Swift FX nasal pillow durability?

I've had the Swift FX for a couple of months. I found in the last week that I was getting more leaks and thought the pillow was breaking down some so I switched out to a new nasal pillow, same size. Things improved back to where they were.

I am wondering what others who use this mask are finding in terms of the pillow durability. Remember all the problems with the material in the Swift Lt pillows that seemed to cause really turnover? What are you seeing or experiencing with the Swift FX pillows themselves? Have you replaced the one that you originally started using? In what time period? Any thing else you have noticed?

I have seen a greater tendency for the inner wall to invert than the LT. We're also dealing with the initial release of the mask and the pillows that were released with that. I have two replacement pillows on order that are just coming in at cpap.com after being on back order. I am sincerely hoping that the same issue of thinner walls and variance in the pillow material does not reoccur.

I have the LT, not the FX, but when I posted about this problem with the LT, a lot of people told me it was the same with the FX pillows. They are meant to be replaced monthly. Apparently Resmed knows about the quality issues with these pillows and is very happy to sell people a new set every month.

I switched to new pillows just a little over a week ago, and I'm already seeing more leaks, even though I'm treating these very gently compared to how I treated the last set (aggressive cleaning and drying!). This is very frustrating because when the leaks are large enough I must have some obstructions the machine can't compensate for and I'm starting to wake more regularly with sweating panic attacks that were the hallmark of my severe apnea. I'm not really experiencing increased AHI's, but I must be having a very big "event" about that time of night and when the pillows leak, the machine can't push enough pressure to overcome it.

I love the comfort of the Swift LT, but this is becoming a big problem and I'm thinking I may have to consider other masks

Please excuse some repetition from another thread...

If the choice is between LT and FX... then compare the pillows (I have both masks - brand new).
IMHO...
The sizing is the same for Large, Medium and Small on personal inspection and direct comparison.
The silicone pillows on the FX are much thicker material for the base and inner pillow layer.
It has to be... because the pillows on LT are supported by a heavier silicone base.
It also appears that the FX pillows inner membrane is stiffer and heavier material as it does not collapse as easily as the LT by rudimentary testing by myself.
My guess is that ResMed responded to complaints about collapsing pillows and made changes to the Nare molds accordingly.

If you wonder why ResMed does not pull or change the LT mask... my guess is that they still had many satisfied customers who liked the LT just the way it was.
It seems that most masks do not go away unless no one buys them (DME's).

BTW: For myself... I have given up on the LT (It is lighter and quieter) because I cannot get a good seal w/o collapse of the pillows.
I am still working with the FX (about a week) and I think it will work out at this point.

Nord

I got my FX almost 3 weeks ago, and for a few nights in a row, I noticed that more apparent leaks that seemed to originate within my nares, as if the pillows were no longer sealing well against my nose. My DME had supplied me with an extra set of pillows (billed against insurance, of course!) and told me that my coverage allowed for a new set of pillows every two weeks. To me, two weeks seemed an awfully short interval for such a supply to last, and I didn't see any obvious signs of wear on the pillows.

So, after taking a brief look in the mirror, I tried another approach, which worked like a charm, based on no 'leakage' feeling in the nares last night... A few moments with the nose hair clippers, and all seemed to be well!

Now, in reality, my leakage number was up, but looking at the graph, it appears that I had a 1/2 hr period of open mouth.

It also appears that the FX pillows inner membrane is stiffer and heavier material as it does not collapse as easily as the LT by rudimentary testing by myself.
My guess is that ResMed responded to complaints about collapsing pillows and made changes to the Nare molds accordingly.

Nord, I saw your post in both places, and my question is what you are basing this on? How long have you been using the FX? Seems like other people are saying that their FX pillows are wearing down in 2 weeks to 2 months, just as the LT pillows are. Have you used the pillows for two or three months without problems--it doesn't look like it from your post? I thought the LT was the greatest thing since sliced bread until the pillows started to break down and the leaks got so bad.

I am totally fed up with the LT pillows and I'd love to try the FX instead, but not if I'm going to have a similar issue with the pillows in just a short period of time. I'm seriously considering looking for another mask altogether--right now I'm looking at the Opus 360 as I don't see similar complaints about the pillow longevity. Sad, because I think the design of the LT and FX are brilliant, but I am not getting optimal therapy with the leak problems I'm having.

Janknitz wrote:

It also appears that the FX pillows inner membrane is stiffer and heavier material as it does not collapse as easily as the LT by rudimentary testing by myself.
My guess is that ResMed responded to complaints about collapsing pillows and made changes to the Nare molds accordingly.

Nord, I saw your post in both places, and my question is what you are basing this on? How long have you been using the FX? Seems like other people are saying that their FX pillows are wearing down in 2 weeks to 2 months, just as the LT pillows are. Have you used the pillows for two or three months without problems--it doesn't look like it from your post? I thought the LT was the greatest thing since sliced bread until the pillows started to break down and the leaks got so bad.

I am totally fed up with the LT pillows and I'd love to try the FX instead, but not if I'm going to have a similar issue with the pillows in just a short period of time. I'm seriously considering looking for another mask altogether--right now I'm looking at the Opus 360 as I don't see similar complaints about the pillow longevity. Sad, because I think the design of the LT and FX are brilliant, but I am not getting optimal therapy with the leak problems I'm having.

I have used the LT, cumulatively, for several months over a long period of time.
I kept trying the LT to make it work but found that the pillows do not seal well enough when loose and collapse when tightened.
I do NOT use creams or auxiliary methods to make it seal... the design with outer silicone is supposed to form the seal with air.
The pillows, for me and others I suppose, need less supple pillows that will not collapse when tightened snug.

The FX I have used cumulatively, for several weeks, over the past month.
It is not a perfect mask but certainly better in some ways.
The pillows are heavier silicone as I have done both visual and simple mechanical testing side by side.
It was qualitative testing not quantitative since the numbers are meaningless except by comparison to each other.
I have looked at several examples of each mask design but all were new within the last 5 months.
I do not know if all the masks produced are consistent, only the examples that I looked at.
I did all the comparisons for my own interest and purchase for my own use.

As I said the FX is not perfect but I find it excellent for periods of time... but I am one of the more difficult tests for any mask.
I am a side and stomach sleeper and move around quite a bit. (restless)
I mostly don't rely on other persons experience with masks because of the differences (not sizing... individuality)

If you want more specifics... let me know.

Nord