13 yrs off paxil-no more sleep apnea. lawsuit?

dreamseeker · 11-25-2010, 05:42 PM

Hi guys it's me again. I originally posted under 13 YRS OFF PAXIL IF I CAN DO IT SO CAN YOU!
Here's something to think about. 6 yrs ago I was diagnosed with moderate OBSA (obstructive sleep apnea). This was a shock as I was always very fit, athletic, non smoker/drinker etc...I was always tired, regardless of good health, good eating habits, normal blood tests, so I went for a sleep study. The specialist indicated I wasn't a standard candidate for OBSA, so he attributed it to a narrow airway or some other anatomical abnormality in the respiratory channel. The diagnosis was repeatedly confirmed as I had annual sleep studies to monitor CPAP effectiveness.
Well, lately I've been having trouble with CPAP compliance, so I went for another sleep study. 5 techs came to my room that night as they couldn't believe what they were seeing. I NO LONGER HAD SLEEP APNEA! The sleep specialist had no viable explanation. The difference between this test and all other ones, was this time I WAS OFF PAXIL.
All sleep studies were done at the same hospital laboratory. I had not lost any weight(which could've been a factor had i been overweight). Sleep apnea does not just go away, in fact it gets worse.
I'm looking into a lawsuit, as this was not a potential side effect listed as I was introduced to the drug in 1997. Sleep apnea is a serious disorder and can be life threatning. I'm happy to be apnea free, but very angry if it has caused this respiratory disorder. Just something to think about.

ThomasNY · 12-02-2010, 10:45 PM

I was diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea several yeas ago. I don't fit any of the normal criteria for this disorder, so was somewhat surprised. I've been on paxil for many years, and have thought that it might be a cause of my apnea, since it would have to be neurological in my case as I'm physically fit, don't smoke, not overweight, etc. I'm currently in the process of applying for SSI, as I've been unable to work due to severe depression and anxiety for several years now. I hope to start weaning myself off the paxil after the legal process is completed, and I will keep you updated on the changes when I get to that point.

Lucy · 12-03-2010, 10:26 AM

http://www.paxilprogress.org/forums/...ht=sleep+apnea

scotty · 12-03-2010, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreamseeker

I'm looking into a lawsuit, as this was not a potential side effect listed as I was introduced to the drug in 1997. Sleep apnea is a serious disorder and can be life threatning. I'm happy to be apnea free, but very angry if it has caused this respiratory disorder. Just something to think about.

I feel I have to comment on this. Just because something happened while you were taking a drug does not definitively prove that the drug caused it. It may have, it may not have. Sleep apnea happens to many for no reason.

I just don't want someone to be disappointed when no lawyer will take their case. You have to be able to prove absolute causation, and the new presence of a symptom doesn't do that.

Sonika · 12-03-2010, 01:05 PM

My father has had sleep apnea for about 8 years. No other family member has it, he is thin, and other than high blood pressure (well controlled with medication) he has no health problems. We noticed that he was falling asleep all day long even after sleeping his normal hours and my mom sent him to the sleep clinic. He was not getting any oxygen for periods of up to 40 seconds at a time. It was a surprise to everybody. There was no paxil involved, nothing on his medical record... so, i think it would be hard to say that paxil did this to you. My dad still uses the apnea machine daily at sleep time and he is well controlled. But as to what brought on the apnea, we simiply don't know.

silence4now · 12-29-2010, 06:38 PM

I believe Paxil affects the heart and lungs in ways we cannot comprehend. Just look at the current litigation on Paxil effects on newborns. It's very specific: *Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension in the Newborn (PPHN) * Child heart damage * Newborn baby lung damage * Heart valve damage.

Unfortunately though the burden is on you to prove the association, and you are up against Big Pharma and their big lawyers.

useasdirected · 01-02-2011, 12:00 AM

I have read connections between sleep apnea and paxil, I could believe it...

barbie · 05-06-2011, 10:08 AM

Can any anti-depressant cause sleep apnea???? Or, is it more associated with paxil?

LCrawford67 · 05-06-2011, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barbie

Can any anti-depressant cause sleep apnea???? Or, is it more associated with paxil?

