Apnea due to opioid use?

[grandpianoman]

I read that one of the causes of central sleep apnea is opioid use. That puts the person at risk for stroke or heart issues. There apparently is no treatment for refractory RLS that doesn't have serious side effects. My question is this: Has anyone with RLS developed apnea as a probable result of opioids then gone off opioids and have the central apnea go away? I'm asking, as I now have central sleep apnea on top of RLS sleep issues, though I have no idea what drug I would try next. Bupnenorphine (a morphine derivative) has been the best for the RLS symptoms so far. Both apnea and RLS (untreated) are life-threatening, so I'm hoping this isn't a "rock or a hard place" situation. I am hoping for some good news--that drug-induced apnea will go away if the drugs are discontinued.

[Eryl]

No, the sleep apnea is probably due to an inflammatory diet, which is causing rls sensitivity in the nerves as well as swelling of the tongue causing sleep apnea.

Please note: Before making any significant changes to your diet you should always check with your doctor to determine its suitability. Kaarina - Admin

[Hidden]

There are apprently many types of central sleep apnea. (CSA).

None of them seem to be caused by inflammation.

CSA can be caused by opioid use.

The treatment of CSA depends on the underlying cause, so in your case if the CSA was caused solely by opioids then the treatment is to withdraw the opioids.

If you also have another underlying condition causing the CSA, then that woud need to be treated as well.

SO the drug-induced apnea will go away if the drugs are discontinued, but only as long as you have no other causes.

It would not be a good idea to take gabapentin or pregabalin either, as you probably already know.

sleepfoundation.org/sleep-a...

You do, of course, need to take medical advice.

[LotteM]

I second Manerva. Opioids can (but don't have to) cause Central sleep apnea (CSA). It is apparently a very low risk, so you are just unlucky, grandpianoman. I am sorry. If so, stopping or reducing the dose of the opioid should stop the CSA. But then how to treat the RLS? I don't know of any other way to stop the CSA.

I take buprenorphine as well for my refractory RLS and have just undergone another sleep study to assess whether I have (opioid-induced) CSA; I remain fatigued even though I sleep well. This can be a direct side effect of the opioid or an indirect one through CSA. My neurologist/sleep specialist wanted to make sure.

I am sorry I can't be of more help, grandpianoman.

[Hidden]

I have had sleep apnea for years as I was 110 lbs. (8 stones) overweight, I take opiates (methadone and oxycodone) for RLS. I had a sleep study done and it still showed sleep apnea. It is apparently central and I was put on a new CPAP that will automatically give me a breath when I stop breathing for any reason. Helps a lot with the RLS and the tiredness I have felt/

[BBMBRB]

Opioids all cause respiratory depression so could be a factor in the sleep apnea