Mirage Swift Nasal Pillow System

imsotired · Post by **imsotired** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 10:41 am

Tell me what you like and don't like about this mask.

sidesleeper · Post by **sidesleeper** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 12:54 pm

Top 5 complaints, there's more, too.

The noise. It's louder than the Nasalaire One.
Putting it back together after cleaning, does not go back the same.
The hard pillows. Gives sores because it has to be pignosed up against the nose and the pillows are hard.
The tubing is good for only one side sleeping, then you have to get up and switch the hose to turn over.
The leaks. the harder the pillows, the harder to seal.

inacpapfog · Post by **inacpapfog** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 6:09 pm

Noise? Never an issue for me.
Cleaning? Easiest mask I've dealt with so far! (Activa, UMFF, ComfortGel,
Hybrid) I simply slide the bar to release the nasal cushion.
Wash/ allow to air dry/ then replace!
Hardness? I had to gradually toughen up by wearing for a few nights,
then alternating to give my nares a break. After 2-3 weeks
I was fine!
One sided? Yup, for sure! Unless you complete Tridens Swift fix!
Leaks? Lowest ever! (0-.5) The beauty of this mask is that in order to
be comfortable and effective, it must fit loose! Trying to
keep it tighter causes discomfort and leaks!
One of the best aspects about Swift is how easy it is to off/on as needed!
Once adjusted, I never had to mess with it!
And, I highly recommend PAC's with Swift to avoid the swoosh marks!

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): swift

roster · Post by **roster** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 6:21 pm

I agree with inacpapfog's assessment. It was a great nasal mask for me.

I am trying to transition to the Hybrid Mask because I need a FF mask.

motherall · Post by **motherall** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 6:34 pm

I find the Swift very comfortable and also wear it very loose. I can put my fist under the top strap and nearly through the back strap. It was pulling my hair out till I made it so loose and I don't have any problems with the nasal pillows popping out. I also run the hose up the side but you can also have it to over the top of your head and be able to sleep on either side. I too am trying to transition to the Hybrid. It no longer makes blisters on my face but I don't understand how anything that feels so good can give such bad results. My AHI is very high with it, snores are excessive and whatever variable breathing is, it is high but I'm not sure that is bad. I sleep very well with it and don't mind it on my face at all. I'll have to check with my pulmonary doctor to see what gives with it.

imsotired · Post by **imsotired** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 6:46 pm

It no longer makes blisters on my face but I don't understand how anything that feels so good can give such bad results. My AHI is very high with it, snores are excessive and whatever variable breathing is, it is high but I'm not sure that is bad. I sleep very well with it and don't mind it on my face at all. I'll have to check with my pulmonary doctor to see what gives with it.

Which mask, the Swift or the Hybrid gives you bad results?

GoofyUT · Post by **GoofyUT** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 7:00 pm

I LOVE the damn thing!!!!

I've tried switching to others from time to time (Hybrid, F&P HC431, Activa, UMFF) and I ALWAYS come back to my beloved Swift.

Light, unintrusive, NO SORES, NO MARKS, keeps my nostrils clear unlike they've EVER been during my adulthood. I can easily wear my glasses and read or watch television for a bit when I get into bed.

My numbers are worse with the Swift than with the Activa, but hell, I sleep better with it! I do wonder about CO2 washout, but that's more academic than clincial at this point.

Which reminds me....

ANYONE INTERESTED IN SWAPPING A VIRGIN SET OF SMALL PILLOWS FOR SIMILAR SET OF LARGE PILLOWS (I have the smalls that I want to trade for a set of large)??? PM me if'n you're interested.

Sometimes it worries me about HOW MUCH I LIKE MY SWIFT!!!

Chuck[/i]

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): activa, HC431, swift

imsotired · Post by **imsotired** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 7:31 pm

Why do you worry about CO2 washout? The swift doesn't have exhalation ports or something?

