Problems to adjust to a Swift LT I'll give up

[rosacer]

I changed to a Swift LT and I have had the 3 more terrible nights since the begining on cpap. I need to clarify I changed mask's type in the machine the first day.

My AHI went from 1.2 (feeling not bad only a bit tired) to 5 first day, 4 second day (I was encouraged a bit I was going down) and today 8.8 unbelivable!

Every single night I woke up 4 - 5 times (every hour or so), my bad synthoms returned even if the numbers are not too high. Today I stayed as the other nights 1 hour trying to put those pillows in a position it don't hurt my nose and seems to work.

I think I'm giving up on that mask, sad because the Activa bothers me the face and get full of water but I prefere the water than not sleeping. I think I'm feeling in not a very good mood .

Are all the nasal pillows as difficult to set as Swift's LT? I feel there is no position I can place that thing, maybe I have a weird nose, I tryid the small pillows and it was a big leak so I toke the medium I don't have big nostrils any ways. I feel the distance between the pillows and the angle they have is not too good to me. I have a Mirage Liberty and I find the pillows are easier to place in a convenient position BUT the leak around the corners of my mouth don't stops.

Is there a kind of nasal pillows easy to adjust?

Comments please

[DreamOn]

Hi rosacer,

Have you tried any of the "Lab Rat" mask/strap modifications yet?: viewtopic.php?t=15104. Scroll down to "Swift LT" and see if there may be something there to help stabilize the nasal pillows so they'll stay in your nostrils.

I have had great success with the AEIOMed Headrest nasal pillows mask. I realize that mask fitting is a very individual thing, however, as our faces are all shaped differently. But the Headrest pillows fit my nostrils well, and I like that the mask vents the air upwards rather than straight out. Perhaps some other forum members will offer their suggestions as well.

I have also found masks to be the most challenging part of CPAP! I know that you'll be able to work through these difficulties, but it can be frustrating.

~ DreamOn

[Llama]

maybe I have a weird nose, I tryid the small pillows and it was a big leak so I toke the medium I don't have big nostrils any ways.

I have pretty big nostrils (think .45 bullet casing) and I use a M, so you may be using too big of a pillow.

When my LT leaks I usually find that it is because the hose is pulling down and making the pillows pitch too far forward/away from my face. For me and my LT, leakfree fit is a dance between upwards pressure and making sure that the pillow retainer is tilted to let the pillows seat flush. I imagine that the second adjustment would be more constant if I used the holder to attach the hose to the headgear, but I don't like it obscuring my sight. If my mask leaks during the night it is almost always that the hose has drooped to the floor and is pulling the mask off angle.

[secret agent girl]

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[Reddwarf]

I bought the same item and had trouble with it. For me I would awake feeling like I could not breathe. I went back to my nose mask. Now that I have had the nasal surgery i plan to try the pillow mask again. My ENT said that with my deviated septum a pillow mask would not work well. I found this out after I purchased it.

Good luck!

[rosacer]

Thank you very much guys, it's so heart warming to see how the people at this forum cares for the problems each other experiences !

DreamOn: I will take a look to the Lab Rat modifications, thanks for the link.

Llama: for sure I don't have big nostrils. If you say those Medium are good for you it should be an essue there. OK I just measured it, I have 5/16 inch nostrils

I tryid the small pillow and it seemed to be too small it was a constant leak. I don't have that size with me now because the mask is provided by a hospital and the person who takes care of my case took the S size with her. For sure I will ask her to bring it back next week.

When I took the mask off I noticed I had a big round marked around my right nostril in the front of the nose. The left nostril which is smaller than the right one had a round with a line in the junction of the exterior corner nose and the cheek. Each time I put that mask I feel disconfort in that same place, I think the mask provably leaks there.

I will try to take a look at the position and everything else on day time maybe there is something to do but I think I will need the S again to check it again.

My AHI with the Swift was 8.8 ; my AHI was less than 2 last week with the Activa.

secret agent girl: thanks a lot for your wishes. I actually put the small hose in the attatch, I passed ONE hour figting with the mask to find a confortable fitting and didn't worked. Maybe I have the nostrils too close?


Thanks Reddwarf: The other problem is I was feeling not easy to breath with that, hard to exhale even with the ramp, my nose became congested, I need to say two ORLs had told me I don't have any problem with my nose only small sinuses passages specially in one side.

Thank you everybody I will check out and see if there is something to do with the famous Swift. I"ll give you news soon. But this night I take my beautiful Activa

[Reddwarf]

Good luck rosacer. Your post inspired me to give my Swift LT another try. I took a nap today and used it. I was able to tolerate better but it did feel like I had a hard time exhaling on the ramp up time. I didn't sleep very well, but that may be do to the nap time and not the mask. It also seemed loud. Is that possible?

I will try again one night soon.

[gl]

I feel there is no position I can place that thing,

The first thing I thought of when I saw this was I wonder if you have the pillows mounted in the mask upside down. There's a definite UP and DOWN on the pillow.

[Marietjie]

I tryid the small pillow and it seemed to be too small it was a constant leak.

...I am so sorry to read that you struggle so much with your nasal pillows! - Rosacer, the pillows have got two sides - look it up in your manual (did they supply you with a manual?) - and also do not make the straps too tight. Your nose will hurt. Wash your nasal pillows with (as Gerryk told me) dishwashing liquid and not with soap or even baby shampoo that contains moisturizers/cream! because it will make your pillows greasy/oily and that you do not want. Equipment must be sqeaky clean (and your face) Creams on face/mask will cause leaks. I have a bottle of diluted diswashing liquid in the bathroom to clean my equipment. Ag, I hope you come right soon. Test and try your mask/s long before bedtime - you do not want to be upset when you are ready to go to sleep. Good Luck, friend

[rosacer]

Hi everybody, I slept do well with my Activa last night the Swift LT is on the shelf for now.

gl: the pillows are mounted in the proper position, Resmed name in the front. Thanks

Reddwarf: I'm happy you were able to tolerate (good word, yes!) your Swift LT, I hope you will be able to enjoy it one day. It seems there are some of our friend who like it a lot.

Mariet: thanks a lot for your concern. I will wash the pillows with dish washer soap and try it on day time. I don't feel too disposed to try the mask at night time again. The mask is properly assembled.

Nice I have a new friend, in South Africa! Beautiful kids!