Desperate in Wyoming. . .please help!

[ShelleyH]

Hello. . . I really need some direction and help. . .

I ordered 3 new masks and the Liberty mask is on backorder so its has not arrived yet. But, the Hybrid and Ultra Mirage FF did. So, I was very excited to try both over the weekend and see what happen and if either would help with the horrible, severe, lie in a fetal position Aerophagia I'm battling. It's really not a good thing.

Pressure is set at 8cm (per me) 9cm (per prescription) I lowered it because originally it was set at 9cm and I complained of the aerophagia and the doc increased it thinking maybe I was not getting enough air and I was essentially trying to gulp for air and then swalling it . . . ??? So, it went up to 10cm and then when that REALLY didn't work he lowered it back to 9cm. . . Rested Gal here pointed me to the instructions on how to change my own machine and I lowered it to 8cm . . Thank goodness. . . that did help some. Still waking after 2 hours with a belly filled to my throat with air. . . fetal position only helps . . .throw off the mask and burp and flatuence and then cry in pain. . . Okay, got the pic?

Trial of the Hybrid mask. . .it semi-worked the first night. . slept for 4 hours but woke up with some aerophagia but not as bad and was going to try some of the fixes with the Hybrid (i.e. nasal pillows, etc.) to get the fit right.

Night 2, didn't have time to work through the fixes, used the Hybrid but didn't tighten the lower straps enough and woke up within 2 hours. . . belly to throat full of air. . .

Night 3.. . was going to try the Hybrid again but got frustrated and decided to try the Ultra Mirage FF. . thinking I could at least attempt and less figdeting with stuff. . . so I put on the Ultra Mirage FF . . .woke after 2 hours and had massive Aerophagia . . bloated stomach and the mask was tight all around - nothing was leaking. What am I doing wrong? Thanks

[Wulfman]

Hi Shelley.

Welcome to the forum.......from another Wyomingite.
"Aerophagia" is one of those things that many, many people on this therapy suffer from......but there's no "one-size-fits-all" remedy for it. Have you gone up to the Search line and searched on "aerophagia"? For some people, they may find relief in lower pressures (which it sounds like you're trying), turning on or off the exhale relief (C-Flex or EPR, depending on which brand of machine), using straight pressure, using an APAP with a range of pressures, going to Bi-Level therapy, raising the head of the bed (with 2x4's) if the person has GERD, taking an antacid-type of medication before bedtime, not eating too soon before bedtime.......or other medical procedures for the upper entryway to the stomach.

Have you been diagnosed with GERD?
Are you mouth-breathing? (even in a full face mask)
Is your CPAP humidifier setting too high? Too much humidity can actually cause nasal congestion which exacerbates mouth-breathing).
Are you using C-Flex? If so, what setting?


Den

[Julie]

Try loosening the headgear on the UM if it's too tight - seems a sensible way to go.

[ShelleyH]

Thanks to Dan and Julie for your replies. . . I will answer the questions I remember here. .

Yes, I have searched "aerophagia" and read everything I can find and attempted many of the things to try. I have not been diagnosed with GERD but I have been thinking that it is a possibility as I have been suffering with digestive issues so I took it upon myself to try an anti-acid before bed, Tagamet is the one I had on hand and have been taking regularly.

Am I a mouth-breather? Yes, I believe that I am. I just haven't figured out quite how to deal with it.

I use the C-flex on my machine and its set at "1"

I have tried not to use C-flex and changed the settings to 2 and tried 3 but it wasn't any better and actually they were harder on my breathing.

I don't have software to see what I have been doing for leaks. . I would have to take the card to my DME provider. I am considering by the software and the card reader since I don't get much assistance from the DME provider and I think it would be very helpful.

Julie - I will try and loosen the strap but it didn't really feel to tight. . . maybe though? I appreciate the replies.

[pmcall57]

I came across this video showing one approach that might help. I don't have a big problem with swallowing air, but it happens that this is the way I sleep naturally.

https://www.youtube.com/user/TheLankyLe ... L0GndbTrSE

The fellow who did this video (he's an RT) has several others that I found useful, esp one about claustrophobia.

Pam

[SleepingUgly]

Shelley, we started this on another thread... My aerophagia has improved since I switched to Cflex+ 3 (I hope I didn't just jinx myself...it's one of the few CPAP problems I've solved lately!). On your machine you may not have the '+', I'm not sure. Cflex 3 is more relief than Cflex 2 and 1 is the least. How long did you try Cflex 3, and what about it was harder on your breathing?

We're starting our Hybrids at the same time. Tonight is night 4 and I hope I don't wake up with the same frequency I have the last couple of nights...