aspirating with CPAP

I am in the adjustment phase of using my CPAP. I have been waking up when using machine coughing and feeling as though I am aspirating. I then spend the rest of the night trying to sleep sitting up so the aspiration goes away, and half the morning trying to get over it as well. Since being diagnosed with sleep apnea I have lost nearly 50 pounds, thanks to a lapband. I had my hiatal hernia fixed at the same time, which solved my GERD symptoms. Any ideas? Could it be connected to the humidity level?

I also have a Lap-Band. If you have an adjustment that is too tight, it can cause reflux. Make sure you do not eat or drink anything from 2 -3 hours before your bedtime.

swanwoman25 wrote:I am in the adjustment phase of using my CPAP.

Welcome to the forum. Please register and then add your equipment to your profile so it shows up like mine does at the bottom of my post. Here's how..wiki/index.php/Registering_Equipment_in_User_Profile

It would help us help you better if we know what equipment you are using along with what pressures, etc.

Without more information about all we can offer is very general

For example..if we know the model of machine we could perhaps point you to some software that would enable you to see if something was going on related to the apnea events that might explain your problem.
Hopefully your machine offers full data. Since we don't know machine model we don't know what might help.

I think notsleepingbeauty has it right. You are probably having acid come up and then it chokes you. Watch what you eat also. I know that the lapband isn't as bad as gastric bypass but I'm sure there are some repercussions for eating some foods.

swanwoman25 wrote:I am in the adjustment phase of using my CPAP. I have been waking up when using machine coughing and feeling as though I am aspirating. I then spend the rest of the night trying to sleep sitting up so the aspiration goes away, and half the morning trying to get over it as well. Since being diagnosed with sleep apnea I have lost nearly 50 pounds, thanks to a lapband. I had my hiatal hernia fixed at the same time, which solved my GERD symptoms. Any ideas? Could it be connected to the humidity level?

Some people have an increase in GERD and aspiration on CPAP, especially at first because of the pressure from aerophagia. Others (like me) have cessation of GERD and aspiration as long as we are using our CPAP.

Do you feel like you are swallowing a lot of air? Are you getting bloated and gassy? The best defense for that is to learn to sleep with your tongue on the roof of your mouth--that seals off the airway from the mouth and reduces the aerophagia.

You should elevate the head of your bed (it's best to elevate the head of the WHOLE bed, not just prop on pillows because that "bends" you)6 inches.

And let your GI doctor know about this.

Aspriation is dangerous, so you need to take care of this.

Try sleeping in a recliner if practical. Not necessarily as a fix, but it might tell you something.

Is there any chance your hose is filling up with water and you're inhaling it?

Tinkering with the pressure might help, might not.