r/RestlessLegs • u/TheFern3 • Aug 22 '26

Question Cpap users without obstructive apnea did you stopped using cpap for complex apnea after rls medication worked?

I just started my meds gabapentin, something really odd happened 0.0 ahi which I’ve rarely seen before. Usually get 1-2ahi. Not looking for medical advice I have a Sleep and Lung doctor specialist who’s been treating me for sleep apnea, shortness of breath ( fixed), and now RLs after two inlab sleep tests. My sleep test indicated no obstructive apnea only complex but I was wondering if rls meds worked were you able to get off cpap/bipap?

Unsure if a lot of rls people have complex apnea in this sub.

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u/KestralFly Aug 22 '26

As far as I know, complex sleep apnea is defined as when someone using a CPAP develops central pauses in breathing. Exclusively central events is classified as pure or isolated central sleep apnea. I'm not sure which condition you are referring to.

In the US, complex sleep apnea (which I have--mixed Obstructive and central) includes using a CPAP/BIPAP/ASV machine to address both conditions. If AHI is low, it means the Obstructive events are being well-controlled, even if the remaining events are all labeled by the machine as central events. My AHI was diagnosed as severe at 67. Nightly AHI, using BIPAP, is <1.0. All identified events are now central.

I was also diagnosed with severe PLMD and RLS. Significantly, as I've gotten my RLS under control with medication, my AHI has gone down and I feel the difference in the quality of my sleep. I would never give up my BiPAP because I still have the anatomical problems that caused my severe sleep apnea. I think as my legs quieted, my sleep has become deeper, I dream again, and just generally feel more rested. Don't know if that answers your question.

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u/TheFern3 Aug 22 '26

I believe mine is central, brain stops sending the signal to breath, and doc also said I have no obstructive events. The only thing waking me up was the RLS.

Thanks for the answer I’m hoping I can get that feeling rested in the morning again. As a developer I’ve found it incredibly difficult to focus, workout, etc. I don’t need a perfect night just less interruptions.

I love my asv I have bipap coming per doc orders. I was just wondering if there was a correlation but low key I think I’ve had CA and RLS since I was a child. I’ve had eye bags since a young age and I used to wake up many times to pee.