Swift lt and swift fx

[Patches]

Just some info to share... I went to my DME to get a mask replacement and I requested a swift fx. I heard good things about it from the forum. Anyway, we tried it and even used a demo unit w my settings to see if I'd be comfortable. it was comfortable alright until she turned on the demo unit and there was just leaks going out everywhere. She adjusted tge straps, changed pillows and i tried facing sideways but there was just leaks eveeywhere. So, she said we should try swift lte instead. She said that the pillows are different in shape. And it worked perfectly fine ! I love my swift lte. Long story short...for those desperate to use pillows try one or the other.

[Wonka]

I have both, but can't stop the leaks on the fx. I used some of the adhesive backed rough-side of velcro on the fx strap since the back kept slipping during the night. It holds fine, but the leaks persist at the pillows area. On the Swift Lt, the adhesive backed velcro wouldn't stick. So, I kind of wound it around. Now, the lower strap doesn't move when I sleep. But...I'll probably have bald patches when I try to remove it..it really adheres to the back of my hair. But...no leaks. I just don't like the rigid frame by the nose pillows.

In summary, I was really, really, hoping I could get the fx to work because of it's lightness, the flexibility of the hose, etc. But, I just can't stop the leaks. So, I'll probably have to stick with the Swift LT.

[jonnybee]

I use the LT and was considering switching to the FX and asked my DME if she had received comments on the FX. FWIW, she stated that most users prefer the LT over the FX. I decided to stick with my LT.

[msradar65]

I use the Swift LT for her as well. I really like it. I tried the swift II and hated it when I did my titration study. Since starting on CPAP I did have to go up a size from extra small pillows to small pillows.

[snuginarug]

All of you who have tried both the LT and the FX... can you describe the difference in the shape of the pillows? I tried the FX but found that my nares were too long and skinny. Is it worth trying the LT?

[jweeks]

All of you who have tried both the LT and the FX... can you describe the difference in the shape of the pillows? I tried the FX but found that my nares were too long and skinny. Is it worth trying the LT?

Snug,

I use the LT, but I have an FX that I have attempted to use on several occasions. I have nares that are somewhat slotted. I do have leaks from time to time, but the comfort of the LT is worth the cost of having some additional struggles with leaks. I have found that the LT can be adjusted as far as what angle it rests up against my nose, and there is one angle that seems to work really well. The FX doesn't have any structure by your nose, so you cannot adjust the angle that it rests against your nose. In my case, the FX tips up a bit, and I get leaks like crazy. I also could not get the FX to stay on my head. There isn't enough straps on the headgear, and it slides right off. I did find that it works much better for me if I turn the headgear upside down. That is, however, a moot point given the leaks.

-john-

[robysue]

Chiming in my two cents here:

I'm one who can (and does) use the FX with good results, but can't use the LT.

For me, the problem with the LT is not the shape or size of the pillows. It's those dang L-shaped frames that fit against your cheeks. Now I understand that's what adds the additional stability to the mask---and that may very well be why some of you find the LT so much easier or better than the FX. But those L-shaped parts of the frame dig into the hollows of my cheeks in a most uncomfortable way and I could not tolerate having the mask on my face for more than 5 minutes at the DME when I was trying on masks. Now I don't think this is a design flaw with the LT so to speak. I think it's just that the design of the LT doesn't fit the way my particular face is put together: I have a small head with a small face and very high, prominent cheekbones and hollow cheeks---not exactly a common face size or type.

The FX, on the other hand, has no trouble floating on my cheeks. I find that I get a good seal until both the back and the top bands of the mask both threaten to fall off my head---it's really remarkable how far out of alignment I can push those bands and still have a decent (sometimes excellent) seal at the pillows. It may just be that the shape and size of the small pillows really fits my nostrils very, very well. But once they're sealed, it actually takes quite a bit of movement on my part to really dislodge them--even though those straps move all over the place.

[chunkyfrog]

I tried on both at DME's, but bought the FX after a 3-week home trial.
It is, for me the most comfortable, but my mouth has an auto-open feature--hence the comfort gel full-face.
I just couldn't stand the stiff side-bars on the LT.

[Janknitz]

The pillows themselves are cone-shaped and the same on both masks, but the supporting "cushion" is a slightly different shape for each. As already said, the LT is more stable and has little gears to adjust the angle of the pillows, for some people that feature really helps.

Comfort-wise, the FX wins hands down, it's very minimalist and soft all over. BUT, it takes some tweaking to make it work well. I find two things are crucial to being able to use the FX for me--some velcro sewn in the back of the back strap to keep it from sliding around and hanging the hose so the weight of the slinky hose does not pull the pillows away from my nose.

Above all, both of these masks MUST be properly fit, and the DME's don't seem to have a clue. The nasal pillows (the cone-shaped part) go against your nose, not IN it, except for a very small part of the tip. If leakage occurs, try going up one size of pillows.

Don't let the DME send you home with just one size of pillows. The masks come with 3 sizes (some DME's take the other sizes out and sell them separately at YOUR expense) and you need all three to experiment with until you find the proper fitting.

[robysue]

Don't let the DME send you home with just one size of pillows. The masks come with 3 sizes (some DME's take the other sizes out and sell them separately at YOUR expense) and you need all three to experiment with until you find the proper fitting.

Critical advice for BOTH masks. And if you're leaking, you've got to try going both UP and DOWN in size.

[snuginarug]

my mouth has an auto-open feature--hence the comfort gel full-face.

[mrvn159]

Don't let the DME send you home with just one size of pillows. The masks come with 3 sizes (some DME's take the other sizes out and sell them separately at YOUR expense) and you need all three to experiment with until you find the proper fitting.

Critical advice for BOTH masks. And if you're leaking, you've got to try going both UP and DOWN in size.

I agree...trying different sizes is very important! I loved the LT for her until I tried the FX...now that's my favorite. It leaked until I went up a size. I wear an extra small in the LT and assumed I'd wear the same size in the FX...after all, the pillows are very similar to each other. Not true. After about a month of struggling I finally decided to try the larger size and it worked. Now I only get leaks when it's time to replace the pillows.

Good Luck!

[Geminidream]

I had the LT for about six months and I could use it just fine, but after I checked out the FX it was all over for the LT. I fit me so much better and is even less cumbersome feeling. I have had no leak issues with either mask, but that could just be that the MD size nasal pillows work for me on both of them. My LT is a good back up if I need it, but the FX is my favorite. When I inquired about the FX, my DME told me its very popular and promptly gave me all sizes if nasal pillows to try with it. This mask is the closest I can get to not feeling like I have a mask at all...that's the best feature for me

[dtsm]

Above all, both of these masks MUST be properly fit, and the DME's don't seem to have a clue. The nasal pillows (the cone-shaped part) go against your nose, not IN it, except for a very small part of the tip. If leakage occurs, try going up one size of pillows.

Don't let the DME send you home with just one size of pillows. The masks come with 3 sizes (some DME's take the other sizes out and sell them separately at YOUR expense) and you need all three to experiment with until you find the proper fitting.

Well put - excellent advice.

[Janknitz]

This mask is the closest I can get to not feeling like I have a mask at all...that's the best feature for me

I like to say the FX is the next best thing to sleeping naked

Now, if only I could get ResMed to adopt that slogan and pay me for it (a lifetime supply of Swift FX masks would be nice )