Help with aerophagia, mask issues.

[dmac63]

I have been using my CPAP machine for a little over a year. I have battled issues with aerophagia and mask issues and am very frustrated!! Yesterday, I the worst bout of aerophagia that I have ever had! I was in severe pain all day yesterday and was miserable. I felt like my stomach was like an over inflated ballon which caused my back to hurt too. I had read on here that GasX might help and so I took 4(max recommended dose) of them and they were absolutely no help at all. This morning, I felt better as I was able to get rid of the air finally. I won't go into that!

I have a Fisher and Paykel model 604 with the heated hose, humidity controls and my pressure initially was set at 14. Because of aerophagia, I went back to the sleep center and they lowered it to 13 which helped some. But, I still have the issue and sometimes, like yesterday, it is horrible. I also read on here that a "smart" machine which has exhalation relief may help this situation. So, I am very interested in trying this. Is it possible to rent one of these machines to try it first? I would be interested in doing this.

Even after almost a year of CPAP use, my mouth comes open so I have to wear a chinstrap which is a pain. I recently got a new chinstrap on CPAP.com and also a hose hanger which I really like.

When it comes to masks, I've tried several!! I've had the most success with the Mirage Activa LT mask but it has caused a permanent indented, discolored patch across the bridge of my nose(nose is very sore in the mornings). I have tried several adjustments but still wake up with a nasty red, sore spot on the bridge of my nose. So, I tried a Swift LT nasal pillow mask which seems to work ok but is very loud when I wake up in the night. I have a full face mask (ResMed Mirage Quatro) and a hybrid mask (ResMed Mirage Liberty)too and these both leak (sounds like farting!) when my pressure "ramps up" after 20 minutes. Maybe I don't have the mask tight enough?

I'm very frustrated as I don't feel like I'm doing as well as I should/could be on the CPAP therapy. But, at least, I don't snore, which my wife loves, and I do feel much better than I would if I didn't use it at all. But, things could be much, much better.

I would sincerely appreciate any comments on the "smart" cpap machine, which one is best, could I get one on a rental basis and mask recommendations. I'm tired of having a sore nose with one, loud other ones (swift LT) and ones that leak and sound like farting which wakes me up!

[Gerryk]

Welcome aboard. If your getting that noise from the quattro, you have it too tight. That mask needs to be loosened up so it can fill up with air, as it kind of hovers on your face not strapped down.

As far as swallowing air, I had that probably when my pressure was increased from 20 to 21 and the only thing I could do was drop the pressure back down.
Now as far as getting rid of that gas. Try rolling onto your left side and stay there for a minute or two then roll over onto your right side and stay there for a minute or two then back to your left and keep doing this. This really helped my. You can also lay on your back and bend your knees and pull them up towards your chest. You can also try sitting down legs out in front of you doing a little toe reach stretches, nothing major just a little bit. Don't do this with anyone else in the room, unless they are a very understanding person.

Best of luck.

Gerry

[harry33]

you might have the habit of swallowing air when partly awake

[YawnGirl]

I have been using my CPAP machine for a little over a year. I have battled issues with aerophagia and mask issues and am very frustrated!! Yesterday, I the worst bout of aerophagia that I have ever had! I was in severe pain all day yesterday and was miserable. I felt like my stomach was like an over inflated ballon which caused my back to hurt too. I had read on here that GasX might help and so I took 4(max recommended dose) of them and they were absolutely no help at all. This morning, I felt better as I was able to get rid of the air finally. I won't go into that!

I also suffered from aerophagia. I tried gasx and was unsuccessful also. My doc said it works on the "chemical" that produces gas, since it is just air being forced into the stomach, I don't think it works very well for aerophagia.

I have a Fisher and Paykel model 604 with the heated hose, humidity controls and my pressure initially was set at 14. Because of aerophagia, I went back to the sleep center and they lowered it to 13 which helped some. But, I still have the issue and sometimes, like yesterday, it is horrible. I also read on here that a "smart" machine which has exhalation relief may help this situation. So, I am very interested in trying this. Is it possible to rent one of these machines to try it first? I would be interested in doing this.

I had pressure of 14 on straight cpap. I ended up with an auto pap (APAP) with a minimum pressure of 10 and max of 16. My pressure rarely gets to 13. I no longer experience ANY aerophagia. My machine is a respironics M series with cflex & aflex (not sure the difference) which is an exhalation relief. There are 3 levels of exhalation relief. The apap machines can be used in straight cpap mode also.

If you want to purchase one, I would suggest cpap.com. I believe you can call them to get "specials and packages" they offer. cpapauction.com is also a good alternative if you just want to "try" the apap.