Leaking ResMed Swift LT

[edm_msu]

Hello,
I'm a newbie and have the ResMed Swift LT that I mostly like. The problem is that it easily leaks when I sleep on my side, which I prefer to do. The pillow pushes on the side of the headgear a little bit, and I can hear the leak.

Last night the ResMed S9 reported a leak of 22.8. Apparently, since it is less than 24, this is acceptable. Other than the designed mask ventilation, why is any leak acceptable? Wouldn't any leak reduce the effectiveness of the CPAP?

Are there any nasal pillows that do not easily leak when the side of the headgear is resting on the pillow? I would think that the end of the headgear would have to be close to my cheek.

I think that the adjustable pivot contributes to the problem. This makes the connection to the pillows rather flimsy and does not hold things in place well. Also, the pivot can get out of adjustment. Do you consider the adjustable pivot to be an advantage or disadvantage?

What is considered to be the best nasal pillows? Is the Swift LT considered good?

How much do the special CPAP pillows help? What is considered to be the best CPAP pillow?

How long does it take to feel good? I've been doing this for a week now and still feel run down.

Thanks,
Ed M.

[msradar65]

I use the swift LT and the Swift FX. I don't have issues with either. Though the FX seals better and is lighter.

[chunkyfrog]

The leak reported on the S9's includes the intentional leak,
(the breeze you feel out the little vent holes, or so I'm told)
The S9 is OK up to about 24 l/min.
Some other machines automatically subtract mask venting; therefore give different results
My Swift Fx seals extremely well, and I sleep on my side, cheek buried in a soft regular bed pillow.

[Lizistired]

I use both too. If one isn't working well, the other usually does. There is no rhyme or reason to it. I like the pivot feature.
I don't think there is a standard answer on the bed pillow. It gets easier though once you find what works for you.

[Super Iridium]

I've used them both (the FX and the LT) and I've never had a problem with leaks.

You might prefer the FX, if only because it doesn't have the little arms to hold the pillows at a fixed angle to your nose. Instead, the FX simply uses the pressure of the straps to keep the pillows in the right spot.

The pivots on the LT can get moved around a bit as you turn your head on your pillow. Personally, I find that just changing the angle of my neck on the pillow is enough to avoid any problems. I also prefer having the hose clipped to the top of my head where it is out of the way while I am sleeping, rather than having it tangled up in my sheets or arms.

Good luck and stick with them -- they are both excellent masks and should work well for you with a little bit of practice.

[neverbetter]

You may need a larger size if it happens every time you sleep on your side. They pillow somehow is not fitting you correctly. That would drive me crazy.

[davelikesbeer]

I have the same issue with the LT on occasion. The trick is to sleep on the edge of the pillow so that your headgear makes minimal contact with the it. I change between a memory foam pillow and a feather pillow.

I've tried the FX, and I prefer the LT. I found that I too often would pull the FX away from my nose by the hose when rolling over. With the LT's hose attached to the top of the headgear, it is out of the way. I also like how I can adjust the angle of nasal pillows on the LT.

If the leak is too large, your machine cannot maintain your prescribed pressure. However, your machine can compensate for small leaks. Not sure where you got the 24 number from, but if you've read it is acceptable, then it probably is.

For some people, they feel great immediately after going on CPAP. For others, it takes time. Just keep an eye on your data. Make sure your AHI is low so you know the therapy is working in theory.

For me the immediate affect was that I stopped getting headaches and acid reflux. However, I never really felt very well rested. On two occasions in the last year I did go without the CPAP, and *that's* when you notice the difference.

Dave.

[Pugsy]

I started therapy in May of 2009 using the Swift LT. Great mask. Minimal leaks and I sleep on my side often and even on my stomach. I chose not to route it over my head. I found that it was annoying for me. When the Swift FX was released I got it and haven't looked back. You might try it..less on your face and less to have potentially moved by pressure from a bed pillow..
With either mask..if the nasal pillow is not the right size there is the potential for more leaks...so you might try a different size (up or down)..

CPAP Pillows? There are many, many variations to choose from. From cheap to very pricey.
I use a buckwheat pillow myself. I can move the hulls and make a little "nest" for my mask so there is minimal pressure on it. It also works great for my arthritic cervical spine. Just the right profile and support. Others like the cpap pillows with cut out sections for the mask to rest.
If I was going to try one of those I would first go to Walmart and buy a cheap memory foam pillow and make my own cut outs.
If you Google "cpap pillows" you will see all sorts of different models and prices.

Take a look at what Carbonman did to make his own cpap pillow by doing the cut outs himself.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=75656&p=692040#p692040

If you do a forum search for "cpap bed pillows"...lots of threads with discussions about who has used what and which one works best for them. Bed pillow preference is highly personal. What works for one person may be a total disaster for another person.

[Lea_T]

I also use the Swift LT, and I agree about trying different nasal pillow sizes. My RT told me to use the XS pillows, but those leaked like crazy. I used the small for awhile, and have eventually ended up being happier with the medium, in spite of my apparently tiny nostrils.

Also I second the recommendation for buckwheat pillows. When I lie on my side, I can make a little dent in the pillow for my cheek strap. It is best to under-fill the buckwheat pillow--maybe as little as half full. I also find it more comfortable with a quilted pillow shell to soften the feel of the buckwheat. I got mine at pur-sleep.com, and it came with the quilted cover and instructions for how much to fill the pillow depending on your typical sleeping position.

[edm_msu]

When I was at my tritation study, the technician originally tried the medium nasal pillow. Then she switched to the large pillow. I figured that she knows what she is doing so large is the right size. At the suggestions from your posts, I tried the medium last night and it fits significantly better. Less leaking and it feels better too. Ultimately, we need to make our own decisions on fit and comfort.

The site, pur-sleep.com, is good.

I'll probably try the FX in the future and compare the two.

Next step is to figure out what pillow to sleep on.

Thank you very much for your replies. They were helpful.
Ed M.

[xenablue]

I use both too. If one isn't working well, the other usually does. There is no rhyme or reason to it. I like the pivot feature.
I don't think there is a standard answer on the bed pillow. It gets easier though once you find what works for you.

Ditto for me, Lizistired - weird, but it's true!

Try using a smaller pillow and see if that helps - or a larger one if you're using the smallest. I've found that just because I have really small nostrils/nares, doesn't mean the XS or S pillows work best for me. You gotta experiment a lot to get it working for you - comfort, leak and AHI-wise.

I also use a SleepWeaver which is awesome for side/stomach sleeping - waiting impatiently for the day (April 10) I can pick up the new and improved version which has apparently addressed all the leak issues in the first couple of version.

Cheers,
xenablue