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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by craig allen on October 25, 2003, at 15:04:45
after many years now of being treated unsuccessfully for depression, with every drug imaginable, i was recently referred to have a sleep study. it turns out i have sleep apnea and i'm waiting to hear how the clinic wants to proceed with treatment. i'm sure i'll be put on a CPAP machine however. everything i've read lists depression as a primary symptom of this disorder, but it's hard to imagine that getting this treated will lead to significant relief with my depression. anyone have any experience with this?
Posted by Merci on October 25, 2003, at 21:40:59
In reply to any CPAP (sleep apnea treatment) experiences?, posted by craig allen on October 25, 2003, at 15:04:45
Craig,
I have been treated for several bouts of depression, but the latest one (the last 1.5-2 years) has been, by far, the worst. I have been on too many drugs and drug combinations to count. Nardil has eased my depression somewhat (60% or so); I've been on it for a year. When I'm depressed, insomnia comes with it...but this time, as my depression got better, my insomnia got worse. I was so tired that I thought I was losing my mind; I left grad. school in the middle of the semester because I just couldn't handle it, with the depressioon combined with the insomnia.
Anyway, 3 months ago I had a sleep study done and found out that I had severe sleep apnea - while being diagnosed with this disorder wasn't exactly good news, I was relieved to find out why mega-doses of sleeping pills had not been helping me sleep.
Sleep apnea and depression can be so interrelated that it almost becomes like the chicken and the egg - which came first? I've been using my CPAP for about 10 weeks and it has definitely made a difference in my mood, concentration, memory, energy...I would not say, though, that I am operating at 100% - it feels impossible to know whether my treatment for depression isn't completely effective or whether my treatment for sleep apnea isn't completely effective. My doctor is still making adjustments to the pressure in my CPAP, and I got a new mask last week, which I am still getting used to.
I've heard people call a CPAP a miracle after using it for one night. I'd love to say that it worked that well for me, but it hasn't. It HAS worked, though, and it has made enough of a difference that I am going to stick with it. This post has turned out to be quite a bit longer than I expected it would, but I guess I have a lot to say!
I guess what I would say is this: there's a very good chance that a CPAP will lead to at least SOME relief of your depression - who knows? Maybe you'll be one of the lucky ones who experiences 100% relief! (wow, I just realized that before I got the CPAP, I never would have said anything so positive!).
Good luck to you - I wish you well. I'm certainly not an expert but I'd glad to answer any more questions that you have. I'm currently traveling, but have a list of decent apnea links at home. I'd be happy to share those, too.
Merci
Posted by lorilu on October 26, 2003, at 1:53:48
In reply to any CPAP (sleep apnea treatment) experiences?, posted by craig allen on October 25, 2003, at 15:04:45
I'm still exhausted after a month of my CPAP machine, but maybe after years of sleep deprivation it will take awhile to catch up. :)
Also, I have restless leg movements (whatever...) when I sleep and that still walks me up at night but I don't remember it. They caught it on tape during the sleep study. It is a side effect of Effexor I believe. Also, to be honest the Topomax (300mg) is probably what is keeping me tired, the two kids, teaching, and finishing my masters online (5 minutes ago). PS.I am opting for the surgery to take care of my breathing problems because there is no way I am wearing a mask my whole life, by the way I don't wear a mask now, I recommend a CPAP without a mask and straps for people who are anxious like me (it fits into your nose).
Posted by wsj on October 26, 2003, at 3:05:15
In reply to any CPAP (sleep apnea treatment) experiences?, posted by craig allen on October 25, 2003, at 15:04:45
i went thru the sleep clinic after 5 yrs depressed hoping for it to be the problem. used the machine and slept better but experienced no improvement in depression. this coming wed. im having surgery so i can do away w/ machine. but i don't feel this will cure the depression.
Posted by Mariposa on October 26, 2003, at 12:04:04
In reply to Re: any CPAP (sleep apnea treatment) experiences? » craig allen, posted by wsj on October 26, 2003, at 3:05:15
I read these few post with great interest. But I'm afraid I don't know what sleep apnea is? Guess I could look it up....
I have always had trouble sleeping and depression, depressed because I would never get a good night's sleep ( would lay in bed for a couple of hours, finally doze off to wake at 3AM, to stare at the clock until the alarm went off), and then have to get up and go to work feeling like crap, come home and start all over again. I can remember wanting to *kill* my husband because he would go to sleep within 10-15 minutes, and sleep soundly all nite long. The steady restfull breathing would make me so crazy there was no way I was going to fall asleep. I would try moving to the couch or guest room, but would just toss and turn, never getting comfortable.
I started taking Lex in Feb. and since then I have been able to fall asleep quickly and easily, and sleep soundly through the night. But my husband says I snore a lot, and sometimes sound like I'm choking or gasping for breath, when I sleep on my back, don't seem to do it if I sleep on my side.
Any responses or suggestions will be appreciated.~~~8|8
Posted by Larry Hoover on October 26, 2003, at 12:19:28
In reply to Re: What is sleep apnea?, posted by Mariposa on October 26, 2003, at 12:04:04
> I read these few post with great interest. But I'm afraid I don't know what sleep apnea is?
> But my husband says I snore a lot, and sometimes sound like I'm choking or gasping for breath, when I sleep on my back, don't seem to do it if I sleep on my side.
>
> Any responses or suggestions will be appreciated.~~~8|8Sounds like sleep apnea, literally not breathing (a- means not, pnea, same root as lung, like in pneumonia).
