Hello

[Skyblue1202]

Hi

I was recently admitted to hospital for a month due to a severe asthma attack. I was put on new meds (montekulast) and diagnosed with sleep apnea.

I'm now waiting for a sleep study and a cpap machine.

I also suffer from other physical disabilities and extreme mental health problems which causes my sleep to be a real problem.

The psychiatrist I see has me on zopliclone to help me sleep but I'm a little worried as I've heard it can react badly with sleep apnea.

Thanks for reading

[swindonian]

I have sleep apnoea am a long term user of cpap which is wonderful. I have anxiety problems and use diazepam and guess what - diazepam is also said to be a no go with OSA, nonetheless over the last dozen years I have frequently 2 x 5mg diazepam (valium) at bedtime. Diazepam is a muscle relaxant and could relax the throat too much but I think that could only happen if you sleep on your back. I googled zopiclone and it said --A standard dose of zopiclone taken nightly for 1 month does not worsen OSA severity, next-day sleepiness or alertness in selected OSA patients aged 18–65 years with low–moderate respiratory arousal thresholds without major hypoxaemia or sleepiness at baseline. It could take a long time to get a sleep study and equipment on the NHS please let me know if I can help as I have some spare cpap equipment, although all my masks are medium size, however, I can advise you how to measure your mask size.

[Hidden in reply to swindonian]

Hi Swindonian. Just to say your name caught my eye as I was born and lived in Swindon wilts until I was thirty. Is the choice of name associated with Swindon if you don’t mind me asking. Thanks 😊

[swindonian in reply to Hidden]

Yes, I moved to Swindon in 1974 for work reasons to be close to Heathrow. I come from Essex but have no wish to return.

[Hidden in reply to swindonian]

Thankyou. for reply I still go back to visit family there. Anyway I hope all gets better for you. Life’s a challenge for sure. Take care

[BonnieSue Dream Team]

Hi!

I'm sorry you're having so many troubles. I wish I could make them go away for you. 😋

Here's results from one 2017 study on sleep apnea (OSA) and zopiclone called THE ROLE OF NIGHTLY ZOPICLONE ON OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA SEVERITY AND SYMPTOMS IN PEOPLE WITH LOW TO MODERATE RESPIRATORY AROUSAL THRESHOLDS: A RANDOMIZED, DOUBLE-BLIND, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED TRIAL:

The Conclusion:

One month of nightly zopiclone does not worsen OSA severity, daytime sleepiness or simulated driving performance in OSA patients with low to moderate respiratory arousal thresholds who do not have major hypoxemia at baseline. These findings challenge previous assumptions about the role of hypnotics in these patients.

Prior to this study there was concern that even one night with zopiclone and sleep apnea could be problematical. If you try the zopiclone, be alert for any symptoms of trouble such as worsened sleep patterns, daytime sleepiness the next day or problems driving safely. If you have any of these problems, you'll know not to continue the zopiclone. Best wishes for you!

Hugs, Love, and Blessings...

[Skyblue1202]

Thanks for all the replies. It's great to know theres support out there!

[Hidden]

It’s not sleep apnea you should worry about so much, it’s your asthma.

Benzodiazepines and zopiclone may increase the likelihood of asthma exacerbation.

[Skyblue1202]

Okay I never new that. I'm on three inhalers which I use daily and sometimes quite alot. I'm definitely going to make some appointments tomorrow.

[BonnieSue Dream Team in reply to Skyblue1202]

Smart, very smart to do so!