My Swift LT is starting to bug me

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
Janknitz
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Joined: Sat Mar 20, 2010 1:05 pm
Location: Northern California

My Swift LT is starting to bug me

Post by Janknitz » Tue May 04, 2010 11:02 pm

I was so happy to have the Swfit LT after all the various nasal masks and the Quattro FF mask, but now I'm starting to have problems.

In order to seal, I have to have the pillows tipped so that the raised writing on the front of the pillows irritates the tip of my nose. It also pushes up on my nose to get a seal. I wouldn't say it's tight, but it's not loose either. If I make it any looser, it leaks a lot. In the morning around wake up time, my pressures are generally higher, and moving around causes a lot of small but annoying leaks. I'm starting to hate this mask, even though I know it's much better than my other options.

I decided to try a night with one of the nasal masks to give the tip of my nose a break and renew my appreciation for the Swift LT, but what I found is that I can't stand any of the other masks at all. I have NO idea how I tolerated them before. Yuck!

However, while I cannot stand the nasal masks at all, the Swift is still starting to bug me. I spent about an hour last night when I should have been sleeping trying on nasal mask and then trying to readjust the Swift. I'm stuck with it for at least the next two months--any suggestions???

I hope I'm not going to be one of those people who is never satisfied! I'm starting to feel that way.
What you need to know before you meet your DME http://tinyurl.com/2arffqx
Taming the Mirage Quattro http://tinyurl.com/2ft3lh8
Swift FX Fitting Guide http://tinyurl.com/22ur9ts
Don't Pay that Upcharge! http://tinyurl.com/2ck48rm

Sleeprider
Posts: 1562
Joined: Tue May 06, 2008 5:57 pm
Location: Murrysville, PA

Re: My Swift LT is starting to bug me

Post by Sleeprider » Tue May 04, 2010 11:54 pm

It sounds like you have had the mask for a few months now. The nasal pillows are soft and may not be giving you the same seal you once had. There are several modifications that work well to slightly stiffen the body of the pillow to keep it from collapsing, and there are several threads where people post pillow swaps. The mask comes with three sizes, you swap the two you don't use, for ones you need, and have a few spares to rotate into use. Do a search on Swift LT pillow swap and modification, and you will find the information.

_________________
Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Sleepyhead software. Just changed from PRS1 BiPAP Auto DS760TS

Sleeprider
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Joined: Tue May 06, 2008 5:57 pm
Location: Murrysville, PA

Re: My Swift LT is starting to bug me

Post by Sleeprider » Wed May 05, 2010 12:02 am

Here is the link to the Great Pillow Exchange. Get you some. viewtopic.php?f=1&t=36070&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=195

_________________
Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Sleepyhead software. Just changed from PRS1 BiPAP Auto DS760TS

Janknitz
Posts: 8503
Joined: Sat Mar 20, 2010 1:05 pm
Location: Northern California

Re: My Swift LT is starting to bug me

Post by Janknitz » Wed May 05, 2010 10:12 am

Thanks for the suggestions. My Swift is only a month old and I have an O-ring around the left pillow already because it never hit my nostril in the right place even when brand new. The pillows still seem OK, not soft and flabby, and the inner layer is fully upright. So I'm not sure it's the pillows.

I think it's me. Last night I just put it on, went to sleep and all was fine. The night before I struggled. I also slept really well last night, no tossing and turning which helped.

One thing I've noticed is that the back strap slides up because of the friction from my bed pillow, and that dislodges the nasal pillows. I have short hair, so the pony tail trip won't work. I think I'm going to try a satin pillowcase to see if it will stop that problem.
What you need to know before you meet your DME http://tinyurl.com/2arffqx
Taming the Mirage Quattro http://tinyurl.com/2ft3lh8
Swift FX Fitting Guide http://tinyurl.com/22ur9ts
Don't Pay that Upcharge! http://tinyurl.com/2ck48rm

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Made_in_1960
Posts: 13
Joined: Wed Feb 24, 2010 11:47 am
Location: Central Massachusetts

Re: My Swift LT is starting to bug me

Post by Made_in_1960 » Wed May 05, 2010 10:44 am

I have the same problems with my Swift LT. I've been using mine for two months now. I like that the mask is light and quiet. However, If I tighten up the straps so that the mask doesn't leak, the tip of my nose gets very irritated. I go to work in the next morning looking like some strange cross between Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and W.C. Fields;-)

After reading this thread, I am wondering if this is happening because my pillows are wearing out. I'm still using my original set. How often should I change them?

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hose head
Posts: 150
Joined: Mon Dec 01, 2008 9:22 pm

Re: My Swift LT is starting to bug me

Post by hose head » Wed May 05, 2010 6:09 pm

I found an elastic band around the back of my swift lt kept it from riding up. Search on lab rat fixes. It is listed under the swift lt.

m

Janknitz
Posts: 8503
Joined: Sat Mar 20, 2010 1:05 pm
Location: Northern California

Re: My Swift LT is starting to bug me

Post by Janknitz » Wed May 05, 2010 6:17 pm

I found an elastic band around the back of my swift lt kept it from riding up. Search on lab rat fixes. It is listed under the swift lt.
Oh, I see. It doesn't make you feel like the pillows a smashing your nose even more???

