Swift FX mask

[gfk]

I've used the Swift LT for Her mask since I started on CPAP back on 7-10-2009. Last week I had my 3rd follow up appointment with the sleep doctor. When I mentioned to his nurse that my mask causes some skin irritation, she asked me "When was the last time you had a new mask?" duh.....a new mask? This is the first and only mask I've had since I started. Then she wanted to know why the DME company hadn't contacted me about a replacement mask on a regular basis. I tried to tell her that no one told me I should be getting new nasal pillows, mask etc. How am I supposed to know these things?

Anyway, she suggested the Swift FX mask. I was wondering if anyone here has used this mask and what they have to say about it - whether it is good or not so good.

[SharonC]

I'm a newbie and have been on APAP for 4 1/2 weeks now with the Swift FX mask and I love it. I was dreading a large mask but this one is small and is very comfortable for me. Give it a try.

[gfk]

Thanks Sharon. I was really concerned about trying something 'new'. I had some trouble getting used to the Swift LT. I'm happy for you that this mask is comfortable. That means a lot, especially when you are first getting used to CPAP.

[cjulia]

I've been using the swift FX for about a month. I also tried a comfort gel nasal mask for about a minute because I wanted to see how it fit and whether it leaked much. I quickly went back to the Swift FX. I find that it is the least intrusive and most comfortable. However, mine starts to leak about half way through the night. Not huge leaks but little ones...enough to wake me up and cause me to adjust it. Of course, leaking is a problem with all masks until you get the right fit and adjust it properly. Overall I like it and it helps.

[robysue]

I'm too new to really give an long-term assessment of the Swift FX mask. But when I was trying on masks, I tried both the Swift LT and the Swift FX. Due to the way my cheeks and cheekbones are structured, I really *hated* the LT: The L-shaped pads that are supposed to lie on your cheeks really dug into mine in a most uncomfortable fashion. I could tell right away that the LT just wasn't going to work with my facial structure. The FX was hands down much more comfortable. My final choice came down to the FX or the Opus 360. There were things that I liked in both masks and small things that I didn't like in either mask. The "issues" were slightly different, and eventually I wound up choosing the FX because I was more worried about a kind of hard piece of plastic on the Opus than the things I was worried about with the FX. It's way too early for me to tell yet if the FX is really the right mask for me since I've been using it for only a couple of days.

[Janknitz]

I love this mask. It's soft and lightweight. It is extremely comfortable. But, there are a few annoyances:

1. They set the vent holes to point down at a 45 degree angle with the theory that the cold air blast won't bother your bed partner. It doesn't blow on your bed partner. It blows on YOU, the wearer! The blast is almost inescapable.

2. The short slinky hose is very flexible, but heavy. It hangs down and has enough weight to pull the pillows away from your nose.

I solved both problems with a home management system that hangs over my head. Now the vent flow (in theory) blasts up toward the ceiling, and the weight of the slinky hose no longer pulls the pillows from my nose.

Be sure to put some hook tape velcro in the inside of the back strap, as that will reduce slipping as well.

With those tweaks, it is the perfect mask, IMHO. Total comfort, no leaks, I get my best numbers with that mask. I sleep great, too.

[sleepydawn]

Swift FX is my primary mask and definitely the best one I have tried. I like to change it up every once in a while but if I had to pick one, Swift FX would be it. It's so quiet and comfortable. I route the hose over my head using hair bands attached to the mask.

It sounds like you need a new DME. Your insurance might have a schedule to tell you how often you can replace equipment on their website. If they don't, most insurance companies will honor medicare standards. Try on a bunch of masks or try the Swift FX and get the return insurance at cpap.com in case you don't like it. Masks are very personal and if your DME isn't doing his or her best to help you make the most of your therapy then find someone who deserves your business.

[larry63]

Well, please take my opinions with a grain of salt because I just started therapy about 7 weeks ago and the swift FX is the one and only
mask I have had.

First, it is quite comfortable for me. It only took me a week or so to get to the point where when I wake up during the night, sometimes
it took me a few seconds to even remember I was wearing it.

