Swift FX

[acebass]

Anyone using the Swift FX and if so, how are you getting on with it?

I bought one last year and only use it occaisionally as I find I have to be nasally very clear to use it and I dont always feel refreshed on waking compared to my Mirage Ultra!

[Pedallass]

ResMed Swift FX nasal pillows mask

Just been given this - my third mask. Trying it on in the clinic it felt fantastic compared to the others I have so far tried which covered my nose and caused real pain there- so much so that even putting my glasses on has hurt. I also like the lightness of it- seems so less claustrophobic than the full face (quattro which i hated) or my previous nasal mask.

I am going to try it tonight so will get back to you. Also being sent a humidifier but dont expect it to arrive for a few days.

here's hoping!! I need to see some progress...

[acebass]

Just been given this - my third mask. Trying it on in the clinic it felt fantastic compared to the others I have so far tried which covered my nose and caused real pain there- so much so that even putting my glasses on has hurt. I also like the lightness of it- seems so less claustrophobic than the full face (quattro which i hated) or my previous nasal mask.

I am going to try it tonight so will get back to you. Also being sent a humidifier but dont expect it to arrive for a few days.

here's hoping!! I need to see some progress...

Hope it goes well for you....

[Pedallass]

One step up...

Well I have had two nights with the swift FX. Manged to keep it on all night and a major improvement in comfort compared to the other masks I have tried. I simply could not have continued with them -. Clinic has suggested and ordered a humidifier which I am hoping will help as I am waking up fairly often, and have a dry throat. I also do open my mouth occasionally despite the chin strap, but hope that with the humidifier and the waking, I can train myself out of it as i simply cannot manage a full mouth mask- the pressure on my nose was agony. Although comfort has improved, I am still just as tired, falling asleep during the day etc. So no pay back yet. Any comments on this aspect would be welcome!

I found the mask light and much more comfortable than the others, plus I like being able to see out. Finding a cup my son had as a young child which has a fixed horizontal straw (plus a penguin!) that I can take a sip out of at night also helps. I am used to drinking a lot at night time.

Acebass I am interested in why you dont use the swift FX much? Is the other mask you use also a nasal one- is it better? I am not sure this is the mask for me, but think it might help me overcome a lot of the barriers I have felt so far. Clinic (NHS) have been great- really reassuring me, telling me it will take time, not to get stressed about it, doesnt seem to be a problem at all trying out different masks, suggesting humidifier etc. They also say they will look into ordering the sleepweaver mask if this doesnt work- they hadnt heard of it before and were quite interested in it. I have a kind of gut feeling that will be the mask for me.

I still hate it all- bed time has converted from a huge relaxing pleasure to a kind of battle zone. Feel really unsexy and when I think that I will have to continue it for ever, I just sink into misery. To think I only started the whole process because I thought it would help me get up earlier so that I could improve my running in the mornings! have sure regretted it a number of times.

[g3az66]

Condensation issue

I have recently switched to these nasal pillows from my nasal mask and from a comfort level they are amazing. Very light on your face, less claustrophobic and more importantly no "monkey face".......yay

However, I now have an issue with condensation inside the pillows themselves. It got so bad last night it ran into my nose.....yuck. Does anyone have any ideas on how to stop this?

Cleaning them is also an issue as the condenstion can pool inside and still be there when I go to bed at night. I have taken to mopping it up with a cotton bud!

I have no humidifier and the machine sits on the floor under my bed...

thanks

[pavarottiman]

Worth a try?

Hi, I have been experimenting with putting the hose under my pillow and so far it has worked, I do not like to have heat in my bedroom and have found that the buildup of water in the hose and mask has been a problem. Yes there are hose heaters etc, but I think this just adds to the bulk of the hose and will cause problems with the mask being pulled about.
I have my machine on a table next to my bed about above head height, the hose I take under the pillow to the side in a coil and then lead the mask end out of the top of the pillow allowing enough hose for movement. I have my humidifier on near maximum; and in the morning the water has nearly been used up, it seems to work for me and it has taken me some years to think of this being a hose head of about 7 years.
I am on the large size and no the hose has not been affected by being under weight nor it there any loss of efficiency.
Hope this helps, worth a try, nothing ventured nothing gained.
Best of luck
Alex.
I have a resmed s6 with humidifier using resperonics nasal mask, average 7hrs sleep per night.

[Pedallass]

Condensation

I am still doing ok (I wouldnt say brilliantly but ok) with Swift Fx although really want to try sleep weaver which i cannot persuade my clinic to try (Edinburgh- can we have a campaign folks! ) Because I just have a feeling it is the right one for me. But Condensation has been a bit of a problem. I do have a humidifier and found that when I turned it down the humidity stopped. My bedroom is fairly cold and maybe the condensation happens when you have a difference of temp between the outside air and the machine? Just guessing. I also have the machine on the floor and the hose up and over the bed head so that there is a flow for any moisture down wards. That seems to help as well. It is really uncomfortable to feel the moisture come down those nasal pillows!

