New CPAP pressure and GERD

I recently replaced my old CPAP machine with a new one. The setting increased to 12 from 10. The air pressure seems too much. Could this be a factor in a recent bout of GERD *high acid levels in stomach in early morning..leading to dry heaves) or should I be looking in other directions. I did read some previous threads and I do experience the air burping too associated with aerophagia

Thank you for your input.

In general, CPAP reduces acid reflux when you are using the machine but the aerophagia (air pushed into stomach) it causes can increase reflux when you disconnect from it. It is likely that the small increase in pressure has increased your aerophagia. Have you felt bloated with this? In my own experience this will decrease in time as you get used to the pressure but I do not know if this happens generally. Hope this helps.

Thank you. I have never had Gerd but have now seemed to have a full blown case. Perhaps the change to a new machine and added pressure is unrelated to this new condition but I have notice that my acid problems are highest in the early am and don't know what to do. Am going to se a gi doctor soon.

It is a good idea to see a GI specialist. In the meantime you could try simple antacid medication from a pharmacy which should be safe if the recommended doses are not exceeded.

You may have had GERD for a long time - there's something called 'silent' GERD which means it doesn't necessarily awaken you, but still disturbs your sleep, but now it's become more obvious.

If the pressure is pushing air into your stomach, you'll probably be battling reflux all night, as you try to burp out the air while horizontal.

They say aerophagia is very rare, and most people have suggested that silent reflux can "cause" aerophagia when on CPAP, so I'll be raising the headboard and probably trying some OTC antacid. (A doctor friend mentioned that a few weeks/months of antacid might be enough to reduce the inflammation so that it's "cured", since apparently it can be a bit of a chain reaction.)

If I wake up with a bellyache, I sit up and the burping begins almost immediately; soon I feel so much better.

chunkyfrog wrote:If I wake up with a bellyache, I sit up and the burping begins almost immediately; soon I feel so much better.

I look at your avatar and picture this frog setting up on the lily pad and opening it's mouth and belching instead of croaking! LOL! Seriously though, I have the same problem and will usually burp for a couple of hours, first thing in the morning. If the reflux persist, you want to be sure that it's treated. I had it for almost a year before going to a doctor and it had started eating away at my esophagus! It took a while to get the esophagus healed, and I'm still using omeprazole to keep reflux and heartburn down. I've been on meds for reflux for over 10 years. I usually only have to take 2 or 3 pills a week now, to keep it under control.

Some people seem to find more pressure causes GERD, and some people find more pressure reduces GERD.