Intestinal Pain, Stomach Cramp, Bloating
I have the Respironics M Series Auto CFlex machine. I guess you could call it an APAP with CFlex.
In the beginning about two month ago, I thought that I needed CFlex because my nose just could not push against all of that air pressure coming in. So I got a CFlex capable machine and that helped.
But I was still tired and getting poor sleep because I am a mouth breather which acted as a pressure relief valve so my apnea events did not reduce. So... I got a chin strap, I tried it twice and each time I woke up with horrible gas and intestinal pain.
So... I got a full face mask, and I still woke up with horrible gas and intestinal pain, I couldn't believe it...
So, in desperation, after reading a post here, I used hypo-allergenic/latex free 3M Nexcare tape to tape my mouth shut, and I used the full face mask (which, in retrospect, was pretty stupid, since it is just like using a chin strap with a nasal mask). After about five hours of sleep the pain was so bad that I almost called 911. I had to burp and I could not get the tape off, I thought I was going to have a panic attack between the pain and not being able to relieve the pressure. (warm water did the trick to get the tape off).
Oh, and BTW, I talked to my GP twice, to three different Mask providers and none of them had heard of my problem before.
Then I, found somewhere on this forum about lowering or turning off the Cflex option.
As it turns out, it worked, I am still going to give it a few more nights to see but turning off Cflex got rid of my severe intestinal pain.
Apparently, and I am paraphrasing from another post... the reduction in pressure from the CFlex allows you to breath out, but the duration of the reduction is very short, so, as you are breathing out the CPAP pushes air back in, and since you have not finished breathing out yet, your automatic reflex it to swallow the air until you are done breathing out.
So, if my story sounds familiar, try turning off the CFlex.
BTW the Auto CPAP device helps me since my need for pressure levels changes as my body position changes.
CFlex is indirect cause o Intestinal Pain, Gas, and Bloating
you really have no idea what you are talking about do you?
you need to do a search and find out about aerophagia, cause once you do you'll find out what you said makes no sense at all.
aerophagia is the swallowing of cpap air, it is what causes the gastrointestinal pain. It is caused by a weak LES from years of untreated Acid Reflux or GERD. Disabling of Cflex feature makes the condition worse.
you need to do a search and find out about aerophagia, cause once you do you'll find out what you said makes no sense at all.
aerophagia is the swallowing of cpap air, it is what causes the gastrointestinal pain. It is caused by a weak LES from years of untreated Acid Reflux or GERD. Disabling of Cflex feature makes the condition worse.
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KimberlyinMN
- Posts: 288
- Joined: Sat Sep 02, 2006 5:19 pm
- Location: Minnesota
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Guest
mrmarcos,
I've been having a lot of problem with Aerophagia also. In fact, it is pretty much the only thing that keeps my sleep disturbed at this point in my therapy. But I'll follow this thread before I make any decision to discontinue using the C-Flex option on my machine...........but thanks for bringing it up!
I've been having a lot of problem with Aerophagia also. In fact, it is pretty much the only thing that keeps my sleep disturbed at this point in my therapy. But I'll follow this thread before I make any decision to discontinue using the C-Flex option on my machine...........but thanks for bringing it up!
I have aerophagia problems also.
I did notice that it takes place just when cflex restores high pressure, but even if i turn cflex off, i still have the same level of aerophagia.
So i figured that -in my case- the problem is not related to cflex in another way than that it seems to "time" the event.
I will continue to avoid setting cflex to 3 (the max level) until i am sure that my findings are correct.
I did notice that it takes place just when cflex restores high pressure, but even if i turn cflex off, i still have the same level of aerophagia.
So i figured that -in my case- the problem is not related to cflex in another way than that it seems to "time" the event.
I will continue to avoid setting cflex to 3 (the max level) until i am sure that my findings are correct.
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WillSucceed
- Posts: 1031
- Joined: Sun Nov 07, 2004 7:52 am
- Location: Toronto, Ontario
mrmarcos...
Some people (note that I've said "some" people, not all people, some people) find that C-FLEX contributes to them not fully exhaling before they start to inhale. Further, some people tend to swallow air when the post C-FLEX pressure hits them before they finish exhaling.
