taking sedatives and sleep apnea

[jazzmynn]

I have not had a good night sleep since starting my cpap a week ago.
I just got a full faced mask today because of problems.

I have taken xanax in the past when I could not sleep.

I'm also nauseated I think due to sinus drainage, and my doctor ordered 12.5 phenergan.

I'm scared to take either of these now that I know I have apnea. Has anyone else taken these at bedtime with your apnea?

Please let me know

[OCNorsk]

I don't know much about specific medicines, but I know many take sleeping pills when needed. I have mild apnea and sleeping pills don't work all that well for me, so I don't worry about being totally conked out. I've heard it's not recommended to take sleeping pills, but my dr really wanted me to take them the first week I had the machine. I think because he thought it would help me to adjust. I didn't do it then, but I have from time to time.

[ozij]

When a doctor gives you medication to take, you should at least tell him about all your other conditions, and ask him whether they may affect those conditions.

Does the doc. who suggested Xanax know you have breathing problems when you sleep? If he does, maybe he got the impression your were being more harmed by lack of sleep than you were by whatever the Xanax may do to you?

[dieselgal]

I don't take xanax but I do take a low dose ambien off and on. My doctor prescribed the ambien and the CPAP so I am assuming he knows what he's doing.

[jda1000]

I use AmbienCR, 12.5 mg, more often than not. With the mask, my usual problems falling asleep were hugely magnified, and so far, choosing between the effects of Ambien (minor, in my case so far) and whole nights without sleep has been pretty easy.