nasal pillows

[ilvsleep]

I have been having trouble with my nasal pillows. I have been very restless and can't get a good fit.I feel pressure in my tears ducts when I put the mask on. It is so uncomfortable I have been not sleeping with my cpap for the full night for the last 2 weeks. I have noticed alot of irregular heartbeats, joint aches and lots of time awake at night. These where my problems before treatment with cpap. I called the DME today and was told "of course your pillows are mushy and not holding a seal, they need to be replaced!"
I am so glad I called!! I was giving up...I haven't even wanted to use cpap anymore! I slept last night with the small pillows since they were new compared to my mushy mediums!! LOL I slept ALL night and no more tossing and turning! I hope the smalls work until my new orders come in!!

[Janknitz]

The pillows for Swift nasal pillow systems have to be replaced every 3 to 4 weeks to maintain a good seal.

[ilvsleep]

Thanks!! The DME told me I could replace them every month per my insurance. I really need to read through my stuff again to make sure I get the best care!!

[Amigo]

The pillows for Swift nasal pillow systems have to be replaced every 3 to 4 weeks to maintain a good seal.

Holy crap, what a racket. Is it any wonder our health care costs are so high. I sincerely hope that the Swift has other outstanding benefits to warrant this hassle and expense.

My Puritan Bennett nasal pillows seem to last "forever," and never get mushy, however, I replace them annually just for the hell of it.

[pitrow]

I dunno, maybe I just got a good set, but I've been using the same pillows for my swift lt for almost a year now. Regular cleaning is all it needs. Still works the same as day 1.

[ilvsleep]

I rinse them every night with mild soap and wash my face. Since using the small I have had 2 nights of great sleep! Thanks for the replies!!

[Physician]

For those of you who have tried BOTH the Swift LT and the Swift FX, which is preferred and why ?

[sleeplessinaz]

Hello Physician----I have tried BOTH the Swift LT and the Swift FX. I have had the "Swift LT for her" longer and I think I gravitate towards that one since it so comfy to me. I wanted to try the FX since it was so new and everyone was raving about it. I do like the simple headgear of the FX--it is practically not there. What I don't like is how you have to practically rip the whole mask apart to clean the nasal pillows. I would not like to have to do that every day and it seems like that weakens the pillows as they are more delicate that the LT. The LT for her you can just take off the nasal pillows and wash them, they pop right back on--no problem. They seem sturdier and I like the fact that you can adjust the angle of the pillows on the Swift LT.

I am strictly a side sleeper too so each mask had to stay put while I turn from side to side. The FX seems to leak alot and seems to not want to stay put. The Swift LT for her--is a perfect fit and you can toss and turn with it and it will not leak or come away from your nose. I am still trying to get used to the FX as I really like the head gear but still find myself going back to the Swift Lt for her again.

I wish Resmed would make the nasal pillows a standard size. I use the small in the LT for her and the XS in the FX----wierd.

Well that is about all I can think of at this time--I can always write more later.

Carrie

[jdm2857]

A couple of notes:

The FX has only 3 major components -- the headgear, the hose, and the pillow. The pillow is central and removing it separate the mask into 3 parts, but involves no ripping. I have been using the same pillow for 10 weeks, disassembling the mask almost daily with no sign of the connections to the hose or headgear wearing.

Unlike the LT, the FX has no stiff frame. The flexibility of the silicone straps allows the pillow to be positioned against the nose without a the need for a mechanical adjustment.

[kempo]

A couple of notes:

The FX has only 3 major components -- the headgear, the hose, and the pillow. The pillow is central and removing it separate the mask into 3 parts, but involves no ripping. I have been using the same pillow for 10 weeks, disassembling the mask almost daily with no sign of the connections to the hose or headgear wearing.

Unlike the LT, the FX has no stiff frame. The flexibility of the silicone straps allows the pillow to be positioned against the nose without a the need for a mechanical adjustment.

I agree.

[Physician]

Hello Physician----I have tried BOTH the Swift LT and the Swift FX. I have had the "Swift LT for her" longer and I think I gravitate towards that one since it so comfy to me. I wanted to try the FX since it was so new and everyone was raving about it. I do like the simple headgear of the FX--it is practically not there. What I don't like is how you have to practically rip the whole mask apart to clean the nasal pillows. I would not like to have to do that every day and it seems like that weakens the pillows as they are more delicate that the LT. The LT for her you can just take off the nasal pillows and wash them, they pop right back on--no problem. They seem sturdier and I like the fact that you can adjust the angle of the pillows on the Swift LT.

I am strictly a side sleeper too so each mask had to stay put while I turn from side to side. The FX seems to leak alot and seems to not want to stay put. The Swift LT for her--is a perfect fit and you can toss and turn with it and it will not leak or come away from your nose. I am still trying to get used to the FX as I really like the head gear but still find myself going back to the Swift Lt for her again.

I wish Resmed would make the nasal pillows a standard size. I use the small in the LT for her and the XS in the FX----wierd.

Well that is about all I can think of at this time--I can always write more later.

Carrie

Thank you.

Why do people insert "for her" after the Swift ?

I plan on trying the LT in a few weeks, as several sleep experts recommended it over the FX and the Swift II. If ResMed solves the strap configuration and the vcent holes on the Activa, that would be nice. Reportedly, they are working on both.

[sleeplessinaz]

Helo----The Swift LT has 2 masks---the regular dark blue Swift LT and the Swift LT FOR HER version. The "for her" version is the same as the LT but has light powder blue head gear color and comes with a variety of smaller size nasal pillows. It also comes with little light blue strap covers but I do like the Pad a Cheek ones better.

When I said I did not like to "rip apart" the nasal mask every day--I do not rip it literally. LOL! You HAVE to remove the pillow from the circular plastic bit that connects the whole deal together. The whole headgear and everything falls apart at this point. I find that when I am putting the nasal pillow back onto the round disk after cleaning it--you have to smash and pull at the delicate nasal pillow to get it up and OVER the round disk to put the mask back together. It seems very inconvenient that's all.

Overall they are both great masks. Just think all the hype over the new FX is over rated----the LT seems better made and sturdier.

Carrie

[neverbetter]

I have never have to change my Hybrid pillows.
Some companies will send new pillows every month unless you stop it.

[ilvsleep]

Definetly was my pillows because I have been using the smalls and I have been sleeping all night with some minor adjustments for leaks( being they are a little too small for me). I should get the new ones in a few days. Just a thought...I wonder if all the sunscreen(waterproof) messed the pillows up. I took a shower every night and scrubbed my face but who knows! I even used face wash cloths before putting on the cpap while camping just to get rid of the sweaty feeling you get when camping in the heat.

[nosenabook]

The Swift LT For Her is similar to the Swift LT; seems to me the hose connection was different. Something was different because I greatly preferred the Swift LT.

edited to add correction: I have a Swift Mirage II that I prefer over the LT. I had the name wrong.

The FX is great. Comfy and flexible. In fact, the hose is so flexible that it gets a little hard to handle, but that wasn't why I gave it up. For whatever reason, I had an extreme amount of gas when using the FX. I started using the Mirage Swift II again and it went away.
Social acceptability won.