The air is going into my GI (stomach), mini-burps, etc

[CAsleep]

Before I started CPAP, just through talking to people, one woman I know warned me that with CPAP, her stomach would fill with air, and it was very uncomfortable. She told me that is how she knew she needed Bipap, and once she switched, things became a lot better.

Well, I just had my 4th night on CPAP. Instead of taking off the mask about 3 hours in, this time it stayed on for about 6 hours. However, I woke up earlier than I should have, because I noticed that every time I exhaled, I was getting this kind of "mini burp" in my mouth. Though I think my mouth did stay closed (you know how you can burp with your mouth shut?) But what's interesting is that it was a mini burp, on EACH exhale. By "mini" I mean that it was smaller than a loud, forceful belch.

So this phenomenon woke me up, it was so strange. Then I was aware of pain in my stomach area (on my left side), and when I got up to use the restroom, I noticed it was almost as if that area of my body was bloated.

So I have to conclude the same thing is happening to me that happened to my friend.....GI/stomach is filling with air from the CPAP (though when I first heard of this, I thought, "that'll never happen to me"). Well, sounds like it is happening.

Have you all heard of this happening? What does this mean? What are possible solutions?

[elena88]

try this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lL0Gndb ... re=related

[LSAT]

try this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lL0Gndb ... re=related

I disagree with this film. We are normally told to 'avoid' sleeping on our stomach...and... with the chin forward like shown you are reducing
the size of the airway. This is especially harmful to people with small airways....DON'T DO IT

[nanwilson]

Do a search on this forum for the word aerophagia, that is what it is called.......you've been swallowing air, we've all done it a one time or another.
We've all been there when we first started out on the machine, it can be corrected.
Good luck
Nan

[CAsleep]

Thanks! I didn't know if it was common with CPAP or not. Sounds like it is.

Another friend just told me that having an "auto adjust" feature on my CPAP machine will help. I'm thinking the machine I have now must not do that? So should I be sure my next CPAP machine does have that auto feature? I am planning on getting a new machine soon, since the one I have now doesn't record much data.

Is there any truth that this could mean I need Bipap? It sounds like the responders so far do not think that is the case, that I would need bipap to solve the problem?

Thank you.

[klgm326]

Thanks! I didn't know if it was common with CPAP or not. Sounds like it is.

Another friend just told me that having an "auto adjust" feature on my CPAP machine will help. I'm thinking the machine I have now must not do that? So should I be sure my next CPAP machine does have that auto feature? I am planning on getting a new machine soon, since the one I have now doesn't record much data.

Is there any truth that this could mean I need Bipap? It sounds like the responders so far do not think that is the case, that I would need bipap to solve the problem?

Thank you.

Please forgive my ignorance on what a BiPap is, but my doctor told me to change my EPR (the function that allows me to exhale a little more easily) from Off to 3 and also to use 2-3 sprays of saline in each nostril before going to bed. (This was on Monday) I did it and believe it or not, it worked. He said if not to call and he would prescribe an acid reflux med. (Some here are skeptical of that, but I believe his premise was that CPAP might have uncovered an underlying problem that I already had). Luckily it doesn't appear that I have to go that route. It has also been suggested here to sleep on your left side. I hope it helps!

[DreamOn]

Another friend just told me that having an "auto adjust" feature on my CPAP machine will help. I'm thinking the machine I have now must not do that?

You are correct. Your PR System One PLUS machine is not an APAP (auto-adjusting) machine. It is a CPAP machine, which means that it is set to one pressure. APAP machines are set to run within a range of pressures. APAP machines are more versatile, as they can also be run in set CPAP mode, so many here prefer them.

Both APAP and CPAP machines, whether they're a basic model or more advanced, are usually billed using the same insurance billing code: E0601. This means that the insurance company pays the same amount to the DME provider, regardless of which APAP or CPAP machine you purchase. The DME provider often will try to sell you the least expensive machine to maximize their profits. For that reason, they are often reluctant to provide you with an APAP machine, which is more costly to them. You may need to enlist the help of your doctor to get an APAP machine if the DME provider refuses to sell you one. Or you could contact your insurance company to get a list of in-network DME providers and call each to see if they will sell you your preferred machine with the prescription you already have. You should get copies of your prescription and your sleep studies anyway.

While it does sound like you have aerophagia, because of the stomach discomfort and bloating that you experienced, I'm not sure if the "mini burps" that you described are from that, or if perhaps those are simply puffs of therapy air being released because your mouth is opening. Some people are able to train themselves to prevent that from happening by planting their tongue on the roof of their mouth, which blocks the air from coming into their mouth and escaping. But for most people that doesn't work when deep asleep, when all our muscles (including tongue and jaw) relax completely. You may need a chin strap and/or mouth taping to prevent that from happening. If you're losing too much therapy air during the night (mouth-leaking), the pressurized air cannot do its job of stenting your airway open to prevent apneas. If a chin strap/mouth-taping don't help, then you may need a full-face mask, which covers both nose and mouth.

CAsleep, I know that you're hoping to get a fully data capable machine to replace your System One Plus machine. You may want to strongly consider getting the ResMed S9 Autoset (APAP) or ResMed S9 Elite (CPAP) machine. The ResMed machines have an EPR feature that can be set to Off, 1, 2 or 3. This reduces the pressure on exhale by that many cm H20. Not only may that be more comfortable, because you're exhaling against lower pressure, but some have reported that it can help with aerophagia. It's similar to a bi-level (BiPAP) machine, in that the inhale and exhale pressures are different; the ResMed CPAP/APAP machines just don't have the wider spread of inhale/exhale pressures that a BiPAP has. The ResMed S9 machines also report whether an apnea is obstructive (airway restriction) or central (brain signal not getting through to respiratory system). There is also an optional heated hose (ClimateLine), which is a nice feature. The PR System One PRO and AUTO machines are also great machines, but it seems like the ResMed machines may suit you better.

[CAsleep]

Thanks for the very thorough reply. It is a lot of info! Trying to digest it all.