Hey there,

I have been using CPAP for 5 weeks now (every night) and I have not been able to fall asleep without taking sleeping medicine, Restoril.  I take 15mg of Restoril and decided last night to take half of one as I wean myself and was hoping that the CPAP will allow me to dooze off.  Well, I just laid there for over an hour or so and was not able to fall asleep.  All I could think about was the CPAP and me not going to sleep.  I finally got up and took another half dose of Restoril and I guess eventually feel asleep for about 4.5 hours.  I thought that I was getting used to the CPAP and that it would allow be to sleep.....       Maybe it's still to early feel the full benefits of the CPAP?

Anyone else still having problems sleeping with the CPAP and needing to take medicine or something else to sleep?  

I must say that I do have more energy during the day and not getting as upset about things at work like I used to.  

Thanks,
Aarondawg

I'm taking Ambien every night and have been for the last 4 weeks. I was also taking Valerian root and 5-HTP, but I stopped and found my AHI go down. I'm afraid to try to sleep without the Ambien. It hasn't really caused any side effects, except other than the other night when I stayed up after taking it on an empty stomach. Everything started to go all swimmy and the photos of people on myspace were moving around like in Harry Potter. My roommate said I went to bed muttering to myself saying "Mood swings, mood swings, mood swings.." which is a reference to a simpson's episode where homer is taking "Nappien". I know I was very much saying it on purpose, but I don't really remember. She said it was pretty funny.

But I digress. Why do you want to stop the restoril? I understand wanting to be drug free, but if it's helping you sleep, you're not having any side effects, and you can't sleep without it, maybe this isn't the time to stop.  Do a little cost/benefit analysis. Is it worth it to only get 4.5 hours of sleep until you get used to sleeping without it? For me that would be no, I need as much sleep as I can. In my case, is it worth it that I act loopy sometimes and my roommate may make a video of me and put it on youtube? Yes.

Once I start really feeling rested then I can afford to stop taking the Ambien. Until then, if my roommate does make a video I'll give you all the link.

_z


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"Try. Fail. Try again. Fail better." - Samuel Beckett

Have you tried wearing your CPAP while you are doing other activities before you go to sleep so you can get used to it more? Perhaps playing video games, surfing online, watching an involved movie or something to make you "forget" you're wearing the CPAP?

I'm still new at this and don't know too much, but just thought I'd try! Good luck!

Not a bad suggestion BaseballNut anything that works to help a person get use to using CPAP. It can take quite a while for some people, and I mean QUITE AWHILE    just be patient and persistent, and keep that sense of Humor!


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White Beard with a White Beard
Resmed VPAP Adapt SV Enhanced, HumidAire 2i, ResLink with Model 8000 Flex sensor Pulse Oximeter, and ResScan 3.5 software. Respironic EverFlo OPI Oxygen Concentrator 3 lpm
EEP 9.0, min PS 6.0, max PS 16.0

Boy can I relate.  I was using the Ambien and had to stop becasue I had depression and sadness problems.  Two weeks ago I was in bed crying and I felt suicidal and had wierd thoughts like thoughts of going crazy and thoughts of cutting off all my hair.(no I am not Brittany!   .   I have taken it only twice since then and only when I feel desparate to sleep with the C-pap.  As a matter of fact I need it tonight; I cannot take the exhaustion anymore.  It seems if I take it once in a while I am okay.  But I actually did fall asleep with my mask twice.    One night I got  a little over 3 hours therapy but the other night I only slept 40 minutes then woke up.   It';;s madening!   I tried to go back to sleep with it so I took it off and fell asleep.  I cannot lie there all night either becasue I have to go to work and I need to function at work.  But I am not giving up.  I have felt the effects of being compliant and I want that back!  I see mydoctor on Wednesday and since I have heard Restoril mentioned on this site a few times I am gloing to ask him about it.  That will be only one of my many questions.

I've been able to tolerate the Ambien very well except for the one episode. I only have trouble falling asleep, so I'm on the cheap generic version that only stays in my system for a couple of hours.

I you're having mood problems on Ambien, there's no reason to keep taking it when there are a few other options. everyone's chemistry is different so one that works well for someone may not for another. Absolutely ask your Dr. about Restoril and see if it would be possible to just have him call in an Rx for a different one if you have bad effects on that one too.

My thinking is that the OSA has made everything in my life harder, so I'm going to lean on the Ambien until I feel better. Then I can afford to have some bad nights of sleep.

I'm still waiting to feel rested, but my mood has improved ten-fold since I've been sleeping every night with the CPAP. The Ambien has been a real life saver.

_z


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"Try. Fail. Try again. Fail better." - Samuel Beckett

Thanks. I am happy for you.    I know a few others who take Ambien and have none of the side effects I have had.  I know that medications effect people differently.  Thank goodness there are many choices so we can get the one that works for us.

I've been using Ambien for a couple of years. Insommnia on top of Apnea. I know it can be addictive but I don't have the side effects and as long as it's not abused and it helps me to sleep I'll use it. I probably wouldn't be able to fall asleep to wear the mask without it. Whatever gives me some decent sleep at this point I'm willing to try. Good luck

Aarondawg, I don't know if you've tried this but when I can't fall asleep if I don't get up and go do something else I get mor and more frustrated at myself and it takes me even longer to get to sleep. I get up, read, get a drink, watch a little TV, then go back to bed. Maybe that will help. And, the adjustment to CPAP is not an wasy one so cut yourself some slack and if you need the meds, take them.


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Mom of two sweet girls, a 1.5yo and a 5yo
Started CPAP 10/22/07
ResMed Elite II with Humidaire, Pressure 14
ResMed Mirage Quattro FF Mask