Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Is It Safe To Take Pharma GABA For Sleeplessness?
Question: I am 81 and am relatively healthy, blood, etc. Overweight, addressing that at the gym and home...trying to lose 30 lbs. trainer recommends PM lean complex - Restore. A sleep aid...Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
(PharmaGABA). And 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP). the bracelet I'm wearing to count steps, stairs,
calories, food, sleep shows me sleeping anywhere from 2 to 4 hrs per night, with periods of
"Restlessness" running 2 to 4 hrs also....no wonder I'm always tired. I do sleep with a CPAP mask after
a sleep study and have a visit with that doctor next week (have used the mask for 2+ years, and he has
Never mentioned what the bracelet is now telling me)...what about above sleep aid...I don't want to take
it, but am looking for opinions...no one, even my doctors, seem to know why I am always tired since
finishing a 3-yr steroid program for arteritis. Blood test says all is well, thyroid, etc. Thanks
(PharmaGABA). And 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP). the bracelet I'm wearing to count steps, stairs,
calories, food, sleep shows me sleeping anywhere from 2 to 4 hrs per night, with periods of
"Restlessness" running 2 to 4 hrs also....no wonder I'm always tired. I do sleep with a CPAP mask after
a sleep study and have a visit with that doctor next week (have used the mask for 2+ years, and he has
Never mentioned what the bracelet is now telling me)...what about above sleep aid...I don't want to take
it, but am looking for opinions...no one, even my doctors, seem to know why I am always tired since
finishing a 3-yr steroid program for arteritis. Blood test says all is well, thyroid, etc. Thanks
Brief Answer:
Obstructive sleep apnea could be a cause of your tiredness
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I went carefully through the details. I think that there are two things to consider. Obstructive sleep apnea could be leaving you oxygen depleted and hence tired. Another possibility is hypothyroidism. Since you mention blood test for thyriod to be ok, perhaps hypothyroidism can be ruled out. Still it would be good if you could attach the report using the facility on the upper right of this page.
The next test to be done is polysomnography. It is basically a recording of your sleep pattern and you would be fitted with certain wired and allowed to sleep in the lab for the same. I would ask if any doctor has insisted you to sleep with the Bi-PAP or CPAP mask, and if so, what was the indication for the same. There could be a possible correlation between the two.
Regards
Dr. Kunal Saha
Obstructive sleep apnea could be a cause of your tiredness
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I went carefully through the details. I think that there are two things to consider. Obstructive sleep apnea could be leaving you oxygen depleted and hence tired. Another possibility is hypothyroidism. Since you mention blood test for thyriod to be ok, perhaps hypothyroidism can be ruled out. Still it would be good if you could attach the report using the facility on the upper right of this page.
The next test to be done is polysomnography. It is basically a recording of your sleep pattern and you would be fitted with certain wired and allowed to sleep in the lab for the same. I would ask if any doctor has insisted you to sleep with the Bi-PAP or CPAP mask, and if so, what was the indication for the same. There could be a possible correlation between the two.
Regards
Dr. Kunal Saha
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Thank you. I had a sleep study done three? Years ago and was found to have obstructive sleep apnea...that is why I now sleep with the CPAP mask. Since I
have an appt. with that Dr. Next week I plan to ask him to test me again, with the mask, to see if it is effective at all. Will let you know what the results are if he agrees.
Meantime, you made no comment regarding the sleep aid recommended by the trainer at my gym...PM Lean Complex - Restore. I will not take it at all unless
recommended by one or more doctors after the sleep study results are in, and
further actions discussed. Do you know anything about this "Restore" sleep aid?
Thank you again for your help.
have an appt. with that Dr. Next week I plan to ask him to test me again, with the mask, to see if it is effective at all. Will let you know what the results are if he agrees.
Meantime, you made no comment regarding the sleep aid recommended by the trainer at my gym...PM Lean Complex - Restore. I will not take it at all unless
recommended by one or more doctors after the sleep study results are in, and
further actions discussed. Do you know anything about this "Restore" sleep aid?
Thank you again for your help.
Brief Answer:
Get the test repeated with the mask on
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.
You may get the polysomnography or sleep test done while still on CPAP. If obstructive sleep apnea is still detected to be present, then my suspicion is correct and would explain your generalized tiredness. Moreover, CPAP is unlikely to be effective in your case as it is unlikely to be able to overcome the cause behind. Most often such symptoms occur due to a wide tongue base or the tongue falling back and occluding the respiratory passage.
Pardon me for missing out the point offered by your gym instructor. I do not think that it is going to be effective and I would not recommend that. Natrol Sleep N Restore Tablets are available online and I am aware of it. But it is not going to remove the source of obstruction and hence is not likely to be helpful.
Regards
Dr. Kunal Saha
Get the test repeated with the mask on
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.
You may get the polysomnography or sleep test done while still on CPAP. If obstructive sleep apnea is still detected to be present, then my suspicion is correct and would explain your generalized tiredness. Moreover, CPAP is unlikely to be effective in your case as it is unlikely to be able to overcome the cause behind. Most often such symptoms occur due to a wide tongue base or the tongue falling back and occluding the respiratory passage.
Pardon me for missing out the point offered by your gym instructor. I do not think that it is going to be effective and I would not recommend that. Natrol Sleep N Restore Tablets are available online and I am aware of it. But it is not going to remove the source of obstruction and hence is not likely to be helpful.
Regards
Dr. Kunal Saha
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
