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What Causes Low Energy And Chronic Fatigue While Having Sleep Apnea?
Question: I am currently taking losartan (Cozaar), 25mg/day for high BP. prescribed by a Dr. who isn't my primary care Dr. My primary care Dr. had told me I could probably go off the losartan altogether as when I came to him, I was taking a low dose (1/2, or 12.5mg/day) and had quite normal BP. When I went off altogether, my BP climbed slowly back up and when I went in for a check up, he was on vacation. The doctor taking his shifts put me on the whole 25mg. pill. My holistic practitioner recommended 3-one gram capsules of taurine and something called Endo-Dren adrenal supplement as well. My energy level has plummeted. I have always been a light sleeper, I go to a sleep clinic and use a Somni-dent oral device (as opposed to CPAP) for low-medium severe sleep apnea. Lately, I am having problems staying asleep and I am wiped out during the day. Yet another doctor in my primary care doctor's group prescribed 25mg of trazodone, which I just got and have yet to (and probably won't) take. However, OTC drugs for sleep seriously impede the following day's alertness. I am concerned about my lack of energy. I am 6' tall, weigh 178, which is up from 150 because I can't run anymore. I still get exercise: yard work, I have 2 horses that I ride and/or drive at least every other day, and I walk when I have time. Please read my history...it IS interesting. I realize at my age that my vitality is affected, but this seriously low energy drained feeling has become intense in the last 5-6 days. I am sure my poor sleep has something to do w/it. Oh, one more thing. I finished a 2 week/twice daily course of Fluorouracil topical applications last Thursday (per my dermatologist) on my neck and décolletage, which now looks like healing smallpox and itches. I don't know if that is affecting my sleep. I don't think so but I just don't know. So I have 2 questions. What is the best time of day to take the losartan, and any suggestions as to how to get a decent night's sleep? Melatonin does not work, either. Any useful advice is welcome. I see my primary care doctor Friday.
Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I carefully passed through your question and would explain as follows:
1- You can take losartan once in the morning 50mg per day.
2- Regarding the lack of sleep, it is necessary to determine the possible underlying causes:
- sleep apnea can lead to such problems. It can also lead to lack of energy and chronic fatigue. It is necessary performing respiratory function tests, an arterial blood gas analysis and a polysomnography in order to investigate for the severity of sleep apnea. A better management of sleep apnea (may try a CPAP device) would help with all your problems.
- some other blood lab tests (complete blood count, vitamin D and vitamin B12 plasma levels for possible deficiency, thyroid hormone levels for possible dysfunction, cortisol plasma levels for possible adrenal gland dysfunction, blood electrolytes for possible imbalance) are necessary to be done in order to exclude possible metabolic causes underlying poor sleep and low energy.
If all the above mentioned tests result normal, I would recommend trying trazodone to help you have a better sleep. It is an antidepressant with very good effects in sleeping troubles. You can try it in low doses and it can be used as long term therapy for some months.
Another treatment option is zolpidem, which you can take 10mg half a tablet before sleeping. But, it should not be used for a long time because it can cause addiction and tolerance.
You should discuss with your doctor on the above issues.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I carefully passed through your question and would explain as follows:
1- You can take losartan once in the morning 50mg per day.
2- Regarding the lack of sleep, it is necessary to determine the possible underlying causes:
- sleep apnea can lead to such problems. It can also lead to lack of energy and chronic fatigue. It is necessary performing respiratory function tests, an arterial blood gas analysis and a polysomnography in order to investigate for the severity of sleep apnea. A better management of sleep apnea (may try a CPAP device) would help with all your problems.
- some other blood lab tests (complete blood count, vitamin D and vitamin B12 plasma levels for possible deficiency, thyroid hormone levels for possible dysfunction, cortisol plasma levels for possible adrenal gland dysfunction, blood electrolytes for possible imbalance) are necessary to be done in order to exclude possible metabolic causes underlying poor sleep and low energy.
If all the above mentioned tests result normal, I would recommend trying trazodone to help you have a better sleep. It is an antidepressant with very good effects in sleeping troubles. You can try it in low doses and it can be used as long term therapy for some months.
Another treatment option is zolpidem, which you can take 10mg half a tablet before sleeping. But, it should not be used for a long time because it can cause addiction and tolerance.
You should discuss with your doctor on the above issues.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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