Helo everybody, I'm new to the group, just found you today. I was diagnosed about a year ago and have had my CPAP for almost as long. I haven't worn it in a long time, and have now resolved that I need to wear it.  I feel like my condition is getting worse.  Only there is a problem that I can't seem to "just get used too".

During the night when I have my CPAP on, I am apparantly swallowing a LOT of air. I've worn it 2 nights since I started wearing it again and have woken up both nights after being asleep for appox 2 hours with a terribly distended stomach. I was in extreme pain from it, to the point of feeling like I was suffocating. The first night, Upon sitting up and removing my mask I belched more than I ever have, and felt better immediately, but didn't put the mask back on. 2nd night was a different story, no matter what I did the discomfort lasted for over an hour, mask didn't go back on then either.  This is the reason I stopped using the machine in the first place.

I use a full face mask, because I'm a wide open mouth breather. A nose cup would do me no good, and I've tried using a chin strap to keep my mouth closed but I feel like I'm dying, I just don't breath through my nose, that's it. Don't know why, I just don't.

Anyhow, have any of you ever experienced this problem with your CPAP? What can I do to combat it?

I'll thank in advance anybody who has any insight on this problem.

Darrin,

I sometimes suffer from the same problem you are with the air in the stomach.  I know you said you haven't been using CPAP for a while.  Over that time, has your weight changed?  If it has been more than 15 lbs., you might need to have your pressure adjusted.  If you decide to go this route, it may take several tries to get it right.  Neither this site, nor I advocate adjusting the pressure on your own.  Contact your sleep doc.  S/He will write a script for the pressure change.  You will need it and your machine to your DME to get it changed.  This is the only thing I can think of that *MIGHT* work.  Keep us posted!


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<>< Sleepy Scott <><
Job 7:13-15

Darrin,

I am also new to the group, although I have only been on cpap for 5 days. Like you I wake up feeling extremely bloated. The first night was very uncomfortable, but the second night within an hour my stomach started swelling like a balloon. It is a very scary feeling. I ended up taking the mask off for the rest of the night. When I got up in the morning my stomach was still extremely distended, I looked and felt pregnant.

I contacted home health and then my doctor, unfortunately my doctor was out of the office until this coming Wednesday. Since then I have been sleeping in my recliner. I don't have the bloating as much, however as I am going to sleep I am feeling nauseated and light-headed. I have a few more days before my doctor will get back with me but I know I have to continue using my cpap. I am hoping the doctor will be able to figure out what needs to be done. I work full-time and go to school the last thing I need are problems like these.

I could also use some suggestions on how to deal with this pain and uncomfortable feeling.

I am also new to CPAP, and I am also getting the bloat. Although I haven't had pain yet, I do not like it. Hope I will get to talk to my doc soon.


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James

Hoping to sleep.

I have been useing my cpap for 9 days now, and I also have this problem with bloating.
I called my Dr and he told me to buy GASX and it seems to be working.
I hope this Idea helps out[/b]

I have been trying my CPAP for about 6 mos. now and things have not gotten much better. From the first night I had the bloated feeling and woke with burping and passing gas. My pressure is set at 9-10. The doctor has tried lowering the pressure and then increasing it and still no help. It had become a bit more tolerable (no pain) but I still woke up feeling bad. My dr. sent me to a 'head and neck' dr who after insulting me by saying that my problem was being over-weight, did a check and observed that perhaps my TMJ may be the culprit. He recommended a dentist that I have not seen yet. I have had snoring and sleeping problems since before I was over-weight. Now I think I need to look into an oral device with/without the use of the CPAP. Perhaps that would allow for NO mask or a much reduced pressure. However, I just wanted to tell you that I had a bad case of intestinal pain upon waking this past Sunday. It stayed all day long. I had eaten some greasy food the night before which is unusual and I attributed it to that. Every morning after that was painful but the evenings were fine-normal. But I wound up in the ER Weds morning with the same thing. They found nothing wrong. I am fine in the evenings but things are bad in the mornings. Last night I woke at 1:30am in severe pain from gas and then it became acid in my stomach while using my CPAP. I think there is a link between the CPAP and the intestinal problems. Perhaps living with all this gas in the belly and intestines for 6 months is not good for you. I now think that there may be a link between the gallblader and the excess air. I am off to see the doctors (GI, sleep, and GP)about this but my sleep dr. didn't know about the belly air relation before either. Any suggestions?

Hi everybody!  It is good to know we are not alone-we have a common bond here!
See my post HELP WITH CPAP section GERD AND CHEST PAIN posted 4-27-08.  I suspect I am having similar issues.  I am finding that the following helps some with the bloating:
Have your last food intake 2-4 hours before bed
Avoid greasy foods and spicy foods (I don't do greasies, but I do enjoy my spices) If you must have your spices and can tolerate some, use sparingly-some people may not be able to do any
They say I now have GERD, which there is medication available-see your primary care doctor and your sleep specialist.  You also may need a referral to a Gastroenterologist.
All my life I was 120lbs-the unexplained weight gain creeped up to 174lbs over the past 5 years.  Since starting CPAP almost 2 months ago, I am losing about 3/4 to lb per week.  I am now 167lbs.  I am wondering if I need my pressure adjusted, as the excessive air could be related to the need for pressure adjustment.  Thanks for all the response and support!
Lantern4life

Hi Everybody --

Please use the 'search' feature in the panel across the top of each page, or the 'google style search' in the upper right of each page.  Do a search for 'aerophagia' -- the term for air swallowing.

I and others have suffered this and overcome it.  We have made many posts here.  There are many things you can try, that may reduce or even eliminate the problem.  Rather than reposting it all again, please just give that search a go   And of course do post back here if you still have unanswered questions.

It's a topic that comes up very frequently, as it is so common.  So be sure to take the time to look at the older posts too.

Blessings,
--pseudonym

I have looked over the information on aerophagia but my dr. gives me the deer in the headlights look when I explain the situation. I did try the bi-pap for a short while but it didn't seem to help. I feel that going thru all the things mentioned in the posts ie. wedges, which side to sleep on, bi-pap machines, cinamon tea, Gas-X(which I have tried) etc are taking the plus out of a CPAP at all. I hate the thing in addition to it causing pain. I have to talk myself into putting the mask on every night because of phobia issues still knowing that I will not wake up feeling well in the morning. I have tried the nasal pillow but can't seem to handle breathing over the pressure. It's been 6 months of trial and not much has changed except I do feel that I get a slightly better nights sleep with the machine than without. In addition, it seems to help my sinuses. Probably because of the humidifier. I plan to pursue the TMJ aspect as I think that my jaw slipping back during the night is a major part of my apnea. I have to pry my mouth open and slide my jaw forward in the morn. I will go back to see my CPAP dr but believe that he is strictly in the business to make money by selling the machines. He is part of a sleep diagnosis center here and from what I have learned from the staff, they really just want to sell the machine with minimal problems. I think I have had the jaw problem for a long time. I had snoring problems before I gained weight and although I want to lose the weight, I don't think it will eliminate the snoring without some type of help. Perhaps I can use both methods and therefore reduce the pressure which will in turn help with the bloating pain. Frustrating....