Hi Folks,

I take Flexeril for back pain. It is a muscle relaxer and anti-inflammatory. It helps me get to sleep but I am wondering if it may be making my SA worse. Does anyone have any ideas on this. It would seem logical that any type of muscle relaxer would make SA worse .....

I am looking at taking Ambien, but have been on Flexeril for years and it has helped my back pain a lot.

any ideas would be appreciated!

thanks,  Stevew

are you using cpap or autopap?  at what pressures?  yes, anything that relaxes the muscles will make apnea worse, however, if you are sleeping with autopap, and aren't already maxing out the pressure, it should move up and probably take care of it.  If you are on a fixed pressure cpap, and didn't take the medication the night of the titration study when your pressure was selected, I would be concerned that it might not be aduquate to treat all of your apneas when you take it.
 do you think some of your back pain, pre-diagnosis was due to the coughing and choking all night with apnea?  Before cpap, I could have such hard coughing fits when trying to go to sleep, that I would pop my back and pull muscles. Perhaps now on cpap, just the ambien and some antiinflamatory drugs, would be worth discussing with your doctor instead of the muscle relaxers.

Okie,

thanks for your ideas. I am on an autopap, but I don't use it. I start off at 9 and stay there. My doc originally set it at 11 but I could not exhale. Yes, I think I did take the Flexril the night of the study.

I have very severe pain and am also prescribed oxycontin and vicoden. I had sleep apnea long taking these medicines. From what I can tell medications for pain would also worsen apnea.

thank you again,

Stevew

yep, if you were taking all that at bedtime prior to using cpap, it's a wonder you woke up.  Some don't

If you took it the night of your titration, then you are probably OK continuing with it IF you use the cpap.  To be really sure, you should discuss this with your doctor.

Steve, I have a messed up back...I was going to list out the details but let's just say...the whole thing is herniated.  I have Flexeril...but don't use it unless it is unbarable.  I asked my sleep Doc about using it...at the strength that is prescribed for me...I assume yours is much stronger.  The Doc OK'd it.  I don't take it because I am afraid it will worsen my Apnea and I want to keep that under control the most.  My thought...anything that can relax the back muscles can relax the airway too.

Anyway, talk with your sleep Dr about the pain relievers...he/she may want you to have another titration or keep you on the APAP verses straight CPAP.  Also your machine probably has the exhale feature that can be adjusted to assist you.

I put my $$ into a TempurPedic mattress which helps alot...not a copy, the real thing.  it causes you to sweat though.

Good luck...but ask the Dr... I hope my pain does not become as severe as yours.


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I am A ZOMBIE! 20 years+ undx'd. BiPAP Auto M 14/9. Nasal Swift&F&P Flex Fit 431 Full Face. RLS/PLMD, Primary CNS Hypersomnia, Sleep Paralysis, Parasomnia, Degenerative Disc Disease, Clinical MS, Fibromyalgia, COPD plus other past dx's..what's next?