Frustrated

[chrate]

Thanks to those that replied. wetlizard and I are not the same person. I do still use my machine every night. I am able to wear it while I am not sleeping with no problems breathing. I believe my main problem stems from leaks waking me up. It seems like maybe when the pressure starts to build up during sleep, it creates leaks, which then wakes me (and my husband) up. My pressure ranges from 4 to 11 and usually averages around 7. My AHI is not very high at all, usually averaging around 3. I know that the CPAP is working when I do sleep because my sleep study had me at about 25 events per hour and now I only have 10 or fewer per night. So. What to do about leaks? I have read numerous posts about how to try to reduce the number of leaks. I have tried using lansinoh with some limited success. I loosened the straps on the headgear to see if that was the issue. (My DME said tight was better.) I have tried switching from small pillows to xsmall and was more comfortable but it didn't seem to make a difference as far as leaks. I am a stomach sleeper but I have started sleeping somewhere between stomach and side. Not sure if it really makes a difference but I know the pillows sit differently with different sleeping positions. Thought about trying the full face mask again because I am used to the blowing air now but just the thought of it makes me a little claustrophobic. I will try just about anything if there are some suggestions. I will try to post some data but not sure I know how and it would require sitting at the computer. Can't do it on my phone that I know of. Not very good at sitting down long enough to figure it out. I will try tomorrow night.

[Janknitz]

Ok, now you're talking!

We can try to help, your job is to take the suggestions to try, don't dismiss them out of hand.

Leaks are tough, especially for a stomach sleeper, but here are some suggestions to try:

1. Some people find going UP a size in nasal pillows helps.

2. Look in my signature below for Swift FX fitting tips.

3. Full face masks are EXCEPTIONALLY hard to seal-- there's a lot of surface area to leak as opposed to a tiny surface area on nasal pillows. They will really drive you nuts. Maybe the Swift FX is not THE mask for you. There are several other nasal pillows to try, and some people find different masks are better. Also, the lightweight Swift FX with the slinky hose is not very stable. A more stable nasal pillow like the swift LT might be better for you. And people swear by the new Wisp mask, and the TapPap which is very, very stable. Many of us went through half a dozen or more masks before we found THE one.

4. Have you tried hanging your hose so that the weight doesn't pull on the pillows?

5. Your machine has a mask fit feature which will temporarily increase the pressure to the max so you can fit the mask for its highest pressure. Try using that if you haven't already.

I hope these help, and I hope you give things an honest try instead of telling us why they won't work. Let us know how they work or not, because there are a lot of great minds here who can work together to help.

[newsnore]

Hi chrate - I have been down the same road and have tried various masks - nasal, full face and pillows, and all leaked until I tried the Tap Pap (pillows). I had had several months of 3-4 hours usage per night, then when I got the Tap Pap, overnight I jumped up to 7-8 hours (as long as I stay in bed) of cpap therapy per night. It may be worthwhile you giving it a try, as the way it is designed to be held in place with the mouth piece, means the pillows aren't moved when you toss and turn while sleeping. Most other masks drag on your pillow and unseat the seal of the mask. I do have occasional nights when I am woken because of dry mouth from mouth breathing - otherwise there are no problems and sleep is unbroken.

Also wondering if your pressure ranging from 4 - 11 could be causing leaks - when it climbs quickly when apneas are detected. Would it be worth trying a higher base pressure if you can tolerate it. I could imagine the mask would seal ok when you first put it on at the pressure setting of 4, but then to climb as high as 11 at times through the night would be a different story. Just a thought.

[chrate]

Thank you to Janknitz for the fitting help. I have gone through each step as you listed them. My fit does seem to be almost exactly what I had it at. I also adjusted my range from 5 to 11 instead of 4 to 11 on the suggestion from newsnore. Not a huge change but since my average is around 7, it didn't seem like it would hurt. Headed to bed in just a few minutes so we will see how it all goes. Tonight might not be a good test night since my husband and kids are due home in about 3 hours and they are not usually quiet. We will see. Also gonna call my DME and ask if I can try a TapPap. Not sure what insurance will allow and what they will pay for. I am fighting with them already. Have a great night everyone and sweet dreams.

[Janknitz]

If you've had your swift for less than 30 days they should let you return it under the manufacturer's return program. This has nothing to do with your insurance and everything to do with the DME.

[chrate]

I have had it for about 6 weeks.