Aerophasia - its maddening!

[CPTravler]

I suffer from aerophasia and symptoms of which persist for me throughout the day. My symptoms are the familiar bloating feeling and discomfort in my intestines, irregular bowel movements and LOTS of air in my body. I've also noticed a general discomfort throughout my chest and lower abdomen. The symptoms gradually get worse over time and after 4 days of consecutive CPAP use, I absolutely have to stop using it for at least one night, sometimes two. When I stop using the CPAP all the aforementioned symptoms go away, except of course I'm more tired than usual. On top of all this, I have bad allergies in the Spring and the aerophasia worsens as my mouth breathing increases.

Anyone else experience similar issues? Any solutions?

I've run the gamut on pressure setting adjustments, different masks, side sleeping… Nothing seems to help.

-CP
45yr old - male
ResMed-S9 Elite / Humidifier
Nose Pillows - Chin Strap

[Pugsy]

What pressure do you use and/or have tried and failed with?
Do you use EPR, if so at what setting have you tried.
You might do better with a bilevel pressure machine.

[purple]

Where do you live? What kind of insurance do
you have?

How long have you been doing xPAP?

Walking helps to get the gas out.

[chunkyfrog]

Also drinking a little water can help; and even a little mint tea.
I used to use an Elite, but after sleeping with my Autoset, my aerophagia has mostly ceased.
In my case, I believe the single pressure aggravated the aerophagia.
If I eat late, though, it can kick up a bit.

[Drowsy Dancer]

Wedge pillow?

Do you look at your data? Do your data suggest a cautious trial with a slightly lower pressure might help?

[CPTravler]

Thanks for the replies and suggestions! To answer a few of the questions. I've been using CPAP for about two years now, I've tried different pressure ranges 10, 11, 14, 16(start), my current setting is 12. The pressure seems right, 11 was too low. My EPR setting is 2, but I've tried 1 and 3. I sleep well with it on for about 4.5hrs each night, then take it off. I'm actually borderline non-compliant, since I'm not using it a full 8hrs and take a 1 or 2 day break every now and again, but I have good insurance so that hasn't been an issue (yet). I don't analyze my data regularly, perhaps I should(?).

-CP

[Pugsy]

I sleep well with it on for about 4.5hrs each night, then take it off.

Why do you take it off? The aerophagia issues or something else?

Aerophagia is often addressed with the use of a bilevel pressure machine. Using EPR sort of mimics what the bilevel machine does which is allow for larger difference between inhale and exhale which often allows for effective therapy without making making the aerophagia issues worse.
What happens if you use EPR of 3 instead of 2?

Sometimes we have to strike a compromise between the discomfort from the aerophagia and allowing maybe a few sleep apnea events to just happen if an optimal therapy pressure combination can't be found that does both.

[deuelpm]

For me, I've been sleeping on my back, chin to chest, to relieve this issue. When I get a little air anyway, I grab a chewable GasX asap and have steel cut oatmeal for breakfast.

Usually, the air will burp out the same way it came in - especially if I'm moving/walking a lot. Otherwise, if the air is too far along, it's lots of oatmeal and small meals for a few days until it passes…

Sucks, right? But it beats insanity or death of going without treatment...

[purple]

Next question, do you actually travel much using a cpap machine.