alpha intrusion and sleep study results...

anything easy they can do for alpha intrusion? got sleep study results back and sleep doc was so busy doing cartwheels at my cpap success (no narcolepsy, no daytime sleepiness) that he didn't address the alpha intrusion problem. last time (5 years ago) it was alpha delpha sleep, not alpha intrusion, but i did have alpha intrusion 10 years ago. sleep study showed 21 % in stages 3 &4 compared to 6 percent five years ago without cpap, but i don't sleep fitfully.

he switched me from triazolam to ambien cr at my request, and that worked great for 2 nights. last few nights have not been so good, with several wakings during the nite. got 7 pills on a coupon; unless it gets better, i may not go back for the full prescription.

i read online that they're using xyrem for alpha intrusion, that's ghb. they describe it as high risk, given that it has a notorious reputation as the date-rape drug, athough some alternative folks think that was fda malarky and ghb is fine.

any thoughts?

thanks.

caroline

anything easy they can do for alpha intrusion?

ask your doctor about GABA, it is supposed to help:

GENERIC NAME: gabapentin
BRAND NAME: Neurontin

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Gabapentin is in the class of drugs called anticonvulsants because they are used to treat seizures (epilepsy) and herpes zoster (shingles). Gabapentin is related to the brain chemical gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) but exactly how it works is unknown.

PRESCRIPTION: yes

GENERIC AVAILABLE: no

PREPARATIONS: Capsules are available in 100mg, 300mg, 400mg, and 800mg sizes by Park-Davis labs.

STORAGE: Store in a dry place at 15-30 degrees C (69-86 F)

PRESCRIBED FOR: Gabapentin is used for treating seizure disorders and herpes zoster (shingles).

DOSING: Gabapentin can be taken with or without food at doses specifically directed by your physician. Individual doses vary greatly between individuals. Usually the drug is taken two to three times daily. It is currently not approved under the age of 12 years old. If discontinued, gabapentin should be gradually withdrawn (usually over one week) as directed by the doctor.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Gabapentin appears to be relatively safe and has not been shown to interact with other drugs except for it's potential of added sedation. Gabapentin should not be taken within 2 hours of Maalox. Gabapentin may interfere with the reading of N- Multistix in detecting urine protein.

SIDE EFFECTS: Neurontin has few side effects which include sleepiness, dizziness, unsteady gait, fatigue and eye twitching.

i've got some gababentin or whatever (generic neurontin) in my nighttable drawer. i should try it again. thanks.

caroline

thanks, snoredog. that worked really well.

Caroline