Swift FX pain ?

[Chask]

i am 10 days in with cpap. i selected the pillow from my DME as a start. They are not open today (Sat) so i cannot go in until Mon to fix/exchange it.

Meanwhile, i am wondering if there are any suggestions here, this is a summary of my issues:

1) it felt ok the first night, some pain in the bridge of my nose when waking up, but is getting progressively worse each day.
2) my nasal stubble is getting pressed back into my nostril which feels like pricking inside my nose and it is sensitive during days as well now.
3) I have reached the point where touching the end of my nasal septum during the day hurts some, putting on the FX at night hurts even more.
4) i have set the straps as loose as will not leak but it still hurts.
5) i am using the medium size, the large feels better but cannot seal no matter how tight the straps.

i have considered using vaseline to allow a looser fit, i have tried to think of a way to trim the silicone, but so far i just live with it.

my compliance is excellent, probably due to a high threshold of "pain" discomfort. It is hard to ignore when trying to get to sleep...

My questions are:
1) Any suggestions to adapt better until Monday AM?
2) Any suggestions on another brand/style pillow i should request from my DME on Monday?

[NateS]

i am 10 days in with cpap. i selected the pillow from my DME as a start. They are not open today (Sat) so i cannot go in until Mon to fix/exchange it.

Meanwhile, i am wondering if there are any suggestions here, this is a summary of my issues:

1) it felt ok the first night, some pain in the bridge of my nose when waking up, but is getting progressively worse each day.
2) my nasal stubble is getting pressed back into my nostril which feels like pricking inside my nose and it is sensitive during days as well now.
3) I have reached the point where touching the end of my nasal septum during the day hurts some, putting on the FX at night hurts even more.
4) i have set the straps as loose as will not leak but it still hurts.
5) i am using the medium size, the large feels better but cannot seal no matter how tight the straps.

i have considered using vaseline to allow a looser fit, i have tried to think of a way to trim the silicone, but so far i just live with it.

my compliance is excellent, probably due to a high threshold of "pain" discomfort. It is hard to ignore when trying to get to sleep...

My questions are:
1) Any suggestions to adapt better until Monday AM?
2) Any suggestions on another brand/style pillow i should request from my DME on Monday?

1) This stuff is great for your nostrils when they are adapting to a nasal pillow mask like the Swift FX, and after a few weeks of use you probably won't need it anymore:

http://www.lansinoh.com/products/hpa-lanolin

2) If you prefer, you can completely avoid adapting to having something stuck in your nostrils if you go with a mask like the Wisp, which gently encloses your entire nose without touching your nostrils. It is made out of the same soft material as the nasal cushion masks:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1dOfJIZsuM

Good luck! It will soon all work out and become more comfortable for you.

Regards, Nate

[Chask]

Thanks for the suggestions. I bought tube of their lanolin, it eased to daily sensitivity immediately, and helped a lot at the start of the night. When i awoke in the AM, the "pain" was back again. I will try to get used to the FX pillow, this is the only drawback for me.

Thanks,
Charles

[Pugsy]

Try a different size nasal pillow.
Any chance that top strap is too tight? The Swift FX doesn't normally cause more than minor tenderness if sized and fitted properly.

The most common mistake is that people have the strap too tight and often it is the top strap. If you put the mask on and look in the mirror is there any movement of your nostrils upwards giving you the piggy nose syndrome?
If so, that's the top strap...loosen it a notch or too.

Have you read this
http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/swift- ... ing-guide/

[Chask]

looking in the mirror just now, i do not think the top strap was too tight. I had tried the large pillow, but i was tightening to stop leaks not loosening.

i think your suggestion to look in a mirror while adjusting is EXCELLENT. I can see the fit instead of adjust for comfort/seal. I re-tried the Large size now with a looser fit, it did seal under pressure. I will try it again tonight.

Thanks!!
Charles

[locust78]

I was getting a sore septum very soon after switching to the FX. I almost abandoned it, but spoke to a friend who had a similar experience. He said that in his case, it was necessary to position the rear fabric strap higher up on his head than recommended. I tried something like that and it worked. For me, it wasn't a matter of tightening or loosing, but the position of the strap on my head that eased the pain on my nose. Now it fits like a charm & has become my favorite mask.

[KenH]

I am a big Ol boy and I used the small pillows. I did have the same soreness but after a few days it got much better. I just switched to the Wisp mask. It just has a cup that sits around your nose. Much better. Good luck it will take a little while and dont force yourself to wear it all night. That will come in time.

[zorki1c]

They started me with the medium pillow. After a week I tried the Large pillow and found it was much more comfortable and produced better results.