BIPAP Problems

[Frazier]

Hello,

I am new to this forum but am having some serious problems with fatigue. I have had three sleep studies within the last three years the last one being about 2-3 weeks ago. My previous pressures were 21/14 yes I know that is high. This last test was with a different sleep center and they lowered my pressure to 14/10. I met with the most recent doctor who said I should stop the meds I am on cold turkey as the side effects I have are from them. They are as follows, Buproprion, Prystique, Diovan, Nuvigil and Lithium. I tried a couple of days and it was hard, went to the Dr who prescribed the meds and he indicated I should stay on them. I feel I am getting good sleep just not rested and fatigued all day. Not sure where to go or what to do from here? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Frazier

[bwexler]

The first thing I would want to know is why I am taking each med.
Then what are the side affects of each, how do they interact with each other?
Are they actually helping with what they were prescribed for?
Which ones can I eliminate or reduce the dosage?
It sounds like they are treating bi polar disorder and depression.
If you get restful sleep that may help more than the meds. I would do some research and then seek another opinion.

[PaulaO2]

First off, we aren't doctors. Well, one or two of us may be but they can't offer you advice without seeing you in person. But we are all hose heads and can help you figure out that side of your life.

I don't see how one doc, who did not prescribe them, could tell you to stop them cold turkey. He put your health at risk!

You and the doctor who prescribed the medications need to sit down and do some serious discussion of the medications and the side effects. You are taking three anti-depressants, something else to keep you awake, and something else for high blood pressure. Ask what can be changed? What can be removed or lowered or whatever?

Only you can take control of your own health. They are expert advisers who are not always right, but are to always be taken seriously. Sometimes we need to take a step back, breathe, and re-evaluate our position. So discuss your medication seriously with your doctor.

[Frazier]

Thanks,

Yes depression is the main issue, never told I am bipolar Lithium for the depression is what I was told. Buproprion & Prystique depreesion, Diovan (blood pressure) Nuvigil to keep me alert. Thinking of going out of state to a sleep specialist.

[Sleepster]

Why do you have to go out of state?

For how long have you been with the doctor who's prescribing these medications? How long have you been taking them? For how long have you been on continuous PAP therapy? Why have you had repeated sleep studies? Was there a change in your symptoms or medications when you started PAP therapy? And was there any change in the way PAP therapy made you feel?

Sorry for asking so many questions. You don't have answer each of them individually, but perhaps you could fill us in on your history keeping them in mind.

[trish6hundred]

Hi Frazier, WELCOME! to the forum.!
Hang in there for more responses to your post.

[Frazier]

Hello,

I have been with this Doctor for about 5 or 6 years, he used to work with my regular doctor then into behavioral health. I have had multiple sleep studies because of fatigue, never feeling rested when waking up but feel as if I get a good nights sleep. My first two were with the same place and recently I wanted to get a second opinion. That opinion was to have me get off the meds I am on except Nuvigil and Diovan. This doctor said the anti-depressants are a side effect which is making me fatigued? My pressure now is 14/10 where previously it was 21/14. With the 21 pressure I had a tough time finding a mask that would not leak. I asked my med doctor about going off of them and he did not like the idea but said I could slowly but then never any direction after that. I feel that if I go out of state near where I live where sleep apnea/conditions are studied on a full time basis rather than doctors who study in multiple areas. The full time sleep center/doctors all they do is study those areas related to sleep problems/cures making it easier for people who have sleep problems to be able to get on with their lives. I do not drink and haven't for 4.5 years but I would tell the doctors that a hangover felt better than how I felt some mornings waking up not getting good sleep and not feeling rested. Right now I have one doctor saying one thing and another doctor saying another. I honestly think the depression meds came into play when I noticed I was not sleeping well, trying to make it all better I guess. Not sure where to go from here?

[Sleepster]

Antidepressants come with a whole host of side effects. I'm a fan of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). I think anyone who is on antidepressants should also be getting CBT. And I also think that if the CBT can help you do so, you should try to get off the antidepressants. Just my opinion based my experiences and the experiences of people I know.

[PaulaO2]

I've been messing with my anti-depressants for a while. Some I take for depression, some I take for migraines. We've got them figured out now and I'm finally seeing my AHI settle down.

My AHI used to be way low, almost always well below 2. Then it was rarely below 3 and often near 6. It's nice to see it back into at least the 2s again! I even had one below 2 the other night. My sleep is doing much better, too. I have insomnia but when I do sleep, I tend to sleep a long time, usually about 10hrs. Even that is slowly shrinking and I slept a perfect 8.5 hrs the night it was below 2.

Right now I take Effexor for depression, Amiltryptiline and Topomax for the migraines. If the Topomax continues to work, we'll drop the Amitrypwhatever. I hope we can! I take a plethora of other meds for other crap going on but they're not messing with my sleep at least.

I talk to my GP twice a year about all of my meds. She is in charge of all but the two for the headaches. She and the neuro discuss me quite often, actually. I refuse to take a medication that is to treat a side effect of another medication. That's my rule and I've stuck with it. I've bent it a few times during switch overs and the like but never for long. The neuro is a medication nerd and I love him lots. It is rare for me to like a specialist this much. I also talk to my pharmacist a lot. Any time I get a new medication, I talk to him about the medication. Yes, the two docs are great but it is the pharmacist's job to know the medications and how they interact. I go to a local, non-chain place.

My point is, it isn't something that is done overnight. It is an ongoing process that perhaps will never end. Many people on anti-depressants need to have them changed ever 2-4 yrs, depending on the person. You have to be proactive about your own health.