Swift LT help

[library teacher]

Last night was my first night to try the LT. I lowered my pressure from 10 to 7 so I could get use to the pressure directly going up my nostrils. I really had trouble with it. I slept about 1 1/2 hours and then had to take it off. Before going to sleep I kept it on about one hour. Does this get any better? My right nostril felt really tender. The left one didn't hurt as much. I sleep on my right side.

I really like the feel of the LT. I love not having the strap across my forehead. My nasal mask felt so cumbersome on my face and was so hot feeling.

Can anyone give me advice on what to do or how long it took you to get use to the Swift LT after using nasal masks? Thanks

[Hawthorne]

You don't need the Swift LT to be very tight. The pillows should sit just under your nostrils. The curved in part will be just inside the edge of your nostrils. I thought I would need a medium pillow. Turns out that small is best for me. You may want to go down a size.

A little Ayr Nasal Gel just around the edges will help with the soreness until you get used to it. Some use Lanisoh Lanolin Cream(breast nipple cream).

Soon you won't even notice the air going directly into your nose.

[roster]

Swift LT. So they make a mask just for your profession?

The exhaust must make a little "Shhh" sound?

[sepool]

I use the Swift LT at relatively high pressure (16-20) and the first couple of nights, the pressure "inflated" my nose, and that didn't feel good. But, after 3 or 4 nights, I didn't notice any more discomfort. My nostril edges themselves didn't give me any trouble.

I do keep the headgear kind of loose (easy to put a couple of fingers underneath them). The pressure inflates the pillows and seals them against my nose.

It was critical to use the right size... the DME recommended Medium, but I ended up using large. It made the most difference with the sealing.

[library teacher]

Thanks for replies. Actually the edges of my nostrils didn't get sore, it was air blowing up that made my nose sore. The inside of my nostril just feels irritated. I do hope I can adjust to this mask.

Rooster, I love your sense of humor. Yes, the exhaust does make a shhhh sound. Thank goodness my husband was asleep. Of course he doesn't complain. A shhhhh is better than a snnnnnr.

[Mebake]

It will get better! It took me about a week to get used to the Swift . I have a question the discomfort you feel is it from the mask or from the air going directly up your nose. If it is from the air going up you nose you will get more comfortable with that. if it is from fit I would agree with previous post that I would try to make it as loose as possible with out leaks. I sometimes for get I have it on and could not imagine not having the Swift.

[millich]

Teacher -
I, too, am new to the LT pillows (and to CPAP, for that matter). Based on a recommendation on this board - can't remember who to give the credit to, sorry! - I've increased the humidifer when I use the pillows. It doesn't seem to dry/irritate my nose and sinuses as much. You might try that.

Good luck!

[vipertec]

I don't use my lt that much anymore but I did find that it seals better and is more comfortable if you don't tighten it too much ,in other words loosen up on the straps ,you will need to play around with it to get it just right,good luck!

[tattooyu]

Tighten the straps just snug enough to keep the pillows in your nose. The pressure will create the seal NOT the tightness of the mask. I tighten my lower straps first, then then top straps which are fairly slack (I can fit one finger under them).

I started with small pillow then graduated to medium which sealed a lot better. Yes, my nares (nostrils) were a little sore. Yes, the pressure was uncomfortable. I don't even feel it now.

Try setting your humidifier as high as necessary to keep your nose moist, but no higher. That worked for me. I used to use it on 3-4; now I use it at 1.5 all the time, unless I change climates like I did in Nebraska this week.

Best of luck!

[JZ]

You have gotten some good suggestions here that I agree with. Yes, definitely you will get used to it -- just hang in there. You might also try using a saline nasal spray a couple of time a day to help moisturize your nostrils.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Janna

[mattman]

It took me maybe a week to a week and a half to get used to the Swift.

During that time I'd switch back and forth between my comfort gel and the Swift, using the swift more and more each night until my nasal passages toughened up to it.

I've since gone back to using my Comfort Gel full time but yes, it did get better with the Swift and yes I did get used to it after a little while.

If you like it, then I'd say keep at it. You'll get there!

[GaryG]

After having nose irritation issues with Quattro and Gel Face masks, and an Activa mask, I tried the Swift LT for my first night last night. After an hour, I had a similar reaction, felt very dry in nose and throat. Half asleep I managed to hook up the humidifer and it made a big difference.

Still, from reading this forum, it seems like mask use is very subjective, and everyone has different degrees of toleration for different masks. Please hang in there, and keep trying.

[Patrick A]

I have a swift , I like it better than any other mask I have tried. I have been using them for over a year now. I have had to tighten the lower strap a little seems to help. Good Luck

[Spirit]

I used Swift LT first time last night. Only problem, I had was right nostril clogged, super dry mouth, chin strap didn't help, wouldn't stay on before I got in bed, kept sliding off my head.

Plan on increasing humidifier level from 2 to 4 and see what happens.

But the headgear is fantastic, no adjustment needed after falling asleep.

[jweeks]

Thanks for replies. Actually the edges of my nostrils didn't get sore, it was air blowing up that made my nose sore. The inside of my nostril just feels irritated. I do hope I can adjust to this mask.

I found that things work best for me if I run the humidity on the high side, such as 4 on the scale of 0 to 5. The humidity makes my nose feel better, and it greatly diminishes any dry eye problems that I was getting from the full face masks. At the same time, the humidity make me feel warmer, so I end up turning the air conditioning down even lower. I have it set at 71, plus I run a fan to circulate air.

Someone else commented that it took them time to adjust to the pressure of the air going up their nose. I am at 13.5/20 on bipap. I found the pressure hard to get used to on a full face mask. But on the Swift, I don't notice it at all, at least as long as I keep my mouth closed. If I open my mouth even a bit, it feels like a hurricane inside my head.

Rooster, I love your sense of humor. Yes, the exhaust does make a shhhh sound. Thank goodness my husband was asleep. Of course he doesn't complain. A shhhhh is better than a snnnnnr.

I thought that the Swift was a bit loud, but I get used to it. A much bigger factor for me is that the full face masks that I have used all seem to exhaust above the nose, which resulted in a lot of air movement by my eyes. That nearly drove me nuts. The swift exhausts below the nose, and seems to push the air out rather than around the face. It doesn't create air flow anywhere near my eyes. I find that far more comfortable.

I was near the end of the line as far as making CPAP work with a full face mask. I feel very fortunate to have found something that works for me like the Swift. It has made a big difference. I only tried the Swift after reading some of Rooster's postings--I am lucky that he was willing to share his experiences.

-john-