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Permalink Reply by Mary Z on July 20, 2011 at 10:12am

Here is a link to a video on our UK site which may help.  Good luck.

http://hope2sleepguide.co.uk/video/get-rid-of-burping-and-gaswind

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Permalink Reply by Chris H on July 20, 2011 at 3:21pm

Hi Mary, I spoke to Dr Park about areophagia and (to the best of my recolection ) he said Gerd needs to be treated to reduce the swallowing of saliva produced to wash the acid down. Air goes with the saliva. So an over the counter acid reducer can be used as a test, but a trip to the gastroenterologist is indicated for an endoscopy to see if their is anything else that needs attention. Ie ,Hiatal hernea ,or other maladies. Good Sleep,Chris  

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Permalink Reply by Mary Callahan on July 20, 2011 at 6:57pm

Thanks for the suggestion, but don't think GERD is an issue. Especially since I don't have the problem at all while lying on my back. I only get it when I try to sleep on my side. Wouldn't make sense to have it only on one's side. To me it would make more sense to have it on one's back.

Chris H said:

Hi Mary, I spoke to Dr Park about areophagia and (to the best of my recolection ) he said Gerd needs to be treated to reduce the swallowing of saliva produced to wash the acid down. Air goes with the saliva. So an over the counter acid reducer can be used as a test, but a trip to the gastroenterologist is indicated for an endoscopy to see if their is anything else that needs attention. Ie ,Hiatal hernea ,or other maladies. Good Sleep,Chris  

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Permalink Reply by Judy on July 21, 2011 at 8:55am

When you roll to your side you are changing the "balance" and position of "air bubbles" in your esophagus and tummy that accumulate on your back.

 

Do NOT so blythely rule out silent reflux. It is a VERY common problem, especially as we ago and lose some muscle tone.

 

For those who really "blow up" w/gas changing position can bring great relief. First prop yourself on your knees and elbows w/head laying on the bed and butt in the air. Hold that positiion a short time then roll to your left side, left leg stretched down, right leg curled up, head to left side. Hold that position a short time. Then switch to the right side, right leg out straight, left leg curled up. Back to knees and elbows and then stand or sit up. The "bubbles" should start rolling thru either or both ends very quickly and bring relief.

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Permalink Reply by Mary Callahan on July 21, 2011 at 10:53am

I still don't think I get any bubbles accumulating on my back because:  After 4 hours on my back, I take off my mask and turn on my side. With my mask off I do not get any gastric insuflation. It is only when I leave my mask on that I get the 'bubble' problem. So I don't think it is reflux, especially reflux that started on my back. It is definitely something about how the mask and/or the physical changing in my mouth make the gas problem when laying on my side. And was wondering if anyone had any suggestions. I have looked at the video and will give those suggestions a try. The video said to tuck your chin into your chest while laying on your side. 

Judy said:

When you roll to your side you are changing the "balance" and position of "air bubbles" in your esophagus and tummy that accumulate on your back.

 

Do NOT so blythely rule out silent reflux. It is a VERY common problem, especially as we ago and lose some muscle tone.

 

For those who really "blow up" w/gas changing position can bring great relief. First prop yourself on your knees and elbows w/head laying on the bed and butt in the air. Hold that positiion a short time then roll to your left side, left leg stretched down, right leg curled up, head to left side. Hold that position a short time. Then switch to the right side, right leg out straight, left leg curled up. Back to knees and elbows and then stand or sit up. The "bubbles" should start rolling thru either or both ends very quickly and bring relief.

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Permalink Reply by Judy on July 21, 2011 at 12:28pm

I've read wearing a soft surgical collar to bed helps.

 

Back to the reflux for a moment tho: I didn't mean to imply that PAP pressure had nothing to do w/the problem. Just that if we have a weakened LES (lower esophageal sphincter) that little bit of extra pressure that CPAP provides CAN be the "straw that broke the camel's back" so to speak and bring the reflux aerophagia to the fore. It really can't hurt to try a Pepcid AC for a few days to see if it brings any relief.

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Permalink Reply by Chris H on July 21, 2011 at 6:09pm

AN endoscopy will clearly show whats going on .Inflimation un treated leads to bigger problems.Any structural issues like hiatal hernea also would be picked up.I have raised the head of my bed and am on acid reducers to deal with GERD. You also may be having apnea which brings up acid also. What are your AHI and AI daily numbers running? Is your CPAP  treatment is optimised ? Are you getting numbers below 5 ?

