Still swallowing air

I have had a problem swallowing air, to the point that it is so uncomfortable when I wake up in the morning that I am not using my c-flex with swift mask any longer.

I have lowered the pressure from 12 to 8 but still have the problem. I went for an upper endoscopy and they found a hiatal hernia and have put me on aciphex. They don't think this is the cause of swallowing the air.

Should I consider changes from the nasal pillows to a full face mask?

Sleepless in Chester

Sleepless in Chester,

Hi, Sleepless on LI here . I don't know if the discomfort you're describing is a gassy stomach or what. If it is, what I've started doing is, before bedtime, I take a chewable OTC gas relief tablet. It has helped tremendously. I don't know if the hiatal hernia has anything to do with it or not as I have absolutely no medical credentials or knowledge except that I think that it causes the feeling of gastric reflux. My daughter had it an a very early age. They put her on everything imaginable until finally one of her pediatricians told her to take OTC Prilosec for 8 weeks and after stopping, it was officially gone. This was after her suffering severely for two years, enough for her to undergo at 9 years old an upper endoscopy. They were starting to wonder if she had an ulcer causing all the reflux and were going to scope her again when this wonderful doctor said that the Prilosec OTC can actually take it away in some people. It's a proton pump inhibitor which actually cuts down on the production of the stomach acid. Worked for her.

I wouldn't suggest you take anything, though, OTC without talking with your doctor to see if you can take that with your prescription meds for the hernia. Maybe that will help on its own? If it's the gas issue, I doubt it. But what do I know? If the prescription doesn't work towards eliminating gas, then see if your doctor will okay an OTC tablet for that. Works for me. Feel better.

gerper wrote:I have had a problem swallowing air, to the point that it is so uncomfortable when I wake up in the morning that I am not using my c-flex with swift mask any longer.

Gerper,

This reply is assuming the air is not as a result of any reflux - a lot of us xPAPers seem to have it - I treat that *very well* with a prescription tablet called 'Pariet' - for me it has *eliminated* reflux while I take them & it works out cheaper than bottles of gaviscon or other such medicines)
## see links on Reflux & Pariet at bottom ...

If you can get your hands on a ResMed Mirage f/f (or equivalent) - try it.

Some of us are just not suited to nasal masks & no matter what we try (even tape across the mouth) air finds its way to the stomach.

If you can get a good fit f/f mask I believe you will find the stomach wind declines to a negligable amount.

Cheers

DSM

Links re reflux - symptoms causes ...

http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/23068673/
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/fac ... reflux.htm
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-acid-re ... _kw=reflux

Link re Pariet ...

http://home.intekom.com/pharm/janssen/pariet.html