Swift LT for her to Mirage Liberty?

[YawnGirl]

I currently use the swift LT for her at 14 pressure. It was ok the first few days, now my mouth opens from the pressure of the air. I tried taping but my mouth but it just filled with air and I felt like a little kid holding their breath when they didn't get their way. LOL I really love the way the mask fits, I doesn't leak, except out of my mouth!
My allergies are also an issue as my nasal passages tend to swell during high mold. Would the Mirage Liberty be a good transition for me? There are soooo many masks, it seems overwhelming and the people at my medical supply place are just "order takers". I would appreciate some suggestions, I know a lot of people on here have tried many masks.

Thanks, Paula

[jweeks]

Paula,

Do you use a chin strap? I find that it is enough for me to keep my mouth closed. Since it wraps around the sides of my face, it gives some support to my cheeks to keep my mouth from filling up with air.

I have a number of allergies, and I always used to wake up plugged up in the morning. Since getting on CPAP, my nose issues have gone away. My theory is that I am breathing filtered air from the CPAP machine rather than putting my nose against my pillow and breathing in what ever dust and debris might be in my bedding. The pressure from the Swift LT also seems to help keep my nose unplugged. This has been a major unexpected benefit for me from using the machine.

Maybe adjusting your humidity level will have some impact.

How long have you been using CPAP? I am curious if you are just getting started, if this is a new problem, or something that has been going on for a while.

I found the comfort level of the Swift mask to be worth putting up with some of the features that I don't like, such as the poor quality of the pillows and the noise.

-john-

[YawnGirl]

John,

Thanks for your reply. I am new to CPAP about 3 weeks. I used a chin strap during my triation (I think that is the correct term) sleep study, but my mouth still opened. I guess it's possible it wasn't tight enough. I probably have an old ace bandage or velcro I could try temporarily to see if it would help around my chin. (I'm pretty resourceful)

My allergies are still causing me problems on the CPAP. I purchased claritin today and am going back on it (been 6 years or so). I've been on zyrtec for a couple of years now. I tried adjusting my humidity from 2 to 2.5 but the rain out in my mask was horrible. Yes, I have a hose cozy.

I agree with you, I love the mask. I tweaked a few things and have no leaks, it is very comfortable and I even sleep on my side!

Any more suggestions?

[DannyP]

I have been using the Swift II since the beginning of Cpap Therapy( Three Years ) and I love the Mask. I just rercently Got the Mirage Liberty for when I am congested and have difficulty with the Swift II. It is always good to have a back up mask for such cases. I have sinus Issues and deviated septum but for the most part I am doing good with the Swift II .

[YawnGirl]

DannyP, you have never tried another mask? If so, you are one of the very few, I think.

[SleepyT]

I use the Swift LT for Her as well...but I need a chin strap. I wear a PapCap....you might want to check that out at their website (pur-sleep)...it has an excellent chin strap built into it. I prefer that to taping...

I have other masks (nasal masks) I can use when I have a cold...but love the Swift LT for Her.

[plr66]

This is all good input, YG. I've been a taper since starting cpap, and remember having had the blowfish thing periodically in the beginning. Irritating! But after the first week or two, I think my cheeks learned to provide resistance, and the issue just went away. Only occasionally do I experience this in the hour or two before getting up in the morning, when I think I have my deepest sleep.

Just one more thought. The hybrids (Liberty and Innomed Hybrid) are a little finnicky to fit properly, and I would recommend not purchasing one without trying the fitting first. The Hybrid might be the better choice if you simply have nowhere you can go to try the fitting in person, because it includes multiple sizes of both cushions and nasal pillows to mix & match.

[YawnGirl]

I use the Swift LT for Her as well...but I need a chin strap. I wear a PapCap....you might want to check that out at their website (pur-sleep)...it has an excellent chin strap built into it. I prefer that to taping...

I have other masks (nasal masks) I can use when I have a cold...but love the Swift LT for Her.

