Oxycodone and sleep issues

[Horizon88]

I have a moderate opiate tolerance, daily dose of oxycodone is ~ 90 mg in 3 divided doses x 7 months. Lately I've been having this issue; as I am drifting to sleep I am startled awake catching my breath. This seems to happen only during the initial transition from wake-sleep, I don't notice myself waking up at all for rest of night. This is associated with chest pain that will subside if I sit up. It's scaring the hell out of me and I don't understand why it's happening because my last dose is 6 hours before bedtime. I'm starting to worry my gasp reflex won't kick in one of these times and I won't wake up.
My question is...can fatal respiratory problems still occur 6 Hours after use, well after peak of the drug? Has anyone else experienced this? Thanks

 

[protovack]

Yes, you can get respiratory depression any time and that is a common time to feel it.

 

[starting_over]

Yes I've had this happen before... I have acid reflux / gerd. Opiates relax your lower esophageal sphincter and can result in chest pain... sometimes relieved by sitting up.

Try reducing your last dose of the day and see what happens if it's the oxy.

Or prop up the head of your bed 6 inches with bricks (prevents stomach contents flowing back up) if it's reflux