Opioid induced Central Sleep Apnea

[Lotos808]

Hi,

I have been using morphine for quite some time now (8 months), and have recently experienced CSA. The first time was about a month ago, where I awoke gasping for air. Recently its been getting worse. I was wondering, if the Central Sleep Apnea would go away if I would stop using opioids altogether. Because, before I have never had any signs of CSA and only up until a month ago it happened. Its kind of an emergency........

Thanks,
Bryce

[MJ12655]

A related discussion, Morphine was started.

[Julia M Aharonov, DO]

Yes, it might go away, however in the meantime, you might consider using BiPAP or CPAP so that you do not run into problems that sleep apnea can cause in the long run. Give it a year and have the sleep study again to reassess the situation.

[Lotos808]

So do you think itll go away? the only thing really going for me is the PAWS from Opioids. It can take months to a year for the brain to re-program itself and establish new neurotransmitter pathways to the CNS, so I was thinking; it might just take some time until my body can get back to "pre-addiction" functioning? and the apneatic events will subside? Because prior to taking the morphine, I had no trouble breathing at all, and I think since its a major respatory depressant, it was affecting my subconscious 24/7 breathing making it slower along with my need of oxygen. Now that the levels are different, my intake has to change resulting in apneas at night?

Thanks Julia

[Lotos808]

Thank you for the answer Julia. Recently, I have stopped using morphine altogether and have been clean for about a month. I have been taking it for multiple herniated discs in my back, unprescribed. However, the CSA at night will not go away and I have recently been prescribed xanax for anxiety with sleep. Maybe the xanax will make it worse? Im just not understanding why this horrible ailment will not go away. Maybe it just takes time for my brain to get used to? Because before my drug use started, I didnt have any symptoms of CSA and would get anywhere between 8-12 hours of sleep a night. Now I get close to none and am always awoken from not breathing and shallow breathing, resulting in my diagphram or whole body shaking to wake me up. My oxygen level on a pulseomiter goes down to 80-90% then I wake up. I know, I watched it, and have awoken to see the numbers.
Could you maybe explain any of this to me from your professional point of view? I need to speak and get answers from an expert in this feild, so you are the best person for the job.
Thank you so much.

[Julia M Aharonov, DO]

Bryce, it is very important that you understand that one of the main adverse affects of most, if not all opiates is respiratory depression. In your case, it happens at night and presents itself as CSA (central sleep apnea).
You probably already know what my answer is going to be: if you stop using opiates, in your case Morphine, the adverse effect will also go away.
My concern is this: you did not tell me what  you are taking it for, and what is your plan of stopping. Let me know if you need some advice on the matter or read some of my blogs. Good luck to you.