Psycho-Babble Health Thread 817366

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Sleep apnea: brain damage?

Posted by amd on March 11, 2008, at 13:31:01

Folks,

During a recent EMT visit, my doctor there suggested I have a sleep study done to test for apnea. I'm lean, in decent cardiovascular shape, drink a fair amount of coffee, and am taking citalopram, lamotrigine, and modofinil to treat depression (which, by the way, has been quite controlled for over a year). The reason for my EMT visit was that prior cocaine insufflation had seemed to have worsened my sinuses. My doctor said things aren't so bad that they couldn't be reversed, but that there was definitely inflammation.

My question is, would such inflammation be sufficient, given my general health, to cause apnea? Since being told to attend the study, I've been having very high anxiety: I read about possible brain damage from lack of oxygen during the apneas, and now can't get out of my head the idea that I have permanent brain damage from it. To say I'm unable to focus over the worry over and possible effects from apnea would be an understatement.

Is this a real possibility? I start a new, high-pressure job Monday and this was a completely inopportune moment to lose my ability to focus. I just want to sleep to escape the anxiety, and want to scream and punch the wall in frustration as well.

God, I want to cry. If I have damage from the apnea, my life is over. :-(

amd

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