swallowing air

[bugalug]

I am a newbie to the cpap machine. I have only had it two days (or is that nights. My problem is that I am swallowing air while I am asleep. When I wake up I am in a lot of pain from all the air in my stomach. Any advice?

[LSAT]

Keep your mouth shut!

[chunkyfrog]

It's called aerophagia, and it could be related to the fact you are not used to the air pressure yet.
Exhalation relief, bipaps, and sleep position changes are some of the ways people deal with it.
With most of us, it goes away, only returning when we have eaten too late, too much, or the wrong things.
Sleeping on my left side and avoiding heavy evening meals helps me.

[Gizmogidget]

Call your doctor. I had this problem and the doctor lowered the pressure. That took care of the bloat and my apnea is gone.

[bugalug]

Thanks for the good advice chunkyfrog and gimegidget. I will do as you suggest and hope for the best!

[Beth T.]

I turned my exhale relief off and started having the same issue. Doctor said that the EFR would help with that. I turned it back on at 1 and it resolved the issue. Maybe it will for you too.

[lagasan]

The exhale relief on my machine helped me with this problem.

I also had to learn to keep my tongue "plastered" against the back of my mouth! It prevents the air from entering your mouth as it passes from your sinuses into your trachea. I have learned to swallow while keeping my tongue like that. I am even learning to clear my throat without letting air into my mouth.

I still swallow a bit of air, but nothing extreme.

You may adjust over time like I have. It only took me a few weeks to get to this point.

Anne

[chunkyfrog]

In the meantime, try to enjoy the sophomoric humor that ensues.
"This, too will pass. . ."