Mirage Swift pillows -ow my nose!

[redophelia]

I went from the regular nasal mask (ComfortClassic) to Mirage Swift pillows on my own accord, hoping it would help me get more air, feel more energetic. So far, I'm more tired and my nose is sore! Any suggestions? My CPAP is only set at 9 but I'm 5 months pregnant on top of it.

[bitfoggy]

I went from the regular nasal mask (ComfortClassic) to Mirage Swift pillows on my own accord, hoping it would help me get more air, feel more energetic. So far, I'm more tired and my nose is sore! Any suggestions? My CPAP is only set at 9 but I'm 5 months pregnant on top of it.

I suggest you try the Headrest (previously called Aura) nasal pillows. If you are a mouth leaker, then you may want to try the Hybrid.

[TerryB]

Search on the swift, there is plenty of advice about adjustments, pillow selection etc. I am using one now and have never had any pain in the nose. If you have a larger set of pillows available try them. They should touch the outside of your nostrils not the inside.

TerryB

[new2]

Try a little ointment around the sore part. I would use any good water based ointment. Also, strap the pillows a tiny bit looser. I've thought of cutting tiny round mole skin with holes in it to set between the pillow and your nose on contact. Just to loosen the strap and keep it from leaking. I never tried it, but thought of doing it for a night or two when my nose hurt.

[rested gal]

LINKS to Swift nasal pillows topics

In addition to the friction of the nasal pillows sometimes causing tenderness (use a gel at the nostril openings), heated humidification for the cpap machine can help -- especially if the soreness is from cold air blowing straight into the nostrils. I hope they gave you a heated humidifier for your machine.

Pressure from the barrel that holds the pillows pressing just above your upper lip...pressing against the spot where the base of the nostrils joins the upper lip area can make that meeting place sore and tender, too. Perhaps rotate the barrel some, if it will still keep the pillows where you need them.

With almost any mask it can help to hang the main air hose up overhead, so that the air hose doesn't tug on the mask when you turn or move your head. Here's another clickable link that might give some useful tips:
LINKS to Hose hangers and methods of managing the air hose

[Snoredog]

you should go back to your comfort classic, some people just can't use those pillow masks as consistent irritation of the nares is the result.

If your nose is sore from a swift, it will be sore from other pillow type masks as well, so switching to another is not going to improve much.

some better nasal masks to try:

Resmed UltraMirageII nasal, small very light, good sealing, fairly quiet, a long time favorite.
Resmed Activa, heavier than most, best sealing mask you'll find, can feel stuffy to some.

[Snoozin' Bluezzz]

If your nose is sore from a swift, it will be sore from other pillow type masks as well, so switching to another is not going to improve much.

I just do not agree with the categorical generalization of that statement. Many, if not all, folks react differently to different interfaces. I had soreness initially when beginning the Swift. It went away as I adjusted. Occassionally, when I get the barrel lined up wrong, (or the sun, moon and stars are misaligned) it comes back.

I had much more soreness with the CL2 and generally zero with Swift or Headrest.

I recommend that redophelia step up a pillow size, if she can. Use a gel to relieve the initial sorness and tinker with the barrel rotation like RG suggested. Also, give her nares a chance to adjust - mine did after a few days.

One problem can be if the pillows are too small they extend too far into the nostril where it is very tender for almost all of us.

If those things do not work then, and only then, should she trash the Swift - unless she just doesn't have the patience or willingness to work it through.



David

[GoofyUT]

BRAVO DAVID!!!!!!!

Well said. I couldn't have said it better.

Chuck

[snork1]

What worked for me is to alternate between the Swift and a different type of mask (Activa for me), which allows the nares to adapt, instead of just get sore.

I also use castor oil for a lube at the contact point.

After alternating/ rotating masks, now I can use the Swift without any soreness.

Its also important to have minimal pressure required to get a seal with the Swift. If you do it right, the Swift somewhat seals in place with the air pressure. Start the machine with the Swift somewhat loose but manually press it up against your nares, then once its "pressured-up" you can let it seal on its own. You can get it a bit looser this way.

The Swift looks simple, but its all in the fine tuning of the adjustments.

[kteague]

I used the Swift and was sore under the nose as RG described. A very thin pad like for corns or a little round cloth bandaid stuck on the plastic made that tolerable. I believe this was because I was given size small pillows and they went further in than designed to do, making the barrel press on my nose. Because I find the Breeze pillows much softer and my nares were used to them, I actually pulled a pair of them down over the Swift pillows (like a pair of gloves) and tested them on my machine for leaks - zero leaks. Just one woman's attempt to find solutions at minimal expense.
Kathy

[path2others]

I found the soreness went away after about a week or two. I did switch back to my Comfort Gel for a night or two and would use the Ayr Gel during the day. I found if I used too much of the gel with the Swift it would start to whistle when the pressure increased. I have had better luck not making the straps too tight. I need to work on keeping the straps from slipping. I have lots of hints to try from the forum. Good luck. Don