The only ok is just because I still find that the pillows move slightly and there are leaks. When I get them right it is pretty good, and there is no noise. But they shift and leak slightly and the noise wakes me up. Vaseline around the inside of the nostrils which the clinic suggested, help. But if I over tighten them a tiny bit my nose gets sore and basically my perception is a very disturbed night. My results are good, the clinic are pleased with me, I dont fall asleep like I did, but I dont feel very energetic. It is like taking a sickness pill, it stops you being sick but doesnt stop that nauseous feeling. Everyone says here to stick it and at least I am off those horrific masks that covered the nose, where it was so sore I couldnt even put my glasses on the next day. But I dont enjoy sleep any more.

[Stewart]

My clinic (Glasgow) gave me a Swift FX to try three weeks ago. I'd originally gone to ask for them to request a Sleepweaver but they suggested trying the Swift.

They did agree if I didn't like the Swift they would ask for a trial Sleepweaver. Pedallas; perhaps you could mention to the Edinburgh bunch that the Weegies are prepared to do this

I'm really pleased with the Swift in general. The only downside is that the weight of the hose pulls the pillows away from my nose, causing leaks. I wear it as loose as I can, but being able to sleep properly on my side is a big plus. I've tried different combinations of size and tightness so I think my compromise is acceptable.

I've now been on CPAP for two months and while I'm not jumping out of bed in the morning neither am I falling asleep at 6pm. It's (sometimes) good to be able to watch a film without dozing off during it!

[Sleep2Snore]

Only thing with Nasal Pillows is you do need a while for the inside of your nose to get used to them.
Don't be tempted to make them to tight as they seal when quite loose.
Making them to tight will only result in irritation of the inside of the nostrils.
It took me quite a while to get used to the ones I have, so don't give up to easily.
Once you get used to them they are better than any ask, if you can use them and are not a mouth breather.
They are not for everyone though, just like some masks suit some and others can't get on with them.
I found the Swift Nasal Pillows a bit small (even the large) and had a lack of adjustment, but then my mate likes them, so there you go.
What suits one does not always suit another.

[Pedallass]

Switched to a sleepweaver a while ago now. i find my nose still hurts from the swift fx although i haven't used it since mid November. Hda bad cold before christmas and blowing my nose was agony...

Sleepweaver going much better (not perfect mind..) - have put comments on the sleep weaver thread. But I wont go back to anything else in a hurry..

[Barely Awake]

Although I couldn't use it I thought the Swift FX was a great design and used with a lightweight hose (form Respironics) you don't get the same drag weight working against you. If they only made a Swift FX with an under pillow system instead of individual cushions the sore nose problem would be solved and it would also allow the Swift FX to be used by patients with a displaced septum (me).

Re the condensation I solved this problem early on by using foam pipe insulation from a DIY store cut into rings and fitted over the pipe - it warmed the air sufficiently to stop condensation developing but was a tad cumbersome. Having proved it worked though I have bought a pipe fleece from Respironics, which I use November - February when the temp drops, and found I could do away with the humidifier too. The only time i get condensation now is if the pipe nearest the mask tips slightly upward during sleep, but I minimise the chance by using a velcro clip and a hose lift in between which I wind one of those rubber coated stiff wires (2 for £5 from the market) which have lost of uses for CPAP users as it allows you to stiffen or guide areas of pipe. These wire things have a proper name I will try and find out what it is.

[harryON]

Idea of Swift FX

hello

I have respironics SystemONE A-Flex machine and my mask is a Hybrid Full Face CPAP Mask with Nasal Pillows. I like idea of swift FX mask but I breathing generally by mouth. I'm not sure that machine will help me if I'll use only nasal mask. Have You any knowledge about that?

harryON

[Barely Awake]

hello

I have respironics SystemONE A-Flex machine and my mask is a Hybrid Full Face CPAP Mask with Nasal Pillows. I like idea of swift FX mask but I breathing generally by mouth. I'm not sure that machine will help me if I'll use only nasal mask. Have You any knowledge about that?

harryON

I don't have any knowledge about this sorry, perhaps one of the others can advise.

[Fredxx]

... but I breathing generally by mouth...

Do you mean you breath generally thorough your mouth all the time, or generally when you sleep?

the majority of people breathe through their noses when they are asleep, irrespective of how they breathe during the day, and if you are a "mouth breather" in your sleep, there are things such as chin straps that can "encourage" you to breathe through your nose.

For some people though, mouth breathing during sleep is the way they are, and the full face mask is there for that.

[harryON]

Do you mean you breath generally thorough your mouth all the time, or generally when you sleep?

the majority of people breathe through their noses when they are asleep, irrespective of how they breathe during the day, and if you are a "mouth breather" in your sleep, there are things such as chin straps that can "encourage" you to breathe through your nose.

For some people though, mouth breathing during sleep is the way they are, and the full face mask is there for that.

I don't have any problem with breathing through my nose during the day and it is normal but when I sleep then my mouth is open and I breathing through the mouth, I don't know why. I'm thinking about chin straps. It could resolve my problem. Maybe You have some observation about it.
I have already started my life with the machines.


thanks
harryON