[CPAP] side effects

[DariaVader]

Been using a CPAP machine for a month and a half... It went well. But lately I am getting a big case of AEROPHAGIA. I wake up and my belly feels overinflated like a basketball full of air. It is actually hard to bend down because of this air.

You should create a new thread, iSteph - so that people can help you better and are more likely to see what you posted. Aerophagia can be a big issue especially for new cpap'ers

[DariaVader]

I've been doing it wrong.... (nasal spray) this is a good article on how it works!
http://www.fauquierent.net/etd2.htm

[OpineCone]

Have been using nasal mask for about 3 months. I have noticed some dizziness when turning in bed or getting up. Also a change in bowel and bladder habits. Has the cpap anything to do with this?

Hi, MsFigg:

It might be helpful if you describe your dizziness experiences in more detail. The word dizzy is often used to describe a rotating sensation, with either your head or the room starting to spin. That is called vertigo. Other sensations such as light-headedness, imbalance or tilting are not vertigo but may still be described as dizziness. The distinction is important as vertigo and nonvertigo dizziness tend to have entirely different causes and treatments.

As for cpap potentially causing changes in bowel and bladder habits, from my own experience I would say yes to both and to a lot of other changes as well. Before cpap your body may have needed to work pretty hard every night just to survive. With cpap, your nighttime blood oxygen levels are likely significantly higher and your breathing effort a lot less. Also, you are probably achieving a lot more rem-stage sleep which is important for restorative processes in your body. It would be remarkable if you did not notice some changes from all that.

However, you would be well advised to tell your primary care doctor about changes in bowel and bladder habits, etc., because there may be various things that need to be checked.