Swift and Remstar Auto with CFlex update

Hi, all. It is me, the one who wrote the saga a couple of weeks ago about my unfortunate experience with the Breeze mask. Sold it to a great member here on site and he is, so far, having great success with it. Like we keep saying, one person's dream mask is another person's nightmare.
Anyway, I said I would write a new post when I got my Swift. It just so happened to arrive on the same day I picked up my Remstar Auto with CFlex. So here is the update for those who care to read it.
HALLELUJAH!!! I love the Swift. I don't know if it was the combination of both the mask and the new machine or what, but what a fantastic night I had finally. No leaks whatsoever, very little pain around the nares, if any, and very lightweight to wear with no rigging of any kind necessary but the straps it came with. My DME set the auto pressure on my machine from 5-15 because my CPAP pressure is a 10. When I put the Swift on, it was literally silent. No noise, as I had heard can occur with the Swift. Probably since the pressure started out so low. I readjustsed the CFlex to 2, from the 1 that the DME had put it on, just to be safe. I also turned OFF the ramp feature since I was using the Autoflex feature.
Honest to God, I don't remember waking up last night; and if I did, it might have been for a second. The Swift was absolutely fine for side sleeping. I do have the infamous Target shapeable pillow, which happened to be on sale when I bought it for $8.00 (can't beat that) and it seems to be perfect in combination with the Swift. The only thing I noticed was that when I woke up at 7:30, I actually heard this loud noise coming from it and realized my mouth was open (never usually do that, as far as I know), and the pressure had gone up to 11. When I closed my mouth, it eliminated most of the noise but the Swift was no longer silent. Instantly, I panicked thinking it was leaking. I tried moving around the "barrel" but it still made that noise. So I turned the machine off and then on again, bringing the pressure back to the 5 cm starting point. Silence again!!! So I am chalking it off to what everyone just about has said, that at higher pressures, you hear some noise coming from the Swift. No biggie as long as it's not leaking. And the noise is not that loud, as I've heard.
The only other negative is, I have prominent cheekbones. And although that is great for applying blush or bronzer, the straps on the Swift left their impressions on my cheeks. So I might try, forgive me fellows, using a pantyliner, like someone else had suggested, to pad the straps to avoid those morning indentations. The mole skin would work, too, but I find ripping that off my facial skin in the morning to be extremely painful.
Overall? I had one of the best nights I've ever had on CPAP therapy. I think the Swift is going to be my favorite mask. If it behaves tonight again like it did last night, I will be a very happy woman. Yes, a tiny bit of soreness around some areas of the nares, but nothing compared to what I went through with the Breeze. So I will continue to use the Ayr until there is no more soreness at all.
Sign me a happy camper this morning. Boy, does it feel great to finally find something that works for you. I only wish that for everyone on this site.
Have a great day!!!

Lori:

very happy for you! as i said in my other posts (YOU WILL SUCCEED!) from the description of the troubles you were having at the time i kind of thought the combination of the remstar auto and the swift mask would solve most of your troubles as i had some of the same experiences you did (as well as many others on this therapy) ! but there are so many options out there it does get a bit overwelming at times until you get the right equipment for YOU! everyone on this site ARE GREAT PEOPLE who give geat advice and support to help everyone succeed, but it is still so subjective and it is trial and error until you find the right combo! i also know one thing, with the help and advice, and support of ALL the great people on this site a "newbie" stands a greater chance of getting to a good final solution quicker for their therapy than when i started over 11 years ago! just ask the others on this site who have been on cpap a long time!
it was because of the advice of others on this site that led me to get an auto cpap with c-flex which made a world of difference to me after being on cpap therapy for many years fighting a fixed pressure of 18cm H2O.
in closing i would like to THANK everyone on this site for their help (keep it comming) to myself and others and thank you for the help YOU are now giving to all the newbies!

continued good luck and success!!!!

steve,
ufo13

Steve,
I just want to say thank you to you for all the support YOU gave me when I was having my Breeze episode. You did, in fact say, "You will succeed," and it gave me a boost when I needed it. You, unlike a lot of others on this site, are wonderful people and are so supportive. That IS what makes this site what it is, knowing you have a place to go to where you can ask any question whatsoever without risk of feeling like an idiot and where people reach out and offer solutions, advice, suggestions and, best of all, support.
Someone like yourself who has been on CPAP for 11 years I'm sure has seen things progress drastrically. All I can say is, I can only imagine where therapy will be in another decade and what will be offered out there for people afflicted with OSA. You do have a high pressure setting, unlike my 10, which CFlex must have made a major difference in. When I set my machine last night to 2, I felt no resistence whatsoever exhaling. It was a totally stressless experience, which surprised me since it was not only a new machine but a new mask as well. And those of you who read my last "novel" with the Breeze know how "well" that went.
So far, it's Swift and Remstar Auto with CFlex for me. I pray tonight goes as well as last night did because if it did, there is no problem anymore for sleeping through the night. I know, never expect miracles, but this is as close to one as I think I can get.
Once again, thanks for your undying support. I'm here for you, too, if there is every anything I can do.

