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Can oxycodone increase apnea events when using a bipap machine?

Posted by gasmith1958 @gasmith1958, Oct 26, 2023

Hello,
I am excited to find this support group in such a reputable location, so I am hoping someone might give me some insight....

I began using a bipap machine in March and have had great results with it up to now....usually recording less than 5 events per hour.

I had some minor surgery last week, and the resulting pain kept me from finding a comfortable position to sleep, which kept me from using the machine for a week.

I finally discovered that I could sleep in my recliner and rest pretty well, so two nights ago I started using the machine again....the first night it recorded 69.5 events/hr, and last night it recorded 59 events/hr!

I was prescribed oxycodone for pain and have been taking 1 per day at bedtime, so my question is can this medication cause such a drastic increase in events? The only other difference is that the recliner keeps me on my back, whereas I am usually a side sleeper.

Has anyone out there experienced anything similar to this? Any information at all will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

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toryinhampton | @toryinhampton | Oct 26, 2023

Hi! Yes, I too, have experienced apnea events when taking an opioid. I had kidney stones and was prescribed Percocet. My numbers were in the 40s one night and the 60s another. My norm is typically between 3-4 events of apnea a night. I shared with my ENT who shared that opioids can cause respiratory distress and cautioned me from taking prescribed opioids in the future. I now how it listed in all my medical records. Be cautious.

REPLY
2 replies
gasmith1958 | @gasmith1958 | Oct 27, 2023
In reply to @toryinhampton "Hi! Yes, I too, have experienced apnea events when taking an opioid. I had kidney stones..." + (show)
@toryinhampton

Hi! Yes, I too, have experienced apnea events when taking an opioid. I had kidney stones and was prescribed Percocet. My numbers were in the 40s one night and the 60s another. My norm is typically between 3-4 events of apnea a night. I shared with my ENT who shared that opioids can cause respiratory distress and cautioned me from taking prescribed opioids in the future. I now how it listed in all my medical records. Be cautious.

Jump to this post

Thanks! Did your numbers return to normal after you stopped the percocet? I have not take one since Wednesday night and still recorded over 60 last night?

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rjjacobsen | @rjjacobsen | Oct 27, 2023
In reply to @toryinhampton "Hi! Yes, I too, have experienced apnea events when taking an opioid. I had kidney stones..." + (show)
@toryinhampton

Hi! Yes, I too, have experienced apnea events when taking an opioid. I had kidney stones and was prescribed Percocet. My numbers were in the 40s one night and the 60s another. My norm is typically between 3-4 events of apnea a night. I shared with my ENT who shared that opioids can cause respiratory distress and cautioned me from taking prescribed opioids in the future. I now how it listed in all my medical records. Be cautious.

Jump to this post

Similar experience after shoulder surgery - once off of Percocet my numbers went down a lot immediately and went down more over time.

REPLY
gloaming | @gloaming | Oct 28, 2023

Yes, anything that reduces one's ability to sense discomfort, anxiety, etc, can bring on more apnea. When I was first prescribed Zopiclone due to sleep loss after a cardiac procedure, my pharmacist leaned over the counter and asked if my GP was aware of my sleep apnea. I nodded yes, and he said, maybe, my suggestion, is to break each tablet in half and try that. This can interfere with your apnea at full strength. I took his advice, sleep rather well, or better anyway, but notice no unusual level of apnea on my machine's record next day.

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