Snoredog has made comments about a cause of aerophagia and while he may well be correct, his diagnosis is NOT the only cause of aerophagia. If you find that your aerophagia is less with C-FLEX turned off, then leave the C-FLEX turned off.
Regarding the sharpness of Snoredog's comment ("you really have no idea what you are talking about do you?") I think this was unnecessary. I think that you DO know what you are talking about. No matter how wonderful a machine is, how many bells and whistles it has, or what propoganda the manufacturer may promote, each of us needs to decide for ourselves whether or not the treatment is good.
So, while C-FLEX is clearly a benefit to Snoredog, if it is not a benefit to you, then turn it off. Also, please don't be deterred from this forum by less than friendly comments from others. Stay connected, keep learning and keep getting treatment.
Some people (note that I've said "some" people, not all people, some people) find that C-FLEX contributes to them not fully exhaling before they start to inhale. Further, some people tend to swallow air when the post C-FLEX pressure hits them before they finish exhaling.
Snoredog has made comments about a cause of aerophagia and while he may well be correct, his diagnosis is NOT the only cause of aerophagia. If you find that your aerophagia is less with C-FLEX turned off, then leave the C-FLEX turned off.
Regarding the sharpness of Snoredog's comment ("you really have no idea what you are talking about do you?") I think this was unnecessary. I think that you DO know what you are talking about. No matter how wonderful a machine is, how many bells and whistles it has, or what propoganda the manufacturer may promote, each of us needs to decide for ourselves whether or not the treatment is good.
So, while C-FLEX is clearly a benefit to Snoredog, if it is not a benefit to you, then turn it off. Also, please don't be deterred from this forum by less than friendly comments from others. Stay connected, keep learning and keep getting treatment.
Buy a new hat, drink a good wine, treat yourself, and someone you love, to a new bauble, live while you are alive... you never know when the mid-town bus is going to have your name written across its front bumper!
mrmarcos --
I'm one of those people WillSucceed refers to who cannot tolerate CFLEX -- it sort of rushed my breathing.
Suffered a lot from swallowing air in the first few months -- felt like I was going to float up off the ground like a Macy parade balloon.
Not sure if it got a lot better when I turned the CFLEX off -- perhaps. But it did get better over time and now is no longer a problem at all. So perhaps your problem will subside also.
Grace
I'm one of those people WillSucceed refers to who cannot tolerate CFLEX -- it sort of rushed my breathing.
Suffered a lot from swallowing air in the first few months -- felt like I was going to float up off the ground like a Macy parade balloon.
Not sure if it got a lot better when I turned the CFLEX off -- perhaps. But it did get better over time and now is no longer a problem at all. So perhaps your problem will subside also.
Grace
Started CPAP on 7/1/2005
Mild apnea
Plus upper airway resistance syndrome with severe alpha intrusion
Mild apnea
Plus upper airway resistance syndrome with severe alpha intrusion
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sleepybarb
- Posts: 15
- Joined: Sun Sep 18, 2005 10:41 am
C-flex not for me either
I tried c-flex for quite awhile; found I was not exhaling fully before the push-back. Didn't see the increase in gas, just not as good sleep. It felt ok when I was awake and trying to fall asleep, the pressure relief made that easier. But then I would wake up breathing rapidly and feeling like I was being suffocated. It wouldn't surprise me if I also swallowed more air with it. So, you are not alone in not finding c-flex helpful.
C-flex
Though I do not suffer from aerophagia (thankfully), I have recently turned the C-flex setting on my REMstar Auto down from 2 to 1 and immediately began sleeping much more soundly. My treatmente fficacy has always been very good with the REMstar Auto (AHI<0.3), but I find that the quality of my sleep has improved considerably since I reduced C-flex. I'm going to continue with a setting of 1 fior another week or so, and then discontinue it altogether.
I would also recommend to you that you consider a trial of a ResMed CPAP with EPR, ResMed's version of pressure relief. It operates by reducing pressure during exhalation by a set and user-selectable decerement of 1,2 or 3 cms and this reduction lasts throughout the entirety of the exhalation, rather than just for a moment at the beginning of the exhalation as C-flex does. In this way, ResMed CPAPs with EPR functions in the same way as a Bi-level PAP does, except with a fixed reduction of 1, 2 or 3 cms.
