FX /Swift FX her difference?/ upcoming surgery

[retrodave15]

What is the difference between the FX and FX for her? Is is just the color of the straps

Backstory:
I am having a cervical fusion at the end of the month and may need to find a new mask solution as by Mirage Quattro and Padacheek liner. I spoke with my nurse yesterday and she told me that my headgear may not be big enough to go around the back of the collar. For the first 5 days I will not be able to remove the collar, except to change the pads with someone holding my head stable.

Last night I dug through the box o CPAP parts and took one of my wife's Swift FX for her, changed the straps to the unused gray straps and used the new medium nasal pillows. This worked pretty good last night, but I think I might need the large size.

My options:
Get a large size headgear for the Mirage Quattro
Get a large size pillow for Swift FX
Get a new complete FX as I am really close to my out of pocket max

anybody else have a recommendation for a mask that worked with a miami J collar?

[xenablue]

What about the Bella Loops? You can use the Swift FX without the headgear, just the loops over your ears.

Cheers,
xena

[sylvie]

I wear a cervical foam collar every night with the Pilairo. I need no "backup" mask.

[retrodave15]

I wear a cervical foam collar every night with the Pilairo. I need no "backup" mask.

this is the type I will be wearing [url]http://www.ossur.com/?PageID=13502[/url note the large occipital pad in the back and the check supports to keep your head from moving.

I will see if my DME has the Pillario mask

[Pugsy]

The Swift FX for Her main difference is the color of that back strap and the back strap is a little shorter. Most men can use the "for Her" model. Some women can't use the "regular" back strap because it is a bit too long. I can use the regular strap but the velcro ends are touching...not much room for further tightening of the back strap but luckily it isn't needed. So I can use both the regular and the for Her model.

The Pilairo might be a good option. If it is going to cost you a lot of money to try it out I have one you could try. I bought it after I sold the one I had because I wanted to experiment a little more with it but I haven't used it yet. I did buy it used but from someone who tried it 3 or 4 times maybe and it just wouldn't work. I really don't want to sell it but I would be happy to loan it to you for a period of time. Main drawback to the Pilairo is the headgear. It is one size fits all elastic and it is snug on my little head.
I think most men might have a problem. If your DME has a sample might for sure try it. Too tight equals a bit of piggy nose and you wake up feeling like your nose ran into someone's fist.

The regular full face mask headgear won't fit over that cervical collar. It just won't. I do think it would fit under the collar but that is going to be a real PITA to put on because the collar will need to be off. Been there with the cervical surgery and that collar but it was prior to my cpap diagnosis. I do remember the bulk though.
I think it would be best to just use a mask that doesn't have that lower back strap to deal with.

[sylvie]

If you got your own strap, I merely wound it tightly around my teddy bear for 10 hours and it was stretched out just enough to feel comfortable around the back of my head. No muss, no fuss.

[sylvie]

I have a strap that I stitched elastic in. I don't want it anymore since I got the stretched out one. You can have it if you want it. If it turns out to be too big, you merely stitch up the elastic a little. Easy solution.

[chunkyfrog]

Swift FX vs Swift FX for her:
The silicone straps are a little different; the length and shape is exactly the same,
except the 'for her' has 3 extra notches for smaller adjustment.
I wished that they had lowered the loops for the back strap to a little closer to the ear,
so the fabric strap would sit lower on my head; but it's kind of a moot point now.

[retrodave15]

I set an appointment with my RT on Tuesday to try some masks out. I am going to try to get my hose management worked out using my wifes old swift fx, the back strap works, but it is a little short. I got a big head - I wear and 17"1/2 neck size shirt.

what I would love to do is buy a large pillow for the swift fx and try the pillaro. Going to look on ebay for a large size pillow and bigger backstrap

Dave

[retrodave15]

Just got back from the refit appointment -

I got a Pillaro! They just got then in about a month ago, my favorite RT, and fellow CPAPer has one as well and loves it, so I decided to give it a try. I will be interested to see if the Pillaro can convert me to a nasal pillow mask from my FFM.

[Pachyderm's Nose]

Well, if you decide you want large pillows for the swift fx I have a new one you can have (I use the medium).
If you want it, pm me your mailing info.

[lazer]

.... Most men can use the "for Her" model. Some women can't use the "regular" back strap because it is a bit too long. I can use the regular strap but the velcro ends are touching...not much room for further tightening of the back strap but luckily it isn't needed. ...

WoW! Funny you mention this as this is my same experience using the regular (For men I guess... ) Swift FX my DME furnished me. I find that (lower I think) back straps almost wanting to overlap when I properly tighten the mask. Luckily I have switched my Swift FX system to the "Bella's" since so this is no longer of issue for me.

I guess I have the head of a woman? Maybe this is why I use "nasal pillows" and not the manly masks.


PS: Where in the hell did "User from Singapore" run off to

[retrodave15]

Well the past two nights with the Pilairo have not been too bad. Actually I overslept this morning, something I have not done in a while. Going to keep it up as I only 20 days to go before surgery.