Swift Headgear Pain

dkeat · Post by **dkeat** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 1:02 am

Spent the second night with the Swift and am happy to report no soreness of nares and no leaks.

Only one real problem and it was a bit of a problem. The headgear is very close up to my ears and as they are stiff ears they start to hurt after awhile, especially when I turn on my side to sleep.

I seem to recall seeing a post on how to handle this when I was going through the FAQs on the Swift, but I don't want to read all of those again.

Can anyone suggest?

Thanks.

David

DewRider · Post by **DewRider** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 5:50 am

I have the same mask and have a similar problem. I remember someone posting a solution (couldn't find it either to quote it) but the suggestion was to get the soft foam tubes that are used for relieving painful corns on the toes. They can be cut to fit if necessary and I believe the suggestion was to take the headgear apart and slip the tubes right over the hard side pieces of the mask. It is also supposed to eliminate the "swoosh" marks.

I am planning to get these tubes today and try them. If they work, I will let you know.

LynfromOz · Post by **LynfromOz** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 6:24 am

Had the same problem on the first night.
I have shortened the top straps, as this pulls the face straps up and away from my ears.
I also wear the whole thing quite loose as this eases any pressure on the nares and doesn't seem to cause leaks. I love my Swift.

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 9:00 am

I solved that problem easily by readjusting the straps by loosening them both first. Then put the Swift on and adjust the back strap first, not overly tight but enought to feel comfortably secure. If anything, though, on the looser side, not tight. Then adjust the top strap and it should pull those straps by your ears into a position where they sit between the ear and the outside corner of your eye, basically on the top of your cheekbone if adjusted correctly.

I used to have them digging into my ears, too. Once I readjusted the straps, it was totally different and much more comfortable.

Also, for the women who use it and feel as though the back strap rides up, or men with hair that is long enough for this, if your hair is long enough, make a makeshift bun out of it by twirling it up, but don't use any bobbypins or clips, and put the back strap over it. It makes it more secure. At least it did for me.

ProfessorSleep · Post by **ProfessorSleep** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 11:39 am

I followed Lori's (Sleepless) suggestions when I was having sore spots with my Swift. Her guidance was flawless. By the way, Lori, I owe you a huge thank you for that!

dkeat · Post by **dkeat** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 11:45 am

Sleepless on LI wrote:I solved that problem easily by readjusting the straps by loosening them both first. Then put the Swift on and adjust the back strap first, not overly tight but enought to feel comfortably secure. If anything, though, on the looser side, not tight. Then adjust the top strap and it should pull those straps by your ears into a position where they sit between the ear and the outside corner of your eye, basically on the top of your cheekbone if adjusted correctly.

Well thanks for that. I will absolutely try it out tonight. I don't know why, but I thought that the top strap if I tightened it enough to lift the other strap over my ears would at the same time pull the cushions in too tightly on my naries.

David

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 12:47 pm

Professor Sleep,

I am so glad that my suggestion worked for you, too. It makes all the difference in the world with the Swift when it isn't nipping at your ears, no? You made me very happy to read my advice worked well. Thanks for letting me know that.

ProfessorSleep · Post by **ProfessorSleep** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 1:34 pm

Your directions really, really made a difference. I don't think that, intuitively, I would adjust the back then the top. But I do think that procedure is the key to getting the Swift right. Sure worked for me, anyway. I so clearly remember sitting on the edge of the bed trying yet another time and I recall saying to my dog "first the back, then the top, and not too tight...." Thanks again! And I apologize for not saying so earlier.

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 1:57 pm

Beth,

No need to apologize. I am just always so happy to hear when a suggestion I make works for someone. Thanks for letting me know. I'm glad you're getting a better, more comfortable fit now with the Swift.

dkeat · Post by **dkeat** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 2:41 pm

Well Lori, I couldn't wait for bedtime to try your suggestion and ran off to find my Swift. I did what you said and sure nuff, it seems to work as promised. It's 10:40 PM over here now so I'll be trying it our "in vitro" very shortly.

Thanks for the help!

David

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 3:55 pm

I'm glad you think it worked, David. Please let me know how tonight goes. Good luck!!!

WAFlowers · Post by **WAFlowers** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 8:27 am

To add to Lori's comments, I found that if I both loosened the back strap and (slightly) tighted the top strap then the entire headgear would rotate forward. Getting it just right, I could have the barrel held in the proper position under my nose, while still having the straps clearing my ears.

Since the position of the barrel is fixed (by your nose -- it has to be in the right place) imagine that the headgear is rotating around that as the axis. In fact, if you loosen the straps as far as they can go and hold the barrel in place under your nose, you should be able to rotate everything else up and forward or down and back until you find the side straps between your eyes and your ears (just back of your temples) and the back strap above your ears.

Then using your 3rd hand, tighten everything down while holding the straps with one hand and the barrel with the other.

OK, maybe not. So go back and forth a bit using your 2 hands and it'll be fine.

susanhhill · Post by **susanhhill** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 11:06 am

This is slightly off the subject, but since all you Swift users are reading this I thought it would be okay to ask here.
Do you ever have a problem with your pillow pushing your swift slightly off where you have a leak? (I sleep on my side.) Do I need to tighten a strap? I really really like my Swift, but dr. suggested I go back to flexifit since I was having a leak issue and fatigue. Okay i asked more than one question.
Susan

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 11:34 am

Susan,

That seems to be one of the complaints of Swift users. It is a great interface, but sometimes when you side sleep, you can push the barrel a bit and it causes leakage. That's what kept me up every night a few times a night whenever I'd turn over. I would make sure that I didn't dislodge the barrel. I am so trained now to wake up when I turn over due to that even thought I don't use the Swift anymore.

Sorry my take on it probably isn't what you wanted to hear.

ProfessorSleep · Post by **ProfessorSleep** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 12:00 pm

Yep, had trouble with it shifting side to side from the start. The trick is to make a good edge with your pillow and let the barrel part of the Swift interface hang over that so there isn't any pressure on it. I got a PAPillow, which is shaped in a way that makes it easy to do this, but a special pillow isn't necessary, just a good edge.

Machine	Mask

Machine	Mask

Machine	Mask

Mask