Swift LT for Her - Which size nasal pillows to use?

[skylark40]

I am a two-week cpap newbie with the Swift LT for Her nasal pillow system. I have been very pleased with this mask and find it very comfortable. I was "fitted" with the medium size nasal pillows at the DME, but tried the small ones last night and they seemed to work better. I find nothing on the web - even Resmed's site - about determining what size is right for your nose. I would imagine if you go too small you will have leaks?

Does anyone have a rule of thumb - or nose - for this? Thanks!

[brazospearl]

Welcome to the forum, skylark! You are lucky to have found a mask that works well for you so early in your therapy. I don't have that mask, but it seems like what you have already done might be the best way to figure out which size works best for you. Pillows that are too large can be problematic, but those too small can cause trouble, too; we need to be like Goldilocks and find the ones that are "just right." Someone who uses your mask will be along shortly to give more specific advice, I expect, especially if I've told you the wrong thing!

[Emilia]

I used this mask for the first time last night and had great success with it. I am using the medium pillows and I had an AHI of 1.3---my best to date. I used some Lasinoh cream around the openings of my nares and that really helped to get a great seal. If the small are working better for you....then that is what you should use. It is a matter of trial and error. If you are getting a great seal and good results, then that is the size to use.

[nanwilson]

Hi there and WELCOME
You put the pillows up to your nose, with the little pointy tubes just inside. Take a look at the ring at the bottom of the tubes and see if there are no spaces to your nose. If I could draw a picture I would...hard to explain..keep going down in size until the smallest one fits with ring just covering the openings in your nose. Then make sure by turning on the air and make sure there are no leaks, if there is, go up one size. I found this out after I looked at a "fitting video" on the "optilife" on cpap.com....found out how "duh, dumb" I really was for fiddling around with my Swift Lt pillows.
Good Luck and again....WELCOME
Nan

[skylark40]

Hi there and WELCOME
You put the pillows up to your nose, with the little pointy tubes just inside. Take a look at the ring at the bottom of the tubes and see if there are no spaces to your nose. If I could draw a picture I would...hard to explain..keep going down in size until the smallest one fits with ring just covering the openings in your nose. Then make sure by turning on the air and make sure there are no leaks, if there is, go up one size. I found this out after I looked at a "fitting video" on the "optilife" on cpap.com....found out how "duh, dumb" I really was for fiddling around with my Swift Lt pillows.
Good Luck and again....WELCOME
Nan

Thanks for the info about the Optilife fitting video. You'd think Resmed would have a similar thing on their website. But no. Anyway, I used the Optilife info to test fit all three sizes I have: XS, S, and M. It's really a toss-up which one fits best, even the XS fits well. I'll have to try them all and see how it goes. If I still can't tell a real difference it might be difficult to decide which size to reorder!

[Janknitz]

You may be sort of in between sizes. I found that I am sort of between small and medium LT pillows--I have minor issues with the smalls leaking because they are slightly too small and with the mediums leaking because they are slightly too large. BUT, the FX smalls are perfect for me. Go figure.

Go with whichever are the most comfortable, and if you have software, keep an eye on your data. You might try a solid week with each one to see which seems best.

If worse comes to worse, you can use either size and when one wears out, you have a spare. Remember these pillows tend to last only about a month or so with continuous use.

[skylark40]

I don't have software to monitor what's going on, yet. I didn't want to invest $99 on software until I'm sure this is the machine they will keep me on. It would be nice if the machine told you a little more about how you're doing, though.

[Janknitz]

Well, you can at least keep an eye on your 7 and 30 day average AHI's.

I have no clue why the manufacturer thought that would be enough useful information for the user.

Resmed got it right when they put detailed info on the patient user screens.

[cpapqueen1]

If you have the Remstar Plus, you will not have any data to compare.

[skylark40]

If you have the Remstar Plus, you will not have any data to compare.

Nope, it looks like all I can see are therapy hours.