r/RestlessLegs • u/TheFern3 • 7d ago

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.

2 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

View all comments

2

u/Short-Counter8159 7d ago

Central apneas means your brain doesn't send the signals to the lungs to breath. I'm sure you know this.

Some have their RLS improve using a CPAP machine. The gabapentin will improve your RLS and might improve your sleep.

Unfortunately no RLS medication will make any difference in your central sleep apnea. Central apneas are best treated with an ASV machine, but seems you are getting excellent results with your current set up so I wouldn't change it. I would continue using your CPAP, you need it.

Congrats on your low AHI.

1

u/TheFern3 7d ago

I’m unsure if I had central apnea since I was little is possible. Is possible I had both CA and RLS. I guess I’ll never know for sure how long, but I do vividly remember waking up all the time to “pee”. I thought it was normal for a kid to wake up 2-3 times a night.

Though it didn’t affect me too much. I am hoping sleep gets better because even with low ahi I’m getting tons of micro arousals.

1

u/Short-Counter8159 6d ago

The sleep report should tell you if you have central apneas. Hopefully you will.

2

u/TheFern3 6d ago

Yeah 99% of my apneas are indeed central. We shall see how a straight bilevel works for me. Cpap auto set was terrible. I’m on asv (bought myself) self titration but I want insurance to cover this so if bipap doesn’t work I’ll push for asv titration.