Swift LT - Shortness of Breath

[Rick P 703]

Background - Swift I user, for 18 months, Swift II user for 18 months, Swift LT user - no more than 6 hours.

Hi Everyone... Please tell me if I'm going insane. As a user of both Swift I & Swift II I'm comfortable with both devices.

I upgraded to Swift LT - heeding the advice of alot of rainout & the duo-lavel of pillows being some problems. BUT I cannot breathe normally with this unit. I mean I cannot breathe in or out normally with the machine off let alone with the machine on. Once I turn on the machine I have to take long deep breaths to get enough air otherwise I start to Hyperventilate. There is just not enough flow through this device for me to maintain a normal breathing pattern. Has anyone experienced similar?

** Update**
The tiny holes in front of the mask - I used a small tool & opened them up a little, so when I exhale I'm able to let just enough air out to feel ok, but now air in still feels inadequate.

[BleepingBeauty]

Background - Swift I user, for 18 months, Swift II user for 18 months, Swift LT user - no more than 6 hours.

Hi Everyone... Please tell me if I'm going insane. As a user of both Swift I & Swift II I'm comfortable with both devices.

I upgraded to Swift LT - heeding the advice of alot of rainout & the duo-lavel of pillows being some problems. BUT I cannot breathe normally with this unit. I mean I cannot breathe in or out normally with the machine off let alone with the machine on. Once I turn on the machine I have to take long deep breaths to get enough air otherwise I start to Hyperventilate. There is just not enough flow through this device for me to maintain a normal breathing pattern. Has anyone experienced similar?

** Update**
The tiny holes in front of the mask - I used a small tool & opened them up a little, so when I exhale I'm able to let just enough air out to feel ok, but now air in still feels inadequate.

Hi, Rick.

I used the Swift II for about a year, then changed to the Swift LT about five months ago. I haven't experienced what you're having trouble with and love the LT. The only thing I can think of is that maybe you have the straps too tight and that's making the pillows "collapse" on themselves. Or maybe you're using the wrong sized pillows. Your mask should fit rather loosely - just tight enough to stop leaks. Overtightening the straps tends to increase leaks, not to mention increasing discomfort.

I'd be leery of messing with the exhaust holes on the mask, as I believe they're designed to provide a certain amount of airflow; but I'm sure someone else knows more about that than I do.

It would help if you filled out your profile (in the User Control Panel at the top left of the page) and listed your equipment (text descriptions, not images, from the drop-down menu) and noted your pressure somewhere, like in the Signature section. Folks here will have an easier time offering help and troubleshooting if they know what your details are.

Don't give up on the LT too quickly. Many find it to be the best mask they've tried. Of course, no one mask works for everyone. My advice is to try adjusting the straps and see if that helps, or check the pillows and try a different size. I'm sure others will have more suggestions. Good luck.

[billybee]

I find the same with my Swift LT, but only about every second or third time I use it, and I can't explain why it happens - I don't change anything (strap tension, angle of pillow, etc.). Once it happens, I just cannot seem to do anything about it, so I just put the Swift away for the night, put on my Quattro FFM, and breathe perfectly normally. After another night or two, I try the Swift again, and everything's fine - until the next time I find breathing through it difficult.

One thing I should also mention - I initially used the medium pillows, but found the large ones helped with the airflow.

[feeling_better]

Rick,
I have been using SwiftLT for >6 months. I find this the best mask. Try the following.

1. Start using larger size pillows.

2. Use lower strap tension. Until you get used go the very very light pressure needed by the straps, it is uncomfortable. The leak is not prevented by the strap holding the pillows against the nose as in most models, but the air pressure inflating the outer walls against the inside of the nose is what seals this mask.

3. If there is any moisture condensing in the nasal pillows, it would easily reduce the air flow from the outports significantly, enough to cause the sensation you feel. Try reducing the humidifier heat level.

4. Condensation is severe if you are routing the hose over your head. See if it improves when you route the hose down from your nose.

5. Those port holes are well calibrated... for almost everybody there is adequate flow thru them, even at low pressures like 4-5cm. So I suspect a tight straps are collapsing the pillows against your nose and that is restricting the air flow.

[anonymous40]

The Swift Lt is great but has a little quirk that intermittently causes a problem. Could be what is happening. Where the angled hose end connects to the nasal pillow base, providing a pivot point for the hose, there seems to be a "false point" where you would swear it is snapped in ok, but it is not. When this happens, it just doesn't feel right and you can't get enough air. You don't really detect any leaks, or hear any difference.

