So, I'm going to ask again, the same question I've seen posted before: Does anyone here use Swift, Breeze, Nasal Aire or Comfort Lite?
Trying a replacement for the Ultra Mirage FF mask that's giving me a red welt over the bridge of my nose, I tried on the Nasal Aire. Didn't like it at all. The only other nasal-pillow arrangement they had in stock was Comfort Lite. I'm not enjoying it much, either. It feels like it's jammed into my nose and much too large. (I might just have the wrong sized pillows).
So, who has tried more than one of the above, and which is your favorite? Just by looking, but without having tried it on, the Mirage Swift by ResMed is my favorite, but of course you can't tell feel based on looks, and it's quite a bit more expensive than the others.
If you've tried more than one of the Nasal Pillows arrangements, can you tell me your impressions of the pros and cons of each? PM me if you'd rather not post for all the world to see. And thanks!
P.S. I'd still like to find someone who's had direct experience with the CPAP Pro mask as well.
Liam, who should make his own damn decisions and not expect someone else to choose his mask for him.
Getting to sleep SWIFTly in COMFORT is no BREEZE.
10 posts
• Page 1 of 1
Getting to sleep SWIFTly in COMFORT is no BREEZE.
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| Machine | Mask | |
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Nasal Aire II new user
Hi Liam,
I am a relative newbie here, and lurked for quite a while to learn about all this stuff. As Rested Gal says, "I am not a doctor", but this is what my experiences have been and how I have dealt with the issues that I was faced with.
I was fitted with a NasalAire II (small) on 12/3/04 during a split night study. I (finally) received my CPAP (ResMed S7 Lightweight w/ humidifier) on 1/10/05. The sizing on the NAII (small) was too small and made my nose hurt (it moved around more) and leaked (making noise). The straps were horrible and I was very frustrated. I spoke with a very kind and helpful RT at the sleep center when I was in to see my doctor, and he gave me a medium size that they were no longer going to use as a sample. That, along with the following strap modifications turned the corner for me.
The trick with the NAII is it needs to be snug, both in your nose and on your head, which feels weird at first, but trust me -- get the nasal prongs a size BIGGER than you think will fit! The headgear provided is elastic with velcro, so one size fits most. I know that bigger prongs sounds uncomfortable, but it doesn't move or leak, so you can sleep without noise from leaks and it doesn't irritate your nose. I also use a saline nasal gel in the morning when I am done and in the evening when I am getting ready to don the apparatus. The nasal gel and bigger prongs have completely eliminated the bloody noses that I had at first.
I have also modified the supplied straps. I don't use the forehead strap with loops supplied. I do use the back of the neck strap with a headband from the drugstore looped through the loops that the hoses run through. I put the headband across my forehead and around the back of my head (it runs across the back of your neck with the supplied strap, and it holds things tighter than the supplied head straps. (I hope that you can follow that) I use the hoses in the front, but some folks run them down their back, and I think that this arrangement would work that way too. If it losens, I can just pull the hoses below the loop and everything tightens up easily. I found the hoses on my skin bothered me, so I got some surgitube (cotton tubular finger bandage) the correct diameter and have a longer length where the hoses come around my neck below the loops and a shorter length on either side of the nasal prongs where the hose is on my cheeks.
So picture this. The nasal prongs have small diameter hoses running from both sides. They loop behind my ears in an elastic and velcro strap which also has a headband in it. The hoses come together in the front with a swivel attachment which plugs into the big hose from the machine. All points where the hose touches my skin is covered with a soft, cotton tubular bandage, and I also use a snuggle hose on the big hose because it feels softer and nicer (helps with rain out too, but I haven't had that problem yet!).
My reasons for choosing the NAII -- I wear glasses and read a lot (in bed too). I don't like stuff on my head and this has minimal head gear. I tried some of the masks which bothered my sinuses and teeth, and the pillows which had a hard headgear that I didn't like. I like to go to sleep on my side, but usually wake up on my back, so this works with both. I use a travel size tempurpedic pillow, which seems to do a good job of absorbing the hose without collapsing it. I tried a CPAP Pillow, and found that it wasn't for me -- so I am back to my little tempurpedic (I don't think that I spelled that right, but I hope that you get the idea!)
