Lyrica & Sleep Apnea

Posted by danye1 @danye1, Jan 7 12:24pm

My recent home sleep study shows some events when I briefly stopped breathing due to central nervous system not sending a signal to breathe. These events were followed by obstructive apneas. So the diagnosis is mixed apnea. I'm wondering if the Lyrica I take for small fiber neuropathy (50 mg twice a day) could be suppressing my respiratory effort when asleep. Anybody experiencing this?

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John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jan 7 12:51pm

Hi @danye1, I would definitely talk with my doctor or sleep medicine care team about your symptoms. There is an FDA warning on the possible danger.

--- FDA warns about serious breathing problems with seizure and nerve pain medicines gabapentin (Neurontin, Gralise, Horizant) and pregabalin (Lyrica, Lyrica CR): https://www.fda.gov/drugs/fda-drug-safety-podcasts/fda-warns-about-serious-breathing-problems-seizure-and-nerve-pain-medicines-gabapentin-neurontin

Have you talked with your doctor about the events you saw on your home sleep study?

danye1 | @danye1 | Jan 7 3:35pm

Thank you, John. I have an appointment with my doctor soon to discuss this. The info you sent is helpful!

pah17 | @pah17 | Jan 8 8:18pm

In reply to @danye1 "Thank you, John. I have an appointment with my doctor soon to discuss this. The info..." + (show)

I'm at the beginning of this journey. I tried a low dose, short course of Gabapentin with no noticeable difference. At this time I'm choosing to seek comfort from my numbness & tingling which is most likely due to small fiber neuropathy without medication.
Your experience sounds very frightening. I find myself sleeping on my back more than before and I catch myself snoring and waking up with a sore throat, so you've confirmed my thoughts to proceed with caution in terms of treating with medication.
If I was in extreme pain I might not have the choice.
I'm hoping you gain some insight soon.

kd59 | @kd59 | Jan 9 8:17pm

I’m assuming your diagnosis was made by a physician who’s read your home studies. If not, it should be by a medical doctor, not a respiratory technician ,or yourself for those diagnosis. You should probably have a clinic sleep study… Polysomnogram.

After significant findings of sleep apnea, with my home studies, I was referred to a sleep Doctor ( neurologist) who had one done. I have both central and obstructive,
sleep apnea, neither are correlated to me being on gabapentin, and then further Lyrica. I was only taking 100 mg of gabapentin at bedtime when I had my first sleep study and my last one I had already switched to Lyrica ( 5 yrs later)and I’m taking 300 mg three times a day. Everybody’s differen, yours might be associated.