Sleeping pills+Cpap?

[LARS929]

I have been using my cpap machine for 3 months now and I cannot get used to it for the full night. I have no problem falling asleep with it initially, but about 3 times a night I wake up and roll over and go back to sleep. I slept one night without it the other day, and never had those brief wake up and roll around moments. Also before starting the cpap treatment, I never had any problem with waking up in the middle of the night. I have the software and everything is working, my apnea events are down from 15 an hour to 2. But I still feel VERY tired every morning when I wake up and all day long.

so my question is, would taking some sort of sleeping pill help me to not wake up every night?

[Physician]

Multiple sleep experts have said that for the vast majority of CPAPers, sleeping meds are not a problem. Among the best for age 70 and under is triazolam 0.25 mg., one half to one tab just before bed. My AHI is lower when using a "sleeper" and I'm far more rested the next day.

Many Docs are reluctant to prescribe sleeping meds, but I have yet to see anyone truly addicted to true/classical sleeping meds. Many authorities actually feel that the hazards of daytime sleepiness far exceed any risk of taking sleeping meds at bedtime.

[LARS929]

Are there any OTC meds you recommend? or that anyone recommend?

[LSAT]

Melatonin

[jules]

I have yet to see anyone truly addicted to true/classical sleeping meds.

guess you haven't looked well enough

[Physician]

I have yet to see anyone truly addicted to true/classical sleeping meds.

guess you haven't looked well enough

Really ? Please explain in full, and post the names of any and all meds to which you are referring.

[xenablue]

I take 25mg of diphenhydramine, which according to my own doctors, is not addictive or habit forming. I take it in spurts. If I have trouble staying asleep for a night or two, then I take one for a few nights, then might not take them again for months. Since being on CPAP for the past month, I've tried not to take sleepers, but have found I can sleep right to the alarm if I do.
The generic brands are very cheap and effective, although my hubby takes the 50mg diphenhydramine, but I feel too groggy in the morning with that much.

Cheers,
Xena

[jules]

any benzo or z-drug (ambien, sonata, lunesta) is addictive - halcion which you mention above is a benzo

benedryl (generic) which is what is mentioned in the post prior to this one is not a benzo

[sunnyway]

I take 3mg of Lunesta at bedtime. It works well for me. I need a sleep aid because my fibromyalgia.

I also wear earplugs and use blackout curtains in the bedroom.

[sunnyway]

Lunesta has a very low level for addiction or abuse. I've used it for three years, never increased the dose. If I have to take it for the rest of my life, I don't mind at all because it works so much better than other stuff I've tried.

[jules]

Lunesta has a very low level for addiction or abuse. I've used it for three years, never increased the dose. If I have to take it for the rest of my life, I don't mind at all because it works so much better than other stuff I've tried.

I also have fibro. I probably could have said (in the past) similar statements about Ambien that you made about Lunesta. I definitely don't say the same things now based on my own experiences with Ambien. In time I found it to be highly addictive and was pure hell to get off of.

[Physician]

any benzo or z-drug (ambien, sonata, lunesta) is addictive - halcion which you mention above is a benzo

benedryl (generic) which is what is mentioned in the post prior to this one is not a benzo

Jules, the FDA requires certain warnings which do not reflect reality and/or clinical practice. In part because chemically-related meds are given similar warnings.

One must distinguish this "addiction". One can strongly PREFER to take the meds. That is NOT addiction. If one takes a med because it RELIEVES a symptom, that may not be addiction. The rebound hyperinsomnia seen after stopping chronic sedatives does not mean addiction.

Again, if we use Halcion (triazolam) as an example:

a) no tolerance develops. The same dose has the same effect with continued use, absent a change in external factors.
b) there are no physical withdrawal symptoms

Now, please tell us why you know that someone was truly addicted to triazolam.

Even if you allege that there was addiction, the benefit of the therapy can far outweigh the distraction of brief withdrawal symptoms.

[Physician]

I also have fibro. I probably could have said (in the past) similar statements about Ambien that you made about Lunesta. I definitely don't say the same things now based on my own experiences with Ambien. In time I found it to be highly addictive and was pure hell to get off of.

You may not have been addicted to Lunesta (which I have never prescribed nor used). Please describe what made it "Hell" to cease therapy.

[Shellie_p]

I have a ambien perscription but rarely ever use it. First If I can't sleep I take a Melatonin, or Sleep MD worked well for me too, as OTC stuff goes.
Or sleepy time Tea, is also something I keep in the house cause it works well for my kids too.

If your that worried about becoming addicted to one why not just ask your doctor about the best one and the best dosing ways to handle a sleep aid.

My sons doctor recomended melatonin for him cause I hesitate on putting him on ANY Meds, even though hes ADHD & Aspergers. He takes one a night Only on school nights and it works great for him..

[Brenpbb11150]

Hello,
I take 1mg. of Melatonin 20 minutes before bedtime. I only take it if I have had a problem sleeping the nite before which is about twice a week and my physician says that is perfectly safe to take every nite if I needed it. Everyone if different in their sleep habits and I will take the Melatonin for the rest of my life if I need it.
Bren