1st Post; New to CPAP; Swift FX Issues

[Redeye]

Well, first, it's an honor to be here. I've had my machine (RemStar Auto A-Flex) for a week and a day. They started me on a Zest nasal mask. The initial (non-CPAP) sleep study was done after I complained of sometimes profound daytime sleepiness, always waking up in the middle of the night for no good reason and increased fasting glucose levels (I'm on an insulin pump). This sleep study recorded an AHI of 7.8 plus an RERAI of 22.1, indicating (I was told) mild to moderate OSA. For the second sleep study, with CPAP, they started me on the Zest. I woke up at about 3 a.m. wide awake and raring to go. After a brief walk and a little bit of TV, they switched me to a full-face mask and I don't remember anything until waking up at about 7. They sent me home with the Zest since they did not think I was mouth-breathing. The CPAP study recorded an improved AHI of 1.0 and an RERAI of 2.4. The tech said in the report that I could benefit from C-Flex. He has me at a pressure of 10. The machine reports it is set to A-Flex Auto. When the big button is pressed on the Therapy menu selection, it reports 10.

After a week on the Zest, and researching CPAP masks and machines, my overall feeling so far is that I don't like looking like someone from another planet. I sure don't feel the least bit sexy in this thing, that's for sure. Sorry for the TMI! Other than that, it's like, oh well, if I can sleep through the night and feel good during the day, I'm willing to try.

I was having three issues with the Zest and my DME team came over yesterday. A) I felt like my head was in a vice. The headgear was as loose as it could be and still maintain a seal. B) The think would develop leaks when I tried to sleep on my side. I twist and turn a lot while a sleep or try to sleep. C) It bothered my upper lip. It felt like it my lip was being held in a mal-formed position.

So, I did a bunch more research and thought that the Swift FX might be good for me and possibly the Activa. After hearing my intro, the DME fit me for the Swift FX, Medium. I liked the onobrusiveness of the thing and don't think I would like the hose going over my head as in a few other nasal pillow setups. They had me sit in a chair, hooked up, at the table and did not hear any leaks. Last night wasn't good. Everytime I switched sides sleeping, there would be a small leak with air going over my nose/cheek. I'm going to try and readjust differently tonight and hope for the best.

Thanks very so much for listening.

Redeye

[Craig P]

One of the suggestions I found here was the use of Lansinoh Lanolin on your nares to help protect your nares and to provide a slightly tacky surface to help seal the pillows to your nose. I have been using the Swift FX and Lansinoh for the last couple of weeks and find that it works as advertised. I sometimes sleep with my face in my pillow with no problems with leaks.

You did not say if your DME team had you lay down with your mask to try it on. Sitting in a chair for the trial fit is not realistic as you don't sleep in a chair.

I have also been taping my mouth for the last week or so and find that that helps with leak control.

[Redeye]

You did not say if your DME team had you lay down with your mask to try it on. Sitting in a chair for the trial fit is not realistic as you don't sleep in a chair.

No they did not ask me to lie down. I thought that was kind of weird.

Redeye

[Nord]

You did not say if your DME team had you lay down with your mask to try it on. Sitting in a chair for the trial fit is not realistic as you don't sleep in a chair.

No they did not ask me to lie down. I thought that was kind of weird.

Redeye

I know the Zest pretty well...

I have also used Respironics (Comfort Series Nasals) and Swift LT. I love the Zest Plus but you have to know that the headgear tightens up a great deal when you lay down. It will depend on how far down your neck you pull the headgear and what type of pillow you sleep with.

You really have to be laying down in sleeping positions to know your mask. Masks require ongoing effort to give you the best results....

Nord

[jishy]

One of the suggestions I found here was the use of Lansinoh Lanolin on your nares to help protect your nares and to provide a slightly tacky surface to help seal the pillows to your nose. I have been using the Swift FX and Lansinoh for the last couple of weeks and find that it works as advertised. I sometimes sleep with my face in my pillow with no problems with leaks.

You did not say if your DME team had you lay down with your mask to try it on. Sitting in a chair for the trial fit is not realistic as you don't sleep in a chair.

I have also been taping my mouth for the last week or so and find that that helps with leak control.

I'm only night 2 of the Swift FX but I am finding I am waking up a little red/sore around my lip side of the bottom of my nose (not sure how to put it better!). A quick googling tells me Lansinoh Lanolin is a breastfeeding nipple cream - will have to see what we've got in Australia. Do you think this might help at all?
Thanks!

