WOW....nasal pillows rock!

[tmorris]

First good night's sleep since starting cpap. Finally got a new doc and got the swift LT nasal pillows for her...no leaks and the only problem I had was waking up to make sure they were still on! I could not feel anything...not even the air blowing so i kept checking it...of course it was fine. AHI was 2 which was lowest it has been so far....now i gotta get rid of this awful abdominal gas pain.......

[Pugsy]

no leaks and the only problem I had was waking up to make sure they were still on! I could not feel anything...not even the air blowing so i kept checking it...of course it was fine.

I did the same thing for several nights at first. New stuff on the face syndrome for lack of a better term.
Funny thing is even now with the mask so quiet and the machine so quiet, my husband will nudge me sometimes and wake me up to tell me that I need to put the mask on....It is on and machine running. He says he doesn't hear the venting air with the Swift FX like he did with the Swift LT (started out on therapy with it). Not that the LT venting was loud..just that he could hear it more than the FX.

[Sheriff Buford]

Good luck T... get a bunch of nights like the one you described and your body will start responding to the treatment. Many folks here strive for the good treatment and many aren't as fortunate. Best of Luck!

Sheriff

[tmorris]

Thanks...I did try the swift FX but it leaked alot and i could not move it around to fit my nose like I can with the LT...Im excited...but this gas is BAD...i bend over when i walk! It usually lasts like 2 hours then im okay after a lot of good farts.

[DouglasL]

but this gas is BAD...i bend over when i walk! It usually lasts like 2 hours then im okay after a lot of good farts.

I have the Swift FX as well and it fits great! If the gas is bad you could try some Gas-X (Simethicone). It helps to break up the bloating faster.

[Carl LaFong]

I discovered a good fit last night with my FX by positioning the straps so they run just below the cheekbone. This really locked-in the pillows and could barely feel the mask was on. When I checked my numbers this morning the leaks were much improved.

[davelikesbeer]

Thanks...I did try the swift FX but it leaked alot and i could not move it around to fit my nose like I can with the LT...Im excited...but this gas is BAD...i bend over when i walk! It usually lasts like 2 hours then im okay after a lot of good farts.

Thanks for sharing your comparison between the FX and the LT. I use the FX now and it is almost great, but I still have issues. A couple of weeks ago I connected the mask hose to the top strap with some Velcro to simulate that aspect of the LT. I do like the positioning of the hose over my head much better, but I have a new set of issues. I think it is because the mask isn't designed to do this or that the replacement silicon parts are softer then the originals maybe? In any case, what I'm experiencing now is a partial to full closure of the mask when I lay in certain positions on my side. I have to fiddle with how the hose tugs on the mask in order to get the free flow of air again. I think I will try the LT next.

[Pugsy]

Don't know your pressure but if you aren't using EPR you might try using it to see if you can get a little relief from the aerophagia before it manifests itself in the stomach. If you are using EPR maybe increase it a bit if you can.

Couple of weeks ago I did an experiment where I turned my exhale relief off (mine is Aflex).. Bad choice..I was bloated up like a watermelon the next day. I was a belching and farting machine for about 4 hours. I never ever had any problems with aerophagia so I was surprised..turned Aflex back on to my usual setting the following night and no more bloated belly pain.

If it persists you might want to discuss it with your doctor and consider maybe a slight reduction in pressure to get below the aerophagia threshold yet still deal with the events effectively.

[tmorris]

Thanks Pugsy...the doc prescribed me a full cpap pressure of 12 but i cant handle it..gas is even worse. so i put it on the auto feature...min of 10 and high of 12. still have gas issues...yes my EPR is on full time at 3 which i think is the highest it can go.

[Pugsy]

...yes my EPR is on full time at 3 which i think is the highest it can go.

I was afraid of that.. Yep, 3 is the most you can go.
AHI of 2? If it stays consistently that range you may have a bit more wiggle room to reduce the pressure a bit more in hopes to alleviate the aerophagia. Might want to talk to your doctor about it. A person shouldn't be miserable half the day.

[DaveL]

Thanks for the post. Glad you found a good fit!
it's important to remember the way you feel today (when things are going right.) When you start to feel not-so-good, it's the little things that you need to check...

[scottjf8]

I discovered a good fit last night with my FX by positioning the straps so they run just below the cheekbone. This really locked-in the pillows and could barely feel the mask was on. When I checked my numbers this morning the leaks were much improved.

Can you take a picture and post it? I'd love to see how you have yours.

I struggle like mad with my FX... it comes out much of the night.

Glad the OP is getting a great nights sleep... I can't WAIT for that day!!!

[moresleep]

I use and like the Swift II nasal pillows, and hope I can go on getting replacement pillows for awhile. I tried the successor Swift models, but they just did not work nearly as well for me. Anyone else here with that experience?

[tmorris]

Well I cant tell how the new pillows made me feel today now that I have a fever..chills..and aches...if its not one thing its another

[SleepyT]

Well I cant tell how the new pillows made me feel today now that I have a fever..chills..and aches...if its not one thing its another

Uhhh...sorry to hear it. Hope you feel better. As to the gas problem, you might try sleeping on your left side....seems to discourage air getting in your stomach. Also...try not to eat greasy foods too late at night....or eating too late at night at all! You will get more suggestions, I'm sure. Glad you love the pillows....I love mine too!

T.