I am quite new to CPAP - was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea late March (of this year) and have been using the CPAP since April 1st. I have the Phillips DreamStation Auto CPAP, with nose pillows mask, and all in all I have become accustomed to it, if ever you can really get accustomed to sleeping with a machine attached to your face
That said, I am occasionally experiencing aerophagia and nausea, sometime to the point when I wake up in the middle of the night looking pregnant! Seriously... During the day the feeling goes away, but honestly, it is very uncomfortable and sometimes quite unbearable, especially if I have a little too much to drink that evening (which I probably shouldn't do, but on some occasions it happens). One of the nights I woke up feeling actual pressure in my chest, literally feeling that swallowed air locked inside me due to the CPAP use!
I think the pressure setting is fine for me, as the AHI normally stays bellow 5 (an average of around 3.5), and 90% of the time the pressure doesn't go above 9 (I learnt how to see that in the setting section of my machine). the mask is well sealed (100%).
I read that maybe I should use the C-flex option (I am now set with A-flex), and increase it to 3 (I think now it is set to 2). Also, I use the humidifier at a level of 3, perhaps I should decrease it? I honestly don't know if it has any effect on the gassy stomach issues... I did also read about the need to elevate of my pillow, though I quite like sleeping on my side, and then it could possibly not work well with an elevated pillow when it comes to my neck...
As a side note - I sleep with a night-guard that was originally prescribed for orthodontic reasons, but I learnt it helps with teeth clenching (which have gotten MUCH better since I use CPAP, but I still sometimes wake up with sour jaws, so I try and use it).
Any advice? Please share if you've had this issue and how (if at all) you solved it.
All my best to you all, and may we all get wonderful night's sleeps!