Gotta whine....vent....moan....complain

Just when I think I've got things figured out, something ELSE rears its ugly head.

I've been using the Swift FX and really like it. However, the past two nights have been horrible because it won't stop leaking and collapsing. I'm pretty sure it's because the pillow needs replacing--after only about 10 nights!!! Yikes! I knew at 7 nights that it should probably be replaced because it became more difficult to seal when I put it on.

I bought some on ebay, but they won't be here until mid-week; I ordered my one "allowed" pillow paid for by insurance a week and a half ago from Crapria. Despite their assurances that it would be delivered in 2 or 3 business days, it is now closer to two weeks than not. Geez. I can't wait to switch back to the hospital DME in mid-March and see what they can do about getting me more than one pillow a month. When hubby calls insurance company, they tell him that they will pay for whatever is medically necessary re supplies and replacements; Crapria won't even try to order more than one pillow a month unless I pay full price for it. Crapria also will not contact insurance company to ask about it.

Hubby just went to a co-worker's house to pick up a NasalAire mask that she never used. Who knows...I'll give it a try. I'm desperate and unless boiling my Swift pillow for an hour this morning helps, I'm outta luck there. Used my Hybrid for about 3 hours last night, but woke up with sore jaw/teeth this morning, so right now that doesn't seem like a viable option (probably too soon after using it for a week because of a nasty cold--my jaw hasn't quite recovered yet).

A VERY kind member here is sending me an Opus 360 that she didn't use (thanks! Can I mention your screen name?) so I'll try that...it seems that those pillows are thicker and may not wear out so fast. Who knows....

At this point I'm tired and fuzzy again. Frustrated. Irritated. It had only been about a week since I was really starting to feel the benefits of all this stuff, now I feel like I'm back to square one. And its my busy season and I'm up to my eyeballs in alligators with clients needing attention and needing their stuff done and I can't think clearly enough to work efficiently. It's so hard to work when I'm crying out of frustration and exhaustion.

Whine. Anybody got some cheese to go with that?

Weezy

I'm sorry you're having a hard time right now. I've never used nasal pillows, but it would seem to me they should last more than a week!! And what's with getting ONE new one a month??? Am I missing something or don't most people need at least TWO per month.

I hope you can get it worked out, even using a different mask, so you can feel better.

I don't care if you mention my name. I have been cleaning out my experiment drawer. I have one other mask that is unused if someone wants it. Optilife with nasal pillows (all 3 sizes). Opened only to check size of the Large pillow for brother in law who decided to blow off CPAP treatment. So only touched the size Large with my grubby little paws.

Otherwise, I only have a couple of used experiments left.

Weezy is swapping her Small Swift FX for my Large so I was going to be mailing her the large anyway so I offered to include the Opus.

If someone has either a Swift FX (gently used wouldn't both me if someone just tried it short while and it didn't work) or unused Swift Fx nasal pillows in my size (XS or Small), I would happily swap. If someone just wants the Optilife and has nothing to offer in trade, maybe just reimburse me the cost of mailing??? I am not interested in going through the hassle of the auction. Just cleaning out stuff and willing to help someone else with their experiments. I am also wanting to try the Repti Cable hose heater idea. If anyone has one they want to part with. The `15 watt kind. No one locally has one, they all have the bigger and higher wattage ones.

Now I have to go to the store and get some cheese for Weezy......
So sorry you are having such a crummy time. It is very frustrating. I know.

Weezy and Pugsy, I'll join you for cheese and wine if that's okay. I've been whining about my work load lately (at least my cpap time is okay) my work load is all volunteer-----you think I'd learn I have meetings all week, same last week, that's what I get for being a volunteer ......can't keep my big yap shut so I get more jobs......and more jobs..............
Take a break ladies, wine and cheese time
Cheers
Nan

There was a thread on here about using O rings to help support nasal pillows from collapsing and make them last longer. Do a search for O ring fix; I believe there are pictures and directions.

EDIT: here you go: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=45777&p=411389#p411149

Can I join the whining? Bad toothache last night. Still bad today. Pain pills made me throw up. Didn't even help the toothache.
Crap. I see a root canal in my crystal ball. I see dollars flying out the window....
I have the cheese but no wine. Hmm where is hubby's Jack Daniels?? Never mind, don't like Jack and sure wouldn't sit well on upset tummy and pain pills.

On a positive note, I checked my data from last night. Pain pill did help me sleep and my leak was low as was my AHI.

Pugsy wrote:I don't care if you mention my name. I have been cleaning out my experiment drawer. I have one other mask that is unused if someone wants it. Optilife with nasal pillows (all 3 sizes). Opened only to check size of the Large pillow for brother in law who decided to blow off CPAP treatment. So only touched the size Large with my grubby little paws.

Otherwise, I only have a couple of used experiments left.

Weezy is swapping her Small Swift FX for my Large so I was going to be mailing her the large anyway so I offered to include the Opus.

