Esophagus and the CPAP machine

I am 65 and have been using a CPAP for almost 4 years. About 2 months ago the pressure (9) overpowered my esophagus, meaning that air went into my esophagus as well as into my lungs. It's a kind of "inverse belch", accompanied by gag reflex, that cannot be tolerated. I kept reducing the pressure, but within a day or two my esophagus just got weaker and couldn't take the pressure. After I couldn't take even a setting of 5, I gave it up and began to get through the night with Ambien (which left me increasingly nauseated the next day). Meanwhile, I was taking Ometrazole for a month, but that didn't seem to work.

My doctors are out of suggestions.

Really, I need help here. I live in the area of Princeton NJ. Who here knows about CPAPS and esophageal problems?

Get checked for acid reflux.

Get new doctors.

Check out this and other articles that can be found in a Google search on CPAP, esophagus, aerophagia, etc.: CPAP and Things That Go "Burp" in the Night

I would guess that the good G.I. docs know more about this than the sleep docs do.

Have you been diagnosed by a good GI Dr. as having Barret's Esophagus? You need a good GI Dr. working with your sleep Dr. to help you solve this problem. Doing without your CPAP therapy sounds like a Russian roulette option to me. If you cannot tolerate it due to pain, you need an appointment with new Drs. ASAP!

Jen

Mike B wrote:I am 65 and have been using a CPAP for almost 4 years. About 2 months ago the pressure (9) overpowered my esophagus, meaning that air went into my esophagus as well as into my lungs. It's a kind of "inverse belch", accompanied by gag reflex, that cannot be tolerated. I kept reducing the pressure, but within a day or two my esophagus just got weaker and couldn't take the pressure. After I couldn't take even a setting of 5, I gave it up and began to get through the night with Ambien (which left me increasingly nauseated the next day). Meanwhile, I was taking Ometrazole for a month, but that didn't seem to work. My doctors are out of suggestions. Really, I need help here. I live in the area of Princeton NJ. Who here knows about CPAPS and esophageal problems?

I don't see a mask listed so I'm guessing you are using either nasal pillows or a nasal mask, for instance the Wisp. Correct me if I'm wrong. I used to get that exact same esophageal gag/flutter phenomenon from time to time when I used nasal pillows like the Swift FX or (to a lesser degree) a nasal mask like the Wisp. I currently am using a Quattro FX full face mask which made the problem go away entirely. Yours isn't the first report I've heard regarding of this problem... from personal experience I know it's a tough one to deal with. OTH, If indeed you are already using a FFM then I"m sorry, I can't really suggest anything else.