Swift FX

[tlu4154]

I'm new to the cpap machine, it's only been 2 weeks. They started me out on the swift fx mask but I'm not getting any sleep. Seems like every time I move the mask leaks. The doctor says I need to get used to it but it's already been 2 weeks, shouldn't I be used to it by now? Anyone else have problems with this mask, and if so do you recommend any other masks?

[kentoboo]

I have used this mask for about a month now. I really like it. There are 3 different size pillows, make sure you have the correct size for your nares. I use a sinus gel each night as well, cuts down on irritation. Try and stay with it, before long your brain will accept the mask and recognize sleep whenever you put it on.

[TerryB]

I have three suggestions:
1. I use chap-stick to assist the seal on the nose.

2. You may need to put some pressure on the mask around the nose area to change its shape just a bit to get the best seal.
Once the seal is established, it seems to hold better this way.

3. Loose straps are usually better than really tight ones. You may be trying too hard to force the mask to seal when some latitude in the straps will allow it to move to the best fir.

Good Luck,
TerryB

[pitrow]

Shoot, it took me almost a year to get to the point where I don't have any leaks anymore with my nasal pillows (Swift LT). I still occasionally have nights where it leaks a little but for the most part it's been leak free. Took me the better part of a year to get all the adjustments down right so that it doesn't leak when I move.

Give it some more time, you'll get used to it. And like Terry says, it seems counter-intuitive, but less pressure on the straps does actually work better than trying to ratchet it down tight. It trick for me seemed to be finding the right angle on the pillows themselves. Mine seem to be pointed more into the top (or maybe front is a better word) of my nose than into it, and that seems to help. It's all a matter of trying different things until you find what works for you.... tighter straps here... looser there... This strap higher... pillows at a different angle.... etc.

[The Texan]

I found when I changed to the Swift FX, that you may need to go up one size with the pillows. I tried the M pillows that I had been using with the Swift LT and had major leaks, so I went to the L pillow and have not had a leak problem since. I also find that a loose top head strap works much better than a tight strap, but do keep the strap in back of the head snug, but not tight.

[Janknitz]

FIRST, do NOT use chapstick on the nasal pillows to help the seal. Chapstick is petroleum-based and will deteriorate the silicone material the pillows are made of. Non-petroleum products, like Ayr Gel, KY jelly, and Lanisoh cream are OK.

Second, I mention this because some DME's are stupid and tell people to cram the nasal pillows up their nose. The nasal pillows do not go UP the nose, they rest against the nose, and only a very small portion of the tip of the cone-shaped nasal pillow is actually in the nose.

Now, here's my handy, dandy fitting guide (I really need to post this on my blog so I don't have to type it every time!):
1. Loosen the headgear straps. Start the fitting while you are NOT wearing the mask.
2. Hold the nasal pillows up to your nose.
3. NOW turn the machine on. The pillows must fully inflate for a proper fitting.
4. Put the headgear on and tighten just enough to stop any leaks. Lie down in your normal sleeping position and adjust the pillows only enough to stop leakage. If you can't get the leaks under control, try going UP one size.

One of the biggest leak causes is the weight of the short slinky hose pulling on the pillows. Consider some sort of hose managment system--commercial or homemade--to hang the hose over your head so it doesn't hang down.

Finally, UFO13's tip to sew some velcro hook tape (the stiff side) inside the back strap helps a lot to keep the headgear from slipping when you move your head against the bed pillow.

[snuginarug]

Thank you for this... just brought home my own swift FX, and this has helped me. My DME told me "They can go pretty far up into your nose" when I asked how they should be placed. So I decided to disregard the rest she had to say. I am going to switch out my small pillows for medium, and see how loosening everything up works.

[tlu4154]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I'm gonna go buy some Lansinoh Lanolin cream today and see if that helps. Also, I think I have been making it too tight because my nose feels scrunched up all the time! I'll try loosening it tonight. Good to know that it's normal that I'm not getting used to it right away. I was going to have them bring me out some different masks, but I think I'll just keep working with this one for now. I'll probably run into problems no matter what type of mask I use. Thanks again!!!

