Swallowing so much air and waking up

[stacyrings]

So I started with my new pressures last night, 18/14. I don't think I can do this! I woke in the middle of the night with the worst stomach pain and could hardly move. When I did finally get up, OMG, the burp that came out of me probably registered a 10.0 on the Richter scale. I got out of bed and walked around a bit, burped some more and finally felt like I could lay back down. By then I was fully awake and totally scared to put the mask back on and I've been an avid user of my machine for over 8 years and cannot sleep without it. It probably took me a good 20 mins before I was back asleep. This is not good at all. I am dreading going to sleep tonight so much that I feel panicked about it. And this from the girl that is sleepy 24 hours a day and loves to sleep and loves her machine!

Is there something I can do so I don't swallow the air? Will I get use to it? Is swallowing that much air dangerous?

[LSAT]

You must be breathing through your mouth to get that much air in your stomach. You need a good chinstrap, tape your mouth closed or use a full face mask. The latter is the easiest if you find one that is comfortable.

[Kairosgrammy]

I have the same problem although not so radical. I saw this video on youtube. It's not an option for me because I have arthritis and herniated discs in my neck but is probably suitable for most.

So I started with my new pressures last night, 18/14. I don't think I can do this! I woke in the middle of the night with the worst stomach pain and could hardly move. When I did finally get up, OMG, the burp that came out of me probably registered a 10.0 on the Richter scale. I got out of bed and walked around a bit, burped some more and finally felt like I could lay back down. By then I was fully awake and totally scared to put the mask back on and I've been an avid user of my machine for over 8 years and cannot sleep without it. It probably took me a good 20 mins before I was back asleep. This is not good at all. I am dreading going to sleep tonight so much that I feel panicked about it. And this from the girl that is sleepy 24 hours a day and loves to sleep and loves her machine!

Is there something I can do so I don't swallow the air? Will I get use to it? Is swallowing that much air dangerous?

[Kairosgrammy]

Probably not. It's a function of where the air goes. The air doesn't just go into airway, it also goes down the esophagus and often what goes down, must come up, hence belching and gas. I have the same problem and I wear a chin strap. Unfortunately, the fix probably won't work for me because of the osteoarthritis in my neck and herniated discs. Already had a bilevel repair and have two more herniated discs but neuro said they weren't symptomatic but they could become symtomatic. I'd like to avoid that You'll understand if you watch the video I posted to the original poster.

You must be breathing through your mouth to get that much air in your stomach. You need a good chinstrap, tape your mouth closed or use a full face mask. The latter is the easiest if you find one that is comfortable.

[nanwilson]

You are breathing through your mouth...not unusual. Stop the mouth breathing or switch to a ffm and take gasex for the gas. Don't be afraid to use your machine, we've all been where you are today........do a search on aerophagia...lots of discussion there.

[Kitatonic]

Air swallowing is upsetting and can painfully distend your stomach until you burb the air out. Because of my air gulping & mouth opening/snoring,I'm on my tenth night of using two inch paper tape over my mouth with a folded over corner tab. Also, I've noted the moist morning mouth, better AHI (less leaks) and the tape (or not moving my mouth) seems to hold the nasal pillows in place.

[stacyrings]

I didn't see where you posted a video, Kairosgrammy.

Why am I all of a sudden doing this? The change in the pressures can cause it? I think my old pressures was like 14/9 or somewhere close to that. I've never felt like this even a little bit.

So if that is the problem, breathing through my mouth, the fix is to tape my mouth closed or wear a FF mask, right? I don't have access to a FF mask tonight but I do have some tape. I got some last week when it was suggested in my other post. I have tried searching on here about taping but I don't see how you are to do it. Can someone explain it please?

[LSAT]

Probably not. It's a function of where the air goes. The air doesn't just go into airway, it also goes down the esophagus and often what goes down, must come up, hence belching and gas.

[/quote]

The air often goes down and comes out the other end......... When you breath through your mouth you often gulp and swallow when your mouth gets dry. It's rare to swallow when you nose breathe.

[Kitatonic]

If I'm feeling anxiety about the mask or a pressure change, I tend to gulp air. My taping procedure is to cut a 3-4 inch strip of 2 inch paper tape and fold over the top right corner, lay it by my machine and seal my mouth just before I go to sleep. Others may have helpful taping tips such as using painter's tape.

[Lizistired]

Another option might be to increase from your old pressure to your new pressure gradually. Give yourself some time to adjust. When I had aerophagia, it wasn't due to mouth breathing so taping would not have helped.

[stacyrings]

Another option might be to increase from your old pressure to your new pressure gradually. Give yourself some time to adjust. When I had aerophagia, it wasn't due to mouth breathing so taping would not have helped.

How can I gradually increase to the new pressure? I already had the DME change to the new setting. Will I have to go back and have him change it again and will he do this without an Rx?

I taped last night, I set my ramp to the max of 45 mins. and I made sure I used a flatter pillow so my airway was more open. All of those were tips I read somewhere that would help. It did. I didn't wake in the night and didn't have near as much gas pains this morning. I don't like my new mask so I'm going to try a FF mask and see if that will help.

[MaxDarkside]

When I get above 13 I start leaking air into my tum-tum. A resp. therapist wanted me to go to 20 to whack a few more OAs and CAs when on my back and when I did, well, I changed my machine in a matter of minutes back to a max of 15 because I was inflating like a hot air balloon. I learned to (mostly) sleep on my tummy now so I don't have to go to the higher pressures.

[stacyrings]

Can you change your machine yourself?

[Pugsy]

Can you change your machine yourself?

Yep. Do you have the provider/clinical manual? It explains how.

Bear in mind that if your DME has used the SD card to program the machine then the SD card will change it right back to whatever the RX is.
How long have you had this machine? Do you still have to satisfy insurance requirements and thus have the DME involved?

Clinical manual for this machine can be requested here. http://www.apneaboard.com/CPAP%20Adjustment.htm

For instructions with pictures...http://www.apneaboard.com/ResMed/ResMed ... Setup.html

Finally just because you can change something doesn't mean you should change something unless you fully understand what you are doing.. Have you ask your DME to lower the settings to that you can get used to the pressure and then maybe work your way up to what you need?

[MaxDarkside]

Can you change your machine yourself?

Yes. My last Dr.'s visit, he and I went over everything and he was quite confident in my understanding, released me to do as I will and said "See you in a year. Let me know if you have any questions in the meantime".