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Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on July 23, 2009 at 4:58pm

i am no expert on sleep aids, but I do believe that Ambien has a short shelf life. It is used for people that have trouble falling asleep(initial insomnia) rather than for people who wake up early and can't return to sleep(terminal insomnia).

http://www.sleepguide.com/forum/topics/insomnia-sleep-disorders-12-3

Chris said:

No unexplained happenings. No side affects. I have been using it every night for about the last 2 weeks hoping it would help me get a full 8 hours of sleep and its not working. Before PAP I would use it once or twice a week because the after work naps would keep me from getting to sleep at a reasonable time.

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Permalink Reply by Linda McClure- Woodham on July 23, 2009 at 6:12pm

Belinda, have you tried Melatonin? I find it safer for me. I have been on every prescription med for sleep that is out there.
Perhaps others who have used Melatonin can comment.

Belinda Haman said:

I use Trazadone for sleep as well.....I suffer from severe insomnia this has helped me so much to get to sleep and stay asleep....before my diagnosis and during my cpap therapy.....I have been able to reduce my dosage since my cpap therapy--hopefully I will be able to get off them eventually.....the best part is this is not addictive....I have not experienced any re-bound insomnia since reducing my dosage.....

Like Andrea this has done wonders for my sleep.....

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Permalink Reply by The Dreamer on July 24, 2009 at 12:04am

I say stick to the PAP, things will improve.

It was an adjustment when I started. before CPAP, I could do 8 hours or more sleep. But, I would be sleep all day. After the first couple of nights, I felt like I was getting less and less sleep on CPAP than I did before. While I was feeling somewhat better in the morning (no more hitting snooze until it won't snooze anymore, continuing to sleep with the bright light on by bed....300W fullspectrum)

Though I was still sleeply in the afternoon/evening, and could fall asleep if I sat down and closed my eyes. At least I wasn't falling asleep while doing everything I could to stay awake....and working.

At some point, I started taking 1mg doses of Melatonin before bed. And, gradually that made it so I could sleep all the way through the night and I thought things were somewhat better. Then after a few weeks I stopped the Melatonin and I generally still sleep all the way through each night. Later I had a small tweak in settings, and needed the Melatonin for a couple of weeks to adjust. But, suddenly I had a problem that I can't remember the last time I had experienced it.

I had trouble falling asleep because I had gotten too much sleep the night before. But, what was neat was that I wasn't a wreck the next day from having had that trouble falling asleep. Though more than that....doesn't work. I'm sure I still have lots of sleep debt to pay back.

I have also discovered that flying is really boring....normally when I fly...I fall asleep before take off and wake up as the plane is landing....might wake now and then during, but fall right back to sleep. I took a trip 5 months in....and I did nod off during take off, but otherwise I was awake the rest of the flight.

The Dreamer.

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Permalink Reply by sherry on July 24, 2009 at 9:07am

Hi Chris..I have been on VPAP therapy for almost 3 months now, and went thru just what you described after about 6 weeks, after a few weeks of feeling really good every morning.
I too was once again sleepy during the day, from fighting the mask all night..so when I went away over July 4th, I left the machine at home for 4 days, as I didn't want to mess with it, and I didn't think I would miss it..
What an eye opener! I saw the first day the difference between being sleepy and tired due to not getting restful sleep, and being sleepy and tired due to the drop in my oxygen level from the OSA. I couldn't wait to get home and masked up.
I have loosened my headgear a little, and that has eliminated my sore nose, which was one thing waking me up; I am surprised every morning that loosening the strap has made such an improvement in comfort! I see now I was strapping up like I was a pack mule at the Grand Canyon, lol... Since my nose doesn't hurt, I don't move around as much, that has reduced the air leaks from changing position, and I am sleeping better.
It can be a slow process, but still better than the alternative, I am convinced, I have seen a bad night on vpap is still much better than a good night without..
Good luck.

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Permalink Reply by Judy on July 24, 2009 at 9:16am

We are all so different. Regulalr Ambien has worked well for me when I've had to use it. Have never tried the Ambien CR for staying asleep. Haven't had any hangovers or done odd things using Ambien. Its only good for 4 hours for me - but if I add a regular Tylenol (NOT Tylenol PM) I can usually get 6 hours out of one Ambien. I used 1 a night for 7 nights and since then only as needed.

Trazadone on the other hand was an absolute DISASTER for me! I tried 1/2 of the sleep dose (its been a long time, 2.5 mg instead of 5 mg??) and I got higher than a kite. Tingling all over, walked like a drunk, couldn't sleep, my first and only "out of body" experiences (can you tell I am NOT a "child of the sixties"??) *wicked grin* I let the sleep doctor talk me into staying on it for one week and things did NOT get any better, they got WORSE!

Lunesta worked - but - it left such a HOR-RI-BULL taste in my mouth the next day. I brushed and brushed my teeth and tongue, used a half bottle of mouth wash, etc., etc. It was after noon before I finally had a decent tasting mouth again!!! No way would I take Lunesta again!

Mayo gave me two 5 mg Sonata to take if needed the night of my titration there. I didn't take them but since I had them I did take them one each of two different nights at home and I can't say that they did one darn thing for me one way or the other. No hangovers or unpleasant symptoms. But no good results either.

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Permalink Reply by Belinda Haman on July 24, 2009 at 11:40am

I guess it boils down to that each person is different and what works for some may not work for others--I have tried the Melantonin and I find it helps me get to sleep but, doesn't help keep me asleep......I am weaning myself off the Trazadone as I have been on it for nearly a year now....and feel like I don't need it so much since using my cpap--maybe if I start replacing the traz with the melantonin that might work now that I am on cpap therapy.....I find the Trazadone is too strong for me now.....I will be happy once I am off completely but, as per doc's instructions we can never just stop meds we need to wean off them slowly... :)

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