Burping Like Crazy

[BarfVader]

So... a few weeks ago I noticed I had put on weight and was having more apnea, decided to turn my pressure up, was working ok then got a replacement mask. The replacement mask fit way better than the previous one. As a result, the increased pressure really messed up my esophagus. I get pain in my upper left chest and burping all day long. I have lowered the level to far below my normal pressure but air is still getting into my stomach. Did I permanently damage my esophagus? Help!!!

[ameriken]

I would doubt that you did permanent damage. Do a search on the forum for 'aerophagia'. Extremely common for us PAPpers and can cause pain but I don't think any damage.

[BarfVader]

I'm concerned because it seemed for a long time like I didn't have this problem, thought I'd licked it, and reducing pressure always used to solve it. Now, I reduce the pressure and still have it.

[archangle]

So... a few weeks ago I noticed I had put on weight and was having more apnea, decided to turn my pressure up, was working ok then got a replacement mask. The replacement mask fit way better than the previous one. As a result, the increased pressure really messed up my esophagus. I get pain in my upper left chest and burping all day long. I have lowered the level to far below my normal pressure but air is still getting into my stomach. Did I permanently damage my esophagus? Help!!!

Please enter your equipment in your profile. See the link at the end of this post.

Also, what was old and new pressure? What kind of mask? Was the replacement the same type of mask ask the old one?

[JointPain]

Try not eating close to bedtime.

[BarfVader]

Mask is the same as always, I find a great variation in the swift fx nose-gear from one to another. On the old leaky mask I had the pressure up to 10. Now have it down to 6 with 0 AHI and still getting air in my stomach.

I'll try not eating close to bedtime see what happens.

[Perrybucsdad]

I thought I saw someone here recommend elevating the head of your bed slightly. I know that works for acid reflux, but have never tried it for the aerophagia. I get the Aerophagia too, but I don't have any pain or discomfort from it. I just get up, give it a loud BURP, fart a few times, and off I go. Actually, makes me smile in the morning. I imagine if it was causing discomfort though I wouldn't have those views.

- John

[Pugsy]

Do you normally have issues with GERD? Heartburn with some foods? If you do, then that little sphincter going from the esophagus to the stomach may be inflamed or irritated and thus lost some of its normal elasticity and allowing the air to enter the stomach more easily. I don't see how a little extra pressure could stretch out that sphincter or the esophagus for that matter. I would be more inclined to think stomach acids may have hurt it a little and it may take some time to heal..... if you happen to be having some GERD problems. Of course there is also silent GERD..no symptoms yet still some damage to the lower esophagus.

Just a thought to consider.

[tmorris]

I had severe aerophagia when I first started cpap. So bad that I could barely tolerate using the machine. I read a suggestion on this forum to raise the head of my bead with bricks about 6 inches. I stacked two bricks under the legs of the bed which puts me at a slight incline...I have had no gas or pain since!