There is a video on the Resmed site about fitting it, so be sure to watch it before using it. Although the video doesn't cover all the bases, it
is a lot better then relying on the DME tech to come to your house for 5 minutes and say "ok looks fine"!

The main thing is that the nasal pillows do _not_ go inside your nostril's - they're supposed to only rest against them.
The DME did not know this.

The down sides for me are two things:

1) I can't find an adjustment where the seal sits well for both back and side sleeping. So every time I roll over, I wake up to the hissing sound, and have to
re-seat the pillows.

2) The plastic strap that attaches to the pillows for has to ride right on my eye orbit (in other words, right against the end of the cheek-bone against the eye),
for me to get the nasal pillows at the right orientation to form a seal.

Again, I have to remind you that is the only mask I used.

I think the #1 point is the bit problem for me - I can't find a a thightness setting that seals both when I'm on my back and when I'm on my side.

Even when in the same position, I wake up several time a night to a hiss, and have to re-seat the pillows.

But I do have to say, it is a very comfortable mask - only two straps. I don't even tighten the plastic on that attaches to the pillows, only the velcro strap that goes above the ears. If I tighten the plastic one to the point where it's actually creating tension, the plastic tends to get to close to my eyes and then angle of the pillow get too wrong for a good seal.

Besides, they say that the pillows should _not_ be tight against your nose, but only secure enough that they don't actually fall off. But for me this seems to contribute to problem #2 above.

I have not yet tried to sleep on my stomach with this mask, but I don't see how it could be possible.

Needless to say, I have not been getting quality sleep lately - but again like I say, I'm very new to this sort of thing. It ain't easy

[jdm2857]

While the entire pillow does not go inside the nose, the tip of the pillow does. The air seal is made where the pillow gets wider and makes contact at the bottom of the nares.

The ResMed video (unlike some of their photos) states that the FX's silicone strap should fall approximately midway between the eye and the ear. You might try loosening the top (silicone) strap and tightening the back (velcro) strap to get the mask into this position and see what happens. I believe that the silicone strap is designed to twist a bit (hence the slot near the pillows) to allow the pillows to sit snugly against the bottom of the nose independent of the strap's angle on the head.

And some users find that the FX seals better when adjusted rather snug. I find that it feels a bit uncomfortable for a few seconds, but after that it becomes unnoticible.

Finally, using a bit of Lansinoh cream (it's a very purified lanolin producted designed both to soothe nursing mothers and be safe for infants to ingest) may help to prevent irritation of the nose and improve the pillow's seal. You'll find it in the infant section of grocery stores and mass-merchandisers.

[larry63]

While the entire pillow does not go inside the nose, the tip of the pillow does. The air seal is made where the pillow gets wider and makes contact at the bottom of the nares.

First of all, what is a "nare"? I'm geussing that just means the skin that form the nostrils?

If we have a problem with sealing, should we try a smaller size pillow or a larger one? I've heard two oposite advices, so I suppose the only way is to experiment.

The ResMed video (unlike some of their photos) states that the FX's silicone strap should fall approximately midway between the eye and the ear. You might try loosening the top (silicone) strap and tightening the back (velcro) strap to get the mask into this position and see what happens. I believe that the silicone strap is designed to twist a bit (hence the slot near the pillows) to allow the pillows to sit snugly against the bottom of the nose independent of the strap's angle on the head.

Hmmm. I found that when I had the silicone strap adjusted per the video, then I can't not get a good seal because the angle of the nasal pillow became too horizontal. I find that it only seals when the pillows are pointed as upward as possible. And I don't find that slot you mention really makes any difference.
For me the velcro strap is really the only thing that has tension on it, and if it has more than the minimum amount it will indeed pull the silicon strap halfway between me ears and eyes. When this happens I can't get a seal.


[quote}And some users find that the FX seals better when adjusted rather snug. I find that it feels a bit uncomfortable for a few seconds, but after that it becomes unnoticible.[/quote]

I suppose that it's possible that the advice is wrong, and this mask indeed needs to be tight. Since my silicone strap isn't taking any tension (i an easily put four fingerers under it with out any pressure at all), there is something either wrong with the video or else wrong with the advice that these kind of masks whould be worn loose. I guess I'll experiment before giving up.

