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Permalink Reply by Marianne Kleminski on September 8, 2011 at 11:47am

I have used the Swift FX for a while, i have likes and dislikes.  I would have to go back and figure out the other names of the other two I liked.  The one prior was a swift and was the previous model that is still available and had a spot on the top where the hose could attach, I loved that feature.  If they could do that with FX I think I would love it!  Well as much as you can LOVE a mask. I had another mask first and I don;t think that one is available anymore.  I liked it but it fell apart a lot and they said you could not buy the parts that fell apart, very annoying. 

 

I will have to look up the masks you speak of.  They sound intriguing. I need to do another Sleep Study.  I want to find a new place that has the supplier built right in to the sleep study place.  I found that Praxaire (not in business anymore) was not very helpful). 

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Permalink Reply by Vic h on September 8, 2011 at 11:55am

Hi ZolliStar,

I'm a newbie just like you. Unfortunately I have thick beard and mustache (therefore I'm a male :))and I'm having trouble finding a good mask that does not leak. I'm wearing now a Mirage Swift II mask which is not very comfortable but still is a nasal pillow mask...  I'm thinking to try a Resmed Swift FX which looks pretty comfortable.  In conclusion, yes you are in the right direction, in my opinion, as  the nasal pillow mask seams to be the most comfortable masks.

Good luck.

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Permalink Reply by ZolliStar on September 8, 2011 at 12:20pm

Dear Marianne,

 

I just ordered the Philips GoLife. We'll see.

 

I read past discussions on this forum and one woman said that the nose piece from her Swift FX would feel uncomfortable after a while so she shifted to the next size. It felt fine...for a while. Then she switched back and the former size felt fine again. For some reason, the back-and-forth switching seemed to work just fine.

 

There is a lot of trial and error in all of this. I'm grateful that there is something -- CPAP -- that's available to us. It's not perfect but it's a lot better than all those miserable days I used to spend feeling absolutely awful and exhausted.

 

Much, much better.

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Permalink Reply by ZolliStar on September 8, 2011 at 12:28pm

I know someone who has ample facial hair -- and requires a pressure of 15! -- and seems to be reasonably happy with his mask. I'll ask him what he uses and post his reply.

 

Good luck to you, and, as the estimable Chris H always says: "Good sleep".
Vic h said:

Hi ZolliStar,

I'm a newbie just like you. Unfortunately I have thick beard and mustache (therefore I'm a male :))and I'm having trouble finding a good mask that does not leak. I'm wearing now a Mirage Swift II mask which is not very comfortable but still is a nasal pillow mask...  I'm thinking to try a Resmed Swift FX which looks pretty comfortable.  In conclusion, yes you are in the right direction, in my opinion, as  the nasal pillow mask seams to be the most comfortable masks.

Good luck.

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Permalink Reply by Joanne Walen on September 8, 2011 at 1:33pm

I like the ResMed ladies nasal pillow mask (Swift LT). Also, for a side sleeper (as I am), my solution was to buy a CPAP pillow. The best price was amazon.com.

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Permalink Reply by Vic h on September 8, 2011 at 3:13pm

Thank you. My "pressure" is 16 so I'll watch for you posting.

ZolliStar said:

I know someone who has ample facial hair -- and requires a pressure of 15! -- and seems to be reasonably happy with his mask. I'll ask him what he uses and post his reply.

 

Good luck to you, and, as the estimable Chris H always says: "Good sleep".
Vic h said:

Hi ZolliStar,

I'm a newbie just like you. Unfortunately I have thick beard and mustache (therefore I'm a male :))and I'm having trouble finding a good mask that does not leak. I'm wearing now a Mirage Swift II mask which is not very comfortable but still is a nasal pillow mask...  I'm thinking to try a Resmed Swift FX which looks pretty comfortable.  In conclusion, yes you are in the right direction, in my opinion, as  the nasal pillow mask seams to be the most comfortable masks.

Good luck.

