Can sleeping pills skew the results of a sleep study?

mountainlvr · Post by **mountainlvr** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 2:57 pm

I have my second CPAP study tonight, the first one several months back showed inconclusive results because I never went into REM sleep, barely even closed my eyes the whole night! So this time they want me to take an Ambien or Ativan at bedtime so I will actually sleep through. My question is this.... will the use of a sleep aid skew the results of the test? In other words, will my sleep issues (obstructions, centrals, etc.)"act" the same as they do without sleep meds?

Thanks for any answers you might have on such short notice!

jdm2857 · Post by **jdm2857** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 3:03 pm

Ambien is usually recommended because it is both effective and is not likely to affect your study.

I'm surprised that Ativan was mentioned, it's an older benzodiazepene (like Valium) and is more likely to leave you still feeling sleepy the next day.

Most OTC sleep aids containe antihistamines as their active ingredient. These interfere with the normal stages of sleep that are monitored (via EEG) during a sleep study.

You will be much better off taking an Ambien (or Ambien CR) and sleeping than not sleeping during the study.

ricochetv1 · Post by **ricochetv1** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 3:11 pm

What's odd is when I went in for my titration study they said I could "bring any kind of sleep aid you may need".
Maybe it's just the fact that it was the titration study and not the initial one....

jdm2857 · Post by **jdm2857** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 3:16 pm

For a good titration, one really needs to have some REM sleep, as that's when many have their highest pressure requirement.

And as for Ambien, do not take it until you are completely ready to go to sleep. It knocks me out about as fast as a falling boulder does poor Wile E.

DarkSideOfTheMoon · Post by **DarkSideOfTheMoon** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 4:33 pm

I had 4 sleep studies that I couldn't sleep during. The first one I was anxious and excited about getting a diagnosis. The other 3 because I was afraid I wouldn't fall asleep!

The 5th they gave me Ambien and I was out in 3 minutes after I got in bed. I'm now diagnosed and happily on CPAP therapy. YEAH AMBIEN!!!

Cathy

mountainlvr · Post by **mountainlvr** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 4:51 pm

Thanks everyone! I'm opting for the Ambien over the Ativan. I'm off to my study!!

Happy weekend everybody!

unclematt · Post by **unclematt** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 5:01 pm

My sleep study center will provide a sedative if you aren't sleeping within 90 minutes.

Can sleeping pills skew the results of a sleep study?

Can sleeping pills skew the results of a sleep study?

Re: Can sleeping pills skew the results of a sleep study?

Re: Can sleeping pills skew the results of a sleep study?

Re: Can sleeping pills skew the results of a sleep study?

Re: Can sleeping pills skew the results of a sleep study?

Re: Can sleeping pills skew the results of a sleep study?

Re: Can sleeping pills skew the results of a sleep study?