CPAP issues

[calicojack42 5]

Like many, before my surgery, I was using a CPAP to treat sleep apnea. On Monday, I'll be 5 weeks post- op, and while the CPAP has never caused me pain, It is causing a different issue. Whenever I sleep on my side, I hear a loud gurgling sound eminating from my gut. I cant force a burp out most of the time, and sometimes the sound is so loud it will wake me up. In the morning I have a little bit of flatulence, but nothing one would expect- perhaps it's evacuating when I sleep. At any rate this gurgling sound is rather distressing. Does this sound normal? I have my one-month post op visit with my surgeon on Tuesday, so I plan on bringing it up with him.

[gmanbat 5,889]

I never heard of the gurgling sound. I would bring it up with doc and even the folks who handle the apnea equipment.

Wife and I both had apnea and c-paps. We shed them within a month of surgery which is common after WLS.

[calicojack42 5]

I'm down around 70 pounds at this point... maybe I'll make that appointment with my pulminologist

[Norseman's Rage 12]

The only thing I've noticed since my surgery last week is that I have headaches in the mornings following use of my CPAP, whereas before I did not. Given the short amount of time since my surgery, I'm hopeful this will eventually clear up.

[Macy6 356]

I have been struggling since surgery. I have always struggled to leave it on, and tend to rip it off around the four hour mark, in my sleep. Since surgery.... I have averaged 90 minutes a night. I am not sure what is going on. Makes me crazy.

[marynoel 12]

I am 25 days out from my surgery and haven't needed my cpap since I got home. I used to take it off in the middle of the night, too. Only wore it to humor my husbamd who hated the snoring. Seems snoring has subsided since surgery.

[blackfalls 26]

Are you sure it's coming from your gut? To me it seems like you've lost weight and the mask no longer fits you properly and the sound is a large leak.

[J.Diesel 220]

I agree sounds like a huge leak. I would definitely follow up with your pulmonary doctor.

[calicojack42 5]

I've got a nice tight seal on my face- plus at 20 punds pressure I can feel leaks when they happen as well as hear them. I'm going to bring it up with my surgeon when I see him on Tuesday. I'm not in any pain, but the sound is pretty disturbing, and who knows what could happen in the long-term.

[TJL 222]

I don't know what your gurgling noise is, but I've had to have my pressure on my CPAP lowered twice, and it was interfering with my acid reflux, making it worse. Doc said will probably be off it soon, you should see if you need your pressure reduced. Just a thought.

[blackfalls 26]

Calicojack, definitely take the word of your surgeon (or respiratory therapist who set you up with the cpap machine). If it's not a leak it definitely could be too much pressure (centimetres of Water pressure, not pounds per square inch though). You would suffocate or maybe your head would come off with 20 PSI. lol

If you're losing weight in your neck area then the pressure to keep your tongue off the back of your throat/airway needs to be lessened.

I hope you are able to come off it completely within a few months!

[calicojack42 5]

Ha! I knew it was always wrong to say 20 pounds. I took a before and after picture and the most drastic weight loss is around my chin and neck. This is absolutely something for my pulmonologist .

[vsginkc 117]

I can't imagine being able to sleep without my CPAP. If that happens, that ALONE would make surgery worth it! So great to hear that getting rid of the CPAP happened for some of you!