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Still dead tired after two weeks on cpap therapy. Suspect my sleep meds may be part of the problem. Advice?

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nAugrim36 +0 points · almost 6 years ago Original Poster

Hi there. I was recently diagnosed with severe OSA, and I was having 66 instances of apnea an hour. My sleep physician and sleep therapist put me on CPAP therapy two weeks ago. I've also been taking 75mg of Trazodone as a sleep aid for 4-5yrs. They set the pressure on my machine to 7 and for a few days I felt moderately better. Then I stopped feeling better and began feeling exhausted all the time despite being on CPAP therapy 6-7hrs a night, having a good mask seal, and according to the numbers I was down to less than five instances of apnea an hour with the aid of my CPAP machine. I spoke to my sleep therapist, and he bumped the pressure on my machine from 7 up to 8, and I didn't feel any difference in my energy levels. At this point I was wondering if perhaps my Trazodone was part of why I'm always exhausted, so I went to see my family doctor, and he told me to take 50mg of Trazodone instead of 75mg. I've noticed that while I'm still tired all day, with less sleep meds at night my daytime exhaustion isn't as severe as it was before. I'm nervous about stopping taking my sleep meds too fast for fear that it will cause insomnia. Has anyone had an experience like this? Can they offer any advice? Much appreciated. Thanks.

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wiredgeorge +0 points · almost 6 years ago Sleep Enthusiast

I would really be concerned if my pressure was changed if it had been effective in reducing sleep apnea events. Why was this called for? The sleep therapist didn't know what else to do regarding your daytime fatigue! It seems reducing your dose of the sleep-aid drug is moving you in the right direction. I would advise you to be wary of the sleep therapist and follow the decreasing dosing of the sleep med in consultation with your family doctor. I really don't think there is ANY difference between a pressure of 7 and 8 and doubt you have noticed the difference.

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