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Permalink Reply by Karl Grissom on September 8, 2011 at 3:23pm

I

 

Am new to this as well. I am currently using a nasal mask and not the pillows. Not fond of having something sticking in or covering my nostrils like that. I wish there was more freedom to try mask. Most insurance only lets you switch out free once in 30 days and then again after 90 days at which it usually time to get a new one. I too have a full beard and mustache and currently use the Ultra Mirage II with minimal leaks but that is after cranking it tight down. I think a pillow would work better with facial hair.

One thing to consider when looking at pillow mask is they are not good a high pressures. Also, pillows do cause irritation just inside of the nostrils. I have heard of folks having both the pillows and a mask and switch them up as they see fit to prevent irritation

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Permalink Reply by Marianne Kleminski on September 8, 2011 at 3:33pm

One thing that helped me in the beginning with the nasal pillows was to soak my mask in water and vinegar for a few days prior to using it.  Then I rinse it really good and wash it with a mild soap and rinse it again with vinegar and then water.  It really helped as I am sensative to the smell of the materials they use to make the masks and the pillows at once time did give me a sore inside my nose.  Also use a gel called Ayr inside my nose (OTC) I buy it at Walgreens but I am sure you can find other places.  It really helps with dryness. 

 

A friend of mine just had a sleep study, she lives in Moline Illinois and her sleep study places uses a certain vendor for supplies.  She went there and the people she worked with were great with her.  They went through masks and gave her two to try, she has to return the one she does not want in one week (not long but something) so they are out there but I have not found one in Phoenix yet that is so accomodating.  Praxaire would not even let me try one on.  Although they said before they closed that they had changed that policy and that if I wanted to drive 40 miles one way I could do that....no thanks! 

 

Marianne

Karl Grissom said:

I

 

Am new to this as well. I am currently using a nasal mask and not the pillows. Not fond of having something sticking in or covering my nostrils like that. I wish there was more freedom to try mask. Most insurance only lets you switch out free once in 30 days and then again after 90 days at which it usually time to get a new one. I too have a full beard and mustache and currently use the Ultra Mirage II with minimal leaks but that is after cranking it tight down. I think a pillow would work better with facial hair.

One thing to consider when looking at pillow mask is they are not good a high pressures. Also, pillows do cause irritation just inside of the nostrils. I have heard of folks having both the pillows and a mask and switch them up as they see fit to prevent irritation

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Permalink Reply by Jay Polatnick on September 8, 2011 at 4:02pm

Just an aside to this discussion...any experience with 'Chin-Up Strips' to maintain a consistent mouth seal ?  I have the issue of breathing thru my mouth when I solely use a nasal mask, hence the need for the 'Chin-Up' strips.  They are also much more comfortable than a chin-strap.

 

Regards,

 

Jay

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Permalink Reply by ZolliStar on September 8, 2011 at 4:08pm

What's a Chin-Up strip? Where do I find out more?

 

I used the Ultimate Chin Strap (which I rather liked: you can google to find it) but I've taken to simply TAPING my mouth closed!  I use a quality 3M tape. Taping works pretty well for me.

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Permalink Reply by Brian Judy on September 8, 2011 at 5:28pm

Hi Zollie,

I work for a DME and do lots of mask fittings.  I have my patient's try on several different masks and the pillows that most women seem to like is the Resmed Swift LT for her - you just want to be sure that you rotate the frame to get the proper pillow angle to get the best seal and comfort (you don't want the pillow pusing up on the tip of your nose). 

 

I'm also an apneac and use CPAP.  Personally, I prefer nasal masks, for me.  The one pillows interface that I have been able to tolerate for an entire night is the Phillips Go Life.  A few months ago Phillips redesigned the Go Life pillow and sent us a box full of the new pillows to replace those packaged in our stock of Go Lifes.  So if you try the Go Life, be sure to get the newer pillow design. 

 

Anyway, best of luck in your quest for the mask that you 'tolerate' best.

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Permalink Reply by Stefano Boselli on September 8, 2011 at 6:13pm

Hello Zollistar,

i am a Fisher & P{aykel's Opus 360 user since two years ago and i am feeling confortable with it. Since my very first mask there has been a little remodelation of the part that fits in the pillows and that now doesn't have any other points of contact close to the mouth so it feels really confortable. No issues with air leaks as well. Worth a try in my opinion.

Hope this helpful.

Cheers Stefano

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