Painful gas

[readyforsleep]

Is there a connection between CPAP and painful gas?

[robysue]

There can be. It's called aerophagia. Some people have a lot of problems with it and some don't. It can be pressure related---for some people, aerophagia is not a huge problem when their pressure is below some fixed number, but once the pressure is above that number, the aerophagia starts. Others have problems regardless of how low the pressure is.

Or the problem could be something unrelated to PAP, such as GERD. GERD occurs when the lower esophagus sphincter does not stay closed properly and when it is open, it allows acid from the stomach to move into the esphagus.

If you have GERD problems, the chances of having aerophagia problems goes way up.

[JimZZZ]

readyforsleep, There is another thread here titled Aerophagia which has some good info on the condition. I too am very interested in this topic.

[zonk]

Is there a connection between CPAP and painful gas?

Yes for some people especially newbies, caused by higher pressure
Is the pain coincide with the recent pressure increase? Flex at higher setting can help somewhat

Some people find lowering pressure helps, talk to your doctor, as the pain settled down, pressure can raise slowly to set pressure
At times its a trade-off between AHI and comfort
If the machine is an auto, ask the doctor to set the machine on auto as lower pressure can be delivered throughout the night