Posted by Mark H. on April 20, 2000, at 0:42:15
In reply to Sleep disorder mistaken for depression?, posted by Steve on April 19, 2000, at 23:56:06
No, in my limited experience, it's usually the other way around. You might try some of the public forums at sleepnet.com to see if you fit the profiles for any of the treatable sleep disorders, though. Although the forums there are much less active than here, others may be able to help you with their experiences.
For instance, if you're overweight and a heavy snorer, you could have obstructive sleep apnea that is robbing you of your rest (and otherwise destroying your body and possibly creating depression). Unfortunately, the popularity of this disease at this time reflects the availability and sales of breathing machines, which are basically highly profitable reverse vacuum cleaners with a few techie controls to force more air into your lungs as you sleep. Many people can't tolerate them, but those who can, and who need them, find the extra air gives them the first good night's sleep they've had in years -- but talk to people who have used them for more than a year, if you can find any. There are also rumors that these machines can cause the body to develop central sleep apnea (brain-based, rather than airway-based), which means their use could prove to be self-perpetuating for some individuals (how nice for the manufacturers of BiPAPs and CPAPs).
I keep hoping that my long-term depression and hypersomnia turn out to be a treatable sleep disorder, but for my part I think it's just wishful thinking.
Don't know what the melatonin effect means, but hopefully someone else will.
Good luck and best wishes,
Mark H.
poster:Mark H.
thread:30640
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000411/msgs/30657.html