I find that I don't move around as much as I used to (pre CPAP), and I don't have to make numerous "pit stops" at night anymore. I guess that the OSA was waking me up lots. My AHI is 78 and my pressure is 14. I have turned off the ramp also, although it helped during the learning curve. I have the PB420e w/ humidifier & software on order so that I can see what is happening each night and participate more effectively in my own care. I have made this work for me and am 100% compliant, sleeping well most nights, and feeling better every day. With that said, it is not fun to have to do all this, but it is necessary, and I am learning to live with it!
I hope that this is helpful to you in your quest for information. Don't give up! There is something out there that will work for you -- you just have to find it!
I am off to Hawaii -- aloha and sleep well!
Jane
I am a relative newbie here, and lurked for quite a while to learn about all this stuff. As Rested Gal says, "I am not a doctor", but this is what my experiences have been and how I have dealt with the issues that I was faced with.
I was fitted with a NasalAire II (small) on 12/3/04 during a split night study. I (finally) received my CPAP (ResMed S7 Lightweight w/ humidifier) on 1/10/05. The sizing on the NAII (small) was too small and made my nose hurt (it moved around more) and leaked (making noise). The straps were horrible and I was very frustrated. I spoke with a very kind and helpful RT at the sleep center when I was in to see my doctor, and he gave me a medium size that they were no longer going to use as a sample. That, along with the following strap modifications turned the corner for me.
The trick with the NAII is it needs to be snug, both in your nose and on your head, which feels weird at first, but trust me -- get the nasal prongs a size BIGGER than you think will fit! The headgear provided is elastic with velcro, so one size fits most. I know that bigger prongs sounds uncomfortable, but it doesn't move or leak, so you can sleep without noise from leaks and it doesn't irritate your nose. I also use a saline nasal gel in the morning when I am done and in the evening when I am getting ready to don the apparatus. The nasal gel and bigger prongs have completely eliminated the bloody noses that I had at first.
I have also modified the supplied straps. I don't use the forehead strap with loops supplied. I do use the back of the neck strap with a headband from the drugstore looped through the loops that the hoses run through. I put the headband across my forehead and around the back of my head (it runs across the back of your neck with the supplied strap, and it holds things tighter than the supplied head straps. (I hope that you can follow that) I use the hoses in the front, but some folks run them down their back, and I think that this arrangement would work that way too. If it losens, I can just pull the hoses below the loop and everything tightens up easily. I found the hoses on my skin bothered me, so I got some surgitube (cotton tubular finger bandage) the correct diameter and have a longer length where the hoses come around my neck below the loops and a shorter length on either side of the nasal prongs where the hose is on my cheeks.
So picture this. The nasal prongs have small diameter hoses running from both sides. They loop behind my ears in an elastic and velcro strap which also has a headband in it. The hoses come together in the front with a swivel attachment which plugs into the big hose from the machine. All points where the hose touches my skin is covered with a soft, cotton tubular bandage, and I also use a snuggle hose on the big hose because it feels softer and nicer (helps with rain out too, but I haven't had that problem yet!).
My reasons for choosing the NAII -- I wear glasses and read a lot (in bed too). I don't like stuff on my head and this has minimal head gear. I tried some of the masks which bothered my sinuses and teeth, and the pillows which had a hard headgear that I didn't like. I like to go to sleep on my side, but usually wake up on my back, so this works with both. I use a travel size tempurpedic pillow, which seems to do a good job of absorbing the hose without collapsing it. I tried a CPAP Pillow, and found that it wasn't for me -- so I am back to my little tempurpedic (I don't think that I spelled that right, but I hope that you get the idea!)
I find that I don't move around as much as I used to (pre CPAP), and I don't have to make numerous "pit stops" at night anymore. I guess that the OSA was waking me up lots. My AHI is 78 and my pressure is 14. I have turned off the ramp also, although it helped during the learning curve. I have the PB420e w/ humidifier & software on order so that I can see what is happening each night and participate more effectively in my own care. I have made this work for me and am 100% compliant, sleeping well most nights, and feeling better every day. With that said, it is not fun to have to do all this, but it is necessary, and I am learning to live with it!
I hope that this is helpful to you in your quest for information. Don't give up! There is something out there that will work for you -- you just have to find it!
