How to choose correct Swift pillows?

major_works · Post by **major_works** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 10:49 am

I've been on CPAP at home now for four nights; so far, so good. I definitely feel better overall but it hasn't been a dramatic improvement. The good news, I suppose, is that I've tolerated the Mirage Swift well and have slept with it on at my prescribed pressure (9 cm) all night each night (with a 45-minute ramp from 4 cm).

My question is how to determine which pillow size is best? I know this should be obvious, but still I wonder. The documentation doesn't get into this aspect of the mask at all. The tech at Apria started me with the medium size but last night I was having some trouble. The pillows were finding their way *entirely* into my nostrils and I think that was leading to leaks.

Should I try the large pillows? What's the downside? And how exactly did you determine which ones were correct?

Thanks in advance for any advice, suggestions, etc.

cpapjack · Post by **cpapjack** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 11:12 am

major_works wrote:My question is how to determine which pillow size is best? I know this should be obvious, but still I wonder. The documentation doesn't get into this aspect of the mask at all. The tech at Apria started me with the medium size but last night I was having some trouble. The pillows were finding their way *entirely* into my nostrils and I think that was leading to leaks.

Should I try the large pillows? What's the downside? And how exactly did you determine which ones were correct?

Thanks in advance for any advice, suggestions, etc.

I would definitely try the large pillows. If the mdeium pillows are finding there way into your nostrils, that means they are too small. I bet you've been experiencing some leaks also. I don't use the Swift, I use the Breeze, but they both use Pillows nonetheless. I started off using the mdeiums, and they were leaking too much. I tried the large, and they were better, but I still had some leaks. I then got a pair of X-Large, and that did the trick. I've had a zero leak rate for the past 2 months.

Jack

major_works · Post by **major_works** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 11:16 am

Thanks, bud... that's what I thought but I figured I'd run it by the "experts."

Large it is for tonight...

snoregirl · Post by **snoregirl** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 11:23 am

I use medium and tried the large because many here said if you can go larger it will mean less leaks. I coudn't get the large "in" my nose to seal. So I think that is the key. The biggest ones that you can comfortably get up to your nose and they don't leak. My opinion only.

major_works · Post by **major_works** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 11:41 am

snoregirl wrote:I use medium and tried the large because many here said if you can go larger it will mean less leaks. I coudn't get the large "in" my nose to seal. So I think that is the key. The biggest ones that you can comfortably get up to your nose and they don't leak. My opinion only.

Thanks, Snoregirl. That sounds like a sensible approach. The plan is to switch from the medium to the large tonight for a test drive.

cpapjack · Post by **cpapjack** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 11:51 am

major_works wrote:Thanks, bud... that's what I thought but I figured I'd run it by the "experts."

Large it is for tonight...

No problem. Good luck and let us know how you make out.

Jack

Sleepless in St. Louis · Post by **Sleepless in St. Louis** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 2:01 pm

I've had this same issue. The pillow should never really be in your nose. They are designed to inflate against the outside rim of your nostril. Nothing should be touching the skin inside the nostrils. I feel that using pillows that are too small is one of the main reasons people sometimes complain about pillows making the nares sore. I believe it to be true in my case at least.

major_works · Post by **major_works** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 2:43 pm

Sleepless in St. Louis wrote:I've had this same issue. The pillow should never really be in your nose. They are designed to inflate against the outside rim of your nostril. Nothing should be touching the skin inside the nostrils. I feel that using pillows that are too small is one of the main reasons people sometimes complain about pillows making the nares sore. I believe it to be true in my case at least.

Thanks for the helpful clarification, Sleepless.

I find it curious that the *printed* documentation that came with my Swift pillow system says absolutely nothing about the pillows themselves, i.e., how to determine which to use. And believe me, I scoured that document last night for hints.

What I haven't done is load up the CD-ROM that came with the system. Perhaps there's information there? I'll have to check that out.

Sleepless in St. Louis · Post by **Sleepless in St. Louis** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 2:50 pm

If memory serves, the CDROM does walk you through the fitting procedure. I can't remember if I got my info from there or from my DMEs respirtory technician.

Tumbleweed · Post by **Tumbleweed** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 7:42 pm

Also, though, make sure you don't have the straps TOO tight! That tends to help the Swift leak more and cram up the nostrils. I had to learn that the hard way by trial and error. It should just be tight enough to be held up to your nares when the XPAP is off. When you turn it on, the pressure will seal against your nares by them selves!

rxcpap · Post by **rxcpap** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 8:27 pm

I just tried the Swift myself, and I like it SO much better that the comfort gel mask I was using, I don't feel nearly as confined and I can see, it is so much better. I have to thank all of you for discussing the nostril size, I have a rather bulbous snoz, and I have been using the medium ones. Tonight I will try the large for sure, prolly should have sooner, but the mediums were ok. They did seem to enter the nare just a bit, so I am betting I will like the large more.

Oh the DVD they give ya, does not mention the nare size at all, I guess they just assume you will figure it out.

MandoJohnny · Post by **MandoJohnny** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 11:41 pm

My DME RT, who I now have no confidence in, fitted me with small pillows, just by looking at my nose across the table. I am a big guy with at least a medium sized nose, with proportional nares. But I used them for weeks, figuring he knew what he was doing. Then I learned how to check my leak numbers and found out they were a little high. Also, I was getting irritation inside my nose. So I tried the mediums and they worked a lot better. Then some weeks later, I decided just to try the large ones, just to see. I figured they wouldn't work. They actually worked the best of the three and now I have been using them for months.

How to choose correct Swift pillows?

How to choose correct Swift pillows?

Re: How to choose correct Swift pillows?