No gas with Nasal Mask only?

paradigmer · Post by **paradigmer** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 1:34 pm

Does anyone know if it's true that if you use a nasal mask it'll prevent you from swallowing air and thus having gas / burping problems?

Last night was my 2nd night on CPAP and I used the full face mask and had terrible, horrible gas which prevented me from sleeping. (And thus negating the whole purpose of CPAP treatment).

So, is swallowing air prevented by using a nasal mask only?

thimarine · Post by **thimarine** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 3:51 pm

I can only speak from personal experience, but I have used both full face mask and nasal pillows (still using pillows) and have just as much gas from all the usual places with both. I don't see any reason a nasal mask or nasal pillows would cause less gas if your machine is operating correctly and you don't go beyond the recc level of leaks for your mask.

IndyJudy · Post by **IndyJudy** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 4:07 pm

I wear the FlexiFit 407 nasal mask and wake up with gas.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 4:25 pm

Well...that's not too encouraging.

Thanks for the feedback though.

I've had terrible gas all day long---If this continues then i don't see how I could or would continue the treatment. It keeps me awake at night anyway and then I walk around smelling like a wet wooly mammoth throughout the day.

No bueno....

IndyJudy · Post by **IndyJudy** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 4:33 pm

Sorry! I thought you should hear from a nasal mask user. Thank goodness my gas isn't painful all day. I live by myself and usually can get rid of it before leaving for work! (yuck, sorry again, too much information!) Now, I do take nexium for my acid reflux which may help alleviate my gas issue. Don't give up on cpap yet. Other forum users may have other suggestions.

thimarine · Post by **thimarine** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 5:12 pm

Gas-X extra strength works wonders. You might try chewing a couple when you wake up. I like the chewable lozenges. Really helps get rid of excess gas. I know it's an indelicate subject, but after getting up in the a.m., I am rid of the built up gas in about a 1/2 hour. I do take zantac, prescription strength twice a day, for acid reflux, which may help.

The benefits of cpap and the improvement in my general health make this a really small problem for me. I hope it gets better for you and that you're able to stick with therapy.

tangents · Post by **tangents** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 8:16 am

I believe simethicone (sp?) is the active ingredient you want to look for. Walgreens sells it in geltabs that you can swallow instead of chewing the chalky lozenges. I will take it before I go to bed if I suspect that I will have problems, or in the morning if I wake up bloated.

I also believe that the type of mask won't make a difference in the amount of air you swallow.

Good luck,
Cathy