[Aces]

I use the Swift FX too. and have had very few problems. For some reason I adapted to CPAP very easily. It probably helps that my pressure is pretty low (started out at 7cm). Here are a few things that help me:
1) Silicon likes to stick to clean surfaces. So I clean my pillows with a baby wipe each morning before putting my mask away. And I have significantly less leak problems if I wash my face just before bed time. I don't use any soap at all. Just water. I splash water on my face, rub it with my hands (especially rubbing across my nostril area), splash some more on my face, then dry off with a rubbing action, using a cotton towel.
2) I get less leaks at night if I sleep on my back the whole night. I realize that this position makes OSA worse. But if my CPAP machine is working, it overcomes that. I use a Memory Foam Pillow; and sleep pretty flat. I've found that if I'm on my side, the slightest head movement shifts the headgear, moving the nasal pillows enough to cause leaking. For some reason, in the morning this is less of a problem. I wonder if by then the silicon has sort of glued itself on to my nose? Or maybe the headgear is staying put on my face better? I'm not sure.
3) I point the elbow at the swivel down at my feet, and tuck the hose between my top quilt, and the blanket/sheet. this seems to anchor the hose so it doesn't pull on the mask. I leave a little bit of slack in the mask's hose, so I can still move my head freely.

Best of Luck! let us know how you are doing. - Kevin

[Janknitz]

IMHO, the Swift FX is the best mask out there, as long as it is fit correctly. The stupid DME's confuse it with a nasal cannula mask that goes IN the nose rather than against it, and of course the mask is leaky and uncomfortable when improperly fit. I can't believe how dumb these so-called professionals are! I heard that even a ResMed rep was telling patients to put the pillows IN their nose. ResMed needs to do some serious re-education of their own staff, and then their vendors.

The important thing to understand is that in order to get a good seal AGAINST your nose, the pillows have to be fully inflated. They cannot do that if they are up IN your nose, or if the headgear is too tight.

Unfortunately, when the pillows are properly adjusted, the weight of the hose can be a problem. So be sure to look at hose management systems and maybe you'll get some ideas on how to work something out that works for you at home and suspends the hose so that its weight doesn't cause problems. I need to post my 3rd (and perhaps final) version of my homemade hose management system, involving a clothesline pulley

[trike-mike]

For me, putting on the cheek pads supplied with the mask made it leak like the devil with the pillows moving around. As soon as I took those off so the silicone of the mask straps could "grip" my cheeks, it stayed put much better.

[chunkyfrog]

I've never used the covers for the same reason.
Silicone is nearly the closest you can get to a completely neutral material,
and most people can tolerate skin contact and even internal implantation.
For me, it sticks nicely to clean skin.
FX is the best mask for reading in bed.

[Janknitz]

Thank you for this... just brought home my own swift FX, and this has helped me. My DME told me "They can go pretty far up into your nose" when I asked how they should be placed.

You know, every time I post my fitting info, somebody has a story like that. It's SCARY out there!

[tlu4154]

Well I quit! I just wasn't getting any sleep and felt worse than before the mask. I know I'm risking my health, but I need my sleep!

[jbn3boys]

Well I quit! I just wasn't getting any sleep and felt worse than before the mask. I know I'm risking my health, but I need my sleep!

PLEASE don't quit! Call your DME and ask for a different mask to try! I tried the Swift FX when I first started cpap therapy, and hated it. Four months later I re-visited it, and now I love it. BUT, I had to get used to having air blowing up my nose all night first. I would suggest either trying a full face mask (if you think you might breathe through your mouth at all at night), or a nasal mask (that covers your entire nose, not just in your nares). I had to do those masks first, and just get used to the whole idea of wearing a mask at night. It IS worth it. You CAN do it! Keep posting here, and let us know how we can help you! Your health is too important to throw away.