My mask doesnt fit with my cervical spine brace I must wear next 4-5 months

Hi,
I use a Swift FX for Her mask with my CPAP. I am 3 wks post-op cervical spinal surgery and my mask doesn't fit down over the base of my cervical spine brace I have to be in for the next 4-5 months. I can only take my cervical brace off to shower. Does anybody please know of any lab-rat solutions to make my Swift FX for Her fit with this bulky hard brace?? My mask whistles all night long, so I have to sleep in the recliner in the livingroom. I am not working after my most recent surgery (3 wks ago), so have no money to buy a new mask to use while in this neck brace. Thanks for anybody's ideas.

Hmm. This is the first I ever heard of a mask not working with a back brace. I am not familiar with the mask you have but maybe your Dme or sleep specialist or doctor would know of something.

What part of your neck brace is hitting on the Swift FX, and what type of hard brace are you using? Do you have a picture of what the brace looks like so we can get an idea of what you have to work with. I feel for you cause I've been there and done that.

Can you not slide that back strap down between the brace and the back your head?

The only mask that wouldn't have that back strap of some sort would be the Tap Pap.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/tap-pa ... roved.html


But how about giving the Bella Loops a try. They will work fine with the gear you already have and all you need is the Bella loop.
Maybe one of the forum members has a spare laying around they could give you or sell for super cheap.
I might have a pair....I will look tomorrow.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... -cpap.html

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... loops.html

Ebay....$20
https://www.ebay.com/itm/ResMed-Swift-F ... Swwl1ap~wB

You might also try the Airfit P10 nasal pillow mask. It fits much like the Swift FX but the head gear is minimal and rests more on the crown of your head rather than around the back. I use both masks.
Good luck!

Sorry, I have been out of commission on my computer unless my hubby brings it to me. I am not allowed to lift over 5 lbs or bend over, and computer lives on the floor by my recliner. For severely degenerative disk disease in neck I had cervical spine fusion on 3-14-18 and am wearing an Aspen hard neck brace that fits from Cervical spine to Thoracic spine at T1 in the back. I cant slide the back strap for my Swift FX mask under the plastic portion of the back of the brace, so I have to put my mask on without the brace on, then put the brace on. Recently I am allowed 1 hour daily out of the hard brace, as well as off for the shower, so I figured out a work-around. I don't have Bella loops, and currently not working until probably September, when my neurosurgeon releases me to go back to light duty, and my employer might not have any light duty assignments available. We are existing on hubby's early social security benefits, so no extra money to buy anything. I fractured my left ankle and severely sprained my RT foot in a fall on Friday 13th so I am totally dependent on hubby for care right now. Thanks for your suggestions.

I would try to get a different mask. Also, speak to the doctor who told you to wear the brace and/or the CPAP prescribing doctor. If you have a financial hardship, you can probably get financial assistance for a new mask.

Best price that I know of for the Bella Loops
https://www.ebay.com/itm/RESMED-SWIFT-F ... SwuIlaWT8Z

I am sorry but I gave mine away a while back or I would give you a pair.

The only other nasal pillow mask that I can think of that might not have a problem with your cervical collar and that back strap is the AirFit P10 and even then it has a back strap that might still need to be under the collar. I don't know if it will stay in place right above the top of the collar. It tends to want to slide upwards even if place lower on the back of the skull.

I have had the neck surgery that you had and worn a similar collar but it was before I ever started cpap therapy.
You should be able to slightly loosen the collar and not move your neck so you can slide that back strap under the collar at night.

Your options are extremely limited due to finances and the collar situation.
The only other nasal pillow mask that won't need some sort of back strap...the TapPap which uses the mouth guard and would require more money to purchase than the Bella Loops and it's a whole new mask that you might not even like.