First, there's absolutely no proof any AD, including Paxil, causes sleep apnea. Millions of people have sleep apnea and have never taken a drug and, as Scotty stated, just because something happens while you're taking a drug, doesn't mean it's the cause of it. Especially something like sleep apnea. The conversation here is pure speculation and theory. I just want that to be clear to folks.

mike_yuk · 04-09-2012, 07:00 AM

I have developed sleep apnea (20 episodes per hour) and snoring (up to 60dB, as laud as laud screaming). I had this sleep problems every day, it has occured after 2 weeks after withdrawal of the drug Cital (citalpran).
Now, I do not snore and possibly I do not have sleep apnea, after taking (Wellbutrin) Burpopion drug. But I do not know whether is permanent (it is lasting only 6days). I am going to have a test while sleeping. Maybe, Wellbutrin elimainate deep REM sleep (during this time snoring and sleep apnea is the most intense). I have a little insomnia, but I will continue to take it, once I make a sleep test. Then I will be able to analize its effect on sleeping.

palm · 04-15-2012, 04:40 AM

I am speaking as someone who was on psych meds for several years until getting off them in 2010 after a nearly 4 year taper. A few months ago, I was diagnosed with sleep apnea.

I do feel that these meds can worsen apnea or cause it even though the current evidence is admittedly not that strong. However, in my case, due to my airway being narrow and also having a family history of apnea, I probably would have developed it even if I never touched a crumb of psych meds.

Of greater concern to me is wondering if my years of being on psych meds has caused my system to be hypersensitive which is causing a very tough adjustment to sleeping on my cpap machine. Unfortunately, I have about as much chance of finding a sleep doctor who understands these issues as I do of becoming a millionaire.

Fortunately, thanks to someone from an a apnea board that I have been corresponding with, I feel more optimistic that I can solve these issues. Amazing how once again, it is internet posters in similar situations coming to the rescue.

Palm

ThomasNY · 04-18-2012, 01:02 AM

I certainly wasn't trying to suggest that its a fact, or even probable, that medication caused my sleep apnea, since, as was previously stated by others, there is no proof, and very little evidence to support that claim. There's nothing wrong with theorizing, I just don't want people to think that there's any likelihood of receiving compensation, or even acknowledgement of sleep apnea as a possible side effect of medication in the foreseeable future.

11-25-2010, 05:42 PM	#1
dreamseeker Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 18	13 yrs off paxil-no more sleep apnea. lawsuit? Hi guys it's me again. I originally posted under 13 YRS OFF PAXIL IF I CAN DO IT SO CAN YOU! Here's something to think about. 6 yrs ago I was diagnosed with moderate OBSA (obstructive sleep apnea). This was a shock as I was always very fit, athletic, non smoker/drinker etc...I was always tired, regardless of good health, good eating habits, normal blood tests, so I went for a sleep study. The specialist indicated I wasn't a standard candidate for OBSA, so he attributed it to a narrow airway or some other anatomical abnormality in the respiratory channel. The diagnosis was repeatedly confirmed as I had annual sleep studies to monitor CPAP effectiveness. Well, lately I've been having trouble with CPAP compliance, so I went for another sleep study. 5 techs came to my room that night as they couldn't believe what they were seeing. I NO LONGER HAD SLEEP APNEA! The sleep specialist had no viable explanation. The difference between this test and all other ones, was this time I WAS OFF PAXIL. All sleep studies were done at the same hospital laboratory. I had not lost any weight(which could've been a factor had i been overweight). Sleep apnea does not just go away, in fact it gets worse. I'm looking into a lawsuit, as this was not a potential side effect listed as I was introduced to the drug in 1997. Sleep apnea is a serious disorder and can be life threatning. I'm happy to be apnea free, but very angry if it has caused this respiratory disorder. Just something to think about.

12-02-2010, 10:45 PM	#4
ThomasNY Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 22	Re: 13 yrs off paxil-no more sleep apnea. lawsuit? I was diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea several yeas ago. I don't fit any of the normal criteria for this disorder, so was somewhat surprised. I've been on paxil for many years, and have thought that it might be a cause of my apnea, since it would have to be neurological in my case as I'm physically fit, don't smoke, not overweight, etc. I'm currently in the process of applying for SSI, as I've been unable to work due to severe depression and anxiety for several years now. I hope to start weaning myself off the paxil after the legal process is completed, and I will keep you updated on the changes when I get to that point.

12-03-2010, 10:26 AM	#5
Lucy Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,391	Re: 13 yrs off paxil-no more sleep apnea. lawsuit? http://www.paxilprogress.org/forums/...ht=sleep+apnea

