BiPap pressures of 11/15 - Can Swift II work with this?

[cascade]

How many BiPap users have experience with the Swift II at 15 IPAP? Are nasal pillows not recommended at this pressure?

I've been using these nasal pillows with my Mseries auto w/aflex set to 9-13 without any major leakage. 90% of the time I'm at 10-10.5. After a 6 month follow-up with my sleep doc, doc ordered a new sleep study. Thursday I picked up my new M series auto Bipap set at 15 IPAP and 11 EPAP (not auto) from DME.

After 3 nights, can't get used to the high pressure and I appear to be doing a ton of mouth breathing -- waking up every morn with cottonmouth and headache behind my eyes. Last night, didn't tape, woke after 2 hours with air blasting out of mouth and the sorest nasal passages ever experienced. Tossed mask aside and spent another lousy night without any pap.

So, my question is do nasal pillows just blow your nostrils to bits when at 15? I can comfortably tolerate up to 11 when awake, but this 15 feels like a tornado whirling up my nose. If taping just gives me uncomfortable blown-up cheeks, I can't imagine a chin strap being any better. I dread the thought of a full face mask due to heat/claustrophobia issues, but is that my only option at this pressure? Is it possible to get used to this pressure and keep my darn mouth shut at the same time?

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): bipap, swift, Titration, DME, Ramp, Nasal Pillows, auto

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): bipap, swift, DME, Nasal Pillows, auto

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): bipap, swift, DME, Nasal Pillows, auto

[krousseau]

I don't know about the Swift, but I used a Bravo for a recent BiPAP titration at 15/11 and no particular problem keeping the pillows in place or nasal irritation. Haven't gotten the BiPAP yet so no furthur experience.

[GreenIce]

I have not use Bipap before, I am using APAP (AFlex) with Swift II range 14 to 20. The pressure sometimes hits as high as 18. Leak rates are good and I am quite lucky for no need to do mouth taping or chin strap.

[hades161]

I use the Swift II and had a range on my Apap set to 16-20 for just about the past year. I changed my settings to Cpap mode and run a straight 17cmH2O about a week or so ago. I have hit 20 cmH2O with the Swift with little to no issues.

The Swift II does leak a lot compaired to other mask types but I find for me at least its the most workable solution atm. I have had 2 Swift II in the past year one that was sent to me used and one that I got new from my DME. The used Swift worked well for a few months until I got setup with my DME and I have used the new one for almost a year now.

At these high pressures though I feel the mask wears out fairly fast. Or maybe its just my big face or my highly acidic skin. Even with washing with ether a diluted vinagar solution or Dr. Bonner's Castile Lavender Soup daily. I find that over time, the pillow ring area and the O'rings under the straps start leaking. My solution to it is plummers tape, thinly and tighly applied on the base and then slip the rings and the retaining clip back on over the top takes care of it for a time. It never leaks from the under the clip seams, just the O'ring areas. Also a layer on the 2 plugs is needed at times.

I feel for me at least a New Swift has about a years life in it until its time to replace. As such I have a new one on the way as I type this . It takes about 6 months for me to have to tape it, and then I get about 6 more after taping.

I have thought about trying other masks but I like how lite the Swift II is and I hate anything on my forehead. The hard FF masks and nose masks always end up leaking or if I stop the leaks I get a pain on the nose or cheeks. So I am not a big fan of them, I like the nasal pillow systems the best so far.

Best of Luck

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): nasal pillow, swift, CPAP, DME, APAP

[cascade]

hades, I too love the light, nonrestrictive feel of the Swift II -- the leaking I get is either from the left pillow or my mouth. I did tape again last night and though I don't recall any balloon cheeks, I woke up a number of times from the pressure and a sore dry throat, mouth.

I have my humidfier set on 3, but I will try increasing it again tonight. I don't want heat, just lots of moisture. I thought I read somewhere that too much heat just dries your nasal passages, so I guess I'll have to keep trying to find that sweet spot between rainout and sahara winds.

I wonder if most people do adjust to higher pressures eventually, or need to lessen it somewhat. At least I did keep the mask on for another 5.5 hours.

[rested gal]

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