Lesson Learned About Swift Fitting

MandoJohnny wrote:When my DME guy fitted my Swift, he just had me tilt my head back so he could glance at the bottom of my nose. Then he said, "You'll take a small."

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It was OK for two weeks with the small, but I did get some leakage that I could feel and I really had to make sure the straps were tight and that there was slack on the hose. But yesterday, I decided to take a closer look at the medium insert. When I test fitted the medium while looking in a mirror, it was obvious, even to a layman, that the medium was a much better fit. It was like it was made for my nose, whereas the small, when actually test fitted looking in a mirror did not look like a fit at all. So I used the medium last night. It felt a lot more confortable and the whole rig was not as finicky about hose and head position to maintain a good seal.

Interesting post, MandoJohnny.

Unfortunately, the "fitting" you were given for nasal pillows may not be so unusual. One size bigger than a DME would usually think "right" is often better when it comes to nasal pillows. Nasal pillows are more comfortable if they are big enough to stay mostly to the outside of the nostrils, accomplishing their seal against the outside front of the nostril openings. Much more comfortable and leakproof than if they have to be crammed up into the nostrils to try to control air leaks.

Luckily, you were given at least one other size of pillows to take home with your Swift. Some on the message boards have reported that they were given only the one size deemed best by the DME, when in fact all three sizes (Small, Medium, Large) are put with each Swift when ResMed sells it, and are included in the price of a Swift.

Glad to hear you got it going well for you. That's a very popular mask, with good reason.

Wow! FYI, my sleep study for titration was almost sleepless for me. The noise of the BiPAP and the wires, plus the little annoyance fittings of the mask and the hot temperature in the room (my tech brought me a fan!)--all contributed to me having a hard time falling asleep. When I finally did, it was less than an hour before the techs were supposed to leave. Mine let me finish my dreaming sleep cycle so that I wouldn't need to come back. She (and the others there) are really great folks. She stayed to take off the wires, then left me to shower and asked the custodian to check in with me. Now I will have to really thank her next time I get to see her!

Does it not go with the different sleep labs and how they are run, too? I think these things start at the top. When the people are valued and appreciated, are they not more likely to value and appreciate patients? I notice that the doctors are pretty appreciative and kind at this sleep lab, all the techs are too, and this is all 15 miles from my house. Who could ask for more?

In my job, I know that if I am treated as a valuable team member, I am more likely to treat others in the same way. What a concept!

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I think maybe the other reasons people have posted for using the Mirage Swift are great ones, but another is the 30-day return policy on the part of ResMed. At the risk of over-repeating this, THANK YOU ResMed! I liked many features of the Swift, but it just was not right for me. This policy allows us newbies to take a few days or weeks to adjust and then see how things work.

Chin straps are not under such a policy, however. I had to buy my own, as the straight piece of fabric slipped all over and did very little for me. It made the mask policy all the more appreciated!

I am currently using the ComfortLite while awaiting delivery of the ComfortLite 2. After all the comments, I'm looking forward to having a nearly slip-free night of sleep.