fx pillow

[not so sure]

Anybody have any idea on the life span of swift fx nasal pillow?

thanks Jim

[Sir Dave]

My experience is around 4-6 months. I notice an increase in leaks starting around 4 months.

[MDALE]

I'm a new CPAP user and had this question as well. It has been posted about before and people report widely different times. The official replacement interval is 30 days: http://www.cpap-supply.com/Articles.asp?ID=191

[Lsfreese@fuse.net]

I have been using the FX for about 3 months and the pillow that came with it is still good. It does need to be washed frequently or it tends to leak just enough to annoy me when trying to get to sleep. I started using the FX after fighting a ffm for 2 years. I have to use a chin strap, but it is worth it.
As long as it seals for you there is no need to change it for a new one. Good luck,
Larry in Cincy

[Sir Dave]

Normal pillows, I agree with the 30 days. Used them for 7 years with the Breeze system.
They broke down much quicker than the Swift FX does. Maybe it's the quality or maybe the double wall.
After 6 months, the Swift is much less 'firm' than it was in the beginning, but I don't encounter serious leakage issues until then.
Important is to keep it clean. I take the pillow portion off every 3 days and wash in baby shampoo (I have a 20-month old so that's always in the house).
I compared the two pillows (6 months old and new OOT box) and the old set is less firm but still not flimsy.

Also, not to create controversy, but those are recommendations by the people who sell the supplies.

[MDALE]

I'm on my second set of FX pillows after about 40 days. Started getting more and more leaks and all the old pre-CPAP symptoms were coming back - light headache, brain fog etc. I can't see any physical difference in the flabbiness of the used vs new pillows, but I'm sleeping much better with the new pillows.

As other have pointed out - I suspect it varies widely with individuals - oiliness of skin, frequency of washing, wash face before sleep or not, wrong type of cleaning agent used etc.

[chunkyfrog]

I found that when I washed my FX pillows every morning, they only lasted about 30 days--if that.
After I got more lax,using baby wipes on the exterior frequently, and washing occasionally, they last 2 or three times that long.
No exact cleaning schedule--just when I really feel it needs it.

[MDALE]

I found that when I washed my FX pillows every morning, they only lasted about 30 days--if that.
After I got more lax,using baby wipes on the exterior frequently, and washing occasionally, they last 2 or three times that long.
No exact cleaning schedule--just when I really feel it needs it.

Interesting - laziness pays

Can you be a little more specific about how you judge that it is time to switch pillows?

[kempo]

I found that when I washed my FX pillows every morning, they only lasted about 30 days--if that.
After I got more lax,using baby wipes on the exterior frequently, and washing occasionally, they last 2 or three times that long.
No exact cleaning schedule--just when I really feel it needs it.

Interesting - laziness pays

Can you be a little more specific about how you judge that it is time to switch pillows?

When you have trouble with it leaking.

[MDALE]

I found that when I washed my FX pillows every morning, they only lasted about 30 days--if that.
After I got more lax,using baby wipes on the exterior frequently, and washing occasionally, they last 2 or three times that long.
No exact cleaning schedule--just when I really feel it needs it.

Interesting - laziness pays

Can you be a little more specific about how you judge that it is time to switch pillows?

When you have trouble with it leaking.

Yes, but how much? (There may not be a good answer to this)