Severe Sleep Apnea Fybromyalgia Arthitis Dream Connections

[2Tim215]

This observation is based on several months of repeated symptoms with some obvious connection although I'm not positive of the reason exactly as far as which is causing what. I just want to reach out to others who have either Fybromyalgia, Osteoarthritis, Gout, Rheumatoid Arthritis, possibly another type of Arthritis, AND Sleep Apnea diagnosis. My Sleep Apnea came back as severe although I do not know if that would be a factor when on CPAP as moderate may also do the same.
Okay, here is the issue. Every time I wake up after a night of remembering dreams whether nightmare or just a weird dream I wake in severe pain. It feels like I am either having a severe Gout Flare-up or a Fybromyalgia pretty much full body attack. I lean to the Fybromyalgia in my case as it is for the most part full body pain throughout my bones and my Gout is in a specific area. I can't rule out the Osteoarthritis or Rheumatoid Arthritis but still lean to the Fybromyalgia in my case as it is the same pain throughout my body that my diagnosis was based on. It literally feels like (in my case), that after waking from a night with dreams I remember, that I was hit by a Mack Truck then someone picked me up and shook me off like a beach towel and said "okay be on your way!". I have strong medications that can treat the pain and the pain can last a short while or for hours. Just to help with other Fybromyalgia Sleep Apnea members I am on Cymbalta for the Fybromyalgia. If I wake without the pain I don't recall any dreams. Sorry I am not on a data capable machine yet to offer more detailed information but hopefully someone here may be and fill me in on what they are observing. I study a lot and do not like to take any medications that may affect my understanding and retention of my research although at times I have no choice because it is so painful. All replies greatly appreciated!

[johnthomasmacdonald]

I've been diagnosed recently with severe hip osteoarthritis that will need a hip replacement - the pain in my hip does wake me up a lot. I have also read that if you take opioids for the pain it can interfere with the cpap working ( apparently they can give you a diuretic to neutralize this effect ). The opioids don't apply to me since my doctors are all extremely stoic about my pain - they can all take it without prescribing anything stronger than celebrex which is about as good in killing my pain as vitamin C.

[2Tim215]

I've been diagnosed recently with severe hip osteoarthritis that will need a hip replacement - the pain in my hip does wake me up a lot. I have also read that if you take opioids for the pain it can interfere with the cpap working ( apparently they can give you a diuretic to neutralize this effect ). The opioids don't apply to me since my doctors are all extremely stoic about my pain - they can all take it without prescribing anything stronger than celebrex which is about as good in killing my pain as vitamin C.

I have also read that if you take opioids for the pain it can interfere with the cpap working ( apparently they can give you a diuretic to neutralize this effect )

I believe my Blood Pressure med is a diuretic, I'll have to double check to be sure. I had a bad wake this morning with several vivid memories of my dreams, this case nightmares, but haven't taken any pain med for probably almost two weeks. The Celebrex didn't work for me either!

[johnthomasmacdonald]

I maybe remember one dream per decade - if that. After finding out about the link between sleep apnea and dreaming, my guess is that i just don't dream much given my untreated apnea. Here's the article on opioid/cpap/diuretic link


J Clin Sleep Med. 2009 Feb 15;5(1):63-4.
Acetazolamide as an adjunct to CPAP treatment: a case of complex sleep apnea in a patient on long-acting opioid therapy.
Glidewell RN, Orr WC, Imes N.
Source
Lynn Institute of the Rockies, 2500 N Circle Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80909, USA. rglidewell@lhsi.net
Abstract
A 41-year-old white woman on long-acting opioid therapy was diagnosed with moderate obstructive sleep apnea. On initiation of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), she manifested severe central apnea that was unresponsive to supplemental oxygen and interfered with CPAP titration. Acetazolamide, 250 mg, nightly at bedtime was initiated, and CPAP titration was repeated. On acetazolamide, optimal CPAP pressure was obtained with no manifestation of clinically significant central respiratory disturbance. This case suggests that acetazolamide may be an effective adjunct to positive airway pressure therapy in patients on long-acting opioids. A need exists for examination of acetazolamide in this capacity.