If someone has either a Swift FX (gently used wouldn't both me if someone just tried it short while and it didn't work) or unused Swift Fx nasal pillows in my size (XS or Small), I would happily swap. If someone just wants the Optilife and has nothing to offer in trade, maybe just reimburse me the cost of mailing??? I am not interested in going through the hassle of the auction. Just cleaning out stuff and willing to help someone else with their experiments. I am also wanting to try the Repti Cable hose heater idea. If anyone has one they want to part with. The `15 watt kind. No one locally has one, they all have the bigger and higher wattage ones.

Now I have to go to the store and get some cheese for Weezy......
So sorry you are having such a crummy time. It is very frustrating. I know.

Hi Pugsy,
I just got a Swift FX and use the medium pillow. I'd be happy to send you my small pillow. I was having such a hard time (AHI ~24) with the Mirage LIberty that I was desperate to try something else. I got the Swift FX and am taping my mouth. The last two night have been much better (AHI ~5). I would be interested in trying the Optilife. If you want to PM me we can talk about price. I'm sure I still will need something if I get a cold. Either that or just tough it out without cpap. Right now, I can't believe how much better the Swift FX is working for me than the other masks I've tried. But, that's for a separate post.

napmaster wrote:I got the Swift FX and am taping my mouth. The last two night have been much better (AHI ~5). I would be interested in trying the Optilife. If you want to PM me we can talk about price.

Will send you a PM in just a bit. Bear in mind that the Optilife does have a "chin strap" of sorts but the makers say it is for mask stability and not the same as a regular chin strap. Though I will admit that it does offer some support for the chin. Might help for minor mouth opening issues but not enough support for "serious" mouth breathers. But hey, sure worth a try.

DocWeezy wrote:Whine. Anybody got some cheese to go with that?

Weezy

Whining is allowed. I've got a nice block of Swiss here. Hope you get sorted soon.

Madalot wrote:And what's with getting ONE new one a month??? Am I missing something or don't most people need at least TWO per month.

It's kind of like lady's underwear: We wear a "pair of panties" but it's one garment. And we refer to them in the plural: On Valentine's Day my panties are red---not my panties is red. Why don't we wear a "panty" instead of a "panties"? I haven't the foggiest. Like "panties", many folks refer to the whole nasal pillow thingy as a "pair of pillows" or "pillows" for short.

At any rate a "pair of nasal pillows" is kind of like a pair of pants. Just like one pair of pants has two legs that are attached to one seat, a pair of nasal pillows has two cones---one for each nostril---and the two cones are attached to a single barrel cozy.

Hope that helps

DocWeezy wrote:
Just when I think I've got things figured out, something ELSE rears its ugly head.

This therapy is similar to playing golf. Just when you think you have it figured out...........

Pugsy, you crack me up.

No one ever says "want some cheese with your beer?"

Robysue, I won't log your response into my brain cells.

robysue wrote:

Madalot wrote:And what's with getting ONE new one a month??? Am I missing something or don't most people need at least TWO per month.

It's kind of like lady's underwear: We wear a "pair of panties" but it's one garment. And we refer to them in the plural: On Valentine's Day my panties are red---not my panties is red. Why don't we wear a "panty" instead of a "panties"? I haven't the foggiest.

Because ladies panties used to come in two pieces that over lapped - one for each leg. They are fairly recent like only the last 200 - 300 years that western women wore panties. Remember all those French paintings of women on swings? That wasn't their panties that were being hinted at.

BlackSpinner wrote:

robysue wrote:

Madalot wrote:And what's with getting ONE new one a month??? Am I missing something or don't most people need at least TWO per month.

It's kind of like lady's underwear: We wear a "pair of panties" but it's one garment. And we refer to them in the plural: On Valentine's Day my panties are red---not my panties is red. Why don't we wear a "panty" instead of a "panties"? I haven't the foggiest.

Because ladies panties used to come in two pieces that over lapped - one for each leg. They are fairly recent like only the last 200 - 300 years that western women wore panties. Remember all those French paintings of women on swings? That wasn't their panties that were being hinted at.

BlackSpinner---thanks for this bit of trivia. I'll find an unoccupied spot in the ol' gray matter for it and file it away ....

Robysue...your post is one of those similar to what I've always asked myself...why is it a pair of pants???? Then Blackspinner comes along and it all makes sense!

I'm much happier now.

A pair of pillows? Unfortunately, the language being used regarding how many "pairs" of pillows I can get hasn't been the issue since Crapria has used the term "one pillow" per month. I'm gonna hit the phone on that today.

HOWEVER, I slept great last night. Yesterday afternoon there was a new Swift mask on CL. I called and went and bought it. She even swapped out the medium pillow for another large one so I ended up with two large pillows. Used a new pillow last night and confirmed that was my problem.

Interestingly, the comparison between my 10-day-old pillow and the new one was REALLY noticeable--the old inner cones had become very soft and mushy; the new ones were very "stiff" in comparison. I guess there is something about my skin oils that causes the softening that quickly and once they are soft, I have the blow-outs and inability to get a good seal.

Guess I'm going to have to resign myself to using a new pillow every week.

Thanks for letting me vent and whine...it really helps knowing there are people who REALLY understand.

Weezy

Sorry to hear about the problem. Some people have found that they get a better seal by using a tiny amount of Lasinol crème (hope I spelled that correctly) applied to the nares. I'm one of them.