Are any of you on stimulants AND using your machine?

I've been through a wringer of different diagnosises and tests in the past 10 years trying to find solutions to my health issues. I got slapped with a fibromyalgia diagnosis 11 years ago and I just knew there was more too it than that. I'm totally convinced that I've had these sleep issues my whole life and if I ever manage to get my insurance to hand over my bipap, my health is going to get so much better. I wish the sleep study was the first test suggested 11 years ago instead of the last test. One of my diagnosises was ADD. That makes complete sense with what I know now. Of course I have ADD symptoms when I haven't slept well my entire life. I was on Adderall for about a year and then I got pregnant with my 7 year old. I never went back on it because I wanted another baby so I was either pg or nursing. But, the Adderall was an answer to prayers at the time. I never felt so good. At my sleep study the nurse was telling me that sometimes stimulants such as Adderall are prescribed in addition to a machine if needed. I was so excited because I know that Adderall was such a big help. But, now I still have to wait to get my machine and then use it for 3 weeks before he makes a decision on that I guess. Are any of you taking a stimulant in addition to using your machine? I'm just wondering how it's working for you and what it took to get your doctor to prescribe it for you?

If you are compliant with CPAP and your AHI and leak numbers are good, it is unlikely you will need anything else. Lack of good sleep is all it takes to make you tired all the time. Getting good sleep is often all it takes to make you not tired all the time. Give the CPAP a chance to work before adding stimulants to the mix.

LisaEileen wrote: ......Are any of you taking a stimulant in addition to using your machine? ......

Yep. OTC.

Caffeine.

Six to twelve ounces of Diet Coke between noon and two pee-em.

Try a strict regimen of caffeine before resorting to highly toxic prescription stimulants.

But like Bean said, you need to get a good CPAP therapy going for a few months and then reassess whether a stimulant is absolutely necessary.

Good luck,

LisaEileen, if you have suffered the effects of sleep deprivation for years, it is probably hard for you to imagine how you might feel when you get a good night's rest. I have the same problem after 30 years of sleep-disordered breathing (and I haven't gotten my CPAP therapy right just yet) so I can kind of see where you are coming from.

You will probably need to stop and take stock. It was a relief for me. I had gotten used to myself as a flaky insomniac who just never seemed to be able to deal with things. I also had more than a little ADD. I am beginning to see that I was compensating a lot for a dreadful disability - and working VERY hard to be as normal as I could be.

When your sleep is optimized by CPAP, it should be a lot easier. However, 3 weeks is probably not enough time. 3 weeks may be enough for one pressure change or one mask change. Many folks have gone through months of making changes/seeing what happens.

Some mentioned tracking your data. That's because some machines will let you keep track of your apneas, hypopneas and even (in the case of an autoPAP) flow limitations. Most folks here advocate for being able to track your own therapy. That way, you will know when your breathing is at it's best. And hopefully, the rest of your life will follow suit! Good luck!!

LisaEileen wrote: Are any of you taking a stimulant in addition to using your machine? I'm just wondering how it's working for you and what it took to get your doctor to prescribe it for you?

You might want to review this recent thread on Provigil Use....a medication used for daytime wakefulness in some patients with OSA.

viewtopic/t42826/CPAP--Provigil.html

elg5cats

Caffeine here too as a Truck Driver i live on the stuff because i roll on hard down the highway and keep a logbook of my sleep stats out of the clinical menu in case i have an accident i can show compliance.Just out 10 hours a day in a 150 mile radius from home running a dedicated route.Have at least 2 to 2 1/2 pots a day,gave up sodas in feburary and just drink bottled water if not coffee. don't drink alcohol or smoke but love coffee.