Opus vs Swift vs Confortlite II

Robbie · Post by **Robbie** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 7:55 am

Hello,

I'm contemplating a switch to a nasal pillows type mask. My HC407 has worked well (from my point of view) except that I have leaks that I haven't been able to lab rat out of it when I toss/turn/sleep on my sides. It became more pronounced when I started reducing the EPR on my machine. Reducing EPR lowered my AHI from an average of 12 point something to 5 point something.

That said, my SAI (Spousal Awakening Index) - being awakened by my wife to tell me my mask is leaking noisily - has gone up exponentially. I checked with my DME, and it seems my options are the Swift, the Opus, and the ComfortLite 2 for nasal pillow systems.

I read extended reviews by Titrator and Rested Gal on the ComfortLite 2 - and it's currently my leading candidate. My DME for whatever reason is pushing the Opus, but it seemed to have the lowest satisfaction level of the 3, based on CPAP.com user feedback.

I know everyone's experience is different, and I know that sometimes user feedback is misleading (a lot of the great feedback on a given mask seemed to revolve around our sponsor's excellent customer service and fast shipping).

My DME allows me one free swap out within 30 days - and I'd like to make an informed choice. Anyone have any experiences with the 3 interfaces listed that they'd care to share? I'm particularly interested in how "adjustable" a given mask has been for someone.

Thanks again everyone

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 8:07 am

I've no experience w/the Opus. I didn't care for the Swift at all. I don't know if the Swift II is any better or not. With the Swift I could never seem to get the "barrel" adjusted right so the bottom of my nose and upper lip area was always moist. Plus I didn't find the hose to one side particularly impressive. In contrast I really liked the CL2. I liked the multiple adjustable areas and I liked the option of 2 sizes of 2 choices of either pillows and seals or pillows and simple nasal cushion. YMMV but my definite prefence between Swift and CL2 was the CL2.

Oh, and, Robbie, just a little tip FYI about mask exchanges should the need arise to push the issue: Respironics, Resmed and Fisher & Paykel will "all" replace FREE TO THE LOCAL DME SUPPLIERS "any" of their brand masks that a patient has tried that didn't work out for them AS LONG AS the DME fills out a form and returns them to the manufacturer w/in 30 days. So watch your timing and which manufacturer's mask you have difficulty w/and if this first exchange doesn't work out .... you've got some amunition.

AND if the headgear on the CL2 looks a little daunting, RG (RestedGal) has a great "fix" for "reducing" it. (Of course, DON'T try that "fix" other than the panty hose tights until you're SURE you wanna keep it!)

NeedinZs · Post by **NeedinZs** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 8:09 am

Robbie,

For me personally, the Swift, I have never been able to get over the nose soreness to use, BUT it is so much less cumbersome than the headgear for the Comfortlite. I have not given up on it completely, just giving my nose a break.

I am currently using the Comfortlite, and let me just say...keep those "tights" on hand, because you will definitely need them to tie around the headgear to keep it in place.

I know this isn't very helpful. Each has their good and bad points.
If someone could just come up with one that combined all the good qualities into one, they'd be rich!!

debst99 · Post by **debst99** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 8:12 am

I have only used the swift II and it has worked very well for me. I only have about 17% leakage and my ahi's have been averaging 1.5. I use the small size, tried the medium, but could feel it in nose more, so went back to small. The sleep lab had ordered the medium but the dme looked at my nose and said the small might work.

dorilda · Post by **dorilda** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 11:43 am

I have only experience 1 week with Swift II. I had to change from medium pillow to large pillow and seems to be working fine for me. I use the velco strip that came with it to hook the short hose coming out of pillow to side of face headgear to keep it going up and then hooked the 6 ft hose to the top of headboard and that helps a lot. I am not a mouth breather and I usually sleep on my back. I hardly move the whole night so am luckier than a lot of people that toss and turn. I use the
Ayr nasal saline gel inside my nose so no sore nose so far. Pressure is 20/15 which is quite high but so far is staying put and I wake up few times during night but usuallly seems to be working. Good luck.

BadBreath · Post by **BadBreath** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 1:37 pm

I use both the CL2 and the Opus (sort of...).

The CL2 is a well designed system. One advantage is the choice of 3 different interfaces, so with one mask you can switch to different nasal styles as discomfort/mask fatigue dictates. I like the nasal pillows the best, but sometimes my nose gets tired and sore so I can temporarily (one night or even half a night) switch to the simple mask which doesn't involve the nares. The second advantage is the adjustments, both length from the forehead anchor and angle against the face. You should be able to find the perfect relationship to your nose. The last advantage is there is no facial contact, so it leaves no marks and side sleeping does not dislodge the seal (much).

The disadvantages: the whole circuit from the headgear to the nose is rigid, so head movement or hose tension can translate to the mask and cause leaks. Enough pressure against the nose can prevent this, which is why the extra strap (panty hose, etc.) helps maintain a seal. But that extra pressure can increase the discomfort to your nose, and adds facial contact, however minimal. Secondly the headgear is uncomfortable. The forehead anchor can feel like it sounds, like a large weight on the center of your forehead. The back strap can be hard to keep from sliding upward and dislodging the mask without extra tightening, which adds to the overall discomfort.

