Sedatives-Hypnotic Medication May Improve CPAP Compliance

[One Tired Puppy]

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Sedatives-Hypnotic Medication May Improve CPAP Compliance
CPAP compliance could be improved with the use of sedatives-hypnotic medication, according to research presented at CHEST 2008, the annual meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians.

Researchers from Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC, reviewed 400 patients who underwent CPAP therapy, finding age and use of sedatives-hypnotic medication as the only variables associated with better patient CPAP compliance. Additionally, patients who received sedative-hypnotics for polysomnography experienced longer sleep times, greater sleep efficiencies, and improved CPAP titrations.

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Anne

[OutaSync]

That has been my personal experience, as well.

Bev

[ractar28]

What types of meds are they referring to specifically? Something along the lines of Valium or more like Sonata?

[Slinky]

I would assume meds like Trazadone (older anti-depressant), Ambien, Lunesta, Rozarem, Sonata ... Klonopin has been used for sleep and restless legs in the past. It seems to me that Effexor was also used to encourage sleep at one time??

[roster]

Puppy,

The title you selected may lead people to believe the study concluded regular use of sedative-hypnotic medication may improve cpap compliance. The study did not conclude this. They only looked at the one-time use of these medications during sleep studies:

CONCLUSION:The use of sedative-hypnotics during polysomnography was the only variable associated with improved short-term compliance. A one-time use of sedative-hypnotics during initial CPAP titration facilitated better polysomnographic data and CPAP titrations, which, in turn lead to greater use of CPAP in the initial 4–6 weeks of CPAP therapy. Improved initial CPAP tolerance and usage should improve long-term compliance.

[bap40]

For me it does also. If I don't take my dose of Amitryptaline nightly ( used in this case for tension headaches). I have more events on every occasion. I wake up feeling pissy poor. I never miss a dose and it helps in more than the intended use in this case.

[OldLincoln]

The study aside, I take one 5mg Sonata nightly and usually am asleep in minutes. It's a 4 hour dosage which allows me to wake up without the lingering effects of other pills. I often wake in the night but go back to sleep. If I'm concerned about something I'll take an Advil PM with it and sleep the night through again without the side effects.

[fuzzy96]

how do i volunteer for one of these studies?

[kteague]

I can see that, as anxiety, dread, unfamilar surroundings, and new strange sensations and noises of the equipment are contributors to poor titrations, and meds could take the edge off. Same with during the adjustment phase. I recently started taking Tylenol PM at bedtime, otherwise I was too miserable with the limb movements to sleep. I know it's a cover-up, but I don't even care any more. I just want to sleep. Don't think that study told us anything those who have suffered thru a miserable study didn't figure out for themselves. How many of us have afterward said. "I wish I would have taken something"?

[Snoredog]

Study is ongoing and done with Lunesta and sponsored by its makers Sepracor;

Nothing like being hooked on a drug the rest of your days:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eszopiclone

http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00612157

I'll pass on the drugs,

[OldLincoln]

If it remains effective, I don't mind being "hooked" on Sonata. In fact I wish it were available and I got it starting at about 7 years age as I have had persistent insomnia as long as I can remember. I have been so tired of being tired and this is the first one that worked for me. I think I tried them all, but the side effects simply did me in.

In fact, my pharmacy substituted the generic which I tried and had the same side effects as the others. I didn't believe myself so had my wife do a blind study with me where I didn't know which one I took for a week. It was very obvious. I guess the binders have something to do with it. So now I get the Sonata again.

[RevnJeff]

Sedative Hypnotic medications are not always a good idea. I was prescribed MIRTAZAPINE by my psychiatrist for occasional insomnia. (Prior to my sleep study)

I took the medication 3 nights. I hallucinated, had weird disturbing dreams, and said the heck with this. The pharmacist told me that that was a possible side effect of the med. No kidding. As soon as I stopped, the dreams stopped. I had the same problem with Lunesta. It also left a horrible metallic taste in my mouth.

I am on a bunch of medications for high blood pressure, depression, and high cholesterol. Your milage and results may vary. Talk with your main doctor, your primary care physician. He or she is the best help we have.

Jeff

[carbonman]

I'll pass on the drugs,

I'm w/the watch dog on this one.

I asked for ambien, for the sleep study, because
I knew I would not be able to sleep. It worked
very well, but I was wacked out. I can hardly remember
the experience. But, I was able to accomplish what
was needed to get my therapy started.
I was titrated at 8cm and now, life is sooooo good at 12.5cm.

Since my therapy is going so well, I have stopped the nightly
melatonin and L-theanine. It does take a bit longer to get to sleep, but my
sleep is more sound and my dream sessions are becoming more frequent.
I have had multiple, vivid dreams every night since I stopped the melatonin.
I am SO thankful for cpap!

[OldLincoln]

If I could go to sleep within a reasonable amount of time I wouldn't take them either, just like I wouldn't wear a mask to bed if I didn't need it. It doesn't help much to wear a mask and still get only a few hours sleep. You'll still feel like crap the next day.

The side effects CAN be bad, depending on the drug and dosage. I had the weird stuff on several brands, that's why the doc gave me samples. I tried several and finally the sleep doc said Sonata makes the lowest dosage pill (5mg for 4 hours) and the effects should be gone after a full night. They are for me. BTW, he tried everything else first because Sonata doesn't do samples.

Meds for the brain are patient specific. Even the bindings that hold the active ingredient and pill together are involved and generics are NOT the same as the original. Good docs understand that and give samples until you find the right one for you. So, if you gotta take them, try until you find the right one.

[ofarchesandants]

also remember just because a pill is a specific dosage does not mean you can't half it or quarter it to reduce side effects but still achieve desired effect. The only exceptions to that are if it is enteric coated or extended release. And of course always discuss with your doc first.
gregg )