Hi,

Update, had my 5th night on the machine and I can't even describe how I feel.   AMAZING!!!!!!! Makes me cry to think of all the years I was misdiagnosed with depression, went to psychiatrists, and all the years I tried sleeping pill after sleeping pill ... makes me kind of mad that no doctor suggested sleep apnea or maybe some sleeping problem.  Oh, well, I have to put that behind me and look forward.  

Anyway, my question is, before the CPAP Lunesta worked and kept me asleep some of the night but my doctor said to stop taking it after a week on the CPAP.  I'm wondering why.  If I am sleeping well then why stop it.  Or shouldn't I need it?

Anyone else taking sleeping pills and are they ok to take using the CPAP?

Thanks!
Wendy

Wendy,
Sleep meds are addicting, and if you can sleep well without them, do! I had my CPAP study last night, and only slept 5 hours, but what a diffrence. I am surprised it worked the first time. I felt better today than I have in a long time. Hope again.
 Back to your question, These meds are dangerous, and I know. I was on them and Xanax, and it ws living hell to get off them. It took me a long time, and was the hardest think I have ever done. If you have only been on them for a short time, you shouldn't even notice. I would bet that the CPAP is your wonder drug, just as it wil soon be mine.

Hi Ambrola,

That's great about the CPAP.  As the night go on I am feeling better and better and I hope the same for you.  I call mine the miracle machine.  I used to take Trazadone for about 3 yrs and I couldn't get off of them even at the lowest dose.  It was like I was addicted to them and had horrible side effects coming off them.  Then for a few yrs I never took any but still had sleeping problems of course but started Lunesta again and I thought they weren't meant to be addicting.  At least that is what I was told and doesn't the commercial say that too.  SOmething about you don't become dependant on them which is hard to believe.  I am planning on taking them until another couple of night like the doc said and then I'll quit and see what happens.  Thanks and good luck!

Wendy

You could talk to your doc about taking something non-addictive, like benedryl.  It causes drowsyness and clears your sinuses at the same time!  (its a bonus for me )

I think My problem was the Xanax. They had me on a high dose for many years. And all the time, I think my nearves were gone because of no rest! The docs put me on all kind of pills, which none of them helped. Now I refuse to take anything! I will not put a pill in my body. I can not wait to get the machine. I absolutey know it will be the pill I need. One night, and oh what a difference. I have not had a good nights sleep in a couple of years, or longer. I was upset about the CPAP, it is not very attractive. I woke up with my eyes swollen, and marks on my face. But after the way I felt, who cares! If it were not for the good people who work to make this forum, and I know how much trouble it is to service, I wouldn't of had the info I needed to ask the right questions.
Thanks to the web master who helps us, who need it the most!!

wendyj.usa wrote:

Hi,

Update, had my 5th night on the machine and I can't even describe how I feel.   AMAZING!!!!!!! Makes me cry to think of all the years I was misdiagnosed with depression, went to psychiatrists, and all the years I tried sleeping pill after sleeping pill ... makes me kind of mad that no doctor suggested sleep apnea or maybe some sleeping problem.  Oh, well, I have to put that behind me and look forward.  

Anyway, my question is, before the CPAP Lunesta worked and kept me asleep some of the night but my doctor said to stop taking it after a week on the CPAP.  I'm wondering why.  If I am sleeping well then why stop it.  Or shouldn't I need it?

Anyone else taking sleeping pills and are they ok to take using the CPAP?

Thanks!
Wendy

Wendy,

As you are now getting quality sleep I would suggest that you stop the sleep meds. I don't think that you need them.

It's not usual to need sleep meds with cpap.

Daniel.


_________________
The untreated Sleep Apnoea sufferer died quietly in his sleep.......
Unlike his three passengers who died screaming !!!!!!

(Anon)

My impression from what you are saying about needing sleeping pills is that you are already dependant on them.  If not physically then mentally for sure.  Forget the pills (crutches), use your CPAP machine and in a few months you will forget that you had a problem.


_________________

Hi Wendy;

I have had insomnia for almost two years and my doctor gave me a prescription for Trazadone.  I take 100mg (2 50mg pills) before bedtime.  Most of the time they seem to be effective and I sleep for 6-8 hours.  I recently had sleep studies and was diagnosed with sleep apnea.  I now have a CPAP machine with heated humidifier.  I have used the CPAP machine for 6 nights.  I read on the internet that sleeping pills can cause sleep apnea.  I am wondering if I should try to reduce or stop taking the Trazadone and see if I can fall asleep.

Marshall
(Dragster)

Hey Marshall,

Anti-depressants (that is what Trazadone is), tranquilizers, alcohol, etc. don't cause apnea, they exacerbate it.  Those drugs increase the laxity of the throat and by that mechanism increase the severity of apnea.


_________________
That which does not kill you makes you stronger-Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich must of had apnea.

Hi Vicki;

Thank you for your reply.

