Newbie questions

Been using cpap for 2 1/2weeks. Airsense10 autosense nasal pillow... I switched nasal pillows, because the first one made me sweaty. Since the switch, I've slept GREAT. Myair scores in the 90s. However I am so bloated I feel like I did at 9 months pregnant!! My belly is sooo full of air. Any suggestions??

Thanks!

Also, is there a way to get more data than myair gives us? Why does the technician get to see more than we do??

The bloating issue...we call it aerophagia.
Read this.
wiki/index.php/Aerophagia
There are some things we can do to lessen the impact.
First thing I would try if it were me would be add in EPR/exhale relief if you aren't using it already and if you are already using it then try increasing it.
If you are already at max of 3...we talk about other options.

Download and read this manual
https://sleep.tnet.com/home/files/resme ... -guide.pdf
In it you will find how to get to the clinical menu and see exactly what settings you are using and turn on EPR if not available now.

As to more data available....there is more data available on the LCD screen...again you have to go into the clinical setup menu and turn it on so you can see it on the sleep report that is available on the LCD screen on your machine.
Essentials menu choice has to be changed to "Plus"...the default from the factory is for "usage" which is just hours of use and no details.
So there is more detailed information on the LCD screen with Essentials set to "Plus".
It's still limited data though..not a lot of details. What we call the summary data..good for a quick review but if you want to see what your machine really offers you need to use the available software.
https://sleep.tnet.com/equipment
I suggest giving SleepyHead a try...it has versions available for multiple computer operating systems and ResMed's ResScan is Windows only software and big bulky pig to deal with and not as easily managed.
This might help you get started with SleepyHead and give you an idea what you can see.
http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.ph ... d#pid73182
I have a similar tutorial at the top of the Announcements section on the main page but I don't go into the actual install of SH as much...and what I do offer is outdated anyway. I need to redo that part but just haven't had the time.

Welcome to the forum.

When you have time please add your equipment to your profile like I have mine. Include the machine settings in the comments line...makes it easier for us to offer ideas to help you when we know more specific information about what you are using.
wiki/index.php/Registering_Equipment_in_User_Profile
Please use text option instead of the icony option for equipment. Images are small and it's harder to see exactly which model when images are used because they all look the same visually.

and although it's doubtful you are using tape as a newbie, taping can also cause aerophagia to my experience. I switched to a cloth headband to cover my mouth for that reason.

nicholasjh1 wrote:and although it's doubtful you are using tape as a newbie, taping can also cause aerophagia to my experience. I switched to a cloth headband to cover my mouth for that reason.

It can, because it corrects mouthleaks, and makes your XPAP treatment work as it should. Full Face masks are made for mouth breathers, leakers, so they can get useful treatment. Jim

Thank you so much! Since this machine has been given to me by my insurance company do you know if it matters if I mess with the clinical settings? I want to figure out how to change the epr... but don't want to end up out of compliance or whatever. Sorry for the short message I'm a teacher at work I will read more later thank you very much for your response!

Your insurance won't care if you change anything...they only care that you use the machine and in fact when they get reports from the DME it is usually just hours of use and nothing else.

The DME...might care if you go changing the pressures but EPR is considered a comfort feature and almost always it is considered quite acceptable for a patient to change anything in terms of comfort.
They care more because you have figured out how to get to that ultra secret menu than they do that you really change anything. Cuts into their "we know more than you know" mentality.
Some won't care at all no matter what you might change.

Ultimately...it's your life, your machine and your therapy. Whatever you have to do to make it work better for you should be the number one priority and not who knows how to change something or not. It's a power trip for some DMEs and doctors. Don't let their possible power trip scare you.

But your insurance won't care what you do...above just using the machine the required number of hours. They don't evaluate anything in terms of therapy. It's the doctor/DME that might do the evaluating and notice that you changed something or not.
Exhale relief...that should always be up to the patient IMHO because it's their comfort that is the most important thing.
Aerophagia...it can be misery for some people and there's simply no reason to be miserable when there is an option that just might fix it that is easily used. If EPR is used and doesn't help..then we talk about other options but why not start with easy and available right now first??

I just switched my per to 3 from 1... feeling like Macgyver over here.... wish me luck tonight!!
,

EPR of 1 is a 1 cm reduction in pressure during exhale.
EPR of 3 is a 3 cm reduction in pressure during exhale.

For aerophagia relief usually more EPR is needed and not less.
If you were already using 3 EPR and having bloating issues then maybe we need to look at the pressure settings and see what could maybe be modified there to help with the aerophagia.

Mixed that up.... I switched from 1 to 3...

Okay... so level 3 epr... I got a my air score of 99! Highest yet!! But I still was super bloated and gassy in the morning. It may have gone away more quickly, but I’m not exactly sure... thanks for the help. This is a great place I am enjoying reading through other people’s experiences.

Get the available software and let's see what your pressure settings are and what the machine is doing.
https://sleep.tnet.com/equipment

Put something under the legs of the head of your bed, 3 or 4 inches should be enough that may help. Jim

Fill in your profile, in text NOT ICONNY, the real machine you use model, pressure settings, mask ect.

Okay.. I added my equipment finally... I switched to this mask after an F and P something or other that made me sweat around my nose, but didn't give me the bloating.

I am going to look into the more advanced software now...

Thanks for all of you help!