Machine Suggestion for Aerophagia

[kest874]

Hello,

I have been struggling with CPAP for a little while now. My number for the most part are really good.

I'm currently using an M Series CPAP with C-Flex set at 10 with C-Flex set at 3. I also have supplemental O2 at 2.5lpm. The issue I has is that when the machine is at the titillated pressure of 10 I feel rested, but awaken bloated with severe gas pains. I did an experiment with reducing the pressure for a couple of weeks, and at 8 - 8.5 I don't suffer the bloating but I don't feel rested. AHI at 8 - 8.5 stays around 1.5 but the vibratory snore goes through the roof. I imagine that's why I don't feel rested at the lower pressure.

Would a Bi-Pap help in this case? I'll have to push my doctor to prescribe one as well as pay for the machine out of pocket since my current machine has already been paid for by insurance. My thinking is that I can still inhale at 10 and exhale at the lower pressure.

I do not mouth breathe and my leak rate is pretty constant since I've been using the new PAP-Cap.

Any suggestions?

[Wulfman]

Hello,

I have been struggling with CPAP for a little while now. My number for the most part are really good.

I'm currently using an M Series CPAP with C-Flex set at 10 with C-Flex set at 3. I also have supplemental O2 at 2.5lpm. The issue I has is that when the machine is at the titillated pressure of 10 I feel rested, but awaken bloated with severe gas pains. I did an experiment with reducing the pressure for a couple of weeks, and at 8 - 8.5 I don't suffer the bloating but I don't feel rested. AHI at 8 - 8.5 stays around 1.5 but the vibratory snore goes through the roof. I imagine that's why I don't feel rested at the lower pressure.

Would a Bi-Pap help in this case? I'll have to push my doctor to prescribe one as well as pay for the machine out of pocket since my current machine has already been paid for by insurance. My thinking is that I can still inhale at 10 and exhale at the lower pressure.

I do not mouth breathe and my leak rate is pretty constant since I've been using the new PAP-Cap.

Any suggestions?

Have you tried:
A pressure of 9 cm.?
Different C-Flex settings? (including OFF)
Doing a nasal rinse? (to lower the snore index and improve airflow through you nasal passages)

Do you have GERD? (your relatively low AHI doesn't seem to indicate that you do)
If you do, elevating the head of the bed could help.
Also, don't eat too soon before going to bed.

I would think that the snore index would take a back seat to eliminating the aerophagia.

Den

[kest874]

One other reason I mention the Bi-Level is that I was originally diagnosed with CSA.

I have tried 9 and 9.5. I get the same results with the low numbers and bloating. I also did not feel as rested.

We usually eat 4 hours or so before going to bed so I doubt that is really my issue. I do know that I have some congestion and take something for it (Musinex D, Claritin D, Sudafed etc.)

[Wulfman]

One other reason I mention the Bi-Level is that I was originally diagnosed with CSA.

I have tried 9 and 9.5. I get the same results with the low numbers and bloating. I also did not feel as rested.

We usually eat 4 hours or so before going to bed so I doubt that is really my issue. I do know that I have some congestion and take something for it (Musinex D, Claritin D, Sudafed etc.)

That might be a good reason to consider Bi-Level therapy then.

Den

[OldLincoln]

Bi-PAP will lower your pressure on exhale but not inhale, so 50% of the time you still have the CPAP pressures. I rejected the Bi-PAP as a unit to reduce aerophagia and insisted on an APAP which runs at low pressure until an event which it then reaches up and clears. Mine is set to 6-12 and averages 7.5 with only a minute or so at aerophagia levels and I no longer experience bloating.

[kest874]

I considered getting an AUTO, but I'm still not clear if it's better for Centrals?

It's amazing that I can tell that much of a difference through the day based on what pressure I used. On 8 my numbers were really low, but I had the snore, no matter what I did I was exhausted. Now back to 10 I have a lot of energy, but have the discomfort.

I've been on CPAP for almost 8 months now.

[dsm]

One other reason I mention the Bi-Level is that I was originally diagnosed with CSA.

I have tried 9 and 9.5. I get the same results with the low numbers and bloating. I also did not feel as rested.

We usually eat 4 hours or so before going to bed so I doubt that is really my issue. I do know that I have some congestion and take something for it (Musinex D, Claritin D, Sudafed etc.)

Kest,

A bilevel does seem to help a lot of folk with aerophagia. Also because of how C-Flex works, a high c-flex setting can contribute - try setting it to 1 & see if that helps.

If you do get a bilevel be aware that the only bilevels that help CA patients are what are called timed bilevels & they are quite a bit more expensive.

Good luck (been through the same process so have real ampathy )

DSM

[kest874]

Based on your reply I did and experiment and set the C-Flex on 1 last night. I actually had more severe bloating this morning. I think my particular problem is the exhale against the high pressure. argh!

[Kite]

I experience intermittent aerophagia (I'll be good for weeks and months and then all of a sudden I'll have a very bloaty/burpy night or two to the point where I can't sleep for more than 30 minutes at a time. Then I get up relax by reading, then back to bed and repeat this over and over. Then it just disappears for awhile again...? It's definitely worse sleeping on my side. On one of these nights, I actually awaken from the sound of my trachea gurgling and belching. I eat dinner 4-5 hours before sleep and don't have GERD symptoms. I do take two Tums an hour before I sleep. It's driving me crazy trying to figure it out. I'm on a Resmed M Series, with C flex, face mask, fixed pressue of 11. Any thoughts ? S-O-S

[OutaSync]

It is possible to have GERD without any symptoms. In fact, aerophagia was my only symptom. It seems that the weakened lower esophagael sphincter that allows acid to creep up, also allows air to go down into the stomach and even below.

Bev

[Kite]

thank you OutaSync ! -- one other question, what type of doctor did you go to to help with the GERD & weak LES evaluation and treatment ? (by the way, last night I re-set my machine to "auto" and lowered the minimum from 11 to 8 and what a BIG improvement !

[Tugsguigink]

In it something is also idea excellent, I support.