It's a risk factor for other health problems (part of a symptom cluster), so it would probably be a good idea to get checked out by a doctor/sleep clinic. Alternatively, some people sew a small rubber ball into the back of their pyjamas. If they roll onto their back while asleep, it's not enough to wake them but enought to make them roll over to sleep on their side again.
Lar
Posted by Merci on October 26, 2003, at 18:44:01
In reply to Re: What is sleep apnea? » Mariposa, posted by Larry Hoover on October 26, 2003, at 12:19:28
It certainly sounds like you have several symptoms of sleep apnea; I would really urge you to speak to your doctor. A good website for basic information about sleep apnea and other sleep disorders is www.sleepnet.com.
Good luck in your quest - I'd be happy to answer any questions you have, based on my experience with depression and sleep apnea.
Posted by Mariposa on October 27, 2003, at 18:47:20
In reply to Re: What is sleep apnea? » Mariposa, posted by Larry Hoover on October 26, 2003, at 12:19:28
Thanks for the info, pretty much confirms what I already thought was happening. Will have to go get it checked out!~~~8|8
Posted by HenryO on October 29, 2003, at 3:11:46
In reply to any CPAP (sleep apnea treatment) experiences?, posted by craig allen on October 25, 2003, at 15:04:45
My experience with sleep apnea- your results may vary.
I knew I had sleep apnea for several years. I'd wake myself up kicking my legs, which is one way your body wakes you up when you can't breath. Also, I snored like a chainsaw.
Finally got the torturous sleep study. You have to be wired up like telephone switcboard. It is not conducive to sleeping.
You can skip this next paragraph entirely, as it is a resentful digression.
The first lab I went to was uncomfortable and loud. I didn't sleep one minute. I have to have near perfect conditions to sleep or be entirely exhausted. They came in the room at 6:00 AM and declared the study over. (scottsdale north) Then they sent me a huge bill with the diagnosis of "inconclusive due to inadequate data." That made me angry for about two years. I finally in desperation found a different lab. (joh c lincon) All sleep labs are not created equal. I told them that if I didn't fall asleep until 5:00 AM in this foreign environment, then they had to wait until I did. Then let me sleep 'til I woke up. They looked at me and said, "How else would we do it?" They let me sleep half the day.
Back to my apnea. I found out that I stopped breathing over 60 times an hour. That lowers oxygen levels in your brain and it's is bad for your heart. Most significantly for me, you do not get restorative sleep. That is a big component in depression.Now I have the machine. I highly recomend the "nasal pillows" headgear I never even considered the mask. One look tells me I wouldn't sleep a moment with that on my face.
I sleep so much better now. It makes a world of difference in my sleep. I can't take a nap without that machine.
HOWEVER, I felt very little reduction in my depression. For that I rely on meds. But, I'd feel much worse physically if not for the CPAP.
My newest hope is that mild exercise will improve my mood more. But for that to happen one has to have enough energy to feel like getting up to urinate is not overwhelming. And I don't always feel that way.
Often I do though, so it could happen. I sure think about it alot.
On balance I would strongly recomend the study and the machine if needed. If you have any doubts, just ask people if you snore.
Any questions?
Posted by Mariposa on October 29, 2003, at 15:17:34
In reply to My experience with sleep apnea-, posted by HenryO on October 29, 2003, at 3:11:46
> My experience with sleep apnea- your results may vary.
>
> I knew I had sleep apnea for several years. I'd wake myself up kicking my legs, which is one way your body wakes you up when you can't breath. Also, I snored like a chainsaw.
>
> Finally got the torturous sleep study. You have to be wired up like telephone switcboard. It is not conducive to sleeping.
>
> You can skip this next paragraph entirely, as it is a resentful digression.
>
> The first lab I went to was uncomfortable and loud. I didn't sleep one minute. I have to have near perfect conditions to sleep or be entirely exhausted. They came in the room at 6:00 AM and declared the study over. (scottsdale north) Then they sent me a huge bill with the diagnosis of "inconclusive due to inadequate data." That made me angry for about two years. I finally in desperation found a different lab. (joh c lincon) All sleep labs are not created equal. I told them that if I didn't fall asleep until 5:00 AM in this foreign environment, then they had to wait until I did. Then let me sleep 'til I woke up. They looked at me and said, "How else would we do it?" They let me sleep half the day.
>
>
> Back to my apnea. I found out that I stopped breathing over 60 times an hour. That lowers oxygen levels in your brain and it's is bad for your heart. Most significantly for me, you do not get restorative sleep. That is a big component in depression.
>
> Now I have the machine. I highly recomend the "nasal pillows" headgear I never even considered the mask. One look tells me I wouldn't sleep a moment with that on my face.
>
> I sleep so much better now. It makes a world of difference in my sleep. I can't take a nap without that machine.
>
> HOWEVER, I felt very little reduction in my depression. For that I rely on meds. But, I'd feel much worse physically if not for the CPAP.
>
> My newest hope is that mild exercise will improve my mood more. But for that to happen one has to have enough energy to feel like getting up to urinate is not overwhelming. And I don't always feel that way.
>
> Often I do though, so it could happen. I sure think about it alot.
>
> On balance I would strongly recomend the study and the machine if needed. If you have any doubts, just ask people if you snore.
>
> Any questions?WOW! Most of this sounds just like me (except the sleep study part). Thank you for all the great info.~~~8|8
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