[Craig P]

One of the suggestions I found here was the use of Lansinoh Lanolin on your nares to help protect your nares and to provide a slightly tacky surface to help seal the pillows to your nose. I have been using the Swift FX and Lansinoh for the last couple of weeks and find that it works as advertised. I sometimes sleep with my face in my pillow with no problems with leaks.

You did not say if your DME team had you lay down with your mask to try it on. Sitting in a chair for the trial fit is not realistic as you don't sleep in a chair.

I have also been taping my mouth for the last week or so and find that that helps with leak control.

I'm only night 2 of the Swift FX but I am finding I am waking up a little red/sore around my lip side of the bottom of my nose (not sure how to put it better!). A quick googling tells me Lansinoh Lanolin is a breastfeeding nipple cream - will have to see what we've got in Australia. Do you think this might help at all?
Thanks!

It could help quite a bit as some of the iritation could be from friction, the Lansinoh can help to reduce movement. The Lansinoh I use has the consistency of soft beeswax so it is not exactly a cream or lotion.

[jishy]

I'll see what I can find today. I'm sure I'll find something!

[bigk]

I'd be interested to know what you can find in Australia. I have only rarely used anything and that was a long time ago. I used a skin repair and a moisturiser when I was first getting used to a nasal mask. (Swift LT) I find the Swift FX more leaky than the LT but it's a lovely mask - currently my preferred despite the leaks. So if there is something here in Australia, I'd be keen to try it.

[JZ]

Check this out:

http://www.lansinoh.co.uk/Australia.php

This is a really good product for use with nasal pillows.

[Marietjie]

This is a really good product for use with nasal pillows.

jishy - Lansinoh is the best to use with a mask/nasal pillows - It is pure Lanolin WITHOUT alcohol.
Just do not use any petroleum jelly. This can damage your silicone mask/pillows.
Yes, lansinoh is very expensive BUT you use a tiny bit every night.

[jishy]

I'd be interested to know what you can find in Australia. I have only rarely used anything and that was a long time ago. I used a skin repair and a moisturiser when I was first getting used to a nasal mask. (Swift LT) I find the Swift FX more leaky than the LT but it's a lovely mask - currently my preferred despite the leaks. So if there is something here in Australia, I'd be keen to try it.

Just found that Chemist Warehouse stocks it if you have one of them close by, apparently they are almost everywhere now... if not they sell it online here for $17 for a 56g pack (plus $5.50 postage if you don't get it from the store). Might go tomorrow and buy some.

[dtsm]

Just found that Chemist Warehouse stocks it if you have one of them close by, apparently they are almost everywhere now... if not they sell it online here for $17 for a 56g pack (plus $5.50 postage if you don't get it from the store). Might go tomorrow and buy some.

Wow, very pricey. I paid $11.00 and thought it was high. Usually can be had for just under $10. Good news - one tube lasts a long time!

[echo]

I love my Activa

It's a bit on the bulky side, and some people feel like it's an octopus attached to their face (but which nasal mask doesn't feel like that), but it SEALS, always, no matter how much I toss and turn. It's a good starter mask in my opinion.

Good hose management also help avoid pulled masks and subsequent leaks.

Good luck!

[Redeye]

My 1st post got hijacked by nipple cream! I love it! Well, night 2 on the FX was a bit better. I just realized last night that this thing sounds like a jet aircraft when I inhale. I don't remember the Zest being noisy. Is it normal that nasal pillows are louder than nasal masks, or could there have been something wrong with my setup? Thanks much.

Someone mentioned something on this post about pillows not working as well under higher pressures. My DME told me when he was here the other day that nasal pillows work better under higher pressures than lower. I'm at a 10 so he was initially concerned until he saw/heard that I was getting a good seal, sitting at the table in a chair no less! I'm thinking about trying the Zest again.

Redeye

[SleepyInIndy]

While I have never used the zest as I am completely satified with the 360, I would recommend that you leave everything loose, lay down, and turn on your machine. Then slowly adjust the headgear so that leaks are eliminated, It should NOT turn you into a 'Miss Piggy'. In my instance it required me to go to a larger nose cushion.

And FYI, many of the pillows masks that show the hose going over your head can be released and allowed to swivel around like an elephant's trunk. (Not a sexy image either...) But some can't.