Sleep medicaton with sleep apnea

[ChelseaChestnut]

I am new to cpap and I took 2 advil pm's last night to help me fall asleep. I did sleep with my mask for about 6 hours before I woke up and took it off and then slept for about 2 more hours without it. What is everyone's opinion on using medication to help you sleep while you get used to using cpap? What medications/supplements do you use? Thanks!
ChelseaChestnut

[SnoozyQ]

I have to take medication (Ativan) to sleep. Otherwise, I will take hours to fall asleep and the wake up every 2 hours or so to check the time, IF I get to sleep.
I used to use Melatonin, but it wasn't getting the job done anymore. This eases me into sleep, doesn't make me feel drugged and no 'hangover' the next day.

[msradar65]

I use a prescription medication to help me get to sleep. I am a newbie to CPAP. It really makes a difference. No more waking up every few hours. I am hoping that once I am adjusted to CPAP I can stop the medication. But for now I am sleeping through the night with mask on.

[robysue]

Seven weeks ago I started CPAP. After night 3, big-time bedtime insomnia set in. However, due to past reactions to sleep medicines and sedatives, I was (and still am) extremely reluctant to take drugs/supplements designed to make it easier to fall asleep. I treated the insomnia aggressively with sleep hygiene techniques that I've used off and on through the last 30 years when I've had other serious bouts with insomnia.

About 3 or 4 weeks into CPAP therapy, I managed to get the worst of the insomnia under control, and it remains under control even now for the most part. Except that in the last week or so, I've started waking up several times at night---enough where it's disrupting my sleep. Fortunately, it's not yet become hard to fall back asleep.

So while many folks can and do use sleep aides during the adjustment period, if they're not working or if you're reluctant to take them for some reason, there are other alternatives for coping and managing insomnia.

[M.D.Hosehead]

What is everyone's opinion on using medication to help you sleep while you get used to using cpap?

JMO, I'm of the " Do what's necessary to enjoy, and accomplish what you want to with, your life" school of thought.

Some people have philosophical problems with pharmacological sleep aids, regarding sleeping meds as "relying" on a "crutch". If I wanted to get rid of all the "crutches" in my life, I'd have to try to get by without my eyeglasses. But I would accomplish less and miss out on some of the good things life has to offer. What would be the point of doing that? I look at using pharmacological sleep aids the same way. That's JMO, though.

What medications/supplements do you use?

Diphenhydramine, the sleep aid in Advil PM, and also sold as the antihistamine, Benedryl, is available cheaply OTC as generic diphenhydramine.

It's not addicting--I've never heard of anyone developing a craving for Advil PM or Benedryl.

About the only side-effect is a tendency to dry out the mouth and nose, but many people use it without any problem.

[chunkyfrog]

Does a whole Mikes hard cranberry lemonade count?
(I offered hubby half, but he HATES cranberry)
My blood sugar was better this morning, too.

[rubymom]

Chelsea, I take Ibuprofen PM probably four or five nights a week. It definitely helps me sleep better. I do find it is not as effective if I take it every single night.

I asked my sleep doctor about it at my last appointment and he had no problem with it.

[FlyingB]

I believe life is too short to do everything "natural." And those afraid of modern medicine should not be using a CPAP machine either. After struggling for almost 6 months to get used to this thing (and get some real sleep), my doctor prescribed Ambien. All I can say is WOW. I'm finally sleeping with the machine.

For those that use Tylonol/Advil PM, the active sleep ingredient is Benadryl (actually Diphenhydramine or something like that). If you don't already have a headache, just take the Benadryl alone and keep the pain med out of your system; you'll have the same sleepy affect. You can buy a monster bottle of the generic as Sams/Costco for just a few bucks that will last years. The expensive Unisom SleepMelts are simply generic Benadryl also. If you have allergies, you just may cover both at the same time.

[robysue]

I believe life is too short to do everything "natural." And those afraid of modern medicine should not be using a CPAP machine either. After struggling for almost 6 months to get used to this thing (and get some real sleep), my doctor prescribed Ambien. All I can say is WOW. I'm finally sleeping with the machine.

As long as drug based sleep aids are causing you any problems, sure, there's no problem in taking them in my opinion.

But some of us are very, very sensitive to some of these drugs and experience side effects that outweigh their benefits. For me, personally, I've had problems with sleep aids not making me sleepy enough to fall asleep in the first place (but then ironically, they make me feel both drowsy and drugged the next day.). I've had problems with rebound congestion from taking benadryl or sudafed too many days in a row. And I've had problems with rebound headaches caused by taking ibuprophen for too many days in a row.

So all I'm saying is that if pharmacological sleep aids DON'T work or cause additional problems, there are non-drug techniques that can be used to combat insomnia.

If I had my druthers, I'd rather not be so sensitive to drug side effects. But I am and I have to live with it as best I can.

[FlyingB]

If I had my druthers, I'd rather not be so sensitive to drug side effects. But I am and I have to live with it as best I can.

robysue, Sorry if my comment seemed pointed. It was not aimed at you or anyone in particular. Just my personal outlook. I know every body is different. I'm half broken myself and probably lean too much on medicine. I actually envy those that have the ability and strength to do things naturally, but I'm either too weak or lazy (please don't ask my wife to elaborate ). My biggest problem with drugs is the tolerance factor. No matter what I take, I become tolerant way more quickly than anyone I know. Then it no longer works. I can't count how many pain, allergy, etc. meds that do absolutely nothing for me anymore.

At least my good ole' CPAP is just air, and not a chemical. For the original discussion, sleep is the ultimate goal. So whatever works for someone, try it. Sleep deprivation is no fun.

[lbw]

You should not have to worry about Advil. This is an antiinflammatory and not a sedative. Even if you have to take someting prescribed you will be ok. You do have your CPAP on to support you. It is better to get the sleep you need while adjusting then to keep on having bad insomnia. Try good sleep hygiene. A combination will help you decrease the need to take something. Advil will help with the aches and pains that keep you up at night