I am off to Hawaii -- aloha and sleep well!
Jane
-
wading thru the muck!
- Posts: 2799
- Joined: Tue Oct 19, 2004 11:42 am
Hi Liam, who likes to comment about himself in the third person for comedic effect.
Besides asking great questions (and providing some great advice) I get a chuckle from every one of your posts!
Buy the Swift and blame me if you don't like it.
(It comes with all three pillow sizes and that's why it's a little more expensive)
Besides asking great questions (and providing some great advice) I get a chuckle from every one of your posts!
- I love the Swift
- Like the Breeze
- Haven't tried the other two, though someone I respect very much (53now) likes the NAII.
Buy the Swift and blame me if you don't like it.
(It comes with all three pillow sizes and that's why it's a little more expensive)
Sincerely,
wading thru the muck of the sleep study/DME/Insurance money pit!
wading thru the muck of the sleep study/DME/Insurance money pit!
sketch
Yoga,
I'm not much of an artist, but my sister is, so I will try to get her to draw the setup -- when she is done laughing!
We are going to Hawaii and I will be out of touch for a few days. I will try to figure out how to get the sketch done and get it scanned -- I think that I have a scanner where I am going, and I know that I have a computer to use. So be patient with me while I figure this out and rest up.
I am out of time and energy now, and we are leaving bright and early tomorrow. I will think on it on the plane and try to get back to you. I know that time is of the essence when you are lacking sleep, but I have some constraints right now. Don't give up!
Good luck,sleep well and aloha!
Jane (Glassgal)
I'm not much of an artist, but my sister is, so I will try to get her to draw the setup -- when she is done laughing!
We are going to Hawaii and I will be out of touch for a few days. I will try to figure out how to get the sketch done and get it scanned -- I think that I have a scanner where I am going, and I know that I have a computer to use. So be patient with me while I figure this out and rest up.
I am out of time and energy now, and we are leaving bright and early tomorrow. I will think on it on the plane and try to get back to you. I know that time is of the essence when you are lacking sleep, but I have some constraints right now. Don't give up!
Good luck,sleep well and aloha!
Jane (Glassgal)
-
rested gal
- Posts: 12881
- Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2004 10:14 pm
- Location: Tennessee
Liam, we don't want you to get by easy!! You gotta start spending $$$ on masks that don't work for ya, just like the rest of us keep doing! That's why we all keep mentioning a different "favorite" mask. It's part of the Hosehead Conspiracy.
btw, I thoroughly enjoy your posts too!!
Breeze is my favorite. I have to tape my lips closed to wear any mask that isn't a full face mask, or I leak treatment air out my mouth. The comfort of the Breeze is worth that to me.
Here are two clickable topics with more user comments about a couple of the interfaces you mentioned:
Jan 22, 2005 subject: Your comparison of nasal pillow interfaces?
Jan 27, 2005 subject: Questions for ComfortLite Users only, please
Oct 29, 2004 subject: Breeze versus Swift?
btw, I thoroughly enjoy your posts too!!
Breeze is my favorite. I have to tape my lips closed to wear any mask that isn't a full face mask, or I leak treatment air out my mouth. The comfort of the Breeze is worth that to me.
Here are two clickable topics with more user comments about a couple of the interfaces you mentioned:
Jan 22, 2005 subject: Your comparison of nasal pillow interfaces?
Jan 27, 2005 subject: Questions for ComfortLite Users only, please
Oct 29, 2004 subject: Breeze versus Swift?
Re: Getting to sleep SWIFTly in COMFORT is no BREEZE.
Hi Liam:
In the titration study I tried on a Ff mask, felt very claustrophobic. Tried the Swift nasal pillows. I use a medium. I can't have anything touching my hose. Bony and skin is thin. I tried the breeze, but couldn't handle the hardness of the mask, and felt cross eyed besides. Anyway, I'm only going to be on night6. I can't say I love it, but did get thru the two nights now. I am going to turn up my humidification. On the 30-40% range, I felt like drowning. So I'm keeping the humid low, which I don't have a dry/mouth or nose, but the humid. can be tweaked @ any pt. The mask is THE thing. I can only say, I used the swift n. p. for the titration study, and use it at home. I definitely need a chin strap, which adds more junk on your head, but not really touching except under chin. I put the chin straps on tp of the mirage straps, so it seems to work for me. I also switched sides where the hose comes into the swift, and that has worked better. I only wish they made a hose 2' longer for the 420E. I have a loaner humid. Waiting on the the new H20 GoodKnight, avail. this wk.
