Swift LT - what size do I need?

[cajun]

Sorry if this has been answered in other threads. I searched but couldn't find the info.

I bought a Swift LT recently and tried the small + medium pillows. The small easily goes into my nostrils, but I don't know if it's big enough to seal. I tried it out with my machine for a few mins and didn't hear/feel any obvious leaks. When I put the medium up to my nose it looked like the outer sides collapse before the pillow actually goes into my nostril. I didn't try the medium under pressure from the machine.

What do you LT experts think - start with small? Is there a consensus on using the attachment that runs the hose over the top of your head, or do most leave the hose free on the swivel elbow? I'm a side sleeper if that matters.

[Pugsy]

You might find that you can use both the small and the medium pillow under pressure. You might find that one seems to do a little better than the other but you won't know till you try. I started with a Small for a week or so then went to extra small and my leak reduced just a bit.

I use the Swift with it free flowing. Never hooked up the gear over my head. I toss and turn a lot, sleep on my side alot. I often have essentially zero leaks with it.

[millich]

Can't answer the pillow size question.

I do know that I originally thought routing the hose over your head was an absolutely brilliant idea. In actual practice, though, I find I get a better fit when I let the hose go straight down. I'm currently experimenting with various methods to stabilize it in that position. I tried pinning the hose cover to my nightgown - very difficult to go to the bathroom that way. Last night, I tied panty hose around my chest and then tied the hose. That seemed to work pretty well.

[Pugsy]

I noticed when I tried to route the hose over my head that the upward tension on my nostrils was a bit unpleasant. Not hugely unpleasant and maybe I did something wrong. I found that having it loose I could hide the hose under the pillow. It was just more comfortable on my nose and made for very easy movement.

[lovecollies]

I use the attachment and put the hose over my head. I toss and turn alot and it keeps the hose out of my face. I sleep on both my sides and my stomach and this mask works great all ways.
As for the nasal pillows, the small is better for one nostril, the medium better for the other!
I guess my nose is a little lop-sided!
So I just switch back and forth, there doesn't seem to be that much differnce in the sizes to me.

[jdm2857]

I find that with the hose routed upwards, I can adjust the hose in the clip to put just a bit of pull on the pillows and reduce the pressure on my upper lip.

[cajun]

All,

Thanks for the info. I think I'll do a trial run with it this weekend. Don't want to be a zombie at work if I run into issues.

[drj130]

All,

Thanks for the info. I think I'll do a trial run with it this weekend. Don't want to be a zombie at work if I run into issues.

Where is the fun in that?

On the normal side of the street, I just received my medium pillows yesterday, and tried them this morning My leak line hasn't been so flat from the day I started treatment. You really wouldn't know until you've tried those that you think will fit you.

David

[tattooyu]

I started with small to get my nares used to it, but it didn't seal well. I switched to medium and it seals MUCH better. I even tried large recently to see if it would be even better. It wasn't.

IMHO, err on the side of slightly too large rather than too small.

[cajun]

Took the plunge last night - report below. Felt comfortable putting it on and wearing it through the night. Nice to not have my face marked up like with the ComfortGel Nasal. I ended up going with the medium pillow b/c when I hooked up the machine with the small it SEEMED like I was hearing a lot of air rushing out (in addition to the exhaust port). I've been at 8.5 cm with the other mask, but I wimped out and dropped to 8 cm for the Swift last night. 8.5 felt like I was in a wind tunnel, but I'll keep trying to get back to it b/c at 8.5 I was getting AHI's in the 1.7-2.7 range.

My leak rate seems high at 36 (intentional is 28 at 8 cm), but at least the line seems kind of smooth. I guess I need to play with the straps, or should I let it be for a few nights? Also, I mouth tape if that matters. Thanks again for the info!

[Hawthorne]

I think your data looks very good! To me, that is an excellent leak line. You may get used to the 8 cm and be able to up it to 8.5 cm again before too long and that could bring your AHI down a little.

Your AHI is not that bad but I think you could get it somewhat lower with a setting 8.5 at least.

If I were you, I would leave things as they are for a few more nights and then try upping the pressure a bit again.

[cajun]

I think your data looks very good! To me, that is an excellent leak line. You may get used to the 8 cm and be able to up it to 8.5 cm again before too long and that could bring your AHI down a little.

Your AHI is not that bad but I think you could get it somewhat lower with a setting 8.5 at least.

If I were you, I would leave things as they are for a few more nights and then try upping the pressure a bit again.

Thanks. 8 cm wasn't bad at all, so hopefully I can get back to 8.5 soon. After ordering the Swift I suddenly starting having really good results with the ComfortGel - most nights in the 2.0 range. Kind of feel nuts to be switching to a new mask, but from what I've read here the Swift LT seems to be a superior mask compared to the ComfortGel (I know it varies by user). I think it's the right decision for the long run. I still get noticeable leaks from the Comfortgel around my nose/eyes from time to time + it seems to have a major design flaw (connector breaks easily).

My wife keeps asking, "When are you going to stop tinkering with this CPAP stuff?"

[Hawthorne]

Having a couple of different types of masks that work for you is a good practice, in my opinion. You can trade off and give your nostrils (in the case of the Swift LT) or you face and nosebridge ( in the case of the Comfort Gel) a break once in a while. That's what I think anyway. It's also good to have a spare mask available in case of breakage.

Your AHI with the Swift will probably come down when you get back to the 8.5 cm pressure setting and you get used to that type of mask. It takes a few nights for a person to adjust to a mask, especially if it is a different type.