12-03-2010, 01:05 PM	#7
Sonika Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 470	Re: 13 yrs off paxil-no more sleep apnea. lawsuit? My father has had sleep apnea for about 8 years. No other family member has it, he is thin, and other than high blood pressure (well controlled with medication) he has no health problems. We noticed that he was falling asleep all day long even after sleeping his normal hours and my mom sent him to the sleep clinic. He was not getting any oxygen for periods of up to 40 seconds at a time. It was a surprise to everybody. There was no paxil involved, nothing on his medical record... so, i think it would be hard to say that paxil did this to you. My dad still uses the apnea machine daily at sleep time and he is well controlled. But as to what brought on the apnea, we simiply don't know. __________________ Paxil free since 08/30/2010 Taking Amino Acid Therapy for Anxiety Bad withdrawal!!! JUST WONDERING WHEN THE &^^&% will i feel better???? February 2010 Paxil 30mg (dose up and down for 7 yrs but mostly 30mg) March 2010 Paxil 20mg (big change, i started taking amino acid therapy and my serotonin went up substantially) April 2010 Paxil 15mg May 2010 Paxil 10mg June 2010 Paxil 5 mg August 2010 Paxil 2.5 mg September 2010 0.000 FREE AT LAST, feeling better Feb. 2011

12-29-2010, 06:38 PM	#8
silence4now Join Date: May 2004 Location: SE U.S. Posts: 3,455	Re: 13 yrs off paxil-no more sleep apnea. lawsuit? I believe Paxil affects the heart and lungs in ways we cannot comprehend. Just look at the current litigation on Paxil effects on newborns. It's very specific: Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension in the Newborn (PPHN) Child heart damage * Newborn baby lung damage * Heart valve damage. Unfortunately though the burden is on you to prove the association, and you are up against Big Pharma and their big lawyers. __________________ Lisa - Paxil free since May 2004 _________________________________ God's economy is always positive.

01-02-2011, 12:00 AM	#9
useasdirected Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 82	Re: 13 yrs off paxil-no more sleep apnea. lawsuit? I have read connections between sleep apnea and paxil, I could believe it... __________________ On Paxil approx 10 years. Summer 2009, over about 2 - 3 months tapered 30 to 25 to 20 in drops of 5 - unpleasant but bearable. Stayed 20 mg about 9 months- felt fairly good. Aug 15/2010 dropped 20 to 15 - MAJOR physical/emotional withdrawl for months Dec 2011 updosed to 20, just not getting better in a consistent way June/July 2012 went back on 30, foolishly-Nov 2012: 30 days into drop to 25, going fairly well Jan2012 at 20 mg

05-06-2011, 10:08 AM	#10
barbie Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 177	Re: 13 yrs off paxil-no more sleep apnea. lawsuit? Can any anti-depressant cause sleep apnea???? Or, is it more associated with paxil? __________________ My ex husband and I separated in August of 2005. He became a completely different person, and he still is. Barbie

04-09-2012, 07:00 AM	#12
mike_yuk Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 27	Re: 13 yrs off paxil-no more sleep apnea. lawsuit? I have developed sleep apnea (20 episodes per hour) and snoring (up to 60dB, as laud as laud screaming). I had this sleep problems every day, it has occured after 2 weeks after withdrawal of the drug Cital (citalpran). Now, I do not snore and possibly I do not have sleep apnea, after taking (Wellbutrin) Burpopion drug. But I do not know whether is permanent (it is lasting only 6days). I am going to have a test while sleeping. Maybe, Wellbutrin elimainate deep REM sleep (during this time snoring and sleep apnea is the most intense). I have a little insomnia, but I will continue to take it, once I make a sleep test. Then I will be able to analize its effect on sleeping.

04-15-2012, 04:40 AM	#13
palm Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 2,532	Re: 13 yrs off paxil-no more sleep apnea. lawsuit? I am speaking as someone who was on psych meds for several years until getting off them in 2010 after a nearly 4 year taper. A few months ago, I was diagnosed with sleep apnea. I do feel that these meds can worsen apnea or cause it even though the current evidence is admittedly not that strong. However, in my case, due to my airway being narrow and also having a family history of apnea, I probably would have developed it even if I never touched a crumb of psych meds. Of greater concern to me is wondering if my years of being on psych meds has caused my system to be hypersensitive which is causing a very tough adjustment to sleeping on my cpap machine. Unfortunately, I have about as much chance of finding a sleep doctor who understands these issues as I do of becoming a millionaire. Fortunately, thanks to someone from an a apnea board that I have been corresponding with, I feel more optimistic that I can solve these issues. Amazing how once again, it is internet posters in similar situations coming to the rescue. Palm

04-18-2012, 01:02 AM	#14
ThomasNY Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 22	Re: 13 yrs off paxil-no more sleep apnea. lawsuit? I certainly wasn't trying to suggest that its a fact, or even probable, that medication caused my sleep apnea, since, as was previously stated by others, there is no proof, and very little evidence to support that claim. There's nothing wrong with theorizing, I just don't want people to think that there's any likelihood of receiving compensation, or even acknowledgement of sleep apnea as a possible side effect of medication in the foreseeable future.

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