SWIFT FX - Comfort suggestions?

Linda,

I know it's quite amazing, but you aren't supposed to feel the air flow in your nose. It would be terribly uncomfortable for hours and hours if you could. If you open your mouth and air rushes out, you are definitely getting the air in. Another way to check is to hold your hand in front of the vent holes, there will be air coming out from there.

You should not feel leakage around the pillows themselves--they are supposed to be sealed against your nostrils. The only place air should be coming out is the vent holes.

Sounds like you are doing GREAT with your FX! There are a lot of nasal masks to choose from, and some people like to have an alternate mask to switch to if they are getting tired of one mask or having a bad night with it. But I can't imagine a nasal mask as light and comfortable as a Swift.

If you fill in your profile with the type of machine you have, we will be able to help you access your data to find out your AHI, pressure, leakage, etc. Assuming you have a data capable machine . . .

You don't feel the air flow because it isn't there!

With the mask off, the xPAP blows it's maximum flow rate through the mask because there is nothing stopping the flow. But, when you are wearing a properly adjusted mask, something is blocking the flow -- you!

Remember that the purpose of the xPAP is to increase the pressure in your airway; and not to force unlimited amounts of air into your body. It's sort of like blowing up a balloon -- a small amount of flow increases the pressure considerably.

janknitz,

Thanks so much for the explanation. Maybe I am doing it right. Below is what I am using:


Machine: Respronics REMstar Plus CPAP Machine
Mask: Swift™ FX for Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear , size xs
Humidifier: System One Heated Humidifier

Can I get the readings of how I am doing from this system

thanks,
linda

today I saw my doctor after about 3 weeks on CPAP. I have the respronics System one Plus C flex. Not sure what all of that means. I am just wondering if this machine gvies me feedback on how I am doing. If I purchase he software program I have read about , will I get more information ? Actually what info can I get from the maching and what from the software program?

Sorry, your post got buried and I just saw it. I believe that Plus machines have compliance (hours of usage) data only, no efficacy data. Data capable machines are the Remstar Pro or Elite.

You NEED efficacy data--otherwise you have no way to tell how your therapy is going or if changes should be made. Ask your doctor to rewrite your script for a data capable machine and then get the DME to change it out for you. It's the same cost to you and your insurance company either way. But you are going to have to be a little pushy to get what you need--they've already successfully foisted an inferior machine on you in order to pocket a higher profit. The DME will give you all sorts of reasons why they can't change your machine. Don't believe them.

I do not have a doc appt until Nov so I think I will wait until then to discuss changing machines. I travel in a motorhome and am having to have a doc in St. Louis and another doc in Phoenix. I will see the Phoenix doc for the first time in Nov. and discuss machines, etc. A correction on my part... I have the Swift LT not the Swift FX. Not sure what the difference is.

Thanks for all of your help and advice,
Linda

I'm on my second week with Cpap therapy and started out with leak problems until I changed to smaller nose pillows. Started out with large and went to medium about 5 days ago. They fit much better all night and sometimes when I wake up I've forgotten the whole contraption is on at all.
BTW.....how does one know their leak rate? Do I need to download the software and insert the memory card from the cpap machine into my computer??

needanap wrote:I'm on my second week with Cpap therapy and started out with leak problems until I changed to smaller nose pillows. Started out with large and went to medium about 5 days ago. They fit much better all night and sometimes when I wake up I've forgotten the whole contraption is on at all.
BTW.....how does one know their leak rate? Do I need to download the software and insert the memory card from the cpap machine into my computer??

You can read your leak rate (95 percentile) on the LCD screen...
Turn the rotary dial to home and push the other two buttons at once. Turn to last nights data... push rotary button and turn through the data... voila.
Read through the S9 Clinical Manual for more info.

http://www.elliottsusa.com/resmed/S9%20 ... %20eng.pdf

Nord