Central Sleep Apnea and Duragesic (fentanyl) patch
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 8:50 pm
Eighteen months ago I started using the duragesic fentanyl patch for control of chronic pain. The patch is a very strong narcotic pain reliever. After using the patch for several months my wife began to notice that I was having spells of not breathing while I slept. As time went on the periods of no breathing became longer and more frequent. I was having problems staying awake during the day. During a Doctor visit I mentioned the problems I was having and was scheduled for a sleep study. I was diagnosed with severe Central Sleep Apnea, having over 55 centrals an hour even while on the machine. After further complications I visited another sleep doctor for 2 more sleeep studies with the same results. I asked the doctors if the use of the patch might be a cause of the centrals and none of them thought it likely or were willing to take me off of the patch. After doing some research on my own I came to the realization that the patch could possibly be the cause of the centrals. I quit the patch, which was no easy task, and have had no signs of Central Sleep Apnea since.
I believe the use of the Fentanyl duragesic patch was the cause of my Apnea and am curious about the opinions of other Apnea sufferers.
Thanks
Dave
I believe the use of the Fentanyl duragesic patch was the cause of my Apnea and am curious about the opinions of other Apnea sufferers.
Thanks
Dave