Air in the stomach?

[chiefwms]

I don't know if anyone has written about this problem or not. I haven't found it with the limited search I've done. When I started with my Cpap in december, I had no problem adapting to it and felt much better in a very short period of time. HOWEVER. Since may I have lost (on purpose) 65 lbs and while that mask still fits etc. I have been having a problem. I am awakened each night with stomach pains, a distended abdomen and belching of the air that has apparently been forced down into my stomach. It is quite painful and disturbing. So much so I am not using my Cpap right now.

I thought it might be some other cause so I stopped using the Cpap and guess what no problems. Started using it again. and each night I've used it Pain, distention and belching of the ingested air.

Any Ideas what may be causing this or what I can do to fix it? I would really like to get a good nights sleep again.

Thanks in advance

[dsm]

Congrats on losing 65 lbs excellent achievement.

Re air - I am very interested in what comes to light re this complex topic. Firstly,

- what cms are you on ?
- are you on CPAP or Auto
- do you use C-Flex (can't tell from your post )

Further, I gather you are saying that this problem wasn't present before the weight loss ?

Cheers

DSM

[Guest]

Thanks for the fast responsel

CFlex, Auto I assume it is auto since I've never had to do anything to it and the folks that dropped it off said the smart card takes care of everything. I have to ramp it when I start because the 13 it starts at is too much for me to go to sleep with. Once I'm asleep It didn't bother me.

No this wasn't a problem before the weight loss, but it certainly is now.

[WillSucceed]

CFlex, Auto I assume it is auto since I've never had to do anything to it and the folks that dropped it off said the smart card takes care of everything.

Excellent work loosing the poundage --well done! You have taken a huge step toward being in control of your life. I'd encourage you to take another step and learn all that you can about your treatment; while you may have a great dme or RT, ultimately, it is your body and your treatment -you need to be informed and in charge.

Find out exactly which machine you have and what settings have been programmed. If it is an auto, get ahold of the data analysis software and learn about how you and the machine are getting along.

Weight loss, for most, would mean that your pressure needs would go down. You did not have air bloating before, but have it now, I'm wondering if you actually DON'T have an auto or, if you do have an auto, the lower pressure setting is too high. Again, the software would answer these questions.

Get specific information about which machine you have and what settings are programmed. Post the info and the clever people (Rested Gal, stand up) on this forum should be able to help you. Also, talk with your dme person and see what they say about the air bloating.

[rested gal]

chiefwms, it's called "aerophagia" - swallowing air. Can happen even without actually swallowing air if the air gets pushed past the esophageal sphincter. Whatever way it happens, it certainly can be painful. Happens to me at pressures 13 and above...worse with each higher pressure. 12 almost does it to me. 11..I'm fine.

Tell the doctor what's happening. Don't accept an answer of "Just keep using your machine....you'll get used to it....the problem eventually goes away." Yes, it does finally go away for some people. But I personally wouldn't put up with it for even an hour. It can hurt too much. Been there, had it happen. You better believe, I turned the pressure down!

The surest "remedy" - turn the pressure down 1 cm at a time until you find a pressure that doesn't do it to you. You might not be getting good treatment pressure like that, but look at the alternative - stopping treatment altogether, as you've had to do. (I would have, too.)

After a week or so at a pressure that doesn't cause aerophagia, you might start raising the pressure again. Gradually, one cm at a time, up again. Giving your body time to get accustomed to a comfortable amount of pressure blowing in might let you finally work your way back up to your prescribed pressure...or at least close enough to it to do you a lot of good.

Straight cpap at a straight pressure that makes the treatment hurt is no good, imho. There are other machines that can be more useful. Autopap with software is what I use. One of the many beauties of an autopap is that a person can often spend most of the night with the machine handling things at lower pressures than the prescribed pressure from a sleep study where they titrated the pressure to take care of "worst case scenario" times...times that might occur just briefly during the night at home.

Ask your doctor if he'll go along with letting you turn the pressure down some for awhile. Then either do it yourself or have him order the DME to do it.

What machine do you have? You said it has C-Flex, so look on top of the machine and see what name is painted on the top. Will probably be one of these:

REMstar Auto
REMstar Pro (or Pro 2)
REMstar Plus

[DaveMunson]

... if you do have an auto, the lower pressure setting is too high. Again, the software would answer these questions.

Get specific information about which machine you have and what settings are programmed. Post the info and the clever people (Rested Gal, stand up) on this forum should be able to help you. Also, talk with your dme person and see what they say about the air bloating.

I am running into the same problem except I have started to have gas when I wake up. No pain. No real discomfort except the smell. Using cflex on 1, min 17, max 20. (I snore below 17). Just started - been using this pressure a few weeks. Plan on letting the doc's office know. Anyone else see / smell this? Have this problem?

[dsm]

Yup

DSM

[Guest]

Thank you all. Yes I have been a bit negligent in finding out more about my condition and the machine. The machine is a Remstar Pro.

Where do I find the software to get the information from the machine/card?

I appreciate the insight and suggestions. I will check with the doc to see what we can do. My guess is he will refer me to our cardio pulmonary clinic who hopefully is now seeing retired members and not just active duty. otherwise it's over to the VA and see what they can do to help.

Chris

[chrisp]

Your cpap isnt a auto. You are probably receiving too much pressure. Try lowering the pressure a few and give it a go. Others can advise you on how to adjust pressure on your particular unit.

OR, Get an auto . You deserve it !

:twis ted:

[rested gal]

REMstar Pro gives only "hours of use" information.

REMstar Pro 2 can give more information than just hours of use, but you have to have the Encore Pro software and card reader to see the data from the Smart Card.