Feedback from CPAP Users...

HettyAnn · Post by **HettyAnn** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 11:54 am

HELP!!! I need feedback. I am using a CPAP and I am having problems and I want to know if any other CPAP user has similar problems. My pressure setting is 12 and I use a "nose-cup" In the morning when I wake up, I find that my abdomen is full of air and my waist has "grown" by one inch in size. I am subject to "farts" all day long like the "putt-putt" of a small motor on a boat... and that I get constipated after three days of use, and my blood pressure has increased into the high ranges and my heart does the a "cha-cha-cha" in rhythm and strength... Does any other CPAP user have similar problems of air getting into their GI tract and stomach???
If so... I would like to hear from you to verify that I am not "unique" with this problem. My Respiratory doctor says that if I cannot tolerate the CPAP that I will have to have a permanent trachestomy placed into my esophagus. I need feedback... Thanks to all who reply!!! HettyAnn[/img]

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 12:20 pm

Here's some information that may be helpful:

https://www.cpap.com/cpapfaq.shtml#9

Titrator · Post by **Titrator** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 1:38 pm

Hi Hetty Anne,

It helps to sleep with a thin pillow that allows your chin to stay in the upright position, instead of a big thick pillow that has your chin down at your chest.

I also agree that your pressure is too high. It can be common with too high a pressure, or simply that you cannot tolerate cpap and may need to be moved to a bilevel machine.

Any way you look at it, you should talk to your sleep doctor about trying a lower pressure, to see if it helps.

Regards,

Ted

snoozin' · Post by **snoozin'** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 4:16 pm

Some people find that they adjust to this after a while, but it can take anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of weeks. And some people never adjust. See if your doctor will let you lower the pressure for a week or two and gradually increase it as you adjust. Or see if the doctor will write you a prescription for an autopap. Some people find those much easier to use as they run at lower pressures part of the night.
Debbie

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 7:16 pm

Hetty, I'm not a doctor but I'd suggest you insist that your doctor prescribe this specific machine for you to try for at least a week:

Respironics Remstar Auto with C-Flex
using these settings:
Pressure set at 6 -12
C-flex set at "3"
and a heated humidifier

Be sure he doesn't order just "an autopap" and especially not just "cpap with C-Flex".
Have him prescribe that specific machine only.

It's astonishing to me that a medical doctor would threaten you with "if you can't tolerate cpap, you'll have to have a trach" yet leave you on straight cpap and apparently do NOTHING to try to help you use "cpap". Just goes to show the sad, sad state of some doctors' knowledge about this kind of treatment. Or perhaps he's left you to the tender mercies of a not very knowledgeable DME. No wonder so many people fall through the cracks.

The problem you've described about air getting into your digestive tract is fairly common. It's called aerophagia and means you're swallowing air. It can be very painful.

Do get your doctor to prescribe the machine above for you - try that one for awhile and see how it goes. If you think there is any chance you're breathing through your mouth at night, also ask him to prescribe a full face mask - again be very specific and insist on a ResMed Ultra Mirage FF (full face mask.)

Good luck.

chrisp · Post by **chrisp** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 7:26 pm

Ditto RG s Statement

Cheers,

Chris

Hugh Jass · Post by **Hugh Jass** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 11:24 am

I am curious how aerophagia can be eliminated by switching to an Auto PAP.

If the problem is swallowing air, wouldn't it still exist no matter what type of machine is pumping the air ?

Regards

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 12:30 pm

Aerophagia can be reduced by reducing the pressure. Less pressure , less air forced into the gut, less farting ,sorry, flatulance and gas pain.

Why run at 12 when 7 or 8 may be just fine for most events. Thats why autos rule.

Cheers,

Chris

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 12:44 pm

However, reduced pressure can also mean more apneas/hypopneas.

I would suggest HettyAnn have the straight CPAP pressure reduced to see first of this will alleviate the problem while still preventing her OSA.

It makes no sense to invest in a machine that is still going to cause the problem with swallowing air , if that is not what's causing the problem in the first place.

I've seen others here complaining of the same problem that are using a APAP.

So they obviously don't "rule" very well.

chrisp · Post by **chrisp** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 1:22 pm

Yes even an auto can be set too high. The result is aerophagia. Try lowering the pressure . Maybe by just a small amount. .5 cmwc at a time .
The advantage of an auto is that once that lower pressure is set properly your comfort is increased and the auto feature will raise pressures as needed.

Don't count dollars tho that is important. . Count how you feel in the morning. Bloated or overfilled as some say. Flatulance with pain or do you feel rested without the unpleasant side effects.

If your experiment with a auto fails you may always operate it in straight cpap mode.

Auto doesn't mean just turn it on and sleep. It will take tweaking for many.

In my case I was titrated at 11. Thought I was gonna die after 2 weeks of straight 11. I have my auto set a 6-13. Guess what? No pain. No flatulance . And my average pressure was only 5-7. Only ocassionally does my pressure go anywhere near 11. And thats usually allergy related.

My hypopnia indices is 2.5. Apnea .7 . AHI= 3.2 . I make minor adjustments as needed due to allergies.

Autos Still rule, sometimes they need a little guidence.

Cheers,

Chris

LarryJ · Post by **LarryJ** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 5:28 pm

rested gal wrote:
Respironics Remstar Auto with C-Flex
using these settings:
Pressure set at 6 -12
C-flex set at "3"
and a heated humidifier

Be sure he doesn't order just "an autopap" and especially not just "cpap with C-Flex".
Have him prescribe that specific machine only.

I just got the PB 420E and it is a very good machine as well.

Larry