First night with CPAP--questions about mask

[syzygy]

After a long wait, I finally picked up my CPAP equipment (S9 and Swift FX) yesterday and slept at home with it for the first time.

I suppose I could call last night a qualified success, since I was able to sleep for about 4 hours. But I noticed that my API was 11.2 and my mask leak rate was 22.8L/min (even though I was always getting a smiley face from the mask fit section). Clearly, I need to make some modifications to something.

Can anyone give me some general pointers about common adjustments people make with the Swift FX? In particular, I'm wondering if I have the headgear positioned correctly and the correct tension in the straps. I don't feel any air coming out from anywhere except the vent, and it's not all that uncomfortable, but the numbers and my intuition tell me that something is wrong. I can't quite figure out how to describe what I'm doing other than to say that I'm sticking the pillows in my nostrils as best I can and trying to put the straps on the top and back of my head.

Not sure if this is relevant, but my pressure is varying from 7-11 cm.

Sorry to be vague, and thanks in advance for any feedback

[Stormynights]

After a long wait, I finally picked up my CPAP equipment (S9 and Swift FX) yesterday and slept at home with it for the first time.

I suppose I could call last night a qualified success, since I was able to sleep for about 4 hours. But I noticed that my API was 11.2 and my mask leak rate was 22.8L/min (even though I was always getting a smiley face from the mask fit section). Clearly, I need to make some modifications to something.

Can anyone give me some general pointers about common adjustments people make with the Swift FX? In particular, I'm wondering if I have the headgear positioned correctly and the correct tension in the straps. I don't feel any air coming out from anywhere except the vent, and it's not all that uncomfortable, but the numbers and my intuition tell me that something is wrong. I can't quite figure out how to describe what I'm doing other than to say that I'm sticking the pillows in my nostrils as best I can and trying to put the straps on the top and back of my head.

Not sure if this is relevant, but my pressure is varying from 7-11 cm.

Sorry to be vague, and thanks in advance for any feedback

The pillow don't go in your nose. They just seal on the outside. Try a larger pillow and tighten the head gear just enough to keep the pillows stable but not where you get pig nosed.

[syzygy]

The pillow don't go in your nose. They just seal on the outside. Try a larger pillow and tighten the head gear just enough to keep the pillows stable but not where you get pig nosed.

Thanks, Stormynights, that helps. I think I've now ironed out my mask fit issues.

[LSAT]

sygyzy...
Did't you just post in another message that you are using a setting of 4 and that was working well for you????

viewtopic/t55440/I-slept-well-with-only ... ssure.html

[jmcd]

Also make sure you're not opening your mouth when you're sleeping as the air will escape through your mouth even when you mask fit is good (smiley face on machine). I find that if I sleep on my back my mouth stays shut but when sleeping on my side it falls open and I wake up with air coming out my mouth. I've started taping my mouth shut so I can change positions throughout the night and it is working well for me. I LOVE the Swift FX.

FYI - I just posted about the new Swift FX for Her that is being released next week.