CPAP and sleepaids?

sleepzzzme · Post by **sleepzzzme** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 7:22 pm

I'm going in for my 4th night with CPAP. I am having a REALLY hard time falling asleep with the mask on...and then staying asleep is near impossible.

Would it be a bad idea to take a sleep aid tonight to help me get to sleep? Something like TylenolPM-ish.
Is that counter-productive to the treatment?

Thanks

RipVW · Post by **RipVW** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 7:25 pm

I'm pretty sure that would not be counterproductive to your CPAP therapy. Many CPAP'ers take sleep aids (including prescription ones like Ambien that are much stronger than Tylenol PM).

jsmythe · Post by **jsmythe** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 8:21 pm

Try Melatonin, a supplement, I started with 1/2 of a tablet, and went to a whole one-3mg. Works great. Someone on the board said to take a half if you just want to fall asleep, and a whole one to sleep all night.

BigGayBert · Post by **BigGayBert** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 8:27 pm

I'm with you, Joyce, I absolutely LOVE Melatonin. I have tried lots of herbs, vitamins, supplements, etc. for many different ailments over the years. I had given up on all of them because not a single one ever had any effect on me at all. But melatonin is the exception.....it works like a charm! I think it's just as good or better than most prescription sleep aids. It's also great because it doesn't cause a "hangover" for most people.

I use the sublingual tablets that you can buy at healthstores or online. They dissolve under your tongue and put you out in about 20 minutes or so.

Sweet dreams!

RosemaryB · Post by **RosemaryB** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 9:10 pm

I use melatonin nightly, too: 3 mg. It works well for me. If I forget it, I find that I wake up during the night. I can go back to sleep, but I suspect I'm getting a sounder sleep when I use it.

Your body's production of melatonin decreases as you age.