Mirage Swift LT

[gasp]

The manufacturer say there is silicone in the pillows. i know i am allergic to condoms and medical gloves and sulfa. Never heard of being allergic to silicone before. Even when my machine is off and i have the pillows on it feels like a sunburn on my nose. anymore advice will be greatly appreciated.

Still having the same symptoms.

Just a thought, but do you use silicone earbuds on a mobile phone, mp3 player, or other earphone piece? If so, and your inner ears do not get sore then you may be able to rule out being allergic to silicone and determine the irritation may be from abrasion.

[Deneb]

I use Ayr Gel n my nares to help keep the nasal pillows from causing irritation. A very thin coat of chapstick seems to help also.

The Ayer saline gel works great for me, too. The one night I forgot to put it on, I had discomfort and a much higher leak rate. Using chapstick could be a problem, though. I've frequently heard that petroleum-based products can cause sillicone (which is what the nasal pillows are made of) to break down, so you might shorten the life of your pillows.

[feeling_better]

I was thinking of those dual walled pillows: If air get in between those walls, so will water when you wash them.

If water gets there, it has to dry.

If the water is hard (very much so where I live) it will leave a mineral deposit between the walls.... so the final rinse has to be with distilled water.

What if it doesn't dry? (Hair dryer or cpap I suppose....).

Any special cleanning instructions for that mask?

O.
O.

I just got my LT yesterday. Even after drying that with cpap (after the initial wash), some water trapped in between the two walls did not dry! You have to check it, and shake it off first.

[gasp]

I use Ayr Gel n my nares to help keep the nasal pillows from causing irritation. A very thin coat of chapstick seems to help also.

The Ayer saline gel works great for me, too. The one night I forgot to put it on, I had discomfort and a much higher leak rate. Using chapstick could be a problem, though. I've frequently heard that petroleum-based products can cause sillicone (which is what the nasal pillows are made of) to break down, so you might shorten the life of your pillows.

I believe you're right that petroleum products and silicone don't mix.

[feeling_better]

I bought my Swift LT yesterday. I had one night's experience with Swift LT. It is definitely much quieter than the Headrest, and very light. I like the overall design and feel. It is one of the best masks I have seen so far.

I see two problems. The vent flow is not really diffused. It is somewhat in the direction away from your face, but slanted towards the direction of the hose. When you route the hose over one's head, the air flow could disturb the sleeping partner. The other problem is that the tube is too short for routing over the head. It needs at least 6 to 12 more inches of length, similar to the hose of the Headrest. Just like the masks are getting smaller and lighter over the years, I can see in a few years the hoses will become more flexible and most likely smaller diameter too.

[mindyhoo]

Ear pieces have always bothered me too, i just always thought they were too small for my ears and burned.

Also you can put the bigger hose into the top part of the headgear you only put the skinnier hose when you want it in front of your face, the larger hose snaps in there when you want it on the side of your face.

The sleep study people said to let the tubes run free i have had no problems with them.

If the nose pieces burn washing them in ivory soap has been helping, i use the bar not the liquid.

thanks for everything everyone.

Mindy

[meshktenye]

Hi, I'm new here. My name is Steve. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea several months ago by the VA. One of the nice things is the VA pays for the CPAP machine and all necessary gear. After 3 months, I still was not able to get used to the full nose mask, so I asked my doc about the Mirage Swift LT nasal pillow. I got it on order a week ago and I got a package today. I was really excited because I was really hoping this would solve my problem.

Unfortunately, they sent me the wrong gear - another full nose mask like the one I already have. I called the company and they said they would get the Mirage Swift LT out to me tomorrow.

Bummer, another waiting period.

Steve

[lktnky]

Anybody out there want to trade your medium pillow for my small and/or large? I live in a smoke & pet free home. Neither size has been worn except to briefly test. Hate the thought of wasting them if someone can use them. Please pm me.
lktnky

[npap]

In case you don't want to read through the whole letter, I am turning on my cpap machine for about a 30 minutes with hoses, headgear, nasal pillows connected but no water in humidifer to clear out water from cleaning that is left in hose, etc. I keep most of the hose under the covers with me to prevent condensation while I sleep.

