek pads: http://optilife.respironics.com/ -- it comes with pillows and cushions though, so it's even more flexible.

[twokatmew]

I have the Swift LT and had trouble with the top strap of the headgear slipping. It would happen during the night and even when I was just falling asleep. These small strips of Velcro on each side (small white rectangles in the picture), to hold that top strap, really helped me. I use it most of the time now.

I wish they would use the same kind of connector on the top strap as they do on the back. If they did that, the headgear would be much better, IMNSHO. Nevertheless, assuming I keep this mask, I'm going to sew some velcro on myself. Thx for the tip!

I did have some trouble with the pillows for a while too. They would not keep a seal. I was using Citrus wipes on it as I did with other masks and only washing the pillows in soap and water once a week. I started washing the pillows every morning and now the seal holds very well.

Yeah, I washed everything but the headgear in mild soap and warm water yesterday. (I was afraid the headgear wouldn't dry before bedtime.)

BTW, does the Swift LT come with the soft wraps, or did you have to buy them separately. I prefer the dark blue headgear, and since I'm using the S pillow, I could get either mask. I do like the soft wraps though, and don't want to have to pay extra for them.

I also have the Comfort Curve and wear it sometimes instead of pillows. I really like this mask! Most people do not! The cheek pads take some getting used to and getting adjusted for each individual. I really like that way the nose piece just cradles my nose. There is no forehead piece nor is there anything to make the bridge of my nose red or sore.

How do you like the proprietary hose? From the reviews, it sounds like it is fragile and tears easily.

Anyway, thanks much for your help!

[twokatmew]

Twokat, note that there is a free trial of the Nasal Aire II going around on the forum, if you'd like to try one for only the cost of postage. Send a PM to Babette. It is a HUGE challenge to get the Nasal Aire setup stabilized so it's comfortable, stays put, and is not leaky, but once you get there, it's a pretty good system. I use the Ultra Mirage FFM as my primary mask and the Quattro as my backup, but little by little it's getting to where I reach for the Nasal Aire first.

Thanks Catnap, I didn't realize there was a test drive going on.

[gingerdos]

I'm also adjusting to swift lt ( I have swift lt for her).

I can hear a slight whistling noise when breathing. It's very quiet, my husband can not hear it. Does this mean I do not have it fitted correctly?

Ginger

[twokatmew]

Mine whistled more with the XS pillows than with the S. When it whistles, I just wiggle the pillow attachment and/or rotate the barrel down a bit, and the whistle stops. It doesn't whistle very much, though.