Advice needed, 8 months into treatment

Hello all,
I am 8 months into this journey and until recently, thought things were going pretty well. I acclimated to the mask well and never had much trouble sleeping with it. Daytime sleepiness let up a LOT although my energy level has not seen the same improvement. I figured that was something I was just going to need to work on myself.

For the last several weeks, I am feeling more and more tired. Also suffering from pretty severe abdominal distention (if it wasnt for my age, I imagine people would think I was ready to give birth!) and a lot of flatulence. Ugly picture, isn't it? Here is what I know: pulse ox checks show one dip to 89 that lasted less than 3 seconds. Leaks are minimal. AHI is rising steadily from around 2 when things were better to 4 or a little over the last few weeks. I am at the same pressure (12) that I have been for the majority of my time on cpap. So..there is definitely a connection between my AHI and the way I am feeling (or is there?). I also cannot understand the aerophagia issue starting at this point when nothing has changed. I have had no weight loss or gain.

I would appreciate your feedback as I am getting fed up with this. I am not normally a whiny person (at least I dont think so, perhaps I should have checked with others first) but I am just about at the end of my rope.

Jeanette

It maybe that acid reflux has raised its head which encouraged the aerophagia issue. Other things can be sinus issues due to recent colds or allergies. Did you have blood work done to eliminate thyroid issues since you are still tired? There is unfortunately more to life then OSA which could havebeen hidden by the OSA before.

BlackSpinner wrote:It maybe that acid reflux has raised its head which encouraged the aerophagia issue. Other things can be sinus issues due to recent colds or allergies. Did you have blood work done to eliminate thyroid issues since you are still tired? There is unfortunately more to life then OSA which could havebeen hidden by the OSA before.

No recent colds or allery symptoms and I have had blood work done to check for thyroid and other things as well. Everything came back fine.
I suppose I could try to treat acid reflux and see what happens. Thanks for your input!

Jeanette

Have your machine checked, just to make sure it hasn't gone bonkers and is supplying too much pressure.

O.

I would try probiotics for the abdominal bulging and gas. You can buy them at a health food store. I would try to get a good quality brand of the capsules.

You could try seeing a Gastroenterologist, and see if you have a parasite or some kind of GI bacteria. Or you could just try some parasite cleanses or GI cleanses from the health food store. I like the brand ReNew Life (no affiliation at all). You could also try ReNew Life's Candida cleanse, because it sounds like it could be candida overgrowth in the gut.

Or could it be that all the air from the PAP device is filling your tummy? I have actually heard of that happening from a patient. Might want to ask your sleep specialist.

Good luck!