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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by dazedandconfused on October 16, 2004, at 10:09:42
Hi folks,
Need some help on a scheduled upcoming sleep study. For quite some time, my mood had been stable but had been suffering from debilitating fatigue. Was recently diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome (though I am not sure I accept it).Sent to a neurologist for some testing, including a sleep study. Decided to go off meds, Effexor, which I had been on for about 8 weeks. Prior to that had been on Celexa,Paxil, Wellbutrin, Concerta over the past four years. I didn't think the meds were doing anything becuase I no longer felt depressed - just tired.
Have been off Effexor for about 6 weeks. Mood has plummeted into severe depression. Interestingly, fatigue has improved and am sleeping less. Am even having early morning awakening (though still about 7-8 hrs. sleep) which is really unusual for me. My depression ususally includes hypersomnia.
Sleep study is scheduled in just over two weeks. Should I tough it out until then and start meds after that? Or should I get back on meds and reschedule sleep study after I am stable? My sleep seems to be altered now because of the return of the depression.
Also, could the diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome be wrong? Perhaps the meds were just making me fatigued / hyperomniac?
Mitigating factor. My mother in law is expected to die within the next few weeks and I have to be able to pull myself together and function as I will be traveling home for several weeks to assist with arrangements. It simply is not a good time for me to be unstable.
Urggg. Help? Advice needed.
Thanks!
dazed
Posted by Larry Hoover on October 16, 2004, at 16:09:20
In reply to Sleep study help - chronic fatigue - Larry,others?, posted by dazedandconfused on October 16, 2004, at 10:09:42
> Hi folks,
> Need some help on a scheduled upcoming sleep study. For quite some time, my mood had been stable but had been suffering from debilitating fatigue. Was recently diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome (though I am not sure I accept it).Just my opinion, but I think you need to be in a stable period, emotionally and physically, to get the most information from a sleep study.
Anticipating a death in the family, going off a drug, going on a drug (potentially, due to current symptoms).....I think those are things that would suggest a delay in timing of the sleep study might be sensible. But ask the doctors, or call the sleep clinic.
About the CFS....it's a disorder of exclusion. It's what you're left with after all the other possibilities have been ruled out (pretty much). Have you looked over a symptom list, and seen how well it fits you? It's hard for me to get my brain around sometimes. Hard to believe I might never work full-time again, such are the demands of self-care in my own instance of CFS. That said, I'm gradually doing better as time goes on. Gradually seems to be the keyword. Push too hard, pay ten times over. That's the way mine seems to be.
I've had a pretty good response to very low dose selegiline (5 mg/day). I'll probably give 10 mg a shot next week. Good for energy, and general brain function.
Lar
Posted by dazedandconfused on October 17, 2004, at 22:38:44
In reply to Re: Sleep study help - chronic fatigue - Larry,others? » dazedandconfused, posted by Larry Hoover on October 16, 2004, at 16:09:20
Hi Larry,
Thanks so much for your response.I plan to talk to docs tomorrow and am pretty certain we will postpone sleep study. I went off my meds to go in to sleep study as "clean" as possible, but proceeded to fall off a cliff.
I relate to the CFS but there is so much overlap with depression it is hard to say. This may sound very strange but part of me wants my diagnosis to be CFS becuase in my mind it is somewhat more socially acceptable than depression. I know that isn't right, but that belief is lurking down there somewhere.
Good to hear you are doing well on seligelene,,,are you on anything else?
As always, thanks so much for your help.
dazed
Posted by Larry Hoover on October 25, 2004, at 9:24:50
In reply to Re: Sleep study help - chronic fatigue - Larry,others?, posted by dazedandconfused on October 17, 2004, at 22:38:44
> Hi Larry,
> Thanks so much for your response.Glad to help.
> I plan to talk to docs tomorrow and am pretty certain we will postpone sleep study. I went off my meds to go in to sleep study as "clean" as possible, but proceeded to fall off a cliff.
>
> I relate to the CFS but there is so much overlap with depression it is hard to say.Oh, absolutely, major overlap. It wasn't until I stabilized my mood (with nutrients, not drugs) that I was able to convince my caregivers that I had symptoms that were not directly related to depression (even though they are often associated with depression).
> This may sound very strange but part of me wants my diagnosis to be CFS becuase in my mind it is somewhat more socially acceptable than depression.
Really? Yuppie flu over major depression? Maybe the tide is changing.
> I know that isn't right, but that belief is lurking down there somewhere.
Right. Wrong. Whatever. Beliefs are. You are wise to acknowledge the existence of your beliefs.
> Good to hear you are doing well on seligelene,,,are you on anything else?
Selegiline is very good for my brain function, and slowly seems to be crossing over to elements of physical endurance and such.
I'm taking a number of nutrient supps, most directly in support of mitochondrial function (which may be the core defect area in CFS). I also take a tricyclic at low dose for sleep (trimipramine) along with a sedative benzo (temazepam), and melatonin. Without those, I am a sleep-deprived mess. Non-restorative sleep is a major component of the CFS syndrome.
> As always, thanks so much for your help.
>
> dazedYou're welcome. I hope you peruse some of these CFS resources, at your leisure.
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FDN/is_5_6/ai_80490865
http://www.thorne.com/altmedrev/fulltext/fatigue5-2.html
http://www.holistichealthtopics.com/HMG/cfs.html
http://www.cfsresearch.org/cfs/Lar
Posted by dazedandconfused on October 27, 2004, at 9:01:49
In reply to Re: Sleep study help - chronic fatigue - Larry,others? » dazedandconfused, posted by Larry Hoover on October 25, 2004, at 9:24:50
Posted by Larry Hoover on November 4, 2004, at 10:16:33
In reply to Thanks Larry! You're the best! (nm), posted by dazedandconfused on October 27, 2004, at 9:01:49
That makes me smile.
Dr. Pall, who has developed a biochemical theory for chronic fatigue, and spectrum disorders (including fibromyalgia, PTSD, and multiple chemical sensitivity) didn't know his faculty page links were broken. He's fixed them now.
http://molecular.biosciences.wsu.edu/Faculty/pall.html
Lar
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