Here's my story on the Swift LT: I've only been on cpap for a month and 1 week so my experience is limited but here goes:

During my sleep study, they started me with the Swift II - I immediately took it off, in a slight panic (he didn't warn me that I would have it stuffed up my nose a bit! I thought I would have a mask put on), I finally got it on my face by holding it away from my nose and slowly getting it closer until I put it on fully. I couldn't fall back to sleep so finally the sleep tech tried a mask on me, I couldn't stand it, the pressure on my face/nose, he ended up trying 5 masks and I couldn't stand any of them. By that time, I said "put the original nose pillow one back on!" I forced myself to stay perfectly still and finally fell to sleep.

the DME gave me a Swift LT and I was happy to see that it was even smaller than the swift II. The first few nights I had a lot of difficulty getting to sleep and getting it on right. It felt like one of my nostrils was closed, I had leaks, etc. It took me from 60 minutes or more to fall asleep and a lot of time adjusting the nasal pillows. By the 4th or 5th night, I was able to put it on and almost immediately have it situated just right. I noticed that if I took it off and closed one nostril, the one that felt closed was actually stuffy without the pillow. I also noticed that when I tried to yawn or opened my mouth that air was definitely going in, even though it didn't feel like it. Now, I don't notice that "closed off" feeling so much. I can fall asleep very quickly, the Swift LT is very comfortable. The nasal pillows are soft. If I turn on my side and I am awake, sometimes I push my head pillow more to the other side to prevent leaks and also I might tighten my straps. My only problem is that I am waking up with it off my head many nights. I wonder if it is my body adjusting to having to breath out more forcfully or just the fact of having something on my head is annoying while I'm sleeping. My RT advises that I continue to try to adjust to it and try a chin strap. I always wash my face every night so I haven't had the seal problem related to oily skin but more to a good adjustment. Sometimes I need to readjust the angle. I've found that the best way to put it on is to put the straps on first and to breath in while I insert it into my nose. If I hear or feel any leaks I just quickly adjust it a little and it is very quiet.
To stop the condensation problem, I turn on the cpap machine with everything hooked up and no water in the humidifier and let it blow for about 1/2 hour or so. I usually do this pre-drying before I go to bed but today I did it as soon as I got home from work to get it over with. I also keep the hose under the covers with me and it has really helped. I plan on one day buying a hose sleeve.

[mymontreal]

I too am still having some issues with my Swift LT & I have no idea why...it is starting to get very frustrating...

I have been on the machine and the Swift LT for about 6 weeks now - it doesn't take me long to get the pillow positioned correctly when I go to bed, though some evenings seem to take longer than others - the large pillow seems to fit pretty well & when I lie down to sleep there do not appear to be any leaks.

However, Many mornings I am waking up to find the mask no longer attached AND I HAVE NO IDEA WHY... it's not that I've ripped it off during the night and thrown it on the floor - in fact most of the time it is hung nicely from the bedpost, I just can't remember doing it (apart from a few times when I do vaguely remember doing it during the night - it just seemed like the correct thing to do at the time...).

Anybody have any thoughts or suggestions ?

Thanks
Mike

[feeling_better]

I am turning on my cpap machine for about a 30 minutes with hoses, headgear, nasal pillows connected but no water in humidifer to clear out water from cleaning that is left in hose, etc.

I do exactly the same to dry out the humidifier chamber, hose, mask.

I noticed that if I took it off and closed one nostril, the one that felt closed was actually stuffy without the pillow.

It is possible you have nasal allergies. Discuss with your doc, he may prescribe a nasal spray, which I have been using and really clears up my nasal passages very well. In fact I also feel so much better during the day time from not having allergies which I might have been suffering from all thru my long life.

My only problem is that I am waking up with it off my head many nights. I wonder if it is my body adjusting to having to breath out more forcefully or just the fact of having something on my head is annoying while I'm sleeping. My RT advises that I continue to try to adjust to it and try a chin strap. I always wash my face every night so I haven't had the seal problem related to oily skin but more to a good adjustment. Sometimes I need to readjust the angle. I've found that the best way to put it on is to put the straps on first and to breath in while I insert it into my nose. If I hear or feel any leaks I just quickly adjust it a little and it is very quiet.

What machine are you using, what settings? Are you using some form of exhale pressure relief, such as cflex or aflex? This would reduce that feeling of having to force to exhale.

Is it possible that your headgear is slipping off at night. This is affected a lot by the shape of the head in the back side; people who do not have that rounded bulge in the back (a less common, but normal profile), would experience strap slipping much more than others. Perhaps when the headgear slips off, you simply sub consciously move it aside ??

