Problems since losing weight
I have been using CPAP (PR REMstar Plus) for a few years with only the problems I see listed on various other threads (leaks, occasional discomfort from the mask, etc.). I have tried everything from nasal pillows to the nose mask to the FFM and settled on that a couple of years ago. My settings are high (can't check right now, but I can do so later, if necessary), and everything was peachy keen until I lost 65 pounds. It seemed that once I hit 50 pounds, things got out of whack, and by 65 I'm experiencing a couple of problems I never had before. First, serious flatulence that wakes me up throughout the night and is gone within an hour or so of taking the mask off. Second (and maybe worse, unless you ask my wife) is a painfully sore throat, accompanied by dry mouth. From reading these forums, I gather that the flatulence is a symptom of aerophasia, and the sore throat might have to do with the fact that I'm a mouth breather (asleep or awake, I deal with huge nasal congestion problems). The odd thing is that neither of these things was a regular problem until I'd lost 50 pounds. Is it possible I need to reduce the pressure I'm using?
Thanks in advance for the help.
RE: Problems since losing weight
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RE: Problems since losing weight
I'll go out on a limb here as far as the dry mouth goes. L9sing that much weight it's likely your mask doesn't fit and seal as well causing leaks high air flow dry mouth.
And it is possible your pressure is too high now.
I know my pressure setting have to change if I lose weight or gain much. Mask size has to change too.
RE: Problems since losing weight
(12-28-2016, 12:15 AM)ReSpears3 Wrote: My settings are high (can't check right now, but I can do so later, if necessary), and everything was peachy keen until I lost 65 pounds. It seemed that once I hit 50 pounds, things got out of whack, and by 65 I'm experiencing a couple of problems I never had before. First, serious flatulence that wakes me up throughout the night and is gone within an hour or so of taking the mask off. Second (and maybe worse, unless you ask my wife) is a painfully sore throat, accompanied by dry mouth.
Best bet would be to contact your sleep doctor and request re-titration of your pressures with another sleep study. There is also the issue of mask size now that you lost weight. Will your DME allow you to visit to try on a few different type and size masks?
Best of luck finding a satisfactory solution.
"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius
RE: Problems since losing weight
If your machine is a PR RemStar Plus as your profile states, then you have a machine that is "not" data capable (what we call a brick) and at the most will give you hours of use and total AHI.
If you are now just experiencing aerophagia, it is possible your pressure is now too high, especially with a weight loss.
It would be to your benefit to talk to your doctor and get a new sleep study done, and ultimately get a new data capable auto cpap.
RE: Problems since losing weight
Sorry out the lack of post post.
I was trying to say that you wanted to get a fully data capable model. With that this forum can really help you.
http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-...ew-machine
RE: Problems since losing weight
ReSpears3,
I've had some of the same issues. I've lost 30 pounds (so far) and have found that I could lower my pressure and achieve the same sleep results, thus reducing the flatulence. Also, most people who lose weight will lose it from their face as well. You may need a smaller mask size to address this.
Congratulations on the weight loss!
RE: Problems since losing weight
If you have good insurance, celebrate your weight loos with a good machine by contacting your doctor for an upgraded prescription to an Auto CPAP machine. You should not need a new sleep study as the machine can help you self-titrate. If your insurance has high deductibles, just go to Amazon and get a Respironics Dreamstation Auto for $374. DreamStation Auto CPAP DSX500T11 NEW IN BOX Includes DreamStation CPAP unit, power supply, power cord, hose, carry bag, installed SD card, reusable and disposable filters and manual. This is new inventory. Be sure to click through to "additional buying choices" as the featured one is much more expensive.
This machine will help you to get your pressure correct as well as show you exactly what is going on in data using #SleepyHead.
RE: Problems since losing weight
I'll second Sleeprider here.
(12-28-2016, 10:31 AM)Sleeprider Wrote: If you have good insurance, celebrate your weight loos with a good machine by contacting your doctor for an upgraded prescription to an Auto CPAP machine. You should not need a new sleep study as the machine can help you self-titrate. If your insurance has high deductibles, just go to Amazon and get a Respironics Dreamstation Auto for $374. DreamStation Auto CPAP DSX500T11 NEW IN BOX Includes DreamStation CPAP unit, power supply, power cord, hose, carry bag, installed SD card, reusable and disposable filters and manual. This is new inventory. Be sure to click through to "additional buying choices" as the featured one is much more expensive.
This machine will help you to get your pressure correct as well as show you exactly what is going on in data using [url=http://OSCAR Official Download Page ----> CLICK HERE ./]SleepyHead[/url].
RE: Problems since losing weight
Thanks, all, and especially Sleeprider. My insurance is terrible, and I've had to pay out of pocket for nearly every penny that I've paid for the CPAP machine, masks and other supplies, along with a co-pay for each Sleep Dr. visit. The price you mentioned for a new machine is about a fourth of what I paid for the brick and just $100 more than I was charged for a new mask, cushions and tube a couple of months ago. Nice to know there's a cheaper way to do what I need to do.
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