+- Apnea Board Forum - CPAP | Sleep Apnea (https://www.apneaboard.com/forums)
+-- Forum: Public Area (https://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Forum-Public-Area)
+--- Forum: Main Apnea Board Forum (https://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Forum-Main-Apnea-Board-Forum)
+--- Thread: AHI HIGHER AFTER TAKING PAMELOR (nortriptyline) (/Thread-AHI-HIGHER-AFTER-TAKING-PAMELOR-nortriptyline)
AHI HIGHER AFTER TAKING PAMELOR (nortriptyline) - dizzy1 - 05-05-2017
I took my first 10mg dose of Pamelor (nortriptyline) last night. It made me very tired, drowsy and hungry.
I also started using a cervical collar to stop my chin from dropping and closing my airway (recommended by someone on here) I slept for 9 hours and woke very tired and drowsy.
I have tried Pamelor before and it had the same effect making me very tired and drowsy. Anyway my AHI last night was 11.46.
I have only just upped the pressure of my cpap machine 3 days ago and for the first 2 nights my AHI was well below 5.
I am worried that the Pamelor being so sedating is not good for my sleep apnea. I really want to give Pamelor a good change of helping my Migrainous Vertigo but if it making me so tired and also making my sleep apnea worse I am reluctant to carry on the trial of Pamelor. I am very sensitive to medications.
Does anyone here have any experiences in taking Pamelor ?
My cpap pressure is set to 11. If I up pressure to 11.5 my mask leaks no matter how tight I fit the mask. This is stopping me upping pressure.
Last nights cpap results (with Pamelor) : http://imgur.com/a/CT21K
Previous 2 nights results (without Pamelor) : http://imgur.com/a/gI6lQ
RE: AHI HIGHER AFTER TAKING PAMELOR (nortriptyline) - eseedhouse - 05-05-2017
Nortriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant of the first generation and these are typically quite sedating. Often prescribed "off label" for insomnia and nerve pain.
Anything that sedates will cause your throat muscles to relax more and can definitely up the A.H.I. This should get better as you get used to the drug. If it has been prescribed for depression you should keep taking it but have a talk with your Doctor if you would like a different treatment.
RE: AHI HIGHER AFTER TAKING PAMELOR (nortriptyline) - Beej - 05-06-2017
Some individuals have genetic variances in how they breakdown drugs. With attention to your own drug responses, you may be able to use this table to determine if you might have one of these.
It is possible you may break this drug down more slowly than others, and thus have an increased blood level of it and increased side effects. You might discuss reducing the dose with your healthcare provider and seeing if it is still sufficient for its intent. Note that with sustained use over weeks, you may find the sedative effects reducing as your body becomes accustomed to it.
RE: AHI HIGHER AFTER TAKING PAMELOR (nortriptyline) - dizzy1 - 05-10-2017
Many thanks for the info. I will discuss maybe trying a lower dosage with my doctor.