New CPAP user still using sleep meds

[Liserhart]

Hi there,

Does anyone still use a sleep aid to fall asleep? My doctor prescribed Ambien a few years ago and I have been taking it in order to sleep. After 2 sleep studies and being diagnosed with mild sleep apnea, the doctor now has me on a CPAP machine. I've used the machine for a month and I feel great now; rested and more energy. The doctor now says that he thinks my body resisted sleep because I was not breathing at night and it was my body's way of resisting putting itself in a position that would be harmful. We haven't discussed continuing on with Ambien, but I'm afraid to go off of it. Any experiences that you could share with me?

I appreciate all opinions and comments....

Thanks,
Lisa

[nanwilson]

Yes, I am still on mine...2 years later.
20 mg of elavil at bedtime, have been on this for about 8 years.

[xenablue]

Why are you afraid to stop taking the Ambien? The worst that can happen is you won't sleep. Try it on a weekend when you can sleep in, if you work.

I take melatonin, but stay away from any prescription/heavy-duty sleep meds as they make me feel like a zombie all day.

Cheers,
xena

[retrodave15]

I took me several months to ween myself off the sleep meds. I was in a similar situation where I went to the doc for insomnia and he sent me for a sleep study in addition to giving me Sonata to sleep. After the adjustment phase to CPAP I was eventually able to get off the meds. I now have no trouble getting to sleep and I feel 10 years younger now.

[avi123]

Hi there,

Does anyone still use a sleep aid to fall asleep? My doctor prescribed Ambien a few years ago and I have been taking it in order to sleep. After 2 sleep studies and being diagnosed with mild sleep apnea, the doctor now has me on a CPAP machine. I've used the machine for a month and I feel great now; rested and more energy. The doctor now says that he thinks my body resisted sleep because I was not breathing at night and it was my body's way of resisting putting itself in a position that would be harmful. We haven't discussed continuing on with Ambien, but I'm afraid to go off of it. Any experiences that you could share with me?

I appreciate all opinions and comments....

Thanks,
Lisa

Taking a 10 mg of Zolpidem ( generic Ambien) helped me a lot with my fragmented sleep for years, long before starting CPAP for OSA. When I started CPAPing, 18 months ago, I took half a tablet (5 mg) as soon as I mounted the mask at around 11:30 p.m. which let me sleep for 3 hours. Then after going to the BR I took another half a tablet which gave me 3 more hours of sleep. For the hangover the next morning I took two tablets of Tylenol and for the ingested air I took Pepto Bismol.

Presently, I take Alprazolam (generic Xanax) 0.5 mg ER, at bedtime and also 600 mg of Gabapentin. In those days that I can't fall asleep after one hour I then take also 10 mg of Zolpidem and get up for about one hour and do something to kill time. Usually I then fall asleep in 15 to 20 min. During sleep studies I also take the 10 mg Zolpidem.

[Liserhart]

I've thought about why I am afraid to stop using the Ambien. I've depended on it for so long, I am afraid to have a restless nights sleep. I have been cutting the pills in half for a week now trying to wean myself off of it. I'll have to try the suggestion of taking a weekend and trying to not use it. My husband is supportive and can get up with our 4 year old if needed. I just can't remember the days of restful sleep without it.

[Sir NoddinOff]

There's nothing to be afraid of if you gradually taper off the meds. Cold turkey is not a good idea, IMHO. It took me a month and you have to shave a little more off the pills every few days using a sharp single edged razor blade. Almost everybody takes about 3-4 weeks. Some nights can be rough and maybe you'll have a few tired mornings, however after the drugs are out of your system you will sleep better than ever... guaranteed. The long term effects of sedative/hypnotic drug usage can be severe... to learn more, just google (insert drug of your choice, ie. Xanax) + side effects.

[avi123]

Taking Zolpidem (generic Ambien) for sleep is recommended for those with OSA and especially those with Central Sleep Apnea Syndrome. Read about it here under medications:

Excerpt

•Sedative hypnotics: These agents have been used successfully in treating nonhypercapnic central sleep apnea. Temazepam and zolpidem have been shown to be effective under these circumstances and are believed to work by consolidating the sleep pattern, thus minimizing the instability in ventilation induced by sleep-wake transitions. A case series showed zolpidem reduced central apneas, and the overall apnea-hypopnea index, without worsening obstructive events.

