You are a mouth breather, chin straps don't work and bloating is much worse with a full face mask than a nasal mask?  
I have been to a "sleep specialist" about this isssue and he had never heard of cpap causing bloating.  Now I wonder how much of a specialsit he is.  He told me to quit using full face mask and go back to my nasal mask, using a chin strap and gave me flonase for nose congestion.  I do have to admit the bloating is not as bad with the nasal mask, but the therapy is not either.  I am having a retitration done next week to see if maybe my pressure could be adjusted down a bit.  Just wondering if anyone had any thoughts.

Usually, if you are mouth breathing, the rush of air out of your mouth wakes you up. I'd venture a guess it is more a matter of the "lip flutters" where air escapes gently between your lips whilst you are sleeping. A chin strap can't do a thing for this. I would agree I would feel a tad uncomfortable w/a sleep "specialist" who is unaware of aerophagia as a result of CPAP!

You might have some idea of whether you are experiencing the "lip flutters" whilst sleeping if you occasionally notice your mouth filling w/air, maybe even your cheeks puffing out a bit, or even some air slippng gently thru your lips just as you are dozing off to sleep. If you experience this as you are waiting to fall asleep or just dozing off I can guarantee you you are experiencing it whilst asleep as a cause of your high leaks.

Do you have a CPAP w/some form of expiration relief such as Resmed's EPR or Respironics C-Flex or A-Flex? That "might' provide all the relief you need to reduce or avoid aerophagia. Expiration pressure can be reduced by as much as 3 cms.

The new titration isn't a bad idea, depending on how much it is going to cost you out of pocket. It might be necessary to lower your pressure until you can adjust to the lower pressure even if you need a higher pressure to stop events and then gradually build up to your needed pressure. Reduced leaks to a reasonable level can result in less pressure needed to stop apneas and hypopneas.

It might also be that a bi-level device will be necessary for you to avoid aerophagia and tolerate CPAP therapy. Sometimes tho, an autoPAP set w/a reasonable pressure range can do the trick.

You might also want to try switching to a "hybrid" style mask that has both nasal pillows and a mouth piece or cushion. That won't help w/aerophagia but it can help to reduce leaks and the reduced leaks can allow for a lower pressure setting.


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Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
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Bankerlady...through your's and my conversations....Ask to see if you can get on a BiPAP (call Dr prior to re-titration study)...and at that titration...talk to the tech...maybe they can try you on biLevel.  I found that has helped me with the 'bloating'...aerophagia.  Not 100% but much better!


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I would have to agree with Mrs. RVW.  I would probably be checking into another "sleep specialist" also.  Sounds to me like he is not much of a "specialist".  However this is just my opinion though.
Good Luck, I do hope you get some relief soon.


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I mentioned the bi level to him and he wasn't the least bit interested in talking about it.  He said that is usually for people with high pressures.  I even told him I had been doing research on my own and told him about this forum, just so he would know he is not talking to a dummy!  I have talked to the tech several times on the phone already but I did not mention the possibility of a bi level to him.  I may call him back today and discuss this with him.  He has been very pleasant and talked with me as much as I need him to.

What is your pressure?  BiLevel is also used for those with lung conditions..unable to breath out against the pressure.  I surely am not a high pressure person...at least I do not consider 13 to be a hurricane.  Bottom line...ask him how it would not help your therapy....then if he has no good answer.  I beleive he can justify it's need due to medical conditions other than SA.  If your pressure is low such as 8 or 9...then I can see why he said that...EPR should help then.


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BiPAP Auto M 13/8 Mirage Nasal Swift. 20 years+ undx'd. RLS/PLMD, Hypersomnia & more.

Does anyone here wake up drooling in your sleep?  this has happened to me several times, including last night.Lantern

My pressure is 12.  I have c-flex and have it set on 3- which is the most relief.  Still having some headaches.  Can't say if they are SA related or allergy/sinus related.  I am taking Zyrtec and using Flonase to help with that.  Here in Arkansas there's always something floating around in the air!  I am feeling better though so I know the therapy is working to some degree.  I would love to get rid of the painful bloating and not go around root-a-tooting all the time.

Latern 4 life-  I have also awakened drooling, several times.  Don't know why.

To all of you, I know bloating has been cussed, and discussed several times.  I really don't mean to kick a dead horse.  It just gets so frustrating.  Especially when a "specialist" looks at you and says he's never heard of cpap causing that.  I have been searching for another doctor, but there are very few within a 100 mile radius of me that lists "sleep medecine" as one of their specialties.  Thanks to all for taking a look at my post and offering any thoughts and ideas.  This forum is full of lots of info and great people.

Ok...Here is an idea...  I found that when I first moved to this area I am in...I had been on CPAP for awhile..and learned a lot from here.  I had my new GP who admited to knowing very little about SA...and HE listened to me.  I basically was able to tell him what I needed and wanted..and he followed through for me..because my requests were plausable and reasonable.  That may be a route to go for you...have a GP manage the care...and see the specialist only as needed.


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BiPAP Auto M 13/8 Mirage Nasal Swift. 20 years+ undx'd. RLS/PLMD, Hypersomnia & more.

[quote="CrohnieToo"]Usually, if you are mouth breathing, the rush of air out of your mouth wakes you up.

Quote:

CrohnieToo...I just re-read your post.  I actually woke up one night with my mask off, machine running and the mask right next to my face.  Don't know how long it had been there.  I just thought, what the heck?  Put it back on and finished the night with it.  I do wake up in the mornings sometimes with a very dry mouth.  Is this a sign of mouth breathing? Or can lip flutters cause this also?

And, apparently I need a lesson in using this quote thing!

I am no Crohnie but dry mouth can be from both mouth breathing and lip flutters.  I had lip flutters due to the aerophagia.  ALl that pressure had no where to go but out....in my therory, because I could not exhale good enough


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BiPAP Auto M 13/8 Mirage Nasal Swift. 20 years+ undx'd. RLS/PLMD, Hypersomnia & more.

Mrs. RVW I certainly was not trying to exclude you.  I am glad you respond.  You are probably right about the lip flutters and ALL that air having to go somewhere.  Do lip flutters negate therapy like mouth breathing does?

Oh I didn't take it that way, I am very down to earth and bubbly...I was kinda tryin' to tease Crohnie   

Yes they do.


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BiPAP Auto M 13/8 Mirage Nasal Swift. 20 years+ undx'd. RLS/PLMD, Hypersomnia & more.