I am going to order a few extra n. p. as I want to be sure to have extra's, what with washing it daily etc. The two extra's they provide are fine, but one is too small, other is way to big, so basically they're giving you something you can't use. THe C/D that came w/the swift is easy to follow. (even I can follow it).
So try the swift. Let's face it, none of these things are comfortable. I am ''retired'' so during the day, I have the luxury of wearing the mask/n. p. for 1/2 hr here and there, just to adjust to it......that helps a little too.
Hope this helps...we're all in the same boat, the S. S. NO SLEEP.
In the titration study I tried on a Ff mask, felt very claustrophobic. Tried the Swift nasal pillows. I use a medium. I can't have anything touching my hose. Bony and skin is thin. I tried the breeze, but couldn't handle the hardness of the mask, and felt cross eyed besides. Anyway, I'm only going to be on night6. I can't say I love it, but did get thru the two nights now. I am going to turn up my humidification. On the 30-40% range, I felt like drowning. So I'm keeping the humid low, which I don't have a dry/mouth or nose, but the humid. can be tweaked @ any pt. The mask is THE thing. I can only say, I used the swift n. p. for the titration study, and use it at home. I definitely need a chin strap, which adds more junk on your head, but not really touching except under chin. I put the chin straps on tp of the mirage straps, so it seems to work for me. I also switched sides where the hose comes into the swift, and that has worked better. I only wish they made a hose 2' longer for the 420E. I have a loaner humid. Waiting on the the new H20 GoodKnight, avail. this wk.
I am going to order a few extra n. p. as I want to be sure to have extra's, what with washing it daily etc. The two extra's they provide are fine, but one is too small, other is way to big, so basically they're giving you something you can't use. THe C/D that came w/the swift is easy to follow. (even I can follow it).
So try the swift. Let's face it, none of these things are comfortable. I am ''retired'' so during the day, I have the luxury of wearing the mask/n. p. for 1/2 hr here and there, just to adjust to it......that helps a little too.
Hope this helps...we're all in the same boat, the S. S. NO SLEEP.
Liam1965 wrote:So, I'm going to ask again, the same question I've seen posted before: Does anyone here use Swift, Breeze, Nasal Aire or Comfort Lite?
Trying a replacement for the Ultra Mirage FF mask that's giving me a red welt over the bridge of my nose, I tried on the Nasal Aire. Didn't like it at all. The only other nasal-pillow arrangement they had in stock was Comfort Lite. I'm not enjoying it much, either. It feels like it's jammed into my nose and much too large. (I might just have the wrong sized pillows).
So, who has tried more than one of the above, and which is your favorite? Just by looking, but without having tried it on, the Mirage Swift by ResMed is my favorite, but of course you can't tell feel based on looks, and it's quite a bit more expensive than the others.
If you've tried more than one of the Nasal Pillows arrangements, can you tell me your impressions of the pros and cons of each? PM me if you'd rather not post for all the world to see. And thanks!
P.S. I'd still like to find someone who's had direct experience with the CPAP Pro mask as well.
Liam, who should make his own damn decisions and not expect someone else to choose his mask for him.
Thanks everyone, for all of the information! It sounds like the general consensus is that the Swift is worth paying about 25% more for than the other options.
And thanks also for the comments on my posts. I woke up in a really foul mood this morning (thanks to another night of not sleeping particularly well), and was having a hard time convincing myself not to call in sick today. Scanning through this thread did the trick, I really appreciate it!
Liam, who's going to have to re-adjust his headgear now that y'all have swelled his head so.
And thanks also for the comments on my posts. I woke up in a really foul mood this morning (thanks to another night of not sleeping particularly well), and was having a hard time convincing myself not to call in sick today. Scanning through this thread did the trick, I really appreciate it!
Liam, who's going to have to re-adjust his headgear now that y'all have swelled his head so.
_________________
| Machine | Mask | |
| |
10 posts
• Page 1 of 1