Judy said:

I've read wearing a soft surgical collar to bed helps.

 

Back to the reflux for a moment tho: I didn't mean to imply that PAP pressure had nothing to do w/the problem. Just that if we have a weakened LES (lower esophageal sphincter) that little bit of extra pressure that CPAP provides CAN be the "straw that broke the camel's back" so to speak and bring the reflux aerophagia to the fore. It really can't hurt to try a Pepcid AC for a few days to see if it brings any relief.

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Permalink Reply by Mary Callahan on July 21, 2011 at 7:56pm

My numbers are very, very low. Usually under 1. Most are centrals. And actually my new sleep doctor thinks I don't need my auto-pap anymore, thinking it is causing the centrals (my old doc moved to another state). I don't think I agree with him. Also he said he couldn't suggest anything for the gastric insuflation. I am beginning to think this new doc is useless.

 

And from what I've read is that sometimes GERD symptoms in older persons is due to not enough acid (not too much as one would think), so I wouldn't dare use an acid reducer as then I would not be able to digest my food at all. 

Chris H said:

AN endoscopy will clearly show whats going on .Inflimation un treated leads to bigger problems.Any structural issues like hiatal hernea also would be picked up.I have raised the head of my bed and am on acid reducers to deal with GERD. You also may be having apnea which brings up acid also. What are your AHI and AI daily numbers running? Is your CPAP  treatment is optimised ? Are you getting numbers below 5 ?

Judy said:

I've read wearing a soft surgical collar to bed helps.

 

Back to the reflux for a moment tho: I didn't mean to imply that PAP pressure had nothing to do w/the problem. Just that if we have a weakened LES (lower esophageal sphincter) that little bit of extra pressure that CPAP provides CAN be the "straw that broke the camel's back" so to speak and bring the reflux aerophagia to the fore. It really can't hurt to try a Pepcid AC for a few days to see if it brings any relief.

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Permalink Reply by Mary Z on July 22, 2011 at 9:47am

I wouldn't discount what he says about not needing an auto anymore.  Can your auto be set to straight cpap mode?  Perhaps for the present he will compromise with tightening the spread on your auto pressures.

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Permalink Reply by Mary Callahan on July 22, 2011 at 4:26pm

Thanks, Mary. I totally agree. That is why I am considering changing doctors. I think he is way off base. I think the apap is very useful for me especially since the numbers show I've gone from around 11 AHI, down to under 2 (centrals accounting for about half). That alone should have meant something to him. 

 

As far as the spread, I already had a very small spread -- from 8 to 10. And I usually am at a 9.4 pressure. I have been experimenting by lowering the numbers downward to see if the centrals are lowered, since he seemed to think the machine is causing the centrals. But it has only been a few days, so I can't really say just yet.

 

He wants to do yet another sleep study, since his center did not do the initial one back in Sept of 2010. He feels he doesn't know what their parameters were in deciding on my mild sleep apnea. His center did the titration study back in April 2011, and I had no obstructive apneas or hypopneas, just centrals. The technician kept me at a 7 that whole night.  I think he thinks I don't need a machine, and I think the machine works real well and kept all the apenas away. The centrals probably happened every time I woke up, which is what they are noted for. And I woke up a lot, over 21 times. And that is what the doctor said who was my doctor when I did the titration study. He was a really great doctor, but he moved to DC, and so I had to get a new doctor, and I'm not liking his replacement.

 

Mary Z said:

I wouldn't discount what he says about not needing an auto anymore.  Can your auto be set to straight cpap mode?  Perhaps for the present he will compromise with tightening the spread on your auto pressures.

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Permalink Reply by Chris H on July 22, 2011 at 7:11pm

Hi Mary,

             Centrals are something that need to be looked in to by some one like Dr Ari Klapholz or Dr Marta M. They have both spoken at nyc AWAKE , Look at the previous meetings for propper spelling and more info.A consult with a gastroenterologist and an endoscopy will reveal if you have anything that needs attention.( GERD, hiatal hernea, not enough or too much acid,) Due to your aerophagia symptoms. Listen to your instincts . Good Sleep,Chris

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Permalink Reply by Elaine Hetman on August 1, 2011 at 10:20am

I have the same exact problem.  I have just been sleeping on my back.  Would love to know why it only happens on my side as well.

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