Tell me about bloating and raw nose

[khallow]

Last night was night 3 of CPAP treatment. Right from the get go my mask didn't feel right on my face but I couldn't seem to get it right. It wasn't leaking.. just felt wrong. ANYWAY... about 5:30am I woke up bloated and in pain from what I assume is the air swallowing I have seen mentioned here. What are the best ways to avoid this?

Also, my nose is sore... between the nares. I think it's kind of like a wind burn. I think I will try some beeswax on it tonight. Will that cause any problems?

I think I have decided to take the CPAP on vacation b/c I have felt a lot better the last two days. Not perfect but much less sleepy. Amazing....
Karen

[snoregirl]

You don't mention your pressure and it may be revelant for the bloating.

Happens to some people. More with higher pressures. Some things help, like Cflex, APAP, and from what I hear A-flex too.

Some only get relief with BiPAP.

Only three days in it is hard to tell how you will fare in the long term, give it a bit of time.

And by all means take it on vacation.

As for the sore nose. Do you mean the bridge of the nose? I see you have a nasal mask. Sore nose tends to be very common for the first couple days of nasal pillow, but with the nasal mask that can't be what you are talking about.

Can you adjust the mask? Maybe it is not the right one for your. See about switching to a different one. Don't continue so you have an open sore though, as that can be painful.

Some here use some padding like moleskin. I have never tried this one personally though.

[JZ]

Karen,

If you go to the Search icon at the top of the cpap.talk page and do a search on aerophagia (swollowing air), you will get many threads on this topic. I wish I could provide a link to some of the more helpful, but I have not kept track of them as I don't often have this problem. I had a week of moderate aerophagia that occured when I was trying to sleep on my back more. When I went back to my natural position on my left side, the aerophagia went away.

For some people, sleep position or head position makes a difference with aerophagia. Sleeping on the back and on the right side seem to cause some people more trouble. Aerophagia can also be affected by the mask, the pressure setting, ramping or not, and of couse, the machine. Some people have chronic problems with aerophagia, but for many of us it is a transient issue that we just have to put up with for brief periods. I hope yours goes away quickly.

For the sore place between your nares, many people use an over the counter triple antibiotic (like Neosporin or Walgreen's brand) to help it heal more quickly. It may not continue to be a problem once you are used to your mask. However, it sounds like your mask was bothering you. Unless that resolves quickly, contact your durable medical equipment company and ask to try some other masks.

I don't know if beeswax would create a problem with your mask; maybe others here would. Do avoid products with a petroelum base (like Vasoline).

Definitely take your cpap with you on vacation. There are some good threads you can searh for here about traveling with your cpap (airport security, helptul things to take along like an extension cord, etc.)

Good luck to you.

Janna

[khallow]

Thanks... I knew there was a term for it but couldn't remember the term. I'll do that search now!
Karen

[Babette]

Karen, go to Walgreens and pickup a tube of Ayr Gel. Slather it liberally on the outside of your nares, inside, and the upper lip area. Use it morning and night until your nose heals up.

Many of us suffer initial nose irritation. For me, the Ayr Gel does double duty - heals the nose, and lubricates any pillow masks I use. I've found it doesn't work well with the prongs mask I'm currently using. But if I use a pillow, I definitely need the lubrication.

Good luck!!!
B.

[TxStarDiesel]

My 2 cents worth: This too shall pass.

The first two weeks were the hardest. Sore spots, leaky masks, and terrible pains from swallowing air.

The body seems to adjust and now I can't wait to put on my mask. I am sleeping all night now and do not have to nap!!!

Keep trying - use the products mentioned, try gas-x for the pain, and try other masks.

Good luck!

[Loveylouise]

for me, I now have to sleep on my left side and back.
I listened to the medical seminar Rooster posted on the relationship between GERD and OSA. Right side makes it worse. Since I have been sleeping on left about a month, no airswallowing. this am slept about an hour on right side after I woke up and went back to sleep, and woke up burping. Louise

[khallow]

Thank you Louise.... I was sleeping on my right side a bit that night AND I have acidr reflux and Bile reflux. So maybe the right is a no no for me. Huh? Interesting....
Have a great day,
Karen

[plaws]

ANYWAY... about 5:30am I woke up bloated and in pain from what I assume is the air swallowing I have seen mentioned here. What are the best ways to avoid this?

Also, my nose is sore... between the nares. I think it's kind of like a wind burn. I think I will try some beeswax on it tonight. Will that cause any problems?

Tonight will be night 15 for me. My bloating seems to have abated since I stopped trying to sleep on my right side (though my spousal unit has reported that she has awoken to find me sleeping that way!) and become a back sleeper.

I thought the nose thing was just an unfortunately placed pimple ... then it started on the other nostril yesterday. Plan to try that Ayr Gel stuff now that I know it exists. ...

[GeneS]

My wife has acid reflux so she sleeps with the head of her side of the bed elevated some. I do not know if you do that or if it would help but it might.
GeneS