I have both a Resmed S8 VAntage AutoSet which provides EPR in CPAP mode as well as a Respironics REMstar Auto w/C-flex, so I've had experience with using both EPR as well as C-Flex. I find EPR to be MUCH more comfortable, effective and soothing than I find C-flex to be.
I also want to join with Willsucceeds in apologizing for SnoreDog's intemperate remarks. He is often cranky and rude, but fortunately, does NOT represent the character of the many FINE folks that you will find here ready, willing and happy to provide you help whenever we can.
Cheers!
Chuck
I would also recommend to you that you consider a trial of a ResMed CPAP with EPR, ResMed's version of pressure relief. It operates by reducing pressure during exhalation by a set and user-selectable decerement of 1,2 or 3 cms and this reduction lasts throughout the entirety of the exhalation, rather than just for a moment at the beginning of the exhalation as C-flex does. In this way, ResMed CPAPs with EPR functions in the same way as a Bi-level PAP does, except with a fixed reduction of 1, 2 or 3 cms.
I have both a Resmed S8 VAntage AutoSet which provides EPR in CPAP mode as well as a Respironics REMstar Auto w/C-flex, so I've had experience with using both EPR as well as C-Flex. I find EPR to be MUCH more comfortable, effective and soothing than I find C-flex to be.
I also want to join with Willsucceeds in apologizing for SnoreDog's intemperate remarks. He is often cranky and rude, but fortunately, does NOT represent the character of the many FINE folks that you will find here ready, willing and happy to provide you help whenever we can.
Cheers!
Chuck
People are dying every day in Darfur simply for who they are!!! PLEASE HELP THEM!
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Re: CFlex is indirect cause o Intestinal Pain, Gas, and Bloa
[quote="mrmarcos"]Intestinal Pain, Stomach Cramp, Bloating
I have the Respironics M Series Auto CFlex machine. I guess you could call it an APAP with CFlex.
In the beginning about two month ago, I thought that I needed CFlex because my nose just could not push against all of that air pressure coming in. So I got a CFlex capable machine and that helped.
But I was still tired and getting poor sleep because I am a mouth breather which acted as a pressure relief valve so my apnea events did not reduce. So... I got a chin strap, I tried it twice and each time I woke up with horrible gas and intestinal pain.
So... I got a full face mask, and I still woke up with horrible gas and intestinal pain, I couldn't believe it...
So, in desperation, after reading a post here, I used hypo-allergenic/latex free 3M Nexcare tape to tape my mouth shut, and I used the full face mask (which, in retrospect, was pretty stupid, since it is just like using a chin strap with a nasal mask). After about five hours of sleep the pain was so bad that I almost called 911. I had to burp and I could not get the tape off, I thought I was going to have a panic attack between the pain and not being able to relieve the pressure. (warm water did the trick to get the tape off).
Oh, and BTW, I talked to my GP twice, to three different Mask providers and none of them had heard of my problem before.
Then I, found somewhere on this forum about lowering or turning off the Cflex option.
As it turns out, it worked, I am still going to give it a few more nights to see but turning off Cflex got rid of my severe intestinal pain.
Apparently, and I am paraphrasing from another post... the reduction in pressure from the CFlex allows you to breath out, but the duration of the reduction is very short, so, as you are breathing out the CPAP pushes air back in, and since you have not finished breathing out yet, your automatic reflex it to swallow the air until you are done breathing out.
So, if my story sounds familiar, try turning off the CFlex.
BTW the Auto CPAP device helps me since my need for pressure levels changes as my body position changes.
I have the Respironics M Series Auto CFlex machine. I guess you could call it an APAP with CFlex.
In the beginning about two month ago, I thought that I needed CFlex because my nose just could not push against all of that air pressure coming in. So I got a CFlex capable machine and that helped.
But I was still tired and getting poor sleep because I am a mouth breather which acted as a pressure relief valve so my apnea events did not reduce. So... I got a chin strap, I tried it twice and each time I woke up with horrible gas and intestinal pain.
So... I got a full face mask, and I still woke up with horrible gas and intestinal pain, I couldn't believe it...
So, in desperation, after reading a post here, I used hypo-allergenic/latex free 3M Nexcare tape to tape my mouth shut, and I used the full face mask (which, in retrospect, was pretty stupid, since it is just like using a chin strap with a nasal mask). After about five hours of sleep the pain was so bad that I almost called 911. I had to burp and I could not get the tape off, I thought I was going to have a panic attack between the pain and not being able to relieve the pressure. (warm water did the trick to get the tape off).