[2Tim215]

Quite interesting information. It will be interesting to do a search and see if there are any test reports/studies for multiple patients. Very good information to have here for those of us who struggle with other health issues that require pain treatment. I encourage anyone who are taking pain meds to try and limit their intake as much as possible and only take it when you absolutely have to. This will avoid developing immunity and needing a larger dose and help prevent dependencies! Not to mention the benefit of making important choices with a clear mind. Thanks for that article!

[kteague]

Seems the many variables with diagnoses and medication make comparisons difficult. For the sake of discussion, it was at one time suggested that I might have Fibromyalgia, but in the end my pain not attributable to my osteoarthritis was linked to Periodic Limb Movement Disorder. There have been discussions on here in the past of how poor sleep in general goes hand in hand with increased sensitivity to pain.

I used to have frequent bad dreams, but they were relieved with CPAP treatment. Their content led me to believed they were associated with apnea events. They were wild stories where someone or something was always either suffocating, drowning, or injured on the face or chest. Have only had a couple of those in the last 6 years of therapeutic CPAP use. My meds did not include opioids.

[Stitchalab]

This is interesting. I have fibro and lupus , osteoarthritis and restless leg syndrome. I am on cymbalta, ultracet, neurotin and occasionally norco for pain. I have a hard time being comfortable so that I can fall asleep. (also take sleep meds) My sleep apnea is caused from a small airway and it becomes restricted when I lay down. I don't know how this is all associated but this gives me a lot to think about. I have dreams that aren't considered night mares but very vivid and I can continue them when I am awake like imagining the rest of the story in my head. Don't think I have had any since beginning treatment. Has anyone noticed increased depression when first starting Cpap? I have symptoms of anger and increased depression. Hard to get excited about using the machine especially since I was told I would feel better not worse.... Not giving up though.

[archangle]

I wonder if you have some nights where your pressure isn't enough to prevent your apnea, and that's the night you feel the other pains due to stress, low O2, hormones, etc.

Yet another patient screwed by getting a brick CPAP.

[Goofproof]

I would spend less energy, second guessing why and how whats wrong with my health, and spend more time getting a machine that collect useful data and what's needed to read it. That way you could get real help with you Sleep Apnea, you may not be able to fix everything, but by starting on one thing and getting it correct, then working on the other problems.... Jim

[2Tim215]

I would spend less energy, second guessing why and how whats wrong with my health, and spend more time getting a machine that collect useful data and what's needed to read it. That way you could get real help with you Sleep Apnea, you may not be able to fix everything, but by starting on one thing and getting it correct, then working on the other problems.... Jim

In my case that is exactly what I have been doing. Addressing each issue as they arise. I didn't realize there were different Machines available and that I was entitled to a data capable machine instead of being given a base model. Obviously after I agreed to the sleep study as we ruled out other medical issues I have I did have the study done. My Primary Care has been great with working with my medical conditions treating each one and trying to fine tune any treatments that aren't working. My cardiologist also suggested the sleep study and then pretty much I knew it was the next step. I don't believe my Primary Care nor myself would have thought for a moment that I would be given a machine that was bottom of the line and couldn't help with diagnosing future issues nor be adjusted if needed without going through a bit of a process. This is also the reason why I'm here! I have taken the advice of many here who I believe are well informed and experienced just by reading their replies to me (and others), and ordered the Oximeter with recording ability as advised. That was my first step, it should be here tomorrow. I called my Primary Care but got roadblocked by a nurse who thought I had to have a prescription for the data capable machine from my DME, I didn't stop there, I called my insurance provider sharing information I learned here and let them know my need for the data capable machine, they told me the next step was go back to Primary Care for the prescription and we'll run it and see if it goes through. Advised me my doctor will probably need to provide additional information as to why I can no longer use my base model and why the need to upgrade. So I have been here trying to learn and glean as much information as possible as this will be a one shot deal getting it through insurance as it hasn't been five years with the current machine and technically it isn't broken. I am trying to avoid an out of pocket purchase as quite frankly with my health situation we aren't able to make an outright purchase right away but will as soon as we can if we have to. I plan on bringing print outs with me of any data that will be useful as well as sharing with my doctor the first prescription covered the machine I need but a DME took upon their self to decide for me as a new client unaware of what seems to be a common practice of providing me with a base model that deprived us both of immediate useful information. Sorry to be long winded but I do take my health seriously and in my case it is difficult at times with the multiple issues. I know I am blessed and others have it MUCH worse, but I believe I'm doing the best I can and learned not to be so trustful of people who are supposed to help treat me rather than line their pockets! I can't help to wonder how many others here feel the same way when we first learned that there are "bricks" made of limited electronic component's! While I'm waiting for the Oximeter and I think about other issues I thought I would Post some questions to learn more. I plan on being a contributor also when I am informed enough or have experience to answer questions for others. Hope everyone sleeps well tonight, I'm working on it!

