Are these signs my meds are pooping out? 1st time is happening

[Phronni7]

Hello, everyone.  I am trying not to go into total freak-out mode because it literally took many tries and my being suicidal several times before my new P-Doc found the right med combo.  The only negative thing I remember her saying is that lack of sleep could be a "deal-breaker" for my getting bad again.  Since 2008, I have been able to more or less "manage" my conditions with some black holes from rapid cycling and PTSD.  

 

Now, though, I notice that I am having problems with sleep (e.g., falling to sleep, staying asleep, and very bad for me, remembering my nightmares). This has been going on for 4 weeks with no change in diet or exercise.   I don't want this to bleed over into the day or continue happening, as if I fall into the big hole again, I don't know if I can climb out.  I have long had daytime grogginess, but now it is getting to where I sleep most of the day.

 

I am on C-Pap, and my P-Doc now (I have moved) wants me to take a test just to see if the airflow is set high enough.  He seems to think that is all of my problem here.  I am willing to do this, but in the meantime, I just feel that something is "off" both physically (I checked out okay in my physical).

 

I know that some of you have gone through med poop-outs.  Does this sound like one to you?  What did you do?  For example, did you just titrate off one and add a new one to the mix or what?  As I said, I am willing to do the text the P-Doc wants, but I don't think this is all due to my airflow power needing to be raised.  This P-Doc is willing to listen, but I don't want to start up something that might mess with the always tenuous stability that I have.

 

So can anyone give me any ideas about what you were/are able to notice if your med mixture is starting to be ineffective and how you handled it?

 

Sorry for the length, but thanks for reading this and for any suggestions.

[melissaw72]

I'm sorry you are having sleep problelms.  I can relate.  Maybe you just need a med tweak, not a medication change.

[Phoenix_Rising]

Do you currently take something to help you sleep?  If not, perhaps you should talk with your pdoc about adding something.  Sleep is a vital component to staying well.  And getting the pressure tested on your machine would be helpful if for no other reason than to rule it out.  I went through a period last year where I wasn't sleeping well and it turned out my pressure was too low on my CPAP.

 

I hope you find something that works for you.

[Bethyj83]

I agree that a tweak might be what you need. That's always my first go-to...raising dosage. Then adding "helpers", then switching.

 

For me, one of the first signs that my meds aren't working right anymore is my fatigue level. My anxiety levels also go up, as does my irritation. But it's different for everyone. I also use a C-Pap and after I had been on it for a few weeks I did another pulse oximeter test and my doc raised the air pressure. It's a good idea to look into it...after all, you are going through the trouble of wearing the mask, might as well make sure it's working properly!

 

I would talk to your pdoc, talk to your sleep doc, and see what needs to be done. Don't wait...if they are pooping out, you want to get ahead of it. Good luck!