SWIFT FX - Comfort suggestions?

Hi all FX users --I am still struggling to find a way to get used to this mask. I keep going back to my Swift LT since I hate losing too much sleep. I use the small size nasal pillows with my LT---yet with the FX when I use a small --it seems to leak. Can you let me know what your experiences have been? I used to see lots and lots of posts about the FX and how great it was and now I have not seen anyone saying anything about it LOL! Are you all happy with it? Did you give up on it? Please let me know your thoughts? I want to order the XS as long as it will work for me in the long run.
I just don't know,
Thanks everyone,
Carrie

New user here. I am using the Swift FX - my first. I found that the positioning and the tightness of the head gear are the major factors for a successful fitting. It is so light and comfortable, sometimes when I wake up, forgot it is there. Good luck.

Still using it and absolutely love it.

The FX actually has 2 pillows for each nare, make sure the inner pillow hasn't collapsed or accidently gotten inverted.

... over time mine started leaking so this is what I found works. Reminder: as you sleep your head gets heavier (dead weight) and therefore your mask might be shifting as you sink deeper into your pillow. You need to adjust slightly for this, I sleep on my left side so I tilt the straps (mask) to my left ever so slightly (not enough to cause a leak) since as I sink into my pillow my mask will shift to my right.

1. Don't use any ramp feature of your machine (start straight at your prescribed pressure)
2. Start your machine with the mask off then put mask on while its blowing air
3. gently pull swivel piece away from face so that the pillows don't touch your nose then let the pillows down so they seat just against your nares.

If its still leaking you can also try this...
4. Don't adjust the straps, but rather push (barely move) the top zipper like strap to one side or the other to get the pillows to seat properly. You can also tilt the swivel piece forward or backwards to help seat the pillows.

If it still leaks then your probably using the wrong pillow size.

I use the Swift FX and LOVE IT, I too like the poster above me when I wake up I don't even notice it, I start with mine lose each night, yes its a small pain in the rear but the trade off for the comfort these give is worth it too me. Like Cobra said loosen it just enough so that it is not forced in your nares, I have a S9 so I use the mask fit feature and I slowly tighten the mask till it just seats onto/into my nares, Perfect seal for me and I have no issues with my sleeping and I am a side sleeper. I also use a chin strap very basic one but I have taken it to another lvl, I put it so it gently holds my mouth shut then I take the it and pull it up over my mouth LOL. I know it sounds sill and my wife says I look like a surgeon that would be in space or underwater (Maybe one day ill be brave enough and post a pic of me with my gear on) but I tell you what last night I pulled a AHI of 0.1 with 0 leaks. I was stoked.

I wish you the best of luck with the FX and think once you get it working for you, you too will love it.

Duane

Hi

I've been using a Swift FX for about 5 months and its great. The thing that conviced me to purchase was:

a) my DME rep had swapped to a Swift FX and she loved it (its good to have a DME rep who is a CPAP user);
b) she advised she had been selling lots of them and unlike other masks, none had been returned to her in the 3 months she had been selling them.

Maybe people have gone quiet because they work.

My tips:

1. The videos on Resmed's website on sizing of pillows and fitting the headgear are useful.
2. I have the top strap on top of my head (not back towards the crown)
3. I have the back strap sitting quite high above my ears, just under the bump I have on the back of my head.
4. I have the top strap quite loose and the back strap a bit tighter as it has more give.
5. The side straps are about half way between my eyes and earholes.
6. I agree that the pillows should not be forced into your nose. A tip my DME rep suggested which worked for me was that you should be able to comfortably fit two fingers in between the straps and your cheeks (both sides at the same time).
7. Try the next pillow size up or down for a night or two and see if it makes any difference.
8. If you have a sophisticated CPAP/APAP match the settings to the mask type.
9. Clean the pillows every day. I find the seal is not as good if I don't, but I know others say the opposite.
10. I also put the mask on in the manner suggested by cobra4x4 in 1, 2 and 3 above and find this works well. I find if you accidentally dislodge the mask during the nght or are worried you have a leak, you can just pull the swivel and seat again very easily.
11. When fumbling around in the dark so as not to wake your partner, the textured branding on the pillows goes to the top.

I have found that my seal/fit is improved if I press in on the middle of the outside of the pillows,
while holding back on the left and right ends.
This makes the pillows spread wider from the center-line.
I also believe that the fit will be better if you adjust the mask while the machine is running.

Good Luck,
TerryB

I love my FX! But that being said I do switch between the FX and the Opus 360. I did do one modification to both, that was to add a 2 inch piece of velcro on the back strap. This keeps it from sliding up the back of my head.

I'm a really new user and can't add much, but I have found like others said that the mask shouldn't be too tight. If it feels just a little loose, then it is good for me. I also like the idea of fitting the mask while the pressure is highest ,and I will remember it tonight.

I too love the Swift FX...............I put on the headgear, turn on the machine, and then re-seat the pillows as discussed above. I put the pad-a-cheek fleece from the LT on the sides........... After literally months of leaking--just a little--but I'm a numbers person and a perfectionist, I've recently discovered the secret to 0.0 leaks consistently in MN..............turn off the humidifer! Since I have left the humidifier in passover mode only, the leaks have gone to 0, I'm still very comfortable, I'm sleeping better, and seeing lower ahi numbers. It's a win all of the way around! I've quit using any hose mgmt system with these pillows--just put the hose under my arm and across my chest and it moves with me fine. The nature of the Swift FX didn't work well with the Hozer like other masks do.....

Good luck....

You mentioned the size of the pillows. I have always used a S pillow until I started using the FX...my all time favorite mask. I had to use a M pillow in order to keep the mask from leaking and having the pillow pop out when I move in my sleep. As I said..I LOVE MY FX.

Other than not over tighten the mask I would always start with clean pillows ever night. The only time I have had issues are when I have dirty pillows.

sleeplessinaz wrote:Hi all FX users --I am still struggling to find a way to get used to this mask. I keep going back to my Swift LT since I hate losing too much sleep. I use the small size nasal pillows with my LT---yet with the FX when I use a small --it seems to leak. Can you let me know what your experiences have been? I used to see lots and lots of posts about the FX and how great it was and now I have not seen anyone saying anything about it LOL! Are you all happy with it? Did you give up on it? Please let me know your thoughts? I want to order the XS as long as it will work for me in the long run.
I just don't know,
Thanks everyone,
Carrie

Carrie,

I had lots of trouble with the Swift FX for the first 2 days. Then I realized that I might be on the wrong pillow size. I went from a Small, to a Medium, and then to a Large. Now with the large in place and working GREAT, I wouldn't swap my FX for anything else (at least not another pillow mask). Please try to use the Medium, and/or Large pillow sizes to see what works for you.

Also, just FYI, but my strap on the top is fairly loose, and the elastic one on the back isn't very tight either. If you are having to tighten too much then you probably have the wrong pillow size.

Hope everything works out for you!

I use the LT. I am not to sure of the differences, but I am liking it over the full face. I am claustrophobic. I have been using it for 2 weeks and am still working on getting it just right though.

Hi,

I tried the FX, but gave up on it. I couldn't get the head gear to stay in place without slipping off of the top of my head. I also found the pillows were at the wrong angle, and wouldn't seat against the bottom of my nose. The LT works fine for me, but I do like the light feel of the FX. Maybe I'll give it another try sometime.

-john-