I decided not to take any sleeping pills (Trazadone 100mg) last night.  This was my 7th night on the CPAP.  I may have been awake more often, but I don't feel tired today and I do remember dreaming.  I was on the CPAP from 11 PM until almost 8 AM.  I also take medication daily for high blood pressure and cholesterol.  I don't want to stop taking high blood pressure medication without my doctor's approval.  I have a doctor's appointment on the 18th.  I am also awaiting results of my annual blood test.

Marshall

It's interesting that so many of us are prescribed Trazadone. I tried it a couple of years ago at 100mg but I was too dopey in the morning. We cut it back to 50mg and I don't remember exactly how that dosage felt. I was sleeping better and don't like to take meds so I stopped taking them.

My doctor really wants me to start taking them again because I don't get enough sleep. He told me a long time ago that the amount of sleep I was getting wasn't enough to sustain life. Starting on the bipap, the brief stint with Trazadone, and eventually changing my work hours, all helped to lengthen the number of hours I sleep at night. Apparently, it's still not enough and the doc seems to think that's more of a problem than the apnea, so tonight I'm starting back on 50mg Trazadone.  

SnoozeHunter

Hi Everyone;

Thank you for your replies.

I have been taking 100 mg of Trazadone to fall asleep each night.  I started with the CPAP eight days ago.  Wednesday night, I felt tired at bedtime and did not take any Trazadone.  I remember being awake more than previous nights and also dreaming Wednesday night.  On Thursday, I did not get tired all day and still was not tired at 11 PM (my usual bedtime).  I decided to take 1 Trazadone (50 mg).  In addition to the sleep apnea, my other problem is falling asleep.  Anyway, I was doing some research on the internet and found an interesting comment on www.helpguide.org/life/sleep_aids_medication_insomnia_treatment.htm which compared the sleep medications.  The American Insomnia Association said that it has become most common for physicians to prescribe non-benzodiazephines (Ambien, Lunesta, Sonata, Imovane) instead of benzodiazephines and antidepressants (Trazadone).  I do have Ambien (10 mg) which I used as an alternate when I needed to fall asleep quickly.  For me, Ambien seems to act very quickly.  I would like to get off the sleep medications completely as soon as possible, but in the meantime, I am wondering if I should switch to 10 mg of Ambien instead of 50 or 100 mg of Trazadone because of its effectiveness and safety as indicated on the above website.

Marshall

Hi Marshall,

I too used to take Trazadone but haven't taken it in years.  I have been taking Lunesta for a couple of months but it looks like I won't be able to take it anymore because my ins. co. won't cover it to use wvery night.  I have been on the CPAP 7 night now, 1 less than you and I haven't had the nerve to stop the Lunesta but I am going to try it tonight I think.  I have been having issues with the mask so that's why I didn't stop it.  I wanted to get comfortable with everything before I stop it.  I am taking sleeping tablets for a different reason that you.  I have no problems falling asleep.  I just couldn't maintain sleep and I found them to keep me asleep for most of the night, however, not a deep sleep.  Well, now I have mild sleep apnea I realize that the meds were not solving the problem.  I think I should be ok without them but I just "think" i need them.  The Ambien did nothing for me so I think they are different for every person.  I would think if you are getting better sleep with the CPAP and are more energetic during the day then you might start beginning to go to sleep sooner.  Just a thought.  I am wiped out by 9 but try to stay up later or I will not sleep good and end up getting up too early.  Let me know how the CPAP is going for you.  Are you noticing a difference?

Wendy

Hi Wendy;

Thank you for your reply.  

My insomnia started in December, 2003.  The doctor prescribed Ambien.  I took Ambien for about 3 months and it was effective in making me fall asleep.  I changed doctors and the doctor prescribed Trazadone with Ambien as a backup if necessary.  I have been taking Trazadone since March, 2004.  I have both sleeping medications on hand.  For me, I think Ambien is more effective and acts quicker than the Trazadone.

As far as the CPAP is concerned, I have used it for 8 nights.  I have had a problem with dry mouth each morning.  Others think that I may open my mouth during the night.  The mask that I am using only covers my nose.  My pressure setting is 8 and the humidifer setting is 3.  I have not noticed much difference yet, but the last sleep study with the CPAP indicated that I received the proper sleep.  I usually go to bed around 11 and get up between 7 & 8.  I am retired.  I usually don't feel tired when I go to bed and that is why I take the medication.  Wednesday night, I did feel tired and decided to go to bed without taking the Trazadone.  I did fall asleep, but remember waking many times during the night.  I did dream, so I must have been in the REM sleep stage.  I did not get tired on Thursday, but decided to take one Trazadone instead of two.  I may take Ambien tonight if I am not tired at 11.  Other replies suggest that I stop taking sleep medications.  Should I stay up until I get tired enough to fall asleep or go to bed at 11 and lay awake until I get tired?

I like this site!

Marshall

Hi Marshall,

It is always up to you and your physician to detemine the best treatment course, but this might help you be more informed.  I found it by surfing through that great link you provided.

Is Trazodone an Effective Hypnotic?

Vicki


_________________
That which does not kill you makes you stronger-Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich must of had apnea.