Ok, I guess it could be that the Resmed video was made only after just a single subject tried it on. So perhaps we should'nt put much faith in it.

Finally, using a bit of Lansinoh cream (it's a very purified lanolin producted designed both to soothe nursing mothers and be safe for infants to ingest) may help to prevent irritation of the nose and improve the pillow's seal. You'll find it in the infant section of grocery stores and mass-merchandisers.

Hmm, I'm using "Ayr" instead. Are these both the same sort of thing (if you know), or is in fact Lansinoh more sticky and solid?
I can't tell any difference between the nights I use "Ayr" and the nights I don't Either way, my nostrils are never irritated, but I still have problems with the
seal.

I suppose it's possible that I will have to try another mask, but I would have no idea which one, since this one feels so comfortable.

[kempo]

Nares = the edge of the nostril. Try this, put on your FX mask, adjust the head gear for the nose pillows so it feels comfortable and not tight, turn on your machine, lay your head back on your bed pillow until you are in a comfortable position. Now pull the FX nose pillow back away from your nose and let the air blow through the pillows for 5 to 10 seconds. Now flare your nostrils and gently return the nose pillows back into position. Lay still for 5 minutes and your good to go.

[jdm2857]

Nare is the two-dollar medical word for nostril that tends to be tossed about often on this site. As this is a pretty down-to earth forum, I suppose that using nostril instead of nare would be more appropriate. Except for those that espouse the conservation of letters.

I'm using the FX, and find that snugging up more than ResMed advises works well for me. At least one other member has made the same observation. All you can do is try different adjustments to see if you can find one that works well for you.

As for the angle issue I just put the FX on and was able to slide the silicone straps up and down by about 1/2 inch without causing leaks. This certainly does not mean that you will have the same experience, but the mask does have some ability to adjust to the angle of one's nose.

I've never seen Ayr, but I believe it is a water-based gel, and suspect that it has a similar consistency to K-Y. Lansinoh is much thicker and a bit sticky, too. It's white and odorless, a far cry from plain old yellow-and-smelly lanolin. At $10 for a small tube, it's not cheap, but a tube last quite a while.

Last night, using the FX snugged up, with the hose velcroed to the top of my Respironics Premium chinstrap, Lansinoh on my nostrils, and my homemade hose hanger flying the hose overhead, I managed a 95-centile leak rate of 0.0, which is very unusual for me. I'm not ready to declare victory yet, but I am a bit more optimistic that I can make the FX work well for me.

[gfk]

I'm grateful that so many people responded to my question/comment regarding the Swift FX mask. I received my new mask via the mail last week. At first it was a bit confusing as to how to put it together, but the weight is much lighter than the Swift LT for Her. The only thing that gives me any problems at all is "inserting the small, short hose" into the nasal pillows. I can get it seated correctly but only after a half dozen tries. Thank you to all who responded, you are a great group of people

[base2balls]

I have this mask and I love it also. Only thing I don't like is the cold air blowing on my hands so I can always wear a pair of light weight fleece mittons and I do have a hose manager and that is a garden stake that you put in the ground. I fastened that to the bed post and it works pretty good, helps keep down any rain out. It has a nice curve where the hosr hangs, but I got the wrong size of a stake and I have to hang a bungee cord from that curve so it works pretty good. I have no leak problems at all and the Mirage Micro nasal mask that I also have was always leaking in my eyes, but it is a pretty good back up if my nasal pillows don't come when I need them... I sewed on a hunk of velcro to help stop the head gear from riding up and used the hook side and I was suprized that may hair does not get hung up on the hooks at all. It helps to keep the mask from sliding when you move also. I made my own padacheecks too, just little tubes out of fleece that I can slip on over the straps and talk about comfort!. Every one enjoy your day, Huggies, Fay

[chunkyfrog]

Hose management is essential with the FX.
While on vacation, we slept in my brother's camper (AC power).
My hubby set up a series of clips and scrunchies to hang my hose from the upper bunk,
There was no place to put the machine except on the headboard, just above pillow height.
I only had rainout one night--when the temp dropped like a rock, and the windows were open.