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+--- Thread: Aerophagia AirCurve 10 VAuto (/Thread-Aerophagia-AirCurve-10-VAuto)
Aerophagia AirCurve 10 VAuto - SleepyGoodSteve - 07-17-2018
Well I would like to say Hello to all and I hope all is well to everyone. I am new to this forum however I have had sleep apnea for quite a while..I think since 2009 or 2010 and have been using Cpap every since. About 2 years ago something changed while using my Cpap machine and I had to go from Cpap to Bipap VAuto(hope that makes since) I felt as if I was fighting to exhale on Cpap even with the EPR settings was not helping at all. So the doc switched me from the old (2010 model)Respironic Remstar Cpap to the(2016 model) Aircurve 10 Vauto. At first I loved it however I started to experience the dreaded Aerophagia. I have always been a mouth breather and used a full face mask with no problem. I have sinusitis and a small nasal passage so nasal masks never worked for me at all. I have used a soft collar, mouth taping and chin strap at the same time and it dosent help with the nasal mask for me. The aerophagia seems to be getting worse and not better for me. Not sure if I am on the right settings or not but I kinda adjust my settings while doing research and taking pointers from these Forums. I will upload my Sleephead snapshots so you guys maybe can point me the right direction and help me get some sound sleep because last night was horrible and I have had enough.I am sleepy during the day and I dread going to bed because it is a hit or miss if I am going to be up all night. I never go to sleep without my mask and I find myself wanting to nap sometime but I hate putting on the mask because I know I will not get a nap in. Its weird but I feel when my AHI is between 2 and 3 I have had good sleep, if it is below 1 its because I am more than likely lying there awake SMH. Also I might add, it feels like being on Vauto has changed my breathing. I feel soreness in my chest if I exhale to deep during normal breathing, more in my diaphragm then anything. Which again I feel its keeping me from getting efficient sleep. I appreciate any advice you can give me guys.
Thanks and God Bless,
SleepyGoodSteve
RE: Aerophagia AirCurve 10 VAuto - Sleeprider - 07-17-2018
Using the Vauto at 8.0 to 13.2 with PS at 3.0 your results are excellent, but you complain of residual aerophagia. Looking at your charts, you are perfectly titrated at those pressures and AHI is low. If you can tolerate the risk of higher AHI, then gradually reducing your EPAP and max IPAP pressures together, keeping PS 3 may help the aerophagia, at the risk of increasing AHI. The threshold for aerophagia is usually related to a weakness in the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) which excludes air from the stomach. This problem is something you can research and discuss with your doctor. Meanwhile, you might try 7.4 to `12.6 at PS 3 as a starter to see if any relief is possible. A subsequent step would be 7.0 to 12.2 at PS 3 which is a full cm-H2O pressure reduction. The idea is to gradually move pressure downward and observe the results and subjectively whether it improves aerophagia.
Pursue therapy for the LES and be sure that if you have an issue with GERD that it is properly treated. Many sufferers of aerophgia benefit from a ramp pillow or articulating bed to elevate the upper body.
RE: Aerophagia AirCurve 10 VAuto - SleepyGoodSteve - 07-18-2018
Thank you so much Sleeprider! I will definitely try this. I try to sleep with two pillows kinda propped up but I ultimately end up throwing one on the floor because I can’t seem to get comfortable but’s it does seem to work. If I lay on my back I really start swallowing air which sucks because that is the most comfortable to me. Not sure if me losing weight has anything to do with this Aerophagia or not?
RE: Aerophagia AirCurve 10 VAuto - Sleeprider - 07-18-2018
Do an internet search for the Wedge or Ramp body pillows. They are not unreasonably expensive, and can really help sort out the aerophagia for some people. Some fit under the mattress, while others might be used between the body and mattress. Using individual head pillows tends to cause excessive neck flexion which can cause obstructive apnea to be worse. Finding an angle that works will be much more comfortable and effective.