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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Sammybabe on October 1, 2004, at 15:05:18
Hi. I was recently diagnosed with sleep apnea, after having complained about fatigue to my doctors for years. Sleep apnea can cause depression (and daytime sleepiness). I was on effexor for years until i got my diagnosis.
I'm a 36 year old woman, not typical of sleep apnea patients (mostly older, heavier males). Does anyone out there have sleep apnea AND depression? If so, any advice?
Posted by Dinah on October 1, 2004, at 16:41:50
In reply to Sleep apnea, anyone?, posted by Sammybabe on October 1, 2004, at 15:05:18
Yep, I have it. Central apnea, not obstructive. I apparently just forget to breathe.
I have no real advice. I'm on Provigil for daytime sleepiness, but my feelings about that are really mixed.
I've refused to try the CPAP so far. If they could give me a loaner, I wouldn't mind trying it, but since I don't think I'd like it I don't want to make an investment.
I'm not sure if the apnea has an effect on my depression, but I have bipolar tendencies and sleep either has a huge effect on my mood cycles or is a huge result of my mood cycles.
Posted by loreli on October 4, 2004, at 16:42:29
In reply to Re: Sleep apnea, anyone? » Sammybabe, posted by Dinah on October 1, 2004, at 16:41:50
> Yep, I have it. Central apnea, not obstructive. I apparently just forget to breathe.
>
> I have no real advice. I'm on Provigil for daytime sleepiness, but my feelings about that are really mixed.
>
> I've refused to try the CPAP so far. If they could give me a loaner, I wouldn't mind trying it, but since I don't think I'd like it I don't want to make an investment.
>
> I'm not sure if the apnea has an effect on my depression, but I have bipolar tendencies and sleep either has a huge effect on my mood cycles or is a huge result of my mood cycles.I have been diagnosed with sleep apnea for 2.5 years, I have a history of depression. I am 41 female and overweight. Most of my family members have apnea. My doctor is having a hard time regulating me on the pressure of the CPAP. I love my CPAP it makes a difference so far even though I can't get regulated. My doc is increasing my pressure to 14 from 12 in the CPAP as a last resort before trying provigil. I have been on Paxil for social and obsessive disorders, I have gained quite a lot of weight (35 lbs)in the last couple years, not sure if it is from the machine or the anti depresives.I changed to Celexa in November of 2003 but got a notice that my insurance will not cover that anymore. I liked the Celexa as far as it usually made me in a good mood but I had no desire to do anything at all. I have lost interest in almost everything that ever meant anything to me with the exception of my grandson and my motorcycle. I no longer care to clean the house (used to love it) don't care about reading, taking a bath for relaxation etc. The doctor changed me to Effexor starting 9/21. I found out that my daugher who was also on effexor was contemplating suicide so she took herself off the drug cold turkey. I also have a friend on effexor that has attempted suicide 3 times in the last month but the symptoms of the withdrawal are so severe that one can hardly make it off that med after months of trying to reduce. I have decided to remove myself from the effexor cold turkey as well, because of all of the horror stories i have read on this site. I want to clean myself of all anti depressants to see how the CPAP works by itself without any other issues. My advice to you is that you should give the CPAP a try unless you are clostrophobic, then they have one that is just a tube available if you are. It made a big difference in how I handle my job (negotiating contracts)I can concentrate better, I am so far not as tired as I was before, I have more energy. I still cant sit on a jury because I can't be regulated, luckily I have a job that allows me to get up often so I do not fall asleep at the desk, like I used to before I started the CPAP, not to mention that everyone in the house can sleep much better since I am not snoring them awake!
Posted by henryO on October 6, 2004, at 13:32:06
In reply to Re: Sleep apnea, anyone? » Dinah, posted by loreli on October 4, 2004, at 16:42:29
The CPAP machine works like a charm form me. It stops snoring cold. I sleep better. Feel better. Just get the right head-gear. I can't stand the goldenseal that goes over the entire nose. I have to have the breeze-way which has nasal pillows that only touch ones face at the nostrils.
Correct pressure is important too. It is a pain in the rear getting it all dialed in. But I don't wake up with my legs jerking or people throwing things at me for making horrible noises.
Often if you tell the provider you haven't got insurance they will give you a huge discount. But the test is exspensive and all testing centers are definitely not equal.
This is the end of the thread.
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