To stop the condensation problem, I turn on the cpap machine with everything hooked up and no water in the humidifier and let it blow for about 1/2 hour or so. I usually do this pre-drying before I go to bed but today I did it as soon as I got home from work to get it over with. I also keep the hose under the covers with me and it has really helped. I plan on one day buying a hose sleeve.

I do not think this would affect your condensation problem much at all. At best it will postpone it by a few minutes when you start, since with a drier hose, the hose condensation will reduce the humidity of the air your breath at the beginning. Drying the hose in the morning is better than at night, for better hose hygiene.

I am one of those who has experienced extreme rainout with the Swift LT, even at humidity setting of 1. I devised a very effective way to eliminate this without any hose insulation . It was only after I solved this, that Swift LT became my best mask. I shall soon post my method here, when I have a little bit more time.

[looking4zzzz]

I've only used my Swift LT for one night, but it was a whole lot more comfortable than my Comfort Gel. I went back to my RT to show him the damage the Comfort Gel was doing to the bridge of my nose. He agreed the mask shouldn't be causing that wound, so we tried different masks and decided to try to Swift LT. It was much lighter and didn't put any pressure points on me. I didn't even have any marks on my face when I woke up in the morning. I woke up a few more times than I had been waking up, and had to adjust the pillows a little off and on through the night. I think it might take me a little bit to get used to the new mask, and find the right fitting adjustments, but my initial impressions are very positive. It was reasonably quiet too.

My visit was postive all the way around. My RT read the card and printed the report for me. I'll have to go that route for a while until I can afford to buy the software to read it myself. But for the first 2 weeks my avg obs apnea index was 1.2, avg hypopnea index was 1.6, my avg AHI was 2.8, avg VS index was 12.1. Even without knowing the numbers, I knew they would probably be pretty good because I had already been noticing how much better I was feeling. I can't believe the difference in energy I feel since getting on this therapy.

Looks like I am going to be sticking to Swift LT, at least for now, and I am definitely a committed hosehead...no going back for me

[MMCGOWAN]

Hmm I sleep on my stomach face almost flat in the pillow and do great with this thick beard and all

do not try to strap it on to tight and you have to pivot the beastie forward and backward to get the seal

eliminate the torque at the connector and life is good

not a good set up to use with a stiff hose though

[mindyhoo]

I know this may not be the answer anyone wants to hear because it seems so simple, but i am on the second month with the Swift Mirage LT. It is also the very first experience I have with Sleep Apnea.

It was good at first, then my nose started to burn, i would rip off my mask at night or it would just me laying there in the morning, or my body just revolted and would not even want that mask on my face.

I made little pillow covers, i tried all kinds of lubricants, etc, something was not right and the doctor was no help. Trust me i was in tears a lot because i saw how good it was to sleep at night and then it was taken away from me.

I keep the humidifier low, but make sure it is on, because without it you dry out and that is painful. Rain out stopped for me when i just keep the tubing under the covers, under my pillows, etc.

So like usual it was all up to me.

I began making sure i soaked everything in warm water and very mild dishwashing soap (soap description below) and i had to be careful because i am allergic to sulfa and it is in a lot of soaps, even baby shampoo. i stopped the vinegar cleaning for a while, that seem to really irritate me. If i am religious on the soaking and i forget so the items sit in the sink for many hours sometimes, then i rinse them and let them air dry, those nights i sleep like a princess. If i get lazy and think i can skip a day of cleaning again, same symptoms as above.

so if anyone just wants to make sure they clean everything very well before every use i hope it helps! Skip the vinegar for a while see if there is a difference.
mindy

P.S. The dishwashing liquid detergent i found is called Palmolive Pure + Clean, no unnecessary chemicals, no heavy fragrances, non-irritating dyes, biodegradable cleaning ingredients, phosphate free, hypoallergenic, no harmful residue. I only put a few drops to a bathroom sink of warm water.

[mikang]

I just received my Mirage Swift LT about 4 days ago. I love it except for the headgear. Has anyone had a problem with the buckle on the back of your head? It hurts my head and it's hard to fall asleep with it hurting. I've been trying to find a way to get it to work, but haven't. Does anyone know of any way to wear the headgear after removing the buckle or leaving it on and "engineering" it? I would dearly appreciate if anyone can help me! Thanks!