[Bright Choice]

Bumping this up to see if there are more comments on fibromyalgia. I had a 2-level spinal fusion April, 2012. As the pain from the surgery began to diminish I became increasingly aware of a generalized head-to-toe burning and aching pain. It has been very severe and I don't know if these fibromyalgia-type symptoms are a result of the surgical trauma, the drugs and anesthesia or a pre-existing fibromyalgic tendency. The suggested correlation with sleep apnea is interesting.

I can see a connection with a hyper-aroused nervous system from apenic events and sleep deprivation as well as a nervous system out of balance from the surgical trauma, pain and meds.

I am on Percocet (in decreasing amounts) for some continued post-op pain and was started on Neurontin just recently to act as a "nerve stabilizer". I am just beginning to ramp up the Neurontin dose. Also on Requip for restless legs.

I think my problem-solving abilities have been exhausted by both the need to resolve cpap issues and then along comes the back problems, surgery, pain etc. Actually, I am totally exhausted and depleted & looking for some input, just trying to connect the dots...

[Julie]

Fibromyalgia has long been believed to be set off initially by some recent trauma, whether whiplash, or minor surgery (never mind major!) or a dozen other things, so I'd think you've had what to pick from there, though it doesn't mean your recent surgery necessarily did anything and you might still be recovering from that - it can take a long time... you might just have to wait and see.

[2Tim215]

Fibromyalgia has long been believed to be set off initially by some recent trauma, whether whiplash, or minor surgery (never mind major!) or a dozen other things, so I'd think you've had what to pick from there, though it doesn't mean your recent surgery necessarily did anything and you might still be recovering from that - it can take a long time... you might just have to wait and see.

Very interesting information that I haven't heard before. I believe the last time I looked on WebMD an article stated they didn't know the cause of Fybromyalgia. I had surgery that didn't go well probably a year or so before my diagnosis. I never made any connections. Are there any links you could provide about the trauma connection? I would really like to learn more about this. Appreciate your reply!

[Bright Choice]

Fibromyalgia has long been believed to be set off initially by some recent trauma, whether whiplash, or minor surgery (never mind major!) or a dozen other things, so I'd think you've had what to pick from there, though it doesn't mean your recent surgery necessarily did anything and you might still be recovering from that - it can take a long time... you might just have to wait and see.

Very interesting information that I haven't heard before. I believe the last time I looked on WebMD an article stated they didn't know the cause of Fybromyalgia. I had surgery that didn't go well probably a year or so before my diagnosis. I never made any connections. Are there any links you could provide about the trauma connection? I would really like to learn more about this. Appreciate your reply!

And I appreciate it as well. I did a little online research and found some commentary on the correlation between anesthesia and the onset of fibromyalgia.

My massage therapist said that with trauma (could be surgery, sleep apnea, or any other stress) the body gets intro a constant alarm mode. It's like "fight or flight" reaction that won't quit. I am getting massages, doing some restorative yoga and getting acupuncture which seem to help. In that regard, anything that calms the nervous system down would seem appropriate - meditation or other types of relaxation therapies.

But, still struggling. Yesterday was a terrible day. Today better, increased Neurontin to 500 mg which is still a pretty small dose. Percocet did absolutely nothing to relieve pain yesterday, but I think it is time for me to get off of that anyway. I want to cut down on the opiates, with the exception that my sleep doc wants me to eventually wean off Requip for RLS and use Percocet at bedtime (for RLS) instead. I am hoping that I don't continue to need Percocet for post-op pain.

So what's the connection between fibromyalgia, sleep apnea, RLS and other symptoms that fall into the fibromyalgia category?

Have any of you had consults with rheumatologists, neurologists or what type of practitioner is appropriate for dealing with fibromyalgia.

[1041]

Actually, I am totally exhausted and depleted & looking for some input, just trying to connect the dots...

I know the feeling.

Have you read John Sarno. He is fringe, but offers an alternative approach to fibromyalgia.