The tell-tale is that the hose pivot will be loose. With the correct position, that pivot will have enough tension to hold the hose in whatever direction you want. If you like the hose to go up, you should notice that the hose is not hanging right. If you leave it hang down, you may not notice. When you have the problem, give the pivot a litle turn and see if it is loose. If snug, it is ok. If loose, try to shove it on better(not too far), or take it apart and put it back together till the pivot feels snug.

Also, be aware of the angle of the nasal pillows. It may have changed and you were not aware. It may feel okay, but the pillow base may be tilted too high or low, pinching the pillows. It should be angled so the pillows are straight into the nostrils.

One other thing is to make sure the pillows are not upside down, it is possible to install them that way and angle them about right, but the airflow is reduced. Get into to the habit of checking for these things every time. Just takes a moment.

[JoeFF]

I absolutely have the same problem with the Swift LT, I do not get good air flow with it. The Swift is very comfortable and I have really tried to make it work, but I just cannot seem to get enough air on some nights. I have switched to the Opus 360, the head gear on it is not as comfortable, but I at least get adequate air flow. I have an auto machine and I have actaully turned down my minimum pressure with the Opus and I am still getting plenty of sir. I had to raise my minumum pressure a great deal with the Swift LT just so that i would not feel like I was suffocating. Try the Opus 360, it has made a big difference for me. With the Opus though I did have to get Pad-A-Cheeks for it as the mask dug into my face without them. But I would rather have to wear the pads any day versus feeling like I am suffocating.

[Violet]

After I've just laid down with my Swift LT and machine on, I slide the pillows up or down just off the nostrils once, sometimes twice, allowing me to breath for a few seconds, slowing my breathing down, settling down my heart. It is not that I am out of breath, it's not that my heart is racing, it's simply that I need to settle, relax in order to feel comfortable with breathing through the pillows. You should eventually be settled enough to breath comfortably.

Yes, I know I'm causing a possibly recorded leak, but my machine is out of reach and this is what works for me.

And, this is no big deal, but It is more difficult to breath through the pillows with the machine OFF. Just make sure you take the pillows off at the same time your shutting the machine off.

[feeling_better]

The Swift Lt is great but has a little quirk that intermittently causes a problem. Could be what is happening. Where the angled hose end connects to the nasal pillow base, providing a pivot point for the hose, there seems to be a "false point" where you would swear it is snapped in ok, but it is not. When this happens, it just doesn't feel right and you can't get enough air. You don't really detect any leaks, or hear any difference.

The tell-tale is that the hose pivot will be loose. With the correct position, that pivot will have enough tension to hold the hose in whatever direction you want. If you like the hose to go up, you should notice that the hose is not hanging right. If you leave it hang down, you may not notice. When you have the problem, give the pivot a litle turn and see if it is loose. If snug, it is ok. If loose, try to shove it on better(not too far), or take it apart and put it back together till the pivot feels snug.

I am a little surprised to hear about this. How often does this happen to you? I have never seen this problem. Do you take out the pillow base (not the cushion) from the hose routines or even once in a while? It is a fairly snug fit and it supposed to be not separated. I have been told that connection is not one that should be separated by the user, and may be easily damaged. Is it possible you have a defective or damage swivel seal/joint?

In any case, I do not understand at all even if that swivel becomes loose how that that could make the air passage way closed such that Rick could not breath in or out. If there is a loose/leaky joint, then it would act as if the out port area is bigger and make both the breathing in and out easier especially when the machine is not running.

Could you shed some light on this? I may not have understood this at all.

Also, be aware of the angle of the nasal pillows. It may have changed and you were not aware. It may feel okay, but the pillow base may be tilted too high or low, pinching the pillows. It should be angled so the pillows are straight into the nostrils.

One other thing is to make sure the pillows are not upside down, it is possible to install them that way and angle them about right, but the airflow is reduced. Get into to the habit of checking for these things every time. Just takes a moment.

Yes! Either one or both of the above could make the position of the pillow squeezed against the outer nose or lips and constrict the air flow.

Yes, it is too easy to install the pillows upside down!! This is a design flaw, they should have provided a key such that it can be installed only the correct side up. With the pillow installed upside down, for me, I wont get any seal whatsoever against the nostrils and hear the air leaking out pretty loud.

[Lee Wood]

I've had a reduced flow several times and each time I realized that one or both pillows had collapsed. The solution was to turn the machine off and reposition the pillows then restart the machine. I agree that the straps need to be slack for comfort and sealing. If you enlarged the exhaust holes the machine will not provide the prescribed pressure to you.

