Suggestions for Success with Swift FX Bella

I appreciate all the information I have gained over the last few weeks since discovering this forum. By way of background, recently diagnosed with low moderate sleep apnea (15.4 AHI with 83% oxygen). Tried pillow and nasal mask during titration study, and not thrilled with either since I felt like I could not breath. I get claustraphobic and did not try a full face. Since I did not sleep well, Dr. decided apap since he was not sure of upper level. I am not convinced cpap will be best for me in the long run due to severe allergies - and also considering an oral appliance. Insurance company requires cpap trial, so am making the effort. Met with DME yesterday and selected Resmed S9 auto and Swift FZ Bella mask for her, and will receive next week. Will probably need a chin strap too since I tend to breath through my mouth.

I would appreciate any tips or suggestions experienced users can offer for success with the pillow type Swift mask, Bella loops and minimal chin strap.

Also considering going to an "Alternatives to CPAP" clinic at a nearby university. In one afternoon you meet with a dentist, ENT, oral surgeon, and sleep specialist who then confer and provide a personalized recommendation for treatment. Has anyone tried this approach? The sleep specialist I met with was not very helpful, just points to cpap as the gold standard. My dentist said his patients with oral appliances are very happy. My problem is structural (receeding chin, small jaw etc) and not weight related. I had a deviated septum repaired years ago, and nasal passages are 50% blocked even with daily use of steroid nasal spray and antihistamine/decongestant.

Thanks for your advice!

bbf wrote:selected Resmed S9 auto

Hopefully you selected the S9 AutoSet and not the S9 Escape Auto...the Escape Auto has extremely limited data collection like general AHI only...nothing else useful...no leak, no event category breakdown.
So be mindful of the word Escape in the model name...
Model name is clearly stated on the top of the blower unit next to the LCD screen.

Bella Loops...are you getting the package that includes the traditional headgear in addition to the Loops?
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... -cpap.html
Here is the past discussion when the Bella Loops first were released and we tried them. Lots of discussion and hints in here.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=73577&st=0&sk=t&sd= ... ella+Loops

Main thing I can think of is make sure that you do the final fitting when laying down in the bed. The weight of the hose will affect the fit when sitting upright.

If you like the idea of no headgear then you might click on the link in my profile to the mask that I currently use. The Tap Pap replaced the Swift FX last March because one of my main preferences is the least amount of headgear as possible.

I don't use a chin strap so I am no help there.
Also no experience with any of the alternative therapies available.

There are forum members here who thought they couldn't use the nasal pillow mask system due to deviated septum or allergies or whatever...some have had great success with them because the humidified air actually helps keep the nasal passages open.
You might get lucky and be one of those people. You won't know till you try though.
If you simply cannot breathe through you nose well enough to be comfortable ....you will physically have to mouth breathe and that will require a full face mask of some kind.

I'm sure it's mentioned in Pugsy's post somewhere.

Be sure to use the lanolin based product "lansinoh" if you have problems getting the pillows to seal. I've been recommending it to everyone who uses that mask.

Good luck!