swallowing air, GERD, & position

Loveylouise · Post by **Loveylouise** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 8:16 am

I have been Dx with Gerd and started CPCP about 2 months ago. HAve had a terrible problem with swallowing air. Yesterday Listened to the Sleep Conference posted previously and discovered there was a coorelation with sleep position. If you sleep on the right side, you have more GERD events in a night. I decided that if stuff came up, air would also go down and last night attempted to NOT sleep on my right side. It really seemed to make a difference, little burping this am. Of course, it is onlky one night, but we'll see what happens tonight.
Louise

gasp · Post by **gasp** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 10:18 am

Glad to hear lying on your left side had helped. Click on 'Search' in the toolbar and type in "aerophagia" to find posts about how others have found relief.

Keep us posted on how it goes and what you found that works.

I am new to CPAP - about a month now - and find that wearing a chin strap when I'm on a nasal mask helps remind my mouth to stay closed so that I don't swallow air during the night.

Good luck!

track · Post by **track** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 10:36 am

Actually sleeping on my left side is worse for me than sleeping on the right side. Sleeping on the back almost completely eliminates the air issues. Unfortunately my AHI doubles on my back and my AI triples.

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gasp · Post by **gasp** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 12:05 pm

Ah, I misunderstood. The left side being worse makes more sense too as the stomach would take pressure from other organs when your right side would leave less pressure on it.

It is too bad that lying on our backs increases OSA! I have a Tempurpedic bed and at least it makes lying on my side more comfortable. Even then, there are times when I'd like to just spread my arms wide and sleep on my back.

neverbetter · Post by **neverbetter** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 12:35 pm

Have you tried sleeping with something under your mattress to lift your head and sholders ?

gasp · Post by **gasp** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 1:12 pm

neverbetter wrote:Have you tried sleeping with something under your mattress to lift your head and sholders ?

Oops, forgot to mention that I have an adjustable bed. We love it! With the Tempurpedic and ability to adjust position, there's almost no position that gets too uncomfortable.

Even though, I still dream of lying flat and being able to sleep on my back.

Thanks for the suggestion though ; )

Loveylouise · Post by **Loveylouise** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 7:57 am

well, after a few weeks I can report that position makes a difference. I have switched to my left side and back and have eliminated the problem. This am went back to sleep for about an hour on my right side and woke up burping.
Louise

sleepyred · Post by **sleepyred** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 8:03 am

Funny for me - I have not been able to sleep on my right side for 13 years - ever since I was pregnant with my son. Sleeping on my back eliminates my air issues - but sleeping on my left side aggravates it. If I fall asleep on my back the move to my left side without knowing it - I guess I'm not awake for it to bother me. That made no sense, I realize, but that's how it is fo me!

Loveylouise wrote:well, after a few weeks I can report that position makes a difference. I have switched to my left side and back and have eliminated the problem. This am went back to sleep for about an hour on my right side and woke up burping.
Louise

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 10:12 am

I also have GERD. Been treating it first with prilosec for 6 weeks, now pepsid for a week. Still have to back sleep. Right or left side fills me with air instantly--I can feel the air hitting the wall of my stomach! Very weird sensation. I'm hoping that the LES will heal and this will get better with time. I'm also hoping that having my tonsils out will allow me to use a lower pressure. Maybe that will help.

I use a medslant wedge bought at Amazon and have little to no air on back.

I wish the sleep docs would address this--I'll bet this issue is a major factor in the dismal compliance stats.

Jen

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swallowing air, GERD, & position

swallowing air, GERD, & position

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