[anonymous40]

I am a little surprised to hear about this. How often does this happen to you? I have never seen this problem. Do you take out the pillow base (not the cushion) from the hose routines or even once in a while? It is a fairly snug fit and it supposed to be not separated. I have been told that connection is not one that should be separated by the user, and may be easily damaged. Is it possible you have a defective or damage swivel seal/joint?

In any case, I do not understand at all even if that swivel becomes loose how that that could make the air passage way closed such that Rick could not breath in or out. If there is a loose/leaky joint, then it would act as if the out port area is bigger and make both the breathing in and out easier especially when the machine is not running.[/size]

Could you shed some light on this? I may not have understood this at all.

[/size]

Can't say I fully understand it myself, only that it happens. I don't usually take the swivel joint apart.

When I first had the problem I noticed the hose hanging funny, wouldn't stay in position. I couldn't really hear or feel any air leaks, but could not get enough air. I shoved it on better and all was well.

Since then it has happened a few more times. I tend to be a bit heavy handed with it and I think I may either be yanking on the mask too hard when the hose is caught on something, or I knock the mask against something, dislodging the joint. I seem to remember the tech showing me how it comes apart, so I don't think that could be the issue. The same thing can happen during reassembly. There seems to be a ridge that snaps to the wrong valley. Put it together every time the same way, pressing with the same pressure, sometimes works, sometimes not. Try it again, it's okay. There are a couple of ridges and valleys in the joint and they may be too close to one another in size and shape, especially given how soft the material is, allowing it to "snap" into the wrong one.

I believe the air loss is evenly distributed or redirected somehow which makes it hard to detect other than not getting enough air. When you can't get enough air, you feel like you can't breathe in or out. This may not be Rick's problem, though. I don't see him answering yet. Perhaps he is still trying some of the suggestions from everyone to see what works. Hopefully something helps him........

[TammieC]

I too have the Swift LT and have had the problems with shortness of breath with not only it one but when I take it off, almost like i can't breath without it as well, I found i have to take a deep breath in before turning off the machine or i freak out cause i can't breath, also I noticed there is a medicine taste/smell to it < not sure if you understand what i mean about that > but that kinda was weird for me. I had previously posted about the rain out problems with it but someone mentioned not to strap it over your head?? I might try that to see if its better cause I'm beginning to inhale the water up my nose and now I am wheezing and coughing alot.

[Dennisla]

Background - Swift I user, for 18 months, Swift II user for 18 months, Swift LT user - no more than 6 hours.

Hi Everyone... Please tell me if I'm going insane. As a user of both Swift I & Swift II I'm comfortable with both devices.

I upgraded to Swift LT - heeding the advice of alot of rainout & the duo-lavel of pillows being some problems. BUT I cannot breathe normally with this unit. I mean I cannot breathe in or out normally with the machine off let alone with the machine on. Once I turn on the machine I have to take long deep breaths to get enough air otherwise I start to Hyperventilate. There is just not enough flow through this device for me to maintain a normal breathing pattern. Has anyone experienced similar?

I've been using the swift LT for about 10 1/2 months now. When I started using it I had a similar problem as you.
This thread explains my experience and how to deal with it as well as several other users experiences
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=37340&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

** Update**
The tiny holes in front of the mask - I used a small tool & opened them up a little, so when I exhale I'm able to let just enough air out to feel ok, but now air in still feels inadequate.

Many people have done this, but this is not how to fix the problem. This will only reduce the capability of the device to perform properly.

-Dennis

[ozij]

From the horse's mouth (ResMed's....):

http://www.resmed.com/us/products/swift ... c=patients#

Click on the link that says: Rotating barrel with dual-wall nasal pillows

The dual-wall pillows sit on a flexible base, allowing vertical and lateral movement without compromising seal, and are designed to reduce symptoms of dryness by limiting the volume of air entering the nostrils. In addition, the outer pillow inflates with air while the inner pillow offers soft, stable support.

All emphasis mine.

O.

[Cosette]

The Swift Lt is great but has a little quirk that intermittently causes a problem.
One other thing is to make sure the pillows are not upside down, it is possible to install them that way and angle them about right, but the airflow is reduced. Get into to the habit of checking for these things every time. Just takes a moment.

How do you tell which is the right side up?

[feeling_better]

In the correct orientation, when wearing it, you standing up, the brand name lettering will be on the top. Or, in the incorrect orientation, if you can use it without leaks at all , you are well on your way to become a magician

Happy Holidays!