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In the last year I've lost ~35 lbs and in the last few months I've been waking up in the morning with terrible stomach cramps/gas. Only recently did I find out that it could be related to aerophagia. Are there any tweaks I can make to my Airsense 11 to help with the gas? Attached a few OSCAR charts from the last few nights.
Machine: Lowenstein Luisa Mask Type: Full face mask Mask Make & Model: Resmed Quattro FX Humidifier: separate F&P humidifier CPAP Pressure: Epap 4-20 PS 4-20; "auto" rate CPAP Software: Not using software
Other Comments: Using 45 degree angle upper body wedge (36"x36") and 4.5"soft cervical collar; 500 assured tidal vol
01-02-2025, 08:36 PM (This post was last modified: 01-02-2025, 08:37 PM by Jay51.)
RE: Aerophagia after weight loss
Lowering the pressure can sometimes decrease aerophagia. You have 8-16 or so with apap. Your 95% pressure was 10.4 I think. You can try lowering your max pressure to 11. And then lowering it even further very slowly (by 0.2 increments if you want to).
Some of the OA's that you are having occur in "clusters". This is classic for positional apnea. By lowering your pillow height, side sleeping vs. back sleeping (and with something between your chin and chest to prevent chin tucking), and lastly trying a soft cervical collar at night (I use one every night). These techniques should help keep your airway straighter and from being kinked; also they more importantly can help keep your chin from tucking towards you chest and either partially, or in extreme cases, even totally blocking your airway. If you can get relief from positional apnea, you can possibly lower your pressure even more (which should decrease aerophagia even more).
Give these suggestions a try and repost some OSCAR charts.
INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
I'm still continuing to struggle with Aerophagia. At least I think it's aerophagia. I go to bed, and my stomach feels fine. I don't eat anything for at least 5 hours before I go to sleep. Then, I wake up and I have very uncomfortable gas/cramping in my lower abdomen, often times accompanied by a bowel movement. This lasts anywhere between 5-8 hours. It doesn't happen every day, maybe 2-3 times a week. I'm not sure if I should go to my primary care, a sleep doctor, or a gastroenterologist.
I've tried lowering my pressure, very gradually since I last posted. It's currently set to 11, but in reading the charts, I think it might be too low. I'm attaching a few recent charts and would greatly appreciate any advice. Thanks!
Machine: Lowenstein Luisa Mask Type: Full face mask Mask Make & Model: Resmed Quattro FX Humidifier: separate F&P humidifier CPAP Pressure: Epap 4-20 PS 4-20; "auto" rate CPAP Software: Not using software
Other Comments: Using 45 degree angle upper body wedge (36"x36") and 4.5"soft cervical collar; 500 assured tidal vol
You are still having some clusters of OA's and a cluster of H's that are raising your pressure. If you could get those stopped, your pressure wouldn't increase so high. That may help your aerophagia.
It is your call if you decide to pursue furhter treatment with your PCP and/or eventually a gastroenterologist.
Here is some reading on positional apnea that is causing your pressure to rise:
INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
You can try narrowing your pressure range further. Looking at your summaries and chart, a min of 7 and a max of 10 with EPR set to 1 or 2 seems reasonable to try for a week.
PRS1 Auto & Dreamstation Auto w/ P10 and straight pressure of 8cm
