Air in stomach all the time from CPAP and major rainout

I started using a Bipap machine a few months ago after finding out I got a score of 96. I understand my pressure is high, and they haven't determined how to fix that. I sleep with a full face mask, I keep having to switch to different styles either due to air leakage or creating marks on my face or developing a burning rash on my face (which irritates me while I sleep and happens after using a new mask after a few days and remains until I replace the mask).

Well I've never had this problem before and I've read where air enters the stomach from the therapy. What has happened is that I feel like the air has never left and I'm always now having pressure in my upper abdomen. All of this started appearing a month or 2 after I started in July. I get a little air out during the day but not enough and I end up having to loosen pants if I want to sit down due to this. I'm frustrated now, Im still using the machine since I want to actually make it through the day, but its getting tougher and tougher to manage this.

Another not so major issue is rainout that I am having. I keep my bedroom cold, the way I like it. I have a heated hose, and if I try turning humidity above 2, I get a wet face or rainout hose. I don't have a hose wrap yet. Any suggestions on how to fix this? I use an entire reservoir of water each night (mouth breather) and so I got to figure this out.

Any help with the air problems would be my priority then the rainout. Thanks!!!!

So which machine brand and model bipap?
Exactly what pressures and settings?
You have a heated hose...what temperature is the hose set to ? Or are you using it on some sort of auto temp thing?

For the rainout, I suggest placing the machine lower than your head. Also, for the rainout, please be careful not to fill the tank beyond the full line!

For the facial irritation, I suggest that you soak the face piece in 50% vinegar solution for two hours before first (or next) use. Repeat whenever you replace the face piece. Also, wash the face price every morning, and wash the part of your face every that contact the mask every night before putting on the mask (and make sure it’s dry).

I’m not quite sure what you mean by “score” of 96. Can you please let us know exactly what number that is. I do not think that it could be your AHI, as I do not think that such a high number is possible.

If you have not already done so, can you please fill out your equipment profile. There is a problem at the moment where we’re not seeing that, so I can’t tell if you’ve done it already.

I added the info. Its set on 13/10 now and used to be higher like 16/14. I do have the machine on a table a few inches under bed. Ive draped the hose over the headboard too.

There's a little bug in the forum right now in that the equipment chosen in the profile isn't showing up.
Mine doesn't show up either.

So which brand and model? Can you manually just type it in a post for now so we can see.

And for rain out...normally all a person has to do is increase the hose air temp.

Resmed aircurve 10s

Do you have the Clinical manual, not the user manual? If not you can go here. Scroll down to section 3 and follow their instructions for them to email you one.
http://www.apneaboard.com/adjust-cpap-p ... tup-manual
Are you using the Climate Control Auto or have you changed the settings to manual? With the heated hose the default setting is manual.
What is your AHI running at the 13/10 pressure that you are using now?

We can give you tips to help with aerophagia but since you don't feel that this pressure is ever relieved during the day and it started after you have been on Bilevel for a while, you may need to have this evaluated by your doctor. Other things can cause a bloated feeling.

Applied for the manual, and I downloaded Sleepyhead software. I've been using the heated hose and humidifier at manual. I keep the room 66 to 67 unless in the winter when it drops to 63 or 64 just depends on the night; like I said I like it cold. I had the humidifier level at 4 and higher and that just caused water to run out in a couple of hours or to get water in the line. The temperature has been set to 70 then I was told not to raise it high.

AHI 1.95 but the average is 2.3
EPAP 11.00 cmH2O
IPAP 12.00 cmH2O

I also have leaks which won't go away.

jtoney wrote:he temperature has been set to 70 then I was told not to raise it high.

I don't know why they told you that. The temp will go up to 86 degrees and it doesn't hurt anything.
You probably don't need 86 to prevent the condensation..maybe 74 or 76 would be enough.
There's no valid reason that I can think of for not increasing the hose air temp.

I use 86 degrees in the winter...my bedroom gets down to the mid 50s when it's really cold outside and I have the humidity setting as high as it will go so that I get maximum humidity...and I don't get condensation.
And I don't even need a hose cozy.

Well I breathe through my mouth, when I lay down I can't breathe through the nose. But since I started this machine, I've had bloated stomach from the beginning. They suggested that I get a wedge or even a CPAP pillow. I also have jaw and neck issues so it aggravates everything. I just want my stomach to release all this pressure, I'm miserable all the time now. I'm going to move the heat to 75 and humidity to 4 and see what happens.

I have 2 thoughts that might help your aerophagia. With EPAP 11 and IPAP 12 you are using your machine almost in CPAP mode. Your exhale difference is only 1cm.
I would make that difference at least 3 cm and maybe 4 to help with your exhale and decrease your overall pressure some. Watch your AHI and event breakdown because further adjustments may be needed. How long did you use the 13/10 pressures? What was your prescribed pressures and why do you have bilevel? Was it given for comfort?
Screenshots might help someone see something else.
Here it tells you how to post screenshots. There are 3 pages so at the bottom click to go to the next page. https://sleep.tnet.com/resources/sleepyhead/shorganize

My second thought is that a cervical collar might help with your neck and jaw issues along with keeping your airway in alignment and helping the air to go where it belongs. What mask are you using? Just wanted to be sure it was FF mask since you said you hav leaks, and if not we have other issues to address?

I struggled with aerophagia for years. It is the primary reason I ended up with an auto adjusting bilevel machine. For me though the PAP air in my belly would be gone in a couple of hours at most. This next part may seem unrelated, but bear with me and I will connect the dots.

About 4 years ago I was diagnosed with IBS and about 2 years ago I finally accepted the diagnosis and decided to see what could be done about it. For me the solution came from a dietary change. It was a drastic change with a strict elimination diet supervised by a dietician that lasted for almost 6 months as we slowly reintroduced foods to see precisely what was making me sick. But I felt so much better that I didn't mind all the extra work that went into feeding myself. Once I knew with certainty what my body could and could not digest, my food choices were far less limited.

Here is where I connect the dots. Addressing the IBS and identifying my food intolerances eliminated my aerophagia. I didn't realize it but I'd been chronically constipated for years. Because I still had a regular BM I'd never have thought I could be constipated. But it was never a full and complete BM. I was always mostly blocked, always bloated and lots of other stuff. My guess is that with my colon so backed up, the air I swallowed couldn't escape. Kind of makes me wonder if we all swallow air but don't even notice it because it passes right through. Today, when I eat the stuff I know my body can't handle and the constipation comes back, the aerophagia comes with it every time.
I say all of that to say that for me the root of the aerophagia had less to do with PAP therapy than it did with an underlying medical condition. I cannot possibly know if that is the case with you, but I wanted to share just in case. Sometimes I read things on here that I never would have thought of and they turn out to be my solution.

I had a scope done right before christmas to look at my esophagus and stomach and it was all normal. I have acid burn but its actually better than it used to be. I've been directed to do an elimination diet, however, family emergency has prevented me from doing this. I'll try to do that soon to rule out food allergies. However, I've lost a lot of weight since I got the machine, back down to 200 instead of a number I didn't like. Still I'm having the bloated feeling, especially when sitting relaxed. At night I'm turning on my side more than ever. When I first got the machine, I never moved but then started having pain in the mid back area. Now that's stopped for the most part but I'm turning now like a rotisserie chicken.