I am a 48 Y.O. male in very good shape. I was recently diagnosed with moderate obstructive sleep apnea. I realize now that I probably have had it most of my adult life. During the sleep test my sat. levels went down to 82%. I have been using my CPAP machine for 1 week. The machine is a Respironics Remstar Pro M Series w/C flex and a Humidifier and a Optilife Nasal Interface. The first 2 nights were hell but since then I am slowly adjusting. I have found that since using the CPAP I wake between 3am and 4am and cannot get back to sleep. I was prescribed Ambien to  help with it but I have only taken it twice because I have read so many negative reports about it. The two times I used the Ambien it helped greatly and I slept through the night. I have not experienced the great difference in rest that I have been told about by many CPAP users. It seems that my problems are pretty standard adjustment problems and hopefully with time will work themselves out. I have however expeience a new problem the last two nights. When I wake up in the morning my stomache is distended and I am very bloated. It would seem that the air may be being forced into my stomach. Is this a fairly common problem and is there anything that I can do about it. It is an extremely uncomfortable even painful situation. Has anyone experienced anything similar? Any help would be appreciated.

Both the early wakening and the air in the stomach are not unusual when first using CPAP, and both should resolve themselves.  I am a bit surprised that your doctor prescribed sleeping pills for the early wakening.  If the air in the stomach is a major problem you should talk to your sleep doctor about it, he may want to temporarily reduce your pressure.

Don't let them kid you. VERY FEW people take to CPAP therapy like a duck to water! And ever fewer experience the miracle of no problems and waking up ready to take on the world their first night on CPAP.

The bloating you are experiencing is called "aerophagia". You're swallowing some of the air. And it could be fairly likely that you may well have a lax or weak lower esophageal spinctor that is allowing the air to enter your stomach. Some experience aerophagia for just a few nights, the experience varies, some experience such severe aerophagia they cannot tolerate CPAP but find that an autoPAP or a bi-level is needed for relief. Do you know what your C-Flex is set at? Adjusting that down, or up, might help.

If you don't get any relief from the aerophagia then it is time to contact your sleep doctor and discusse it with him/her to see what the next step should be.

No one has a more vested interest in your health than you so don't be bashful about contacting your doctor(s) and discussing any problem(s) you are having.


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Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity & Micro masks, ResScan 3.4, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

Thanks for the quick response. Its good to know that my case is not unique. I am trying to be patient but the aerophagia thing is quite uncomfortable. I hope it doesn't last long. I think the Doctor prescribed the Ambien to help me fall asleep as well as the early rising but either way it's only a brief respite as I am trying not to use them much. This is a great forum its been a big help. Thanks again.

You'll find some more ideas at this link from the ASAA main site (scroll down to find it):

Air in the Stomach

Vicki


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That which does not kill you makes you stronger-Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich must of had apnea.

I too am desperate to find help for my husband and his cpap. I'm glad to know that very few people take to cpap like a duck to water.

We finally got my husband a chin strap for his ComfortGel and it helped keep his mouth closed but last night he was snoring with it on!! I know it was him snoring, I listened very closely and he was for sure snoring. I called and left a message with the drs nurse, still waiting on her call.

Also, he is NOT adjusting to this cpap. He sleeps any where from a hour to 3 hrs tops on it and that's it. As he says he can't sleep with it and he can't sleep without it. So after sleeping briefly on it, he takes it off and doesn't put it back on the rest of night. Is this ok and is this normal?

He also experienced some chest pain while "practicing" on it before going to bed for the night. Could this too have been air?

Help!

I too am desperate to find help for my husband and his cpap. I'm glad to know that very few people take to cpap like a duck to water.

We finally got my husband a chin strap for his ComfortGel and it helped keep his mouth closed but last night he was snoring with it on!! I know it was him snoring, I listened very closely and he was for sure snoring. I called and left a message with the drs nurse, still waiting on her call.

Also, he is NOT adjusting to this cpap. He sleeps any where from a hour to 3 hrs tops on it and that's it. As he says he can't sleep with it and he can't sleep without it. So after sleeping briefly on it, he takes it off and doesn't put it back on the rest of night. Is this ok and is this normal?

He also experienced some chest pain while "practicing" on it before going to bed for the night. Could this too have been air?

Help!