Need CPAP

[Sandra_ON]

Last night I decided to not use my CPAP as I was experiencing a lot of abdominal pain. I woke up at 3 a.m. feeling like I was fighting through a dense cloud. So I got up and put the machine together as I hadn't filled the water chamber or anything and I slept much better after that. What a revelation! I'll have to find some way to deal with the abdominal pain.

[robysue]

Sandra_ON,

Is the stomach pain related to CPAP use? If so, it's called aerophagia. There are things that can be done to minimize aerophagia. But if the pain has been severe enough for you to toy with the idea of quitting PAP, then it really is time to call the doctor and let him know you are in quite a bit of stomach pain from aerophagia. In my case, the aerophagia really didn't get better until my sleep doc switched me to a BiPAP.

[ret-doc]

Last night I decided to not use my CPAP as I was experiencing a lot of abdominal pain. I woke up at 3 a.m. feeling like I was fighting through a dense cloud. So I got up and put the machine together as I hadn't filled the water chamber or anything and I slept much better after that. What a revelation! I'll have to find some way to deal with the abdominal pain.

I agree, you might strongly consider a visit with your doc.
Stomach pain can have any number of origins, and some of the possibilities require a differential diagnosis.
If the pain is caused by air only, the doc could confirm it. Would you feel better knowing it was not something worse?

Ret-Doc

[trish6hundred]

Hi Sandra_ON,
If you are having that much abdominal pain, you might consider mentioning to your doc about aerophagia and switching you to a BI-PAP machine.
Good luck to you.

[Sandra_ON]

I don't see my sleep doctor till May 12, really hard to get an appointment up here. The respiration therapist that I see monthly kind of pooh poohs these types of problems. I'm not 100% sure that it's CPAP related as I have lots of problems with gut inflammation and food sensitivities.

[robysue]

I don't see my sleep doctor till May 12, really hard to get an appointment up here. The respiration therapist that I see monthly kind of pooh poohs these types of problems. I'm not 100% sure that it's CPAP related as I have lots of problems with gut inflammation and food sensitivities.

Yes, it can be very difficult to get in to see the specialist. That does NOT mean you can't call (repeatedly if necessary) and ask to speak with the doc or a PA or a nurse.

And you need to call the doc's office right away. Waiting until May to talk to the doc about painful aerophagia is foolish.

So---call NOW. Tell the receptionist who answers the phone that you are having some real difficulties sticking with PAP and that you've even opted to sleep without the machine for a night. Tell the receptionist that you need to speak to the doc or a nurse and request a call back as soon as possible. If you don't get a call back, repeat the call to the doc's office and say the same thing to the receptionist the next day and add: I have didn't get a call back and I really need to talk to a doc or nurse about what's going on because my stomach cannot tolerate the air pressure. Keep calling long enough and you will get a call back from the doc or nurse. At which point you need to be very open and honest about just how bad the situation is. Don't say you think you can just stick it out; be sure to tell the doc/nurse you're really not sure how you can manage with the PAP (due to stomach pain) or how you can manage without the PAP due to untreated OSA. And ask for ideas about what might be done to help.

[robysue]

I don't see my sleep doctor till May 12, really hard to get an appointment up here. The respiration therapist that I see monthly kind of pooh poohs these types of problems. I'm not 100% sure that it's CPAP related as I have lots of problems with gut inflammation and food sensitivities.

And since you are NOT sure whether the CPAP is involved or not, also get on the phone to your primary care physician's office and see if you can either set up an appointment rather soon or at least get a call back from the doc to talk about the problems you are having with gut inflammation and food sensitivities.

Turns out that people with GERD have a lot of problems with food sensitivities and having GERD increases the chances of having serious aerophagia problems once you start on PAP therapy. So if you've not been evaluated for GERD, that's may be the starting point.

[PaulaO2]

In the meantime, you can raise the head of your bed. Either put something under the mattress, under your pillows, or under the feet of the headboard. This will help with the possible GERD and also help the possible air in the stomach to either not go in or to escape. Sometimes all you need is an inch or two.

[retired_guy]

Since you were experiencing abdominal pain BEFORE using your machine my guess is it is not aerophagia. I would definitely take Robysue's advice and get with your GP right away. Depending on the exact location, his/her examination, and many other factors your doctor is who should make this diagnosis.