Aerophagia?

[pinky22]

Hello everyone, I just joined the boards and I am hoping someone has some advice.
I was diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea and received my APAP machine this past April. I was able to use it for 3 nights before I developed AWFUL bloating and stomach pain. I continued to use it but found I could only tolerate it 4 hours a night. And it took me all the next day to feel better and lose the bloat.
I made an appt. with my Dr. and he didn't understand why that is happening. He says my pressure is fine (I wanted him to turn it down) and the machine is automatic so it should react to my inhaling and exhaling. Anyway, I researched online and found it has a name - Aerophagia. At least I knew at that point it wasn't just me. I requested nasal pillows hoping that would help, since I had been using a full face mask. Didn't help, in fact the nasal pillows were worse and very uncomfortable. I was given every size they have of the pillows so it wasn't the size. My Dr. had a woman from the sleep place call me and tell me it was basically "common sense" as to how to handle my problem. (I had a few words for her.) So, right now the only thing I can do is block off the lower part of my full face mask with duct tape, of all things, so the air doesn't get in my mouth, just through my nose. That worked for about 2 nights and I bloat up again. I prop my pillow up, position my neck properly,take Gas-X, etc. and nothing helps. Does anyone else have this problem and/or am I just intolerant to using these machines?
Thanks!!

[Sleepster]

I made an appt. with my Dr. and he didn't understand why that is happening.

Hello pinky22, and welcome. The problem you're having plagued me, too. It was awful. The doctors should know about this problem. My doctor switched me to a BiPAP machine, and even then it took awhile for the problem to go away.

I think you may need a new doctor!

Meanwhile, here are some things you can do:

1. Don't despair. This problem, like many others we experience when we start CPAP therapy, goes away after awhile.

2. Your machine should have a feature called C-Flex. Make sure it is turned on and set to the maximum of "3".

3. Drink carbonated water.

4. Get some exercise. I found that riding a bicycle helped me a lot. The bumping and jarring, combined with the body movement, helped get the air to come out of both ends!

5. Experiment with different sleeping positions. There are two theories here. The first is to keep the neck straight so that it's easy for the air to enter the airway instead of the esophagus. This is accomplished by sleeping on your back with a wedge instead of a pillow. The other theory is just the opposite and it's the one that worked for me. You bend the neck, pinching off the entrance to the esophagus. You can sleep on your back with an extra pillow under your head, or sleep on your side with your chin tucked against your chest.

I understand what you're going through, and I hope you get some relief soon.

[PaulaO2]

Do a forum search for Aerophagia. It is a common thing a lot of us have experienced. For your sleep doc or the sleep clinic folks to not give good advice is just stu...silly.

There's a wide assortment of ways to help. Blocking the mouth part won't work. I'm surprised it did for those 2 nights. Interesting to think about, though.

Most of the time it goes away on its own. Folks experience this when first using a machine or when the pressure is raised (especially if using 'straight' CPAP versus APAP). I used to could sit up and belch the alphabet. Or fart it.

For me, I raised the head of the bed the height of 2 2x4s. Others use fluffier pillows or a wedge to help them sit up slightly while sleeping. Some say to sleep with your neck as straight as possible. Others say to sleep with the neck bent.

Like I said, do a forum search for that word and you'll see you are by far not the only one!!

[zonk]

Hi pinky22, welcome aboard
Do a forum search about bloating or aerophagia, there,re few threads and tips how to deal with problem. Profile indicate using ResScan software which is not compatible with PRS1, you need to download SleepyHead Software which support PRS1 from this board. What was your titrated pressure and what the machine screen shows for 90% percentile pressure and leak

[TorontoCPAPguy]

The fastest fix is to titrate your own pressure with an APAP machine that will react rapidly to a blockage. My S8 Auto did this well but my S9 is mediocre at this task. The lower the pressure, the less air you are going to swallow... and that is what this affliction is.... you are swallowing air. But the machine needs to adjust by increasing presented air pressure to keep the airway open. Wish I still had my S8's.

[PaulaO2]

I'm not sure what you are saying.

Are you saying an autoPAP fixes or causes swallowed air?

[Sleepster]

I'm not sure what you are saying.

Are you saying an autoPAP fixes or causes swallowed air?

One remedy for aerophagia is to lower the pressure. Of course, lowering the pressure could increase the number of ostructive apneas, and we don't want that to happen.

It may be possible to lower the pressure and not increase the number of obstructive apneas. If this is the case, we'd say that the pressure is currently too high.

This is why Zonk asked for her data, so we can see if it may be a wise strategy to lower the pressure. It cold be that the APAP is rising to too high of a pressure and needs to be tamed a bit by lowering the upper end of the range.

[SuperSleeper]

Wish I still had my S8's.

Murray, which CPAP machine do you currently have? Your profile (under your avatar) says "Machine: S9 Autoset II", but there is no such animal - it's either an S8 AutoSet II or an S9 AutoSet....

[PaulaO2]

Thanks for the clarification, Sleepster.

[pinky22]

Thanks everyone for the advice - I originally had posted I was using software with my machine, but I am not. At least I don't think I am. I have a modem on the back and the SMS company downloads data when they need to and I have a memory card in the back but I have no idea what that is for. I was told SMS would request it and I had to mail it to them, but nothing so far.
I am so new to this and the person who came and set it up for me was very rushed and bascially said here it is and good luck. I did have her come back a month later and she brought me the nasal pillows, but she really wasn't any help the second time either.
I have read the instruction manuals but they are very simple and don't tell you details. I was also told not to change anything or that would void my contract and the machine could be taken and insurance would not cover it.
So as for the questions I am being asked, I really don't know the answers to any of them. I just turn my machine on and that's it. I have no idea what my titrated pressure is. Don't mean to sound ignorant, but I am not educated in this machine. I would answer you if I knew!
I did call SMS today and requested a nasal mask. Maybe that will help instead of a full face mask.