Swift FX for Her Leaks

[SharonC]

I started out last August with the Swift FX for Her, trying the various sizes of pillows. Really liked it but even after using Large pillows, I'm having so many leaks. Since my insurance pays for a new mask every 6 months, I'm trying the Mirage Soft Gel and am getting 0 leaks!!! The other numbers are great too. Has anyone else had a lot of leaks with the FX? I really like that mask, especially for travelling but was constantly trying to adjust it during the night.

[Alicia41964]

Sharon, I too, use the Swift FX for her. I was using it without the strap that goes under my hair in the back. My leak rates varied quite a bit each night, not usually going above 25. I picked up a new mask the other day and took note of the picture on the front of the package. I figured, what the heck, I'll give it a try. I wasn't really worried about how my hair looks because I'm usually showering daily. Well, let me tell you, I just reviewed my numbers for the past few days and guess what? I had my first night EVER with "0" leaks! WOOHOO!!! No wonder I don't even remember adjusting it during the night. Guess I'm truly a believer now. Were you using the strap that goes under the back of your hair? To me, it seems to "lock in" the pillows. The other thing that I do is I don't use the ramp. I want to make sure the seal is good before I lay down and this really helps me very much. Just thought I'd give you some positive feedback, Sharon. Perhaps you've already tried this, but I couldn't resist letting you know my experience. Best of luck and happy sleeping!

[ladyhen]

I use the bottom strap, but don't put it under my hair (I have very thin hair, so it doesn't help much.)

If I wear it too loose, it leaks a lot more. And I kind of loosen the top strap and let it fall a little towards the back of my head (versus straight over the top) and I tighten the lower strap to hold it in place better. My RT is the one who tightened the top strap and I had major leakage after that.

[jimnsc]

The Swift FX "for him" leaks also. Performed perfectly the first two weeks - then complete failure. Rotated back and forth between the medium and large pillows to no avail. I will try it again later after the new wears off my new MIrage FX.

[Janknitz]

Everyone is different and the shape and size of your facial structures and head can be a factor, but in general I LOVE the Swift FX because it is so much easier to tame the leaks than any FF or nasal mask I've tried.

Maybe it's just not the right mask for you, but you might want to take a look at my Swift FX fitting guide in my signature to see if any of those suggestions help.

Because the mask is so lightweight and soft, it's not the most stable of masks--the pillows are easily dislodged and for me that's the greatest cause of the leaks. I've solved that by two major tweaks:
1. Sewing some velcro hook tape into the inside back strap. This makes it cling to my very short hair instead of sliding up and dislodging the pillows.
2. Hanging my hose overhead with (in my case a homemade) hose hanger. This takes away the weight of the slinky hose so that it won't dislodge the pillows when you move around.

If that's still not enough stability, the Swift LT mask is MUCH more stable, but also very lightweight and comfortable.

As for using it successfully for 2 weeks and then having problems, there is documentary evidence that the pillows wear out QUICKLY and may need to be replaced as often as every two weeks. Medicare will cover 2 sets of nasal pillows per month, and taking advantage of the Great Pillow Exchange Thread here on this site will add to your stockpile.

[SharonC]

Thank you so much for your replies! I did put the velcro tape on the back, have loosened the straps and the velcro back is on top of my hair...I notice looking back to when I first started that my leaks were very low with it, which made me love it! When the leaks go up into the high 30's, I know it's not working well. I'm just amazed at having 0 leaks with the Soft Gel so will use that for awhile.

[bprater]

My respiratory therapist said that my leaks were possibly trying to sleep on my side. He said that it is very soft and flexible and that when I lay the side of my head on the pillow it pushes it or flattens it enough to maybe cause leaks. I love the Swift for her because it is small, doesnt get in the way, etc.

[Lizistired]

I had fewer leaks at first too. I think partly because I wasn't sleeping as soundly at first,and because the pillows were new. I change my pillows about every 2 weeks. I have also had luck with simmering them for 30 minutes and reusing them.