GoofyUT · Post by **GoofyUT** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 7:39 pm

The Swift certainly has a series of small holes for bias. But, I know somehow that I sleep differently with the Swift than with the Activa.

For one thing, I dream more with the Activa (or at least, I'm aware of my dreams more). However, a VERY learned colleague here pointed out that being able to remember or be aware of my dreams may in fact, indicate that I'm awakening during them (REM periods), though I don't with the Swift. I believe that this has to do with differentials in CO2 washout and metabolism between the two maks, which I'm AWFUL curious about.

But still and all, I LOVE the Swift.

Chuck

imsotired · Post by **imsotired** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 8:51 pm

I am considering it for my next mask.

I wish there was someplace to try out new masks before making a hundred dollar purchase though. I was thinking it would be ideal if cpap.com started a mask trial library/rental. They could take your credit card number to make sure you'd return it and if you decided you liked a certain mask you'd just keep it and be billed. They could charge you for the shipping and return shipping plus a small trail fee and give you "X" amount of nights to try it out in real life. There has to be a way to sanitize the masks after use to make this possible. If something like that were available it sure would make buying masks easier.

MandoJohnny · Post by **MandoJohnny** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 2:11 pm

It's the only mask I've had. I like it, though, and I will keep using it. I am not looking around for something better. My only caution is try all the pillow sets. I was fitted by my RT with the small. I moved up to the medium and later the large, with an improvement in comfort and leak avoidance each time. My AHI's have been very good with it, running about 1 to 3 consistently.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 2:45 pm

I've done every Swift fix and twist mentioned on this site and I still struggle a bit with leaks. (the Tridens hose re-route, the Velcro hook-side-out on the lower strap, the additional piece connecting between the straps, saline gel, and nightly vinegar rinse). All the fixes help incrementally and leaks are rarely large enough to appear to correlate with a significant jump in AHI but are irritating enough to semi-wake for an adjustment. Overall my Swift AHI is slightly higher than my Activa (1.5 - 2.5 vs 0.7 - 1.5 -- as long as I change CPAP pressure to what I've found works best for each mask). Snore index is significantly higher for longer periods than Activa. When the pillows are properly adjusted, I find the overall Swift noise diminishes to close to that of the Activa.

All in all, the Swift is light, comfortable and easily customized. I love being able to focus on the clock, people at the bedroom door (kids coming home late), etc. It’s been great during the hot days of summer as an alternative to the hot sticky Activa shield. However, I still come home to that face amoeba when I need to sleep deep and long.

Chris

Snoozing Gonzo · Post by **Snoozing Gonzo** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 2:49 pm

Dang, I did it again. The above Guest is me. The auto-log in doesn't seem to be sticking.

Chris

greyhound · Post by **greyhound** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 7:14 pm

Snoozing Gonzo - could you please summarize, or refer me to, the "velcro hook-side-out on the lower strap" and the "additional piece connecting the straps" fixes.

Snoozing Gonzo · Post by **Snoozing Gonzo** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 11:45 am

Greyhound, Sotty to take so long to respond.

Try viewtopic.php?t=5965&highlight=swift+velcro+strap as a start. The above fix is placing the hook-side portion of velcro on the back/lower strap (about 3 inches on either side of the buckle) helped with slippage of that strap (remember we're real loose here). I agree with the author that stapling it first to see if it works is best then pulling the covers off the tape for a more permanent placement.

Later, I routed the little strap for the small hose that comes with the Swift through the slots in the top buckle then attached it near the end of the big hose (The "Tridens Fix" for side sleeping). The top strap would push/pull onto my forehead. Placing a link between the two straps attached to the buckle eliminated this action because the lower strap held so well with the above fix. I used a light weight two-sided velcro strap for the link. Might not work for folks with a hair challenge.

Good Luck

Chris

Mask	Humidifier

Additional Comments: Cpap at 10 now, initially 12, then 14