Failed with Swift FX

In fairness to the mask, this was my first trial with nasal pillows and it did not go well. Chronic rhinitis, sore, sore, sore nose and constant leaks. I called my supplier and will be returning it for a Mirage 11 nasal mask. I guess some people can't tolerate pillows and I'm one of them.

Rick

This is too bad... did you try the Ayr Creme to help your nares get used to the pillows? When I first started with nasal pillows, I was using a creme called "Roezit" (or some spelling similar to this) and it really helped. If you suffer from stuffy nose, especially when you lay down, nasal pillows can be a God-send.

The other thing I'd suggest is that you have the pillows cranked too tight. The Swift FX, in my experience, seals really well if you allow the pillows to flex; don't crank it tight.

IF you want to give pillows another try, the AeioMed Aura/Headrest/whatever they are calling it these days, is, for many, a really great pillows interface.

Hope things work out for you.

I agree with WillSuceed.........I really like the Swift FX because they work best loosely fitted. When they are loose, they actually seal better and do not create sore spots.....

I understand that one mask isn't for everyone........but with the light headgear, etc, it's really too bad for you.

Finding the right mask is one of the hardest things about cpap, so helping each other fit masks appropriately is one of the big bennies of this board imho.........

Good luck in your search.....the Activa LT with the gel insert is another favorite you might want to try

Yep, I was using Lansinoh 100% to help protect my nose during the adjustment period as well as trying to improve seal. I was conscience of mask tension but believe pillow designed masks are not for everyone, at least not for me. Yes, it is unfortunate as the mask design seemed quite comfortable and user friendly. The illusive perfect mask hunt must continue!!

Regards, Rick

Hi Maple Leaf

My first try with nasal pillows was a terrible experience, I thought I wold never be able to use that kind of mask. My nose was blocked, I felt dizzy and choking the whole night, I tried 4 times (nights). Then I tried the Swift FX and it worked. Me too I have sinus problems.

As WillSucceed and Scrapper suggest try the a cream (maybe Lansinoh to make a good seal). The straps adjustment is the most important thing for success, you need to tight that at the good tension not too much. And there is a combination of adjustment , you have two straps to adjust if one is too tight or loose it will not work. Are you using the good pillows size? That too is VERY important.

But when you find the good adjustment you will find the mask very comfortable. Don't give up take a break and try again, for one or two days and then another break and come again to try. I toke a break for more than 2 month but I'm so happy I tried again with the Swift.

Good luck neighbor

Rosie

Thanks everyone for your suggestions and support. Have a great day.

Regards, Rick

I have terrible nights with Swift I and II in my early days.
My lips fluttered, my mouth leaking. Some times my eyes leaked air
I tried very hard to use nose pillow since it is light and you can still wear glasses and read books
So I used Activa and UM.

Then 2 years ago I try again and am comfortable with Swift II, LT and now FX. Now I cannot go back to Activa and UM Nasal mask

... I guess our body changed after using and get tougher and able to adjust to the idea of getting air blown into our "piping" system.

Please try again after a while and you might succeed.
Been there done that

I found I had to try a lot of other masks before I could appreciate the Swift LT. I don't think it would have worked for me at all if it was the first or even the second or third mask I tried.

By the time I finally did try the Swift, I was really fed up with heavy, hard, confining masks that leaked like crazy and hurt my nose. By then I also had a LOT of experience with adjusting headgear and air cushions, so I understood the principles behind fitting the Swift very well--keep it loose!

So you may try other masks and perhaps come back to it later. But don't feel like a failure if you don't. Everyone is different, every face is different, so you WILL find the right mask--keep trying! The important thing is not to give up on CPAP because of it.

I just got my Swift FX today so I'll let you know how it goes tonight, but I am already used to the pillows as I have been using the Swift II.

I'm hoping the FX is going to be a positive experience as indicated by the many rave reviews.

I do believe most bad expiriences are due to 1 of 2 things ... The very high pressures which some users require and an incorrect setup of the mask (usually way too tight on the headgear).

Update ...
My 1st night using the Swift FX was for the most part Great!

After an initial good 15 - 20 minutes of fiddling around trying to get the adjustments correct on the headgear in order to stop the leaking everything was very very comfortable all night long ... slept for 8+ hrs minus the wake up for rainout after about 5 hrs, This mask is extremely comfortable in any position that I tried (left side, right side & on my back).

- The one important adjustment which I didn't make until I looked at the instructions was ... once the mask was fitted snug to adjust (slide up or down or both) the side cheek straps in order to seat the pillows properly. This made the pillows stop leaking. The diagram shows the correct & incorrect angles for the pillows and believe me on this mask its very very important to have the pillow angle correct.

- only problem was rainout where as the Swift II did not have rainout with the same setting (2) on the humidifier.I'll be turning down the humidifier a notch tonight.

Once the mask was adjusted to my liking it worked flawlessly. Its a winner in my book and can only get better.

[quote][ only problem was rainout where as the Swift II did not have rainout with the same setting (2) on the humidifier.I'll be turning down the humidifier a notch tonight.
/quote]

Just a thought: do you have a hose wrap insulating your air hose? If not, I'd encourage you to get one as this can make a huge difference in reducing rainout. Another suggestion is to invest in the Aussie Heated Hose. I've been using one of these for over 4 years and have zero rainout even when I have the humidifier cranked right up on a cold night.

Just a thought: do you have a hose wrap insulating your air hose? If not, I'd encourage you to get one as this can make a huge difference in reducing rainout.

I have a question. The rainout I am getting with my Swift LT for her is occurring in the pillows, NOT the hose, and I suspect it is the same for Cobra. My hose is dry as a bone.

So would a hose wrap help? Seems to me, the condensation has something to do with the design of the pillows, and not the temperature difference between the CPAP air in the hose and the room. I did not have any rainout whatsoever under the same conditions when using FF and nasal masks, only the pillows. And with the pillows, I have my humidifier set to 1, where it was as much as 3 with the other interfaces. Also, the PR S1 I'm using supposedly adjusts to the surrounding temperature and humidity to reduce rainout. So would a hose wrap do anything for those few drops of moisture that are in the pillows in the morning?

I have a question. The rainout I am getting with my Swift LT for her is occurring in the pillows, NOT the hose, and I suspect it is the same for Cobra. My hose is dry as a bone.

Even though your hose is "bone dry," if the hose is neither heated, nor insulated, the humid air is cooling as it travels the length of the hose. It hits the warm air that you are exhaling in the mask -->hello condensation. So, if you help the air to stay warm by using a heated hose and/or insulating your hose, there is less air temperature differential at the mask and, reduced potential for condensation (rainout).

I haven't used the Swift, but i have tried other nasal pillow masks, namely the Breeze and the Liberty. Neither one worked well for me - my nares are really slotted and I just couldn't get a good fit. But probably other people with similar nares have success stories with nasal pillows, just not me (maybe I should try the Swift anyway though, so many people seem to have success with it ). I just got annoyed with fiddling with the stupid tiny little pillows, just slap a huge octopus-Activa-suction on me and I'm good to go!

I also second the "trying a previously failed mask again" tactic. I got my Quattro a couple of years ago and couldn't get it to work without horrible leaks. I tried it again recently and managed to sleep pretty well with it this time. Strange how that happens.