Confederate Lady wrote:

What is this Ayr gel you have spoken of?

Ayr is a nasal gel that comes in a tube. You can put it in your nostrils and around your nose to moisturize the dry nasal tissue and reduce soreness caused by friction. It's especially helpful around the nares if you use nasal pillows. It can be purchased OTC at most drug stores and can also be purchased online.

confederate lady wrote:

Most of you seem to use this Mirage Swift System. I'm sure the medical supply house will probably want me to get the ResMed pillow. Does anyone have any experience with the ResMed system?

The Mirage Swift nasal pillows mask is made by ResMed.   The Swift is a very good mask...suits a lot of people very well.

As skitter and some others have pointed out, the Swift comes with all three sizes of nasal pillows (small, medium, large) but the local DME (home health care supplies) stores might try to give you only one set of the pillows and keep the other two sizes.   Quite often the DME employee is wrong about which size will suit you best.  Sometimes two sizes will work well for you, and it's nice to be able to switch as needed, depending on how your nostrils feel after wearing one size for several nights in a row.  Insist on being given all three sets of nasal pillows with the Swift because that's what the manufacturer includes with every Swift.

Ayr gel dabbed barely inside and on the front of the nostril rims can help prevent soreness from the friction of something against your nares (the nostril openings.)   It can be used in the morning too, after the mask is off, for some relief if the nostrils are tender.   Ayr gel can be found in the nasal products (the aisle that has nose drops, sinus sprays, etc.) of just about any pharmacy.   KY jelly also works well for easier wearing of nasal pillows.

It is a saline gel that has some aloe in it I use it before I put the mask on up the nose and on the pillows themselves. I like my Swift but i also use the ResMed Ultra FFM which i also really like because I don't have to use the chin starp then.

Dave

Dave, Rested Gal and SnoozeHunter, thanks for the information. I feel well armed now.  

Confederate Lady wrote:

What is this Ayr gel you have spoken of?

you can get it at Walgreens or probably anywhere else. it will be in the cold relief section, not in the lotion section. It's simply a saline based nasal gel that's safe to use with CPAP masks and nasal pillows. Most regular lotions are not compatible with these masks.

Alright, I have had the mask for just under a month now, and I have a few questions. There seems to be a lot of air that is pushed through the four holes on the nose piece. Actually more air seems to escape then what I am breathing in? Also, I do not feel as rested after using the nasal pillows as I do with the nasal mask? Are these common results?

It took me a week to get used to the Mirage Swift.  After a bad 6th night (that was the only night I've EVER removed a mask during the night), I had a fantastic 7th night.  

Once I got used to the Swift, I loved it.  It's really lightweight, and adjusting the angle on the nose pillows is trivial.  My only complaint now is it blows air on my spouse.  However, it's my traveling mask (when I travel alone).

I, too, have a small nose but prefer the largest Swift pillows.  

- Ridge Runner

Hi, I have the swift nasal and going on day 5.  I like the feel of the pillows.   My only problem now is I think I am opening my mouth at some point in the night and I find myself taking it off.  My home care provider just called to see how I was doing with it and I told her my experience.  She is ordering a chin strap for me that goes with the nasal swift mask and I'm hoping this resolves my problem.


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Plant your own garden & decorate your own soul instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers!

Hi all,

This is my first forum post.  I've been on CPAP treatment for about a month.  I've been reading posts since my diagnosis and I have to share how much it's meant to me to have the benefit of your experience.  Your support of one another is outstanding.  And, some of your stories are pretty funny.  I'm still laughing about the arousal thread.  And the spider story has me checking my hose.

Re the subject of this thread: I've been using the Swift for about a month - with a week off while on vacation.  My DME gave me both the Swift and the Flexifit Nasal mask.  I found the Swift much more comfortable with less leaking.  My nostrils are somewhat different sizes and I have a deviated septum. My DME was surprised to find that the large pillows fit best - sure good advice to try all the pillow sizes.

My nose was a little sore during the first week or so.  The Ayr helped - thanks, all of you that mentioned it.  I too dab some on before putting on the mask and sometimes in the morning.  I now find the Swift to be fairly comfortable on my face and I'm not bothered by its position on my nose.  

However, I'm a side sleeper.  I find that I want to switch sides during the night - I think because my nose gets a bit stuffy on the side that's down.  The hose gets in the way when I turn over and I've been finding myself waking on my back.  I don't want to wake fully enough to switch the hose connection.  My continued waking is more appropriate for another thread.  But I've been wondering lately about the differences between the Swift and the Nasalaire II and the Headrest and will probably post a separate question about them.  

Anyway, thought I'd share my 2 cents about the Swift.  Thanks again to everyone.

Barbara


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Barb