ResMed Swift FX vs. LT

[Noddinggal]

Hi all. Has anyone here used both the Swift FX and the Swift LT headgear with nose pillow. I see they are similar but there are some differences. I am currently using the Swift FX for Her and although it is supposedly the most comfortable, I really have some difficulties with the fitting. The sides do not come down around my cheekbones but up nearly to my eyes at the top of my cheekbones. The strap on top of the head lays more toward the top/back of my head and not up around the center of the top of my head as the diagrams show. Also, there is the area at the top of my ear that is shaped in a way that I assumed made it make room for the ear but mine presses into the top of my ear and is uncomfortable. Perhaps this just isn't the right headgear for me. I'm considering the LT and wondering if anyone has had similar issues. The medical supply company I was sent to was awful and very unhelpful. They showed me how to turn the machine on and hook up the hoses and didn't even bother to see if I was using the mask that was best for me or if the fitting was even correct. I am just using what I was given at the sleep lab when I was there for the titration. But maybe there are better options for me.

Thanks.

Karen

[xenablue]

I use them both. The FX is lighter and has less headgear, but if you're a very active sleeper, it may move around too much. I use this mask with the Bella Loops at times also. The LT is a firmer mask, with a little more headgear to keep it in position better. It took me a long time to decide which I liked best because the FX you can almost believe it's not there, but the LT feels more secure. In the end, the LT won out as my preference.

Cheers,
xena

[ughwhatname]

I came to the opposite conclusion, which goes to show how individual masks can be. I started with the LT, and although very comfortable, it felt less secure to me. I move a lot and I found I spent too much time adjusting the mask. With the FX, my leak rate is down, and I have much more freedom without adjusting.

To the OP, if you find the FX sitting too high on your cheeks, then the LT is a logical option.

Xena, have you got some FX pillows you want to swap with LT pillows?

Ugh

I use them both. The FX is lighter and has less headgear, but if you're a very active sleeper, it may move around too much. I use this mask with the Bella Loops at times also. The LT is a firmer mask, with a little more headgear to keep it in position better. It took me a long time to decide which I liked best because the FX you can almost believe it's not there, but the LT feels more secure. In the end, the LT won out as my preference.

Cheers,
xena

[needzzzzs]

The Swift LT is still my mask of choice (and it was the first mask I was given two years ago), despite trying at least half a dozen different pillow/nasal masks. I use a chin strap with it, and, for the most part, it's pretty comfortable. I keep meaning to try the Bella version of the Swift FX, to see if the ear loops are more comfortable than the head-strap. I'm a left side sleeper, so think the ear loop might not be comfortable all night, but won't know till I try.

Debbie

[Janknitz]

I like them both. The LT is more secure, the FX is lighter and less obtrusive.

From your description of problems with the FX, you need to make sure that you are putting the headgear on correctly--you probably are, but it's easy to get it backwards, too, so it's worth checking ResMed's site--they have videos to help you understand correct placement.

For either of these masks, sewing a bit of velcro hook tape (the stiff side) into the inside back strap reduces the problem of the headgear slipping.

[xenablue]

Xena, have you got some FX pillows you want to swap with LT pillows?

Ugh

Ugh, I use both masks and swapped out all the sizes I don't use over a year ago. Now I only have Medium and get replacements in the same size when needed from my DME - sorry.

Cheers,
xena

[chunkyfrog]

I tried the LT; if they made the stiff part of the headgear in a smaller size, it might be feasible for smaller faces.
I had to pass on the Aloha for the same reason.

[jencat824]

I really have some difficulties with the fitting. The sides do not come down around my cheekbones but up nearly to my eyes at the top of my cheekbones. The strap on top of the head lays more toward the top/back of my head and not up around the center of the top of my head as the diagrams show. Also, there is the area at the top of my ear that is shaped in a way that I assumed made it make room for the ear but mine presses into the top of my ear and is uncomfortable.
Thanks.

Karen

I have the same fitting issue - almost to a T as yours, so my conclusion is that some of us just have small faces, or different shaped & size faces that changes the way the mask ACTUALLY fits from the way the manufacturer EXPECTS it to fit. I have ordered the Bella Loops to try, since I am going to be trying to correct my mouth breathing. I've ordered the Bella Loops, a chinstrap and another mask as well (Optilife). (When I make changes, I give myself several options in hopes of finding the best fitting, most comfortable and most effective solution.) You might want to try the Bella Loops (these are an alternative headgear for the FX that goes around the ears) - I'll let you know when I get these & try them how they work for me. I keep reading some of the same problems I have with facial size and masks that don't fit as they are shown in the pictures. My only conclusion is that the diversity of our faces cannot always compensate the way the manufacturers seem to assume the size of our faces.
Jen

[lorraineg57]

I had ordered the Swift FX and they sent me the LT accidentally. I didn't care for the L-shaped pieces that are on the sides of the pillows.

If the cheek straps are riding too high, have you tried loosening the top strap to drop it down a little? Also, the back strap is supposed to go in the recessed area of the back of the head, it sits pretty low. My headgear is pretty loose, to the point of it's kind of hanging off if I stand up. I had leakage issues with the small pillows but the xs fits me almost perfectly. My leak number went way down.

I prefer the FX and barely notice it's there once I get settled in.

[Noddinggal]

Thank you all for such great input. I did try the Bella Loops but they hurt my ear. I will try making the top strap looser and see if that helps, although I think I tried that and then had the straps at the top of my ear digging into my ear. I will work with it and see if I can come to some level of comfort. I am wondering if the FX for her is different than the original FX as far as the headgear goes. I have the "for Her" headgear but the DME sends me the regular FX nose pillows. I'm wondering if the regular (original) FX headgear might fit differently than the "for Her" one. Oh goodness, did that even make sense.

[lorraineg57]

Thank you all for such great input. I did try the Bella Loops but they hurt my ear. I will try making the top strap looser and see if that helps, although I think I tried that and then had the straps at the top of my ear digging into my ear. I will work with it and see if I can come to some level of comfort. I am wondering if the FX for her is different than the original FX as far as the headgear goes. I have the "for Her" headgear but the DME sends me the regular FX nose pillows. I'm wondering if the regular (original) FX headgear might fit differently than the "for Her" one. Oh goodness, did that even make sense.

Made perfect sense to me! It's a matter of minute adjustments to get the fit just right. I don't like the fact that since I'm a side sleeper, no matter what headgear I use, I'm lying on a strap. Can't figure out a way around that though.

[ems]

(I don't like the fact that since I'm a side sleeper, no matter what headgear I use, I'm lying on a strap. Can't figure out a way around that though.

That's why I use the Bella Loops. I bought a foam neck roll and put it in with my regular pillow. I'm a side sleeper too. So, my ear goes between the neck roll and the pillow and my ear barely touches either one. I didn't buy the neck roll for that reason, but it works perfectly with the loops.

[lorraineg57]

(I don't like the fact that since I'm a side sleeper, no matter what headgear I use, I'm lying on a strap. Can't figure out a way around that though.

That's why I use the Bella Loops. I bought a foam neck roll and put it in with my regular pillow. I'm a side sleeper too. So, my ear goes between the neck roll and the pillow and my ear barely touches either one. I didn't buy the neck roll for that reason, but it works perfectly with the loops.

Hmmm. I may have to try something like that. thanks!

[Xney]

The best mask is the one that fits you. better fit is usually better than "more" or "less" gear - it will move around less and be more comfortable.

I use and prefer the LT because the pillows are a little better size - I'm kind of between pillow sizes on the FX. I also like the over-head routing option on the LT.

[cosmo]

z