What do I need?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 2:59 pm

Hi all. I am using a Swift II nasel pillow mask, ans it doesn't seem to be working to well for me. I toss and turn alot at night, and spend more time adjusting and resealing the mask than I do sleeping. I do alot of side sleeping, some back and some semi-stomach sleeping. I think maybe I need a different mask. What should I get? Any suggestions?

SleepyNoMore · Post by **SleepyNoMore** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 3:29 pm

WOW, I was given the Swift 11 mask to and I have the exact same problems as you except I DO NOT sleep ever on my stomach, OUCH! I was always a stomach sleeper until I had my first child many years ago but I am a major side sleeper & some on my back but moreso on the back since I started cpap therapy a month & a half ago... I just ordered the comfort curve mask last week, FORGET that one, it's no good for side sleeper's, I am making a swap with one of the forum members. You might look around at cpap.com, let it measure you, ( you do this with a ruler) and it will give suggestions for the type of mask you need.. But in the meantime, try going to Walgreens or Walmart & buy the "Ayr Nasal Gel", apply ot on the outside of your nares & on the inside as well to help it seal better also, try tightening the straps a tennie bit more... Keep us posted also, do you have SLANTED NARES?? There is a post about that you might want to check out.

SleepyNoMore · Post by **SleepyNoMore** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 3:35 pm

Also, have you tried attaching the tubing along the side of your head? I finally tried that & it worked pretty good, I go back & forth with that, lastnight, I switched the tubing to the opposite side that I sleep on, worked out pretty good but today I have put it back to the same side I sleep on... Goodluck Also, I put the nasal prongs slightly in my nares and that seemed to help with the seal, I was just sitting then there...

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 4:08 pm

pberg, whatever mask you get, expect to have to make some modifications to it yourself to get it to work comfortably and well. Toss 'n turn sleepers have more chance of continuously dislodging a mask than do people who pretty much stay put while sleeping.

You might want to check out some of the creative ways people have dealt with quite a few different kinds of masks, including the Swift:

LINKS to Lab Rat Trophy awards
viewtopic.php?t=15104

I'm a toss 'n turn sleeper. The "Headrest" nasal pillows mask (with extra homemade straps) has worked great for me for the past two years. That mask used to be called the Aura or the Twilight NP. I've used it throughout all its name changes. LOL!

Other things that help are that I use a PAPillow and have got the air hose hung overhead so that it doesn't tug on a mask.

LINKS to Hose hangers and methods of managing the air hose
viewtopic.php?t=10640

If I were not using the Headrest mask, I'd be using the ComfortLite 2 --, again with homemade straps added (and with the clunky swivel on top cut off.)

LINKS to MASKS - nasal mask, nasal pillows, nasal prongs
viewtopic.php?p=35286

Good luck on finding the mask that will suit you best and at figuring out the best ways to MAKE it suit you.

kteague · Post by **kteague** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 4:13 pm

The "mask with the most changed name" does well for me with keeping the seal when side and almost stomach sleeping. The headgear was too large for me and didn't like the rubber next to my head, so I am using it deconstructed with two of the (in)famous pantyhose tights straps. Rarely leaks. The vent being placed high and pointing upward is a plus because I don't have to feel the air hitting my arm all night. Just one user's opinion.

Kathy

annie123 · Post by **annie123** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 8:43 pm

I'm a toss and turn sleeper and only tried 2 masks, but settled on the F&P Flexifit 407 with a special pillow from Target. (Can't remember the name now.) The ladies at the DME kept trying to talk me into the nasal pillows, but I couldn't see how that would work for me (switching sides in the middle of the night). For me the pillow was the key.
Annie

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 10:02 pm

annie123 wrote:a special pillow from Target. (Can't remember the name now.)

Probably Target's "Shapeable" pillow. Lots of people on this forum use that. I've got one of them and really like it, but I use my PAPillow most often.

You're right, annie, about a pillow having a lot to do with being able to sleep on either side easily wearing any kind of mask. That and getting the hose up out of the way works for me.

Actually, I find that nasal pillows masks let me toss'n'turn sleep on either side much more easily than regular nasal masks do. There's less stuff along the nose to get pushed around. But I wouldn't be able to keep nasal pillows masks really "in place" without that ubiquitous infamous pantyhose tights leg... lol.

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 10:12 pm

Fair warning! RG owns stock in ALL of the panty hose tights companies.

snoregirl · Post by **snoregirl** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 10:39 pm

I am a swift user and if you don't mind looking really strange, here is what I do.

First put swift on by gathering hair in back and put through the straps so bottom strap is under your hair.

Get 3 inch ace bandage and wrap under chin to crown of head a few times and fasten.

Tape mouth with gentle paper tape.

The ace bandage stabilizes the swift as well as keeps you chin from really dropping a lot.

Also make sure hose is not tugging. Either over the head hanger like some here, or, I safty pin it to the sheets (pin through a piece of tape around the hose) or through the hose cover if you have one. Then excess hose under covers so it stays on the bed.

Make sure the pillows are clean since they seal better that way. That is the only part of the swift that I bother cleaning.

It helps to have one of those pillows with a cutout, but I just sleep to the edge of the pillow on the "bad" side.

Of course you could try a different mask, but since you have a swift now, why not give it a go and look like an alien.

What do I need?

What do I need?

Headrest/Aura/TwilightNP