Source:

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/304967-medication

But stay on low doses, otherwise:

http://www.non-benzodiazepines.org.uk/zolpidem.html

[Liserhart]

Taking Zolpidem (generic Ambien) for sleep is recommended for those with OSA and especially those with Central Sleep Apnea Syndrome. Read about it here under medications:

Excerpt

•Sedative hypnotics: These agents have been used successfully in treating nonhypercapnic central sleep apnea. Temazepam and zolpidem have been shown to be effective under these circumstances and are believed to work by consolidating the sleep pattern, thus minimizing the instability in ventilation induced by sleep-wake transitions. A case series showed zolpidem reduced central apneas, and the overall apnea-hypopnea index, without worsening obstructive events.

Source:

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/304967-medication

But stay on low doses, otherwise:

http://www.non-benzodiazepines.org.uk/zolpidem.html

The links are very interesting reads. What to do? I want to be off any and all meds as soon as I can. I'm 34 years old and have spent the last 4 years on medications when for the previous 30 years, I hardly ever took Tylenol. I know there comes a time when you need to treat with medication, I would like to save my liver until that time is necessary. If Ambien helps with apnea then I'm all for it. I guess this is a conversation to have with my doctor.

[Liserhart]

There's nothing to be afraid of if you gradually taper off the meds. Cold turkey is not a good idea, IMHO. It took me a month and you have to shave a little more off the pills every few days using a sharp single edged razor blade. Almost everybody takes about 3-4 weeks. Some nights can be rough and maybe you'll have a few tired mornings, however after the drugs are out of your system you will sleep better than ever... guaranteed. The long term effects of sedative/hypnotic drug usage can be severe... to learn more, just google (insert drug of your choice, ie. Xanax) + side effects.

Thank you for your advice. I've been cutting down little by little but always find myself taking the full 10mg after not being able to sleep. I hope to sleep well again, so far so good with the CPAP!

[Sir NoddinOff]

As compromise, I would posit that since you're new to CPAP, fairly young and want to get off meds that you try tapering off with your doctor's okay. On the other hand, if your sleep doctor finds underlying problems like consistent centrals or CSA which occurs during deep sleep (not just in sleep transitions or while tossing and turning) then he can always put you back on Ambien or whatever. To simply take them on a nightly basis JUST IN CASE YOU MIGHT HAVE UNDIAGNOSED CENTRALS could lead to other serious problems down the road. Did you Google the side effects of these drugs like I suggested??? That's a good first step and motivator. All that being said, I have read certain reports of sedative/hypnotics effectively treating centrals and would like to be pointed to any other treads on this topic. I am not a doctor and my opinions are not meant to replace a doctor's advice.

[Johnny1959]

Don't use downers at night.......

You think that if you take a sleeping pill now then you'll get a good night's sleep and feel refreshed in the morning. But the reality is that taking a sleeping pill will sedate you and rob you of enough REM sleep. A sleeping pill will knock you unconscious but your night will be unfulfilling, so you'll feel drowsy all day the next day. The same goes for alcohol, which is another depressant that will knock you out but won't give you restful sleep.

[avi123]

As compromise, I would posit that since you're new to CPAP, fairly young and want to get off meds that you try tapering off with your doctor's okay. On the other hand, if your sleep doctor finds underlying problems like consistent centrals or CSA which occurs during deep sleep (not just in sleep transitions or while tossing and turning) then he can always put you back on Ambien or whatever. To simply take them on a nightly basis JUST IN CASE YOU MIGHT HAVE UNDIAGNOSED CENTRALS could lead to other serious problems down the road. Did you Google the side effects of these drugs like I suggested??? That's a good first step and motivator. All that being said, I have read certain reports of sedative/hypnotics effectively treating centrals and would like to be pointed to any other treads on this topic. I am not a doctor and my opinions are not meant to replace a doctor's advice.

Here is another thread on Zolpidem:
http://www.medpagetoday.com/PrimaryCare ... rders/3594

p.s. is there a sexual hint in this avatar:

[Sir NoddinOff]

Avi123:

Most certainly... I get alot! Same species, I'm happy to report. And yours?