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Sleep, Opiates, and Sleep Apenea

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Posted 11/10/2014 7:19 PM (GMT 0)
Does anyone think Cesamet for pain will help not only the pain sleeping issues? How does one approach their doctor with asking for Casement for pain, sleep, and anxiety?

The sleep issues are really getting to me. So any other ideas to help fall asleep and stay asleep are welcome.
Posted 11/11/2014 12:18 AM (GMT 0)
My impression is that Cesamet is only prescribed for Cancer pain -- at least, in states without medical marijuana.

Since it is a marijuana derivative, I think many PMs in conservative states don't prescribe it and, personally, I would be afraid to ask about it.... terrible but be careful.

If you're having sleep issues, what about a benzodiazepine?
Posted 11/28/2014 4:23 PM (GMT 0)
I did ask my shrink and I he said, That is pot and I can't prescribe it. The interesting item of the week is congress wants to pass a bill to make medical marijuana available to the VA or veterans. That will be interesting as I am a vet and my pain is the result of an injury I received while serving. I do take Klonopin and have for 10 years. I am at the max dosage and it helps in many ways but the sleep issue is out of control. Not sure what to do or except and I am getting another VA sponsored sleep study. My 6th...

I am 70% disabled and 30% is sleep apnea. My c-pap with a full mask is not getting the job done. The injury I took was to my face and when they finished rebuilding my mouth it was too small. Not to mention all the changes in the way my sinuses work.
Posted 11/28/2014 5:18 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to Healingwell Chronic pain forum WryVerist. when you have had your sleep test have they checked you for Central Apneas? Most people that suffer from sleep apnea have obstructive sleep apnea and regular cpap and bipap will take care of it. But people with chronic pain taking certain pain medication that can cause central apneas also other people with brain stem injury or damage or people suffering from certain neurological diseases and some some heart conditions can also have central apneas. Some people have both central apneas and obstructive apneas which is known as complex sleep apnea! Anyway normal cpap or bipap will treat this condition. You need to have a ASV titration sleep study done as the ASV (Adaptive Servo Ventilator) machine is the only machine that I know of that will effectively treat central and complex sleep apnea.

I know this from experience as it took me over a year and a half of fighting with cpap and bipap and 5 sleep studies and a change in sleep doctors before they finally got me on the right machine and treatment!! Allot of sleep centers don't always check for central apneas and since the ASV machines are very very expensive some doctors avoid prescribing them! But they do work and when I finally got mine it was a real Godsend!

I would definitely ask them about it! Good Luck to You! and again Welcome to the forum!

White Beard
Posted 11/28/2014 5:20 PM (GMT 0)
That would be a huge step forward if the med marijuana for vets actually got passed. I hope it does it would help so many out. I've never heard of cesement(so) sounds awesome though...
Posted 11/28/2014 6:52 PM (GMT 0)
I have had 5 sleep studies and in the late 90's no one ever said a word about central apneas and I was not on opiates. On my last 2 the most recent in 2012. I started hearing I am having central apneas. Maybe an ASV will help but I think I had one once. When my breathing dropped it started squeezing my face trying to pump air into me. It woke me up and it was a weird sensation, It was like the machine went into panic mode.

If it helps I will use it. Still I have insomnia where I cannot get to sleep. The other night I was up a all night and did not sleep for close to 48 hours.

What is happening to me is I take my morphine 3 times daily in the AM after I wake I feel like crap and want to sleep. I somehow manage to get to work and until I take my second dose I feel awful. Then about 1:00 PM I start to pick up and I am doing great. Pain free, not sleepy, and a clear mind. I wish I could get my meds on the right time so I can wake up feeling like I do at 1:00 PM. This is killing my work and family life.

The other thing is the VA gets a new sleep doctor and the first thing they want to stop is my O2 regulator. I do not use an O2 bottle but w/o the regulator I can tell a huge difference. My guess is that it cost the VA a bundle to hand these units out. All I want to do is stop feeling like I am wiped out. The other is to have a good night sleep. If medical pot helps then it is far less harsher on my body. After taking opioids for 10 -12 years I am at my limit. The cure is as bad as the snake bite.
Posted 11/28/2014 8:05 PM (GMT 0)
WryVerist I can definitely empathize with you as i had been on oral pain meds since the late 90's, until just this past summer when I was weaned off all my oral pain meds and had an implanted pain pump put in. It continuously infuses morphine directly into my spinal canal to control my pain, and it works great! I wish I would have had it put in years ago!

I also have an oxygen concentrator as I have 3 liters of O2 bled into my ASV to supply me with extra oxygen when I sleep at night. I personally avoid using the VA unless I absolutely have to! I was awarded 60 percent disability but do not use it for my sleep apnea needs at all!

I do wish you well, especially working with the VA for your health needs and especially with pain management as they are very limited on what they can prescribe to treat it!!!

Good Luck to You!

White Beard
Posted Yesterday 4:24 AM (GMT 0)
If you have signed a pain contract, and even if you haven't, if a drug screen picks up anything that your dr isn't aware of and/or didn't prescribe, it could cost you your pain meds. . especially if it is an illegal drug in your state. I know Cesamet is a legal prescription, but in many states marijuana is not. And even if it is, your dr may still discharge you if it is in your system.
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