NOT So SWIFT

frostman · Post by **frostman** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 5:54 pm

I really want to like my new swift mask, it is so light and comfy, but the darn thing keeps getting these small leaks which drive me crazy. Last night was awful, I woke up at about 2:00 AM with this irritating leak on the lower right side of my nose. No matter what I did it just kept going, rotated the barrel cinched the straps, moved the hose to the other side. No matter it kept going, I am using the large pillows. Some nights have been good, but not lately. I had to go back to my activa, which is so quite, but I want to learn to like the swift, and ideas????

yawn · Post by **yawn** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 7:07 pm

Frostman,
I wrote a long reply to you and now it's disappeared. I'll try and find it and send it to you.

Amy

WillSucceed · Post by **WillSucceed** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 6:49 am

I've wanted to like my Swift for a long time as well. However, it leaves me with Nike swoosh marks on my porky cheeks, irritates my nose, rides up and wants to slip off my head and, ends up leaking when I roll.

I've ended up using my Breeze almost exclusively and have come to really get along with it. I also use a Respironics Comfort-Lite with very good success.

Tried an ADAM circuit last night. Comfortable, but too noisy due to the angular shaped plenum. Now I know why the rounded out all the straight angles on the Breeze plenum.

ProfessorSleep · Post by **ProfessorSleep** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 8:31 am

I was determined to like my Swift as well, having looked at a lot of alternatives and reading loads of info here. My first experience with CPAP, so I knew it would take a lot of adjustment. The swift and I fought for quite some time. I gave up one night and threw it off to the side, but got right back on the next night knowing I needed the therapy. It made a sore above one of my ears, made my nose sore, the buckle poked the top of my head, the hose kept getting caught on the bed, etc. So, to make a long story short, it's 3 weeks later and we're finally getting along quite well. I completely started over with everything on at least 3 occasions - started from scratch with the pillows and headgear adjustment, tried several different hose positions, bed pillow types, and so forth. The gist of my experience is that I think all of this is trial and error, and lots and lots of patience. I think I got lucky and finally landed on something that worked. But I've still got an eye out for something better... it's not perfect, but I've changed my expectations to "this will do for now." Good luck to you!

guest13 · Post by **guest13** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 9:58 am

frostman:

What ProfessorSleep has just said goes for me also! IMO the situation was stated perfectly! Start from square 1 and keep adjusting things and i beleive you will get to a comfort zone with it until a better interface comes along for YOU!

Best to you,

steve,
ufo13

Winston · Post by **Winston** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 10:31 am

I find my Swift only leaks and/or makes noise when my pillows need cleaning. I have used the Adams, the Breeze and now the Swift. I do not wear the headgear tight at all and it works perfectly for me. But, that is why so many masks are available. Each face and nostrils are different.

I recommend the Breeze also. Being a back sleeper the head gear hurts the back of my head after a few days of use, but seems perfect for side sleepers.

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 1:33 pm

Frostman,

Professor Sleep is right on the money with this. When things started to go downhill with my Swift, I started from square one. Loosened all the straps, cleaned the barrel, switched sizes, readjusted the straps...it's possible, believe it or not, you may just need the medium pillows. I always thought I'd need the large, but medium was the best for me. I'd use the small too sometimes. Also, when you adjust the headstraps, do the back one first. Don't make it tight, just enough to feel secure. Then make sure when you adjust the top one that you don't make it so tight that it hurts your hose by pulling up on it. Also, the straps, when adjusted right, AND IT CAN BE DONE, should be between the ear and the outside corner of your eye. No need to have your ears nipped by the strap. That only indicates it's not adjusted correctly. The side strap should be resting on the top of your cheekbone.

The Swift didn't leak for me except when I'd occasionally dislodge the barrel by putting pressure on it when I changed positions. Other than that, a simple adjustment on the barrel should be all that's necessary to eliminate the leaks.

When you get it right, you'll say it was worth the extra effort to find the right adjustments. It's a really great interface. Yes, I have moved on to the Aura but would go back for a change to the Swift in the future. I really liked it a lot.

BP · Post by BP » Thu Sep 22, 2005 1:41 pm

You know, for years audiologists have been making custom molded inserts for hearing aids, ear protection, professional musicians in-ear monitors etc. Why can't someone make a custom nasal insert, or nasal mask, that is made from a mold of each persons nares or nose? Seems like that would be much more comfortable and resistant to leaks. Just a thought.

