Sleep Apnea

[stitchnscrap]

I am having a terrible time with my CPAP machine. I've had my machine for about 3 weeks. I'm afraid to wear it now because of the PAINFUL amount of air that I am swallowing at night with this machine.

I want to feel better, I really do, but that painful air in my stomach is something I could do without.

What could I be doing wrong? I'm using a nasal only mask. My pressure is at 8.

HELP!
Gina in NC

[fritzgla]

This is probably way too late for you but perhaps others will benefit. You are not "swallowing" air - in non-medical terms air is being pumped into your stomach by the CPAP machine. For those of us with apnea and hiatal hernias there is nothing to stop the air when using a straight CPAP machine. Your best bet would be to request help from your HMO in terms of an auto-titrating machine that maintains a lower pressure until you have an apnea. This is "non-standard" equipment in HMO terms and you may have to go through a lot of hoops to get it. Don't give up! Keep pushing until you find someone who really understands the problem and is willing to help you get you what you need. If they tell you that all you have to do is raise your head at night, understand that provides only temporary relief. Once you have belched out the air it will return.

Good luck!