Resmed Swift LT - Mini review

Dark_Star · Post by **Dark_Star** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 5:40 am

I normally do not do reviews. But thought I'd give a quick review on my new Resmed Swift LT nose pillow system. Here it is for anyone interested.

First off, I have been using cpap for 1 year and my air level is 10. I had been using a decapitated Twilight NP (thanks to rested gal ) I see it is now called Headrest NP. I used it for about a year and it worked well for me (wearing the homemade panty hose headbands to keep it on)... Anyways, it was getting old and showing signs of wear so I decided to buy a new mask.

I haven't logged in here very often prior to a couple days ago..so I was not "hip" to latest stuff. So I basically did some searches to see what the most popular NP masks were and it seemed I came up with Opus 360, Swift II and the new Swift "LT".

Well..being the type of guy I am (impulsive). I bought the most expensive one.. (Swift LT) and had it overnight air shipped.. It arrived yesterday.

OK.. when I got it I immediately opened the bag and was happy to see that it was already put together (headgear and all) and it already had the Medium pillows. So I tried it on and tightened the straps a tiny bit. Plugged in to my cpap for a trial run. Worked ok for the minute I tested ... OK seems comfortable (lightweight) and I would use it later that night.

First night: Ok.. 11pm last night (after I had already fell asleep in my chair watching TV) .. I went upstairs to try on the mask and go to sleep. One thing I will say.. I should have set it up completely prior to bed. Since I was tired and wasn't in the mood to "monkey" around with a new mask. But I was excited to have it and looked forward to a good night's sleep.

So basically, I just put it on and remembered someone saying here on the boards.. "there was no need to make straps too tight.. ". So I left it snug but not too tight. I adjusted the NP swivel and layed down. .. Oh also, I tried to use the hose clamp (which is supposed to snap on to the top of the headgear to allow hose to run up over head).. But no dice.. it made the contraption to heavy and when I moved around the Nose pillows would dislodge. So I just let the hose free .. which actually worked out very well.

The results.. The medium pillows seemed to work well for me. It took me a couple of times to get them to set proper on my nose and as others have said... I had to turn off the machine's airflow to adjust the pillows in my nose.. since it is was impossible to do so while air was flowing. The Nose pillows set in nicely and could not detect any whistles or funny noises or air leaks from the pillows. I notice the system is very quiet and the normal noise from inhale /exhale it made was similar or much less noticeable then the headrest np. Also it is worth mentioning the fact that the exhale air flows straight out the front.. instead of upwards on my other mask. This is subtle.. but my eyes tended to dry out with the headrest np from the upward air blowing up on my eyes and forehead. However, The only issue with the Swift is the exhale air flows straight outward and once during the night I remember my wife (only once ) said to roll over because my air was blowing in her face (sorry honey).

First night's verdict: Rating B+ .. It went very well.. I slept 5 hours straight and then 2 hours more. I slept deep and do remember some dreams. I woke up feeling good (actually better then normal). The Swift LT was very comfortable and it is very lightweight. Overall, the headgear seemed to work great for me. The medium pillows worked for me and my nose is not sore either. I think this is due to the fact I did not make it too tight. I liked the fact that the hose was free from the headgear .. so I can move around better. All in all a good night.

freepostg · Post by **freepostg** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 5:44 am

Great honest post...I have been thinking of the same to perhaps work tandem with my swift 2. I will certainly give this a try. Thanks

Dark_Star · Post by **Dark_Star** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 3:59 pm

Glad my post helped..

I am actually looking forward to going to sleep tonight.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 4:04 pm

My Swift LT is on the chopping block,

I'm getting ready to trade it for a Swift 11, the LT just isn't working for me!

Dark_Star, I agree, that was a great post! I really hope you continue to enjoy your new LT! I just can't make it work for me but others here will like dreamstalker, it's working great for him!

I really wanted it to work,

SleepyNoMore

Dark_Star · Post by **Dark_Star** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 4:48 pm

SleepynoMore... Thanks for the reply.

I had read a couple threads earlier in the week and did see your posts about "wanting the LT to work out" but understand you had issues with the pillows and leaks and sore nose.

I have been using the nasal pillow type interface for a year now and I remember in the beginning last year my nose was very sore too. But now the transition from the Headrest to the Swift LT was seamless.

I do and did like my old Headrest (Twilight NP) ... I remember the day I got it and cut the headgear off it... Borrowing my wife's panty hose and cutting them up into a homemade headband to secure the thing. She thought I was crazy.

Frankly, I really like the Swift's headgear system .. I also like the hose being free from my head (but we'll see how it works out over time). So I hope the Swift LT will stay on my head all night and more importantly the nasal pillows stay in place and don't leak too much.

We'll see tonight... Hope I am as pleased tomorrow morning as I was this morn.

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): hose, nasal pillow, swift

Needsdecaf · Post by **Needsdecaf** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 5:35 pm

[quote="Anonymous"]My Swift LT is on the chopping block,

I'm getting ready to trade it for a Swift 11, the LT just isn't working for me!

Dark_Star, I agree, that was a great post! I really hope you continue to enjoy your new LT! I just can't make it work for me but others here will like dreamstalker, it's working great for him!

I really wanted it to work,

SleepyNoMore

SleepyNoMore · Post by **SleepyNoMore** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 6:08 pm

[quote="Needsdecaf"][quote="Anonymous"]My Swift LT is on the chopping block,

I'm getting ready to trade it for a Swift 11, the LT just isn't working for me!

Dark_Star, I agree, that was a great post! I really hope you continue to enjoy your new LT! I just can't make it work for me but others here will like dreamstalker, it's working great for him!

I really wanted it to work,

SleepyNoMore

Dark_Star · Post by **Dark_Star** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 3:26 pm

After 4 nights.. All is well.

The things I like about this interface ..

1) the hose is not attached to the headgear. This is a big plus since I tend to start out on my back .. but then I usually settle in on my side.

2) the headgear works well.. lightweight and very comfortable too! (I keep it snug but not too tight)

3) I can watch TV.. no visual problems.

4) quiet.. yes it does make some noise. But it is very quiet and less noisy compared to my other masks I have used.

Lastly, I do feel like I am sleeping better.. That is what counts!

Needsdecaf · Post by **Needsdecaf** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 4:00 pm

[quote="Dark_Star"]After 4 nights.. All is well.

The things I like about this interface ..

1) the hose is not attached to the headgear. This is a big plus since I tend to start out on my back .. but then I usually settle in on my side.

2) the headgear works well.. lightweight and very comfortable too! (I keep it snug but not too tight)

3) I can watch TV.. no visual problems.

4) quiet.. yes it does make some noise. But it is very quiet and less noisy compared to my other masks I have used.

Lastly, I do feel like I am sleeping better.. That is what counts!

silver123 · Post by **silver123** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 4:58 pm

I don't find that it dislodges when I sleep on my side, which is the majority of the time. You have to find a balance between how little you need to tighten the straps for a seal and how tight they need to be to avoid any dislodging. How much arc you let the small hose have makes a difference along with the angle of the totating barrel that the pillow is attached to. And suspending the house with any of the tricks folks have found here helps a lot.

In general it works well for me, AHI< .9 and mask leaks around 25, I sleep well with it.