Swift LT vs Ultra Mirage II

[wongnog]

hey guys, I've been on successful CPAP therapy for 4 months now (titrated at 8.0 cm h20) and part of that success is due to the comfort of the Swift LT nasal pillow system. However lately I've been finding that my mask is falling off in the middle of the night. I think this is because I'm getting more comfortable with the whole CPAP setup, so while for the first few months I may have slept on my back exclusively, now I'm sleeping more on my sides. In any event, either the mask is being pulled off without my knowledge or I am subconsciously taking it off in the middle of the night! I've been monitoring the efficiency data and some nights I am only using CPAP for 3-4 hours (out of 6-8 hours). My leak rate is almost always 0, and because I have turned autostart on, my machine will automatically shut off if the mask comes off.

I went to my DME today and she said I had the mask on fine, but suggested I tighten my straps more. She adjusted for me much more snug than I am used too -- in the past I have tried it this tight but found my nostrils would be sore in the morning. She give me a loaner Ultra Mirage II to try for a week, she said to bring my S8 Elite II to the office after that so she can download the data and see if there's a difference.

I'd love to hear what other user's thoughts are on this... I think I'll give the Swift LT another go but tighten the straps. I'm quite reluctant to try on a full nasal mask -- plus the loaner she gave me stinks of curry no matter how much I try and wash it! I think I'll bring it back tomorrow because there's no way I could sleep with that stinky thing on my face. Obviously this loaner mask has seen at least one other smelly home!

[SheZAAM!]

I feel for you on the curry thing. Yuck!

I use the Swift LT mask and find that I need the straps a bit snug. Sometimes my nose is a bit sore, but it's gone by the time I get out of the shower. No biggie.

[DaveL]

wongnog glad to see your post. I'm a neighbour, living just west of the airport.

I have a new machine after 9 years of use. Found it very hard to find alternate DME's and didn't. I hate rewarding bad service with additional sales, but that's what I did.

How would you find a new DME in the GTA? I had real trouble.

Thanks in advance,

[wongnog]

My DME is Medigas who have many offices throughout Canada. The one I bought my machine and mask at had a little office at the sleep clinic that did my sleep study, she didn't offer me any loaner machines or masks to start off with and at the time I knew nothing about CPAP equipment but ended up with an S8 Elite II and Swift LT mask. In retrospect I should have insisted on loaner equipment but that's only after becoming more informed from reading this forum! Do you have insurance through work that covers your equipment?

Last night I tried my Swift LT pretty snug but woke up to find my mask was off again! I checked my machine and turns out I only had the mask on for 1.5 hrs (out of 6.5). Grrrrr!