SWIFT LT with Breeze Dialator review

[peppi]

I recieved my breeze dilators yesterday so I immediately modified one of my SWIFT Nazal pillow assemblies.

Modification was relatively easy taking no more than 10 minutes.
Once the cheap plastic pillows were cut out I easily inserted the new breeze units.

I must say this is the best fit I have ever had, no leaks and I slept throught the night waking fully alert at 6:00AM.
This is the first time I had no wake ups due to leaks or sensation of being suffercated in the night.

I HIGHLY suggest this mod to anyone using the SWIFT LT mask. Since Res-Med wont do anything about it, if you want something done right.... you know the rest.

Thanks for everyone that suggested this mod. Its probably the best thing I have done to improve my sleep since I bought the CPAP.

And BTW Res-Med, I have read where some people have used the same Breeze pillows for over 8 years.

What a concept, quality over profits. I thought Res-Med would have learned from GM , Chrysler and Ford back in the 80s.
Luckily Honda doesn't make a CPAP MACHINE!!!!!

[Hawthorne]

I have done this as well, with the Breeze nasal pillows.

I note that you used the Breeze dilators.

What size Swift LT nasal pillows were you using and what size Breeze dilators did you use to replace them?

I was using the small SwiftLT pillows and got Breeze medium pillows. It works quite well but I would like to try the dilators and wondered about the size you went to in the dilator as opposed to the Swift LT pillows you were using.

I think the originator of this modification said to use medium Breeze pillows if you used small SwiftLT pillows but suggested small Breeze dilators if you used small SwiftLT pillows.

What did you do?

Thanks

[peppi]

I had the Swift Medium pillows and I went to the white medium dilators.

I cut down the tips of the dilators about 1/4" because I wasnt accustomed to the dilator extending so far up my nostrils and it felt wierd.
Cutting the length slightly made it feel more like a pillow but still prevented leaking.

I'm amazed at how well the mod seals. No leaks when I change from back to side. This usually would wake me up with a swoosh sound.

I cant emphasize enough how much better the Breeze units are over the swift pillows. Those are literally crap and I wish I could slap the res-med rep that told Laura they are not fixing them because people should be changing them every month anyway.

[Hawthorne]

Thanks! I will order the small Breeze dilators, since I used the small SwiftLT pillows.

I got the medium Breeze pillows and that worked well, but I wanted to try the dilators and see the difference! I may end up cutting them a bit too! I'll see when I get them.

I found the Breeze pillows to be much more substancial but very comfortable and they are certainly sturdier (have only had them for a short while) and I expect the same is true of the Breeze dilators.

[pmcall57]

I've been using a Swift LT for Her and having problems with the pillows leaking. Was going to buy a Breeze mask to try it out, then saw this very interesting post.

Do people prefer the Swift headgear to the Breeze? I'm just guessing that's why one would do this modification rather than just using the Breeze.

In any event, I'm going to order some Breeze pillows and give this a try. I do find the Swift headgear comfy, it's just the leaky soft pillows that are starting to annoy.

Thanks for posting this, peppi!

Pam

P.S. Hey, I'd buy a Honda or Toyota CPAP in a heartbeat! As this industry grows, which it surely will, I hope more innovative companies will get in on the action.

[jdm5]

Just wanted to add I went down this same path - really liked the concept of the Swift LT pillows, but couldn't get them to seal.

I did this modification using the Breeze pillow and used it for a week or so, it does seem to work fine.

But my quest to find the "perfect mask" wasn't fulfilled; having seen Rested Gal and others speak so highly of the Aeiomed Headrest, I picked one up. And I have to say, I _REALLY_ like it. I had used the Swift LT for months and it was always a struggle to get the seal, and moving at night often caused it to break.

The Headrest (despite looking awkward - don't they all?) works very very well; it's incredibly stable, and I instantly get a seal and it seems to stay all night. The other benefit is NOTHING touches your face! No side straps or anything. I had my doubts that it would actually be usable and stay sealed, but it works great! I asked Rested Gal how often she changed her Headrest pillow, and she said "I've been using the same pillows (from my deconstructed Headrest) for over a year now...maybe two years... it lasts so long, I lose track".

For those shopping around, I found it for $70 from cpapsuperstore.com, and subsequently ordered a couple backups from http://www.youneedsleep.com where it was buy 1, get 1 free for $99 (so $49.50 each! It's still listed there now as I write this as a "November special" but they honored it). NOTE: I didn't try requesting cpap.com matching those prices, but I've read they are very good and would - so you might consider that as well. My pre-tax medical spending account reset in January and I had bumped it up to buy some CPAP stuff out of pocket (pre-tax), so I used that...

Shout if I can answer any questions about moving from the Swift LT to the Headrest; I'm incredibly happy with it! (and if anyone wants to trade their large Headrest pillows for my mediums let me know!)

[plr66]

I cant emphasize enough how much better the Breeze units are over the swift pillows. Those are literally crap and I wish I could slap the res-med rep that told Laura they are not fixing them because people should be changing them every month anyway.

It was me who communicated with ResMed, peppi.
While I hate the idea of people continuing to give ResMed money for a problematic mask the company has failed to correct, I am intrigued by this fix. Hawthorne, please post details about your comparison with using the Breeze dilators and the Breeze pillows with this modification.

[Hawthorne]

I will be glad to post results with the Breeze dilators as it compares with the Breeze pillows on the SwiftLT when I get the dilators and give them a try.

[ozij]

I too suggest you try the Aeiomed Headrest before you try the Breeze.
They were designed by the same person.
I've used both, and ever since deconstructing my Headrest, I haven't returned to the Breeze. Like many women, I couldn't get a stable enough fit with the Headrest's headgear (this is headgear from 4 years ago, I don't know if they made any changes) so I do have pantyhose straps on my face to hold the deconstructed seal in place.

I tried the Swift LT. Did not like it. The Swift LT settles on your upper lip -- like the Breeze. The Headrest really only touches you nostrils.

O.

[peppi]

Thanks for the suggestion. Once my Swift mask breaks Ill for sure try that.

Ive had two nights with the mod and I havent woke once with a leak.
They simply stay sealed and comfortable.
I love the dilator mod.

[secret agent girl]

.

[roster]

What is the "deconstruction" of the Headrest that has been mentioned a few times?

Thread with Rested Gal's instructions: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=5919&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=15