I've been thinking of a chin strap (which I really don't need) that hooks on to the back strap behind the ears, but not sure I'd like the way it feels (and it seems like I could strangle myself if it slipped )

Edited to add: So maybe those doohicky's that dig into your face have a purpose after all????
What you need to know before you meet your DME http://tinyurl.com/2arffqx
Taming the Mirage Quattro http://tinyurl.com/2ft3lh8
Swift FX Fitting Guide http://tinyurl.com/22ur9ts
Don't Pay that Upcharge! http://tinyurl.com/2ck48rm

DaveL
Posts: 355
Joined: Sun Jan 07, 2007 8:06 pm
Location: Hazeltown, Ontario Canada

Re: My Swift LT is starting to bug me

Post by DaveL » Wed May 05, 2010 8:12 pm

I recently bought a new mask and a cpap pillow.
The pillow has cutouts so it won't dislodge my mask when I lie on my side.

If someone tried to take my mask or pillow away, I would fight!

Another hint here...do you hang your strap?

I do sometimes. That way it doesn't catch on the bedframe or bed when I move.

Like you I sometimes just have a bad night. But when I have them consistently I wonder what has gone wrong? Usually it's something basic.

Hope the pillow idea helps someone. I should have done it sooner!

DaveL
Toronto

_________________
Mask: DreamWear Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: S8 Ellite II Cpap Machine as backup
Regards,
DaveL Toronto

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hose head
Posts: 150
Joined: Mon Dec 01, 2008 9:22 pm

Re: My Swift LT is starting to bug me

Post by hose head » Wed May 05, 2010 10:14 pm

The elastic straps held the LT in the right place. I wore a Swift LT for over a year. I would switch now and then to my Activa. I have had the FX for over a month and have the Activa and old Swift put up. I hope FX continues to be a "good" mask, but if I had to, I'd go back to a LT before using FF or another nasal mask. Sometimes you just have to play with it until you find your sweet spot.

Sleeprider
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Joined: Tue May 06, 2008 5:57 pm
Location: Murrysville, PA

Re: My Swift LT is starting to bug me

Post by Sleeprider » Thu May 06, 2010 11:44 am

A suggestion on the LT fitment. Wear the back-lower strap in a lower position, not above your ears. The strap on top of your head should lightly hold the pillows at your nostrils, the back strap is a stabilizer. I think users have a habit of wearing that strap too high and tightening it to fix fit problems. That probably won't work very well as the strap is simply a stabilizer. Wearing that strap near the base of the skull causes less strap marks, less pressure and gives a better fit. Give it a try.

_________________
Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Sleepyhead software. Just changed from PRS1 BiPAP Auto DS760TS

Janknitz
Posts: 8503
Joined: Sat Mar 20, 2010 1:05 pm
Location: Northern California

Re: My Swift LT is starting to bug me

Post by Janknitz » Thu May 06, 2010 11:55 am

Another hint here...do you hang your strap?


Did you mean hose, rather than strap? I have pictures of hanging ME from the wall by the strap--LOL!
I do hang my hose. I have a swivel lamp mounted on the wall by the bed (I installed it way too high!), and I made a little hose holder out of a fishing swivel, some yarn and soda straws (one of these days I've got to take a picture!) so the hose is hung from there. It works really well. I tried a few nights with my hose down, and it drove me bonkers.

I do try to keep the back strap as low as possible under that part of the skull, but it slips on my hair. My hair back there is short, about 1 1/2 or 2"--and I'm going in for a cut this weekend, so it will be shorter still. I'm wondering if I used something to line the strap back there it might not slip as easily--like that rubbery, bumpy shelf liner stuff??? I'm going to buy some elastic this weekend and try that lab rat fix, too.

Last few nights have been OK. It feels a bit tight on my nose, but my nose isn't sore in the morning, and I don't think it's leaking much until I start waking and moving around a bit. I've been having full nights of sleep, no waking, and--for the first time since starting CPAP--I'm dreaming again.

I'd love to get the software so that I can see what's really happening leakwise--I know I have a lot of small leaks (there's a tiny one right between my nares!)--but it's not in the budget to get the software yet.
What you need to know before you meet your DME http://tinyurl.com/2arffqx
Taming the Mirage Quattro http://tinyurl.com/2ft3lh8
Swift FX Fitting Guide http://tinyurl.com/22ur9ts
Don't Pay that Upcharge! http://tinyurl.com/2ck48rm

Janknitz
Posts: 8503
Joined: Sat Mar 20, 2010 1:05 pm
Location: Northern California

Re: My Swift LT is starting to bug me

Post by Janknitz » Fri May 07, 2010 10:26 am

I found an elastic band around the back of my swift lt kept it from riding up. Search on lab rat fixes. It is listed under the swift lt.


I decided not to wait until the weekend when I can get a chance to get to the fabric store. I "made" an "elastic" band by cutting up a clean nylon stocking--just a thin, stretchy strip. I tied this as instructed in the lab rat fix, very lightly, because I didn't want the pillows smashed so tightly against my nose that I'm going to start looking like a rabbit .

I think it worked pretty well. The nylon is thin and light--though it looks hideous--and it did just seem to keep the back band of the headgear down low so that the pillows didn't get pushed around. Meanwhile, I didn't feel like the pillows were being pushed too hard into my nose.

I didn't have a particularly active night, but for once I don't think the pillows got dislodged at all--the only leak was the usual tiny one between my nostrils. It was a good night.

I'd had a terrible day. The night before I fell asleep watching TV without my CPAP on. I only slept for an hour that way, but I woke feeling horrible and even after sleeping the rest of the night with CPAP on I felt terrible all day--mostly an unrelenting headache. So it was great to have a good and leak free night and I feel pretty good this morning.
What you need to know before you meet your DME http://tinyurl.com/2arffqx
Taming the Mirage Quattro http://tinyurl.com/2ft3lh8
Swift FX Fitting Guide http://tinyurl.com/22ur9ts
Don't Pay that Upcharge! http://tinyurl.com/2ck48rm