Hi Lori!
I keep hearing that the swift works well for people who sleep on their side but I don't see how that can be. Don't you have to choose a side of the mask for the hose to connect to? Doesn't that make it difficult for you to sleep on the side that the tube is connected to? I roll from side-to-side during the night so I thought the swift wouldn't work for me. I'm having alot of success with the Acitva mask but would really prefer something with that doesn't cover my face so much. Also, do you use a humidifier with your APAP?
Thanks! Amy

Amy,
I am so glad you addressed this question to me. I thought EXACTLY like you did, too, which was why I went for the Breeze. The biggest mistake I've made so far, excluding the Oracle. Members on this site said the Swift is NOT a problem for side sleepers and I couldn't see how that could be possible.
Well, after using the Activa and having to use the mole skin to decrease leaks, and then the disaster I had with the Breeze being bulky, leaky, uncomfortable and impossible for me to use, I decided to listen to those who said the Swift DOES work for side sleepers.
Okay. Here is what I can tell you after one night. It is the most lightweight mask you will ever feel. It is simple, with just two straps, one on top of your head that adjusts while it's on, and another that goes behind your head. No velcro, just adjusting clips that you can pull while they're on. Very easy. I tried to sleep last night without the hose up over my head and it was absolutely no problem at all; didn't even wake up to reposition it. I kept the hose on the side I usually turn to second. I start sleeping every night on my left side, so I put the hose on the right (which is the side it came on). You can change it if you wish or reposition it above your head with this little positioner fabric/velcro holder. I also have the shapeable Target pillow.
If I tell you I didn't feel the "barrel," as I call it, interfere one bit with my sleep, I am telling you the absolute truth. Even when I turned over, I don't know if it was the pillow absorbing the hose or what, but not a problem at all. It was quiet, sealed off beautifully, light and no leaks at all.
The one thing, as I wrote, that did happen was the straps made an impression on my cheeks so I will work on that. Maybe either loosening them or using something under them to stop that from happening, like a pantyliner. And when I woke up hearing a noise and realizing my mouth was open, I panicked thinking finally at 7:30 AM it started to leak, but it was just that the pressure had gone up to 11 since my mouth opened and I've heard the Swift at higher pressure can make some noise. But, hey, if it's not a leak, I can deal with that. So to be sure, I turned the machine off and then back on and at 5 cm again, it was silent which meant to me it was the pressure noise, not leaks.
I am seriously thrilled so far with this mask. Like it's been said, not everyone feels the same way about the same mask. But if I had to case a vote after last night, Swift would be my favorite hands down.
I got a great deal on a brand new one at Yahoo auctions. Paid $66 for it and $9.99 shipping. It came sealed in its box and plastic. So I know for sure it was brand new. What a great price to pay for something that worked so well.
Like I was told, the Swift doesn't come with all the bells and whistles other masks do, but that is the beauty of it all. It's a simple, lightweight mask that does the job. I think because it's not just nasal pillows, but inserts on a barrel, the barrel helps seal off anything that would leak because it contours in a round way to help prevent leakage.
I love it and would give it a total thumbs up. Yes, for side sleepers like me. That is the only position I sleep in.

Last night was also my first night on the Remstar Auto with CFLEX and the Swift AND I had the best night in 7 months on CPAP. What a joy. Previously I used the Remstar CFLEX with the Swift and Auto is much better.

The Swift is the most comfortable mask I have used and I have tried several. Side sleeping is not a problem and the hose can barely be felt when on that side.
My doctor tells me that almost everyone likes the Swift.

Good to hear the swift worked so well for you. One tip, I've found I can tell how good my seal is by the sound the swift makes. When you have a good seal to your nose it is very quiet. When I hear it get louder I know it has either moved or I didn't get it on quite right to begin with. Usually a couple minor tweaks in position or light tightening of the straps solves this problem. I also found taking it completely apart to clean now and then seems to help keep all the seals seated and prevents leaks. As some have said, taking it apart may be adding wear to the seals, but you will see better performance from it.

As far as the marks on the face from the straps, I just ignore them. By the time I'm showered and dressed they are gone for the day.


Ron

Good Knight,
If you were here, I'd high-five you!!! I am on such an adrenaline high today from the success of those two combined. You know exactly how I'm feeling. Isn't it great??? Let's pray for continued success with our machines and the Swift. I am so happy you are feeling the same way I am. -

TO: Amy - Lori's advice is right on the money in my opinion!

TO: Goodknight - Welcome and continued success, the combo you are using works great for many of us!

steve,
ufo13

Thanks, WannaSleep. I hear what you wrote and will make sure I follow that. So I guess that noise I heard at 11 cm this morning WAS a leak and not the sound the Swift makes at higher pressures? I didn't feel a leak anywhere and tried moving the barrel around and even took it off. Then when I shut the machine off and put it back on, the noise was gone. Hmm, now I have to wonder.

Thanks, Steve, for the support on the advice to Amy. I meant every word of it. Glad you concur.

Good day to all!!!

Thanks for the good words. I've been reading these posts for a few months and they have been very useful, but never had anything to add until now.

GK,
Let's hope you only have these types of comments to add, the very positive ones, as that will mean your therapy is going just great. I will repeat, I am very happy for your success. Keep up the great work.

Hey, Lori, I just want to post a "yea" for ya - it's good to hear that you're finding your CPAP stride -

Thanks, Momexp5!!! This is what I love so much about this site - SUPPORT - people who don't know each other but care so much about each other's well being. I truly appreciate the comment. Thanks.

The recent posts about the Swift have convinced me to give it a try when I get my prescription next week. I plan on also buying a ComfortSelect in case I want to give my nares a break once in a while. I used the ComfortSelect for the titration and found it to be adequately comfortable and sealed well for me. Plus it is inexpensive as a 2nd mask.