Posted by Sandman on December 29, 2008 at 11:08:21:In Reply to: Can anyone relate to this posted by Katt on December 29, 2008 at 01:57:39:
If you are not using your CPAP (have untreated sleep apnea), taking xanax can be very dangerous. It is a benzo and will make your sleep apnea worse.
You should talk to your physician and sleep doc asap concerning this.
I quickly found this on the web, there is much more.
"Patients with severe sleep apnea are often tempted to use Valium or other benzodiazepines including Xanax-- because it allows them to sleep through the apnic episodes without waking to consciousness. The tranquilizer allows them to think that they got four hours of uninterrupted sleep, and they may even feel more refreshed upon awakening from such sleep. But that is only an illusion. During the drugged sleep, the patient exerts considerable unconscious physical effort in overcoming the obstruction, eventually finally gasping and falling back into a deeper sleep until the next attempt at breathing occurs. This effort comes at a huge physiological price due to the lack of oxygen in the system during the effort. While the patient wakes after the effects of the drug feeling like he got some sleep, he really has suffered quite a bit of long term damage. It is axiomatic among physicians that benzodiazepines should NOT be given to patients with obstructive sleep apnea because of the long term damage the prolonged apnic episodes cause."
Best wishes,
SandmanDisclaimer, I am not an MD and my opinions should not be taken as medical advice. If you feel that you need assistance with medications and/or diagnosis, you should seek medical advice from a qualified physician.