CPAPtalk.com

SleepyBobR wrote:

falvesjr wrote: It's really a shame that nasal-pillow masks just don't seem to work for me... Especially the FX, as it feels great and seals well... I guess it's back to the Activa SoftGel tonight so I can get some better sleep.

I use the Swift LT and I'm very new to CPAP so it's the only mask I've ever tried. I also have problems with leakage which I have pretty well addressed with a chinstrap but I still can't sleep on my back without mouth blowouts. I'm wondering why you are able to use the Activa SoftGel without leakage. As I understand it, the Activa is a nasal mask as well as it leaves your mouth uncovered. Why are people successful with nasal masks like the Activa but not with nasal pillows like the LT and the new FX?

I believe some people are successful with nasal masks as opposed to nasal pillows because some nasal masks have a little portion or "lip" directly below the nose that sits on the upper part of the upper lip, thus holding the upper lip in place to a certain degree. That has been my experience.

I love it, but my partner hates the exhaust blowing on him and the hissing noise it makes when the exhaust is blowing onto my pillow or other bedding. I had to hang it up until I can figure out a way to put a polyester batting diffuser on it. I am on vacation, so I ain't working on that now.

tattooyu wrote: I just watched the video. No way in hell mine went on that easy! Maybe I just need practice!

Mine went better after I watched the video but it definitely took practice for me!

Mindy

So far I like the mask as far as comfort, but I find there are leaks -- albeit tiny -- but I had consistent 0.0 leaks with the Swift LT. So far, I've only had one night with 0.0 leaks. The rest are usually 0.02-0.06 L/s. I find this strange considering I have a hard time making it leak on purpose while I'm awake, even when pushing my face into the pillow!

I love the low profile of the mask and how flat it sits on the face. The straps tend to ride up a bit closer to my eyes than I'd like but very comfortable.

Personally, I find the vent noise to be more intrusive (not necessarily louder); probably because it's pointing more at a downward angle towards the blankets. Has anyone else noticed the sound of the exhaust echoing off the mask itself?

The Swift LT used to push sideways (I'm a side-sleeper) and cause me to adjust it occasionally throughout the night. Not so with the FX. I don't seem to have to adjust it at all. I like that. My mouth does tend to be a bit drier in the morning. I wonder if I'm mouth-breathing? I doubt that would start to happen now since I still use my PAPCap like I did with the Swift LT.

I love this mask. Went from 5.6 average AHI to 2.1 AHI on it and i barely notice it is there. No leaks.

Jersey Girl wrote:....they said that they would only charge me the same amount as my insurance usually pays - $78.00. I am glad I asked, since this is less than CPAP.com.

Jersey Girl, your insurance certainly doesn't "allow" much for a mask, which works out well for you! My insurance allows $113.95 for a nasal mask ($85.17 for the mask itself plus $28.78 for the headgear). My share of cost is only 20%, so I don't have to pay much out-of-pocket when insurance allows for mask replacements.

But I should ask my local DME what they charge for a mask when I don't use insurance. I've been purchasing online when insurance won't cover. In my case, my local DME price is probably quite a bit higher than I could purchase online, but it'd be good to know. I'm glad you brought that up!

I have tried the Swift FX for a couple of weeks but I'm still having difficulty getting used to the pressure. With the old Swift I couldn't tolerate it for more than 3 hours and had to rip off the mask and replace with my Activa, but with the new Swift FX I can tolerate it all night long. The only downsides is I have bad sinus problems and if I'm congested when going to sleep at night then I find I just simply can't tolerate the additional pressure going into my nose.

2 out of 3 nights are okay with the mask and I can tolerate the pressure.

I am interested in learning more about the compatibility of the Swift FX and my APAP machine. SInce switching from my Hybrid mask - I have noticed a major difference in the APAP's reported Vibratory Snore events, since those are directly related to how the APAP system works I am wondering if switching the mask has altered the behavior of the APAP as opposed to the mask just giving me better results.

I have correlated the APAP data with data from my pulse oximeter, and it does appear that my SO2 values are the same with both masks.

My Hybrid would require pressures up to 18 and it leaked like crazy. The swift fx never goes about 12. This is what causes some suspicion on my part.

Anyhow I love this mask, many times I will forget i even have it on.

I have been using for about 2 weeks. Started out a little rough but once I got used to it I like as much or maybe more than my LT. I only have 2 minor issues. 1st and the most important would be the vents point down to much. 2 it seems to rest on my upper lip more than my LT. I love my Swift LT and would certainly keep it for a backup (considering I have 3 masks and about 12 pillows) but now it is time to start collecting pillows for my new favorite mask.


P.S. I have a medium I would exchange for a large PM me

I should say I have used my Swift FX for I think more than a week in total, I'm very surprised how comfortable it is. I use it a couple of days and then I switch to the Activa or the Activa LT, it change the place of marks on the face

I really like that mask, I had tried the Swift LT and I had almost abandoned the idea of been able to use one day a nasal cushion mask. Really comfortable.

I've been using it a little bit over a week, and I love it. Keeps in place with no leaks all night, and I toss around from side to side and it dosen't interfere. I've been sleeping great since and would highly reccommend. I use the lanisoh ointment in the nares and I believe it helps hold the ends in place and helps curtail the leaks.
The one minor complaint if I must is the exhaust port will hit the sheets if you don't sleep on the edge of pillow, but too me, that is a small inconvienence.
Great Mask!!!!

I've now tried for 4 nights and my numbers keep on getting better and better. One Ai the entire night last night and leaks better. I get up earlier each morning....

One thing I noticed and maybe it's just me: the right flare seems to have slightly larger opening than the left flare. And the right side seems to 'leak' every once in a while??? I noticed it just last night and haven't had a chance to compare to the medium and large size pillows at home.

Anyone else notice the two flares are different diameters? Maybe just a bad mfg lot....

I have been using the Swift FX for a week and I love it. It's quiet, it seals well, it floats below my nostrils. I sleep on my back and use a little hose clip on the hose to attach the hose to the front of my sleep shirt so if I move around, the hose won't bother the mask. Sometimes I roll to one side, again with the hose clipped, and have no problems there either. The little microfiber covers for the part of the strap that goes across your cheeks are not noticeable when wearing it. This one is a winner!