Oh, and BTW, I talked to my GP twice, to three different Mask providers and none of them had heard of my problem before.
Then I, found somewhere on this forum about lowering or turning off the Cflex option.
As it turns out, it worked, I am still going to give it a few more nights to see but turning off Cflex got rid of my severe intestinal pain.
Apparently, and I am paraphrasing from another post... the reduction in pressure from the CFlex allows you to breath out, but the duration of the reduction is very short, so, as you are breathing out the CPAP pushes air back in, and since you have not finished breathing out yet, your automatic reflex it to swallow the air until you are done breathing out.
So, if my story sounds familiar, try turning off the CFlex.
BTW the Auto CPAP device helps me since my need for pressure levels changes as my body position changes.
xPAP and Quattro std mask (plus a pad-a-cheek anti-leak strap)
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Guest
I also suffer from episodic aerophagia. While many people seem to get relief from aerophagia using C-Flex, I actually experience slightly worse aerophagia using C-Flex. So I too have C-Flex turned off.
Aerophagia that is unrelated to CPAP is thought to have various possible etiologic contributors and/or causes: 1) anxiety-based gulping, 2) dysphagic or uncoordinated swallowing-muscles, 3) excessive saliva production, 4) cervical spinal blockage are just a few. In the case of cervical spinal blockage the swallowing muscles do not come into play. Rather air passively breeches beyond the LES and into the stomach during normal inhalation. I personally don't know just how rare or common these etiologies are since I am not a medical professional.
However, I do know that aerophagia is rather commonplace among CPAP users, based on very many message board anecdotes throughout the years. And those cases of CPAP-induced aerophagia may not be related to any of the etiologic factors listed above. Wulfman and a few other savvy posters have postulated that perhaps CPAP pressure can induce a swallowing or gulping reflex. In light of the known etiologic contributors listed above, that just may be happening in some cases of CPAP-induced aerophagia. I would think the swallowing process is active during autonomic breathing or sleep because of saliva production.
However, I do know that my own CPAP-induced aerophagia is what I might term "muscularly passive", meaning that I can feel the slow breech of pressurized air while my LES muscles are inactive. Others have reported that they feel that same slow, "muscularly passive" breech of pressurized air as well. I don't know exactly why C-Flex seems to help some patients with aerophagia while it seems to exacerbate aerophagic tendencies in others such as myself. My hunch is that there may also be multiple etiologic factors across the SDB/CPAP patient population related to aerophagia (just as there are multiple etiologic factors that may contribute to aerophagia in cases unrelated to CPAP).
Aerophagia that is unrelated to CPAP is thought to have various possible etiologic contributors and/or causes: 1) anxiety-based gulping, 2) dysphagic or uncoordinated swallowing-muscles, 3) excessive saliva production, 4) cervical spinal blockage are just a few. In the case of cervical spinal blockage the swallowing muscles do not come into play. Rather air passively breeches beyond the LES and into the stomach during normal inhalation. I personally don't know just how rare or common these etiologies are since I am not a medical professional.
However, I do know that aerophagia is rather commonplace among CPAP users, based on very many message board anecdotes throughout the years. And those cases of CPAP-induced aerophagia may not be related to any of the etiologic factors listed above. Wulfman and a few other savvy posters have postulated that perhaps CPAP pressure can induce a swallowing or gulping reflex. In light of the known etiologic contributors listed above, that just may be happening in some cases of CPAP-induced aerophagia. I would think the swallowing process is active during autonomic breathing or sleep because of saliva production.
However, I do know that my own CPAP-induced aerophagia is what I might term "muscularly passive", meaning that I can feel the slow breech of pressurized air while my LES muscles are inactive. Others have reported that they feel that same slow, "muscularly passive" breech of pressurized air as well. I don't know exactly why C-Flex seems to help some patients with aerophagia while it seems to exacerbate aerophagic tendencies in others such as myself. My hunch is that there may also be multiple etiologic factors across the SDB/CPAP patient population related to aerophagia (just as there are multiple etiologic factors that may contribute to aerophagia in cases unrelated to CPAP).