The Opus is light and flexible and the nasal pillows are comfortable. The biggest advantage is the ball swivel where the pillows attach to the hose assembly. The ability of the pillows to move freely in two planes (angle to nose and rotation) intercepts and nullifies movement that can cause loss of seal. It also allows the flexible hose to be routed in the direction you like best.

The disadvantage is the headgear. The side supports run along your cheeks creating facial contact and some marks (although minor), but even though they are somewhat flexible, they are still stiff enough so side sleeping translates pressure to the mask that can and does unseat the seal. The headgear itself is also very uncomfortable on the back of the head when tight enough to maintain a seal.

So why do I still use both of these masks, you may ask. Well, that's the "sort of...", because I have replaced the headgear on both with a baseball cap (or more specifically, a visor).

For the CL2 (ComfortLite2 Ballcap Mod) the ball cap bill spreads the support over a thin line across the forehead and while it minimizes the angle adjustment, the increased stability eliminates most of the need for it, as well as the need for an extra strap. The length adjustment is maintained and there are no physical modifications to the mask itself so it can be returned if the mod fails to help you.

For the Opus (Opus Ballcap Mod) the side straps are eliminated and the addition of a rigid down tube makes it more like the CL2 (with length adjustment but no angle adjustment) but still allows for the flexibility of the ball swivel. It requires routing the hose over the head, but the rigidity of the brim eliminates the need for any additional support (although the mod includes fixing the hose to the head on the cap, or some have added an additional strap over the open top of the visor). This is my favorite of the two mods because the flexible ball swivel intercepts any head movement or any pulling on the hose that may get past the rigid brim (which is not much).

The ball cap is an extremely comfortable headgear that is made to fit all head sizes while staying securely in place, and the brim is an excellent stable platform for the relationship between your head and the mask.

Hope this has helped with your choice.

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): hose, seal, Nasal Pillows

onecoknower · Post by **onecoknower** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 5:31 pm

I've tried the CL2 and the Swift II.

I was not successful "decapitating" the CL2 to my liking. The headgear that comes with it is heavy and was painful on my head. Plus, I'm a side sleeper, so it pulled to one side continually. I decapitated it (see RestedGal's instructions), but couldn't get a pantyhose combo to hold in secure enough for me without feeling like I was wearing a ski mask.

I've used the Swift for 9 months. I toss from side to side and have struggled a little finding proper pillowage to accommodate the hose, but finally bought a memory foam pillow and the results are wonderful.

Sorry, can't help you with the Opus. I had thought about purchasing it, but opinions are quite varied on the forum so haven't taken that step yet.

Oneco

Doodeedoo · Post by **Doodeedoo** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 5:46 pm

I have used the CL2, Swift I and Swift II.
My vote goes definitely to the Swift II.
Having said that, I believe the choice of interface is very personal; what is good for one person is not so good for another.
My advice: Try as many as you can before buying.

Regards,

David

lvehko · Post by **lvehko** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 12:30 am

OK, guys, I'm also considering the CL, but if I DO get it, I'm going to get the old-style headgear:

https://www.cpap.com/productpage.php?PNum=2446&PAID=395

Maybe some of y'all that have had trouble with the newer "Brachiosaurus" headgear could use the old-style headgear...?

Min

packer · Post by **packer** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 6:06 am

I used swift for quite a while- its good but hard for side sleeping

cl 2 - I got a while ago- cant get it adjusted right- leaky- especially the nasal mask

I keep going back to my old reliable- the twilight np aura [ whatever name]

no leaks - I use AYR gel and no sore nose

I use the headgear right out of the box- I think the key is I am a man with short hair and a large head [hat] size - from what I read it doesnt do well for smaller heads, which is why all the fixes for it

I keep looking but right now Aura is doing very well packer

GreenIce · Post by **GreenIce** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 6:10 am

minerva wrote:OK, guys, I'm also considering the CL, but if I DO get it, I'm going to get the old-style headgear:

I would suggest you to get CL2 instead of CL. The old style headgear is made of plastic, easy to break. You can't fold the headgear, pack into a bag for example.

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 6:29 am

Awww, DooDeeDoo! Your avatar looks the way I felt yesterday morning and feel this morning!

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 6:31 am

I used the CL2 for many months and like it very much, but it does need the Padacheek cover for the forehead part. I have since switched to the CL old style. The headgear is lighter and more comfortable, much like wearing a baseball cap. It does come apart easy enough for packing, so it will fit into a small bag. It also seems to hold the nasal pillows tighter to my face, which is a good thing, no extra straps needed. I side and stomach sleep with no problems, but I did remove the hard plastic elbow at the top.

Brenda

GreenIce · Post by **GreenIce** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 8:35 am

Ahhh ... Slinky, you like my avatar ?

The last time I visited the sleep lab technician, he show me broken CL headgear. That's when I bought CL2. Anyway if CL works, then is OK.

CL2 does not work for me. Too much leaks and pillows comes off easily during the night. The simple cushion simply "blast off" at higher pressure, totally useless.

After trying a few other masks, I found Swift II fits me. Swift II may not be the best mask for me, at least it does not leak badly as the others. After one month, still tweaking the mask.

I am sure CL2 like any other masks works for some and might not work for others. Make a choice and hope it works for you.

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 9:07 am

Yeah, GreenIce. I like your avatar, I especially like that shade of green. Its about the color I feel today. Pretty emerald-lime green. Irredescent.

Mask

Additional Comments: Started CPAP June 14, 2006, pressure set at 8.0