I'm shocked !

[Viv54]

I will try to make this simple, I had a THR almost a year ago.Had all the checks bloods ecg x-ray etc all fine.Had the operation all went well.This week I had to go and see the pre assessment nurse. This time the checks were alot more than last time. Anyway it was all done. At 5pm yesterday I had a call from the nurse to say that my bloods had showed up possible sleep apnea ! I was stunned .I have now found out that painkillers and pain patches can affect the blood tests.I have taken more than last year as I had a spinal fracture wish was hard to deal with the pain. I'm just wondering if steroids can play any part in this. Presently tapering at 7.5. Had anyone else had this happen.? I'm desperately trying not to have my operation postponed ! Any help would be great .Thanks Viv.

[fmkkm]

Hi Viv,

I am confused, what operation are you waiting for?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to fmkkm]

Total Hip Replacement I assume - for the other hip.

[fmkkm in reply to PMRpro]

👍

[Viv54 in reply to fmkkm]

Yes that's right.

[Viv54 in reply to PMRpro]

Yes I'm sorry I don't think I made my self clear ,I'm waiting to have my other hip done, the pain killers etc, seem to have caused me to have sleep apnea.I have to go for tests next week to see if I have it.I was wondering if steroids played a part in this, and if anyone has a similar experience of it. I can't believe I have it as I'm not falling asleep constantly,yes I get tired but then we all do with PMR. I suppose I will have to wait until they do more tests. Just can't stand the thought of my operation put back .

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Viv54]

I understood what you meant but you didn't say WHAT painkillers you have been taking! Opiods CAN lead to sleep apnoea and the effect is dose related.

thelancet.com/journals/lanr...

[Viv54 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you really interesting, I'm taking co codamol,Pain patches ,plus a sleeping tablet and 1amitriptyline at night. Plus 7.5 of steroids, sounds like a Molotov cocktail. It's the most I've ever taken but as from my last post been in excruciating pain with hip and spine fracture. Just wanted to know if anyone has had this trouble. Best wishes Viv.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Viv54]

As well as PMRpro’s comments re opioids, I also read that some sleeping tablets can also lead to sleep apnea….

[Viv54 in reply to DorsetLady]

Yes thanks, i will make this clear at my next app, fingers crossed if i cut down as much as possible it will go ahead .

[Viv54 in reply to PMRpro]

I have read this link again and i think this may be my problem as i upped my co codamol when my pain was intense ! I will tell them when i have my app. Have cut right back on them ! Fingers crossed this will do it, thanks once again .

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Viv54]

Now I know what painkillers you were using - I'd have been clearer! It's most likely that cocktail of meds as others have explained and I am left to ask what your prescribers were thinking of!!!!

[Viv54 in reply to PMRpro]

I should have known better really 😞

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Viv54]

When you are in pain, everything blurs ...

[Viv54 in reply to fmkkm]

Yes sorry if I didn't make that clear, yes the other hip.

[fmkkm in reply to Viv54]

No problem, the other hip makes sense. I am sorry you have so many problems with pain! Also, sounds like a lot of issues you have to navigate to get through this operation, hope it all works out for you. Take care 🥰

[Rynn33]

Hi I don’t think it’s the Pred.

Were you advised to take the amitriptyline and co- codamol together? The codamol side effects include sleep apnea. The amitriptyline has a warning about not using with morphine type drugs as can cause breathing issues. Adding then the sleeping tablet in on top is probably not helping.

[Viv54 in reply to Rynn33]

I take 1 amitriptyline and 2 co_codamol an hour before bed , then a sleeping tablet when i am in bed , i can now see what harm it can cause . Thank you so much for replying , im cutting them right back as really need my hip operation .

[Nightingales]

Hi Viv. Sorry you are going through so much pain. I have similar , it’s awful. I wondered, did the nurse actually say this would stop you from having the op? Surely they would be monitoring you. Sleep apnea is so common but I have never heard of an op being stopped because of it.

[Viv54 in reply to Nightingales]

Thank you sorry to hear your are in pain, it's awful! No I think I panicked that they wouldn't do it .I'm going to have all the tests soon at the sleep clinic, then take it from there .I'm trying to cut back on my painkillers ,it's hard when your in so much pain. Fingers crossed for us all xx

[Nightingales in reply to Viv54]

It might be worth asking the nurse if having sleep apnea would prevent you having the op so you know where you stand. If not then it would take one worry away.. You could also enquire if you should continue to take your pain meds for the sleep studies. It would seem that being in the kind of severe pain that you are in would affect the results anyway. I hope it all works out well for you. xx

[Viv54 in reply to Nightingales]

Thank you , yes I'm confident I will be able to have it.I will have to wait for the clinic to see what they say.Fingers crossed it all goes well.😊

[anutycrixp]

Need proper advise..have you been assessed for anaesthesia yet?Get your tests etc done and use these professionals to get what you need.Who prescribed all your meds?G.P?I had a build up of meds but found the supervisory senior pharmacist s at G p,s invaluable.I didn’t know they existed until I needed help!Good luck and prioritise your impending op above all else!!

[Viv54 in reply to anutycrixp]

Thank you , yes a complete change will have to happen.

[Broseley]

Before PMR diagnosis I was prescribed diazepam. The GP thought it might help my muscles relax as I was in so much pain at night.

It didn't work, but it did give me sleep apnoea, which my husband spotted. I stopped taking it immediately.

[Viv54 in reply to Broseley]

Thank you , also take Diazepam occasionally my GO have it to me a muscle relaxant ! Think I'm being to see the picture now.Did your sleep apnea stop ?

[Broseley in reply to Viv54]

Yes, as soon as I stopped the diazepam.

[Viv54 in reply to Broseley]

Brilliant, I will stop them now .Thank you .

[Broseley in reply to Viv54]

Be careful if you've taken them regularly for a while as you may get withdrawal symptoms. Read the PIL for advice. I only took them for 4 days.

[Viv54 in reply to Broseley]

I will ,thank you.

[Missus835]

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I always thought sleep apnea was when you stop breathing while sleeping? Not "falling asleep constantly" or is this another aspect of it?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Missus835]

One of the signs is being excessively sleepy during the day due to interrupted sleep at night, Even if you don't wake fully your sleep pattern can be very erratic and unrefreshing as a result.

[Missus835 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for clarifying Pro.

[Missus835]

So sorry to hear you're in so much pain. I can empathize with 10 vertebral fractures here. On Tylenol 3 which does little, but at least it doesn't make me sleepy. Also on pred and trying to taper. Hope you're able to get your THR done. Better to be safe. All the best Viv.

[Viv54]

Thank you, I can't imagine how you feel , I thought my spine was bad .Good luck with your tapering.