-BP

yawn · Post by **yawn** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 4:27 pm

ProfessorSleep wrote: So, to make a long story short, it's 3 weeks later and we're finally getting along quite well. I completely started over with everything on at least 3 occasions - started from scratch with the pillows and headgear adjustment, tried several different hose positions, bed pillow types, and so forth. The gist of my experience is that I think all of this is trial and error, and lots and lots of patience. I think I got lucky and finally landed on something that worked. But I've still got an eye out for something better... it's not perfect, but I've changed my expectations to "this will do for now." Good luck to you!

EXACTLY!!!! I don't think there's a mask out there that doesn't have its "pros" and "cons". It's really just a matter of figuring out which one you want to mess with enough to make it work for you. I'm willing to put up with the inconveniences of the Swift because I like the fact that I don't have alot of "stuff" on my face. I also like the Activa because it seals so well, but I don't like having such a big mask on my face so I don't use it very often (but it's there if I get too irritated with the Swift). There is no perfect mask (IMHO).

Amy

yawn · Post by **yawn** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 4:39 pm

Sleepless on LI wrote: Yes, I have moved on to the Aura but would go back for a change to the Swift in the future. I really liked it a lot.

Hey Lori, are you still liking the Aura??

Amy

WAFlowers · Post by **WAFlowers** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 5:01 pm

Amy, it sure is tempting to try an Aura, isn't it?

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 5:48 pm

Amy,

Yes, I am still liking the Aura. Have had a few leaks in the past night or so, but I think it's the way I had the headgear adjusted. All in all, the best mask/interface I've ever used so far.

I do want to try the XLG pillows, regardless of what Sir Cumference thinks about my nose not needing them, because if this is leaking because the pillows are a bit small, that would take care of it all. I feel where it leaks from and I think the Aura's larges are not as large as a large should be. So as soon as this site lists it for sale, which I found out they are available now, I am going to order them and give them a try.

Even without the XLG pillows, there are just a lot of pros with this interface. One of the best things is, no chance of lines on the face and no disturbing bulky apparatus on the face. There is virtually nothing touching the face except where the pillows meet the nares. Plus, now that I've used it for almost two weeks, it is exxceptionally much more quiet than the Swift. You don't hear anything except the inhale.

I wish everyone could try the masks first before we bought them. They should just make a trial mask that they lend out and sanitize when it comes back. Would that hurt? Oh, yeah. I forgot. They wouldn't make as much money on all the masks people are forced to keep that they didn't like after they bought them...what was I thinking?

Amy, you might want to consider trying the Aura when you're entitled to a new mask. If you like the Swift like I did, the Aura might be right up your alley, too. Wait and see what Rock & Roll says when he gets his. Was supposed to be by the end of the week. But now with Rita entering Texas, I highly doubt it will get there for at least another week, if not more. I just hope and the others who live there will be safe from harm. But it is virtually leak-free, comfortable and quiet, with no lines, marks or bulky mask covering your face. Easy to sleep in, too.

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 7:28 pm

LoRi,

I originally used the large nasal seal and had here and there leaks like you. I decided to give the medium seal a try and amazingly I've been leak free for months. When I used the Swift, I used the large pillows, which are larger than the aura large and they worked fine for me. Seems the right pillow size depends on which interface you're talking about.

yawn · Post by **yawn** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 7:46 pm

WAFlowers wrote:Amy, it sure is tempting to try an Aura, isn't it?

Yes!! I currently have a Swift, Activa, and something else I never use. The thing is, I have to return at least 1 of them soon. I was going to keep the Activa and just consider it my next "3-month" mask. But now I'm wondering if I should try the Aura....decisions..decisions....

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 8:04 pm

yawn wrote:But now I'm wondering if I should try the Aura....decisions..decisions....

I want to tell you to try it, but I don't want you to hate me if it doesn't work for you. Gut feeling? It will work for you. But I would hate myself, too, if you got stuck with a mask you didn't like because I talked you into it.

How do you get to keep masks for three months and return them? I don't get it. I wish I had that option and they let me keep one that I liked. What type of insurance does that??? A great one.

Wading,
I am going to try the medium pillows tonight and see what happens. I thought maybe the XLG would be better, even though I used small and medium on the Swift. But for some reason, maybe the large on the Aura are TOO large and are causing the pillows to become mis-shaped? I don't know since they were working perfectly for awhile. I'll try on the mediums and see if they'll work. Thanks for the suggestion.

NOT So SWIFT

NOT So SWIFT

frostman...keep getting GUESTED today!!