I checked out the PapCap. It looks very comfy.
I actually used a make-shift chin strap last night and had no mouth opening. Yeah! I plan to order a chin strap or PapCap today!

I am still in my 30 days on my cpap equipment and I may have to end up purchasing my own machine and mask online myself. Insurance! Has anyone ever ordered from talkaboutsleep? They have my machine cheaper than any other site.

[jweeks]

I am still in my 30 days on my cpap equipment and I may have to end up purchasing my own machine and mask online myself. Insurance! Has anyone ever ordered from talkaboutsleep? They have my machine cheaper than any other site.

Hi,

You might want to give the cpap.com folks a chance. The typically price match if the other price you find is legitimate.

-john-

[YawnGirl]

I am still in my 30 days on my cpap equipment and I may have to end up purchasing my own machine and mask online myself. Insurance! Has anyone ever ordered from talkaboutsleep? They have my machine cheaper than any other site.

Hi,

You might want to give the cpap.com folks a chance. The typically price match if the other price you find is legitimate.

-john-

I didn't realize cpap.com would price match. talkaboutsleep is a yahoo merchant or I wouldn't consider them. As far as I can tell cpap.com doesn't offer my machine with the smartcard (unless I'm missing something) at all so it may be hard to price match.
-P

[Bob_w]

Try this link, for your machine with smart card and reader.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage-bundle ... undle.html

[YawnGirl]

Try this link, for your machine with smart card and reader.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage-bundle ... undle.html

Thanks, I had only seen the machine and humidifier bundle.

[TXLadybug]

About the Mirage Liberty- I just got one because of sinus infections and stuffiness... I knew I'd need a full face eventually, so I have this one, which I really liked the very first time I put it on. I started with the Swift LT for Her, but could never ever get a good seal all night long. The pillows kept coming out of my nose. On the Liberty, the pillows are slightly larger on the outside, so they keep a seal better for me, additionally, each pillow moves individuall up and down, side to side kind of like a trampoline for each of them. For me, that meant they stayed in place in my nose, even when I moved all over the place. I am happy with it. I also just got the Fit Life- the one that looks like a space mask. It does not touch your eyes, our nose at all. The seal goes just above your eyebrows, down the sides of your face, and the across the indentation of your chin, below the lips. I was very pleasantly surprised with this strange looking mask. I could barely feel the air flow inside the mask at all. No air getting in my eyes... hard to believe, but true. I think I may even like this one better than the Liberty. We'll see after a couple days straight using it.

[pagebypage]

I have tried the Hybrid. Didn't quite fit for my jaw even with something like 9 combinations of mask/pillows. I liked the Swift LT, but got too much dryness and am not a fan of the extra added hassle of a humidifier. They can stay in my storage drawer forever!
Then I tried the Liberty. It didn't fit, wouldn't seal around the nostrils, but I knew the concept was exactly what I needed. Kept trying different strap adjustments and pillows. Then it dawned on me!!! There is no velcro adjustment for the strap the goes over the top of the head. That was a pretty dumb design flaw, I thought, because when I pulled the strap tighter, it sealed the pillows perfectly. What to do, I thought? OH, duh! I just got out a safety pin and tightened the strap with that. And it has worked nearly perfectly for me ever since.
The RTs at Kaiser said none of the other patients liked the Liberty and so it was just lying around in the clinic. It was a small and now that I see the measurement guides, I realize I should have gotten the large. Although it fits, it is a bit tight around my lips and barely fits around my mouth. Nothing I can't deal with, but I think a large would have been better for me. I use the large pillow in the small mask. Am ordering a new large next month.
Check out the measurement guide and choose between the large or the small. It comes with all 3 size pillows.

[rubymom]

Page, this is the second time I've seen your comment about the design "flaw". I don't understand it though. I wear the mask and it has four velcros strips. I can't imagine where another one "should" be? Can you explain in more detail?

Thanks!