CPAPs vs SAD lights for energy level

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
Anemone
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CPAPs vs SAD lights for energy level

Post by Anemone » Wed Oct 22, 2014 4:44 pm

I have been feeling tired for ever, starting when I get to work and lasting just about all day. Tired, itchy eyes, etc. I also snore and have know about that for a long time (interestly enough, after a weight gain of 40 pounds over 2 years - I only talked in my dreams before that.) But a friend of mine, whose mom has Sleep Apnea, heard me at night and asked me if I suffered from it. That is when I went to see my GP.

So he sends me to the pneumologist. I do the overnight test in the clinic and am diagnosed. Then I do the titering process for 2 or 3 weeks.

Apparently I was a good patient, complient, but I didn't feel more awake, energized.

I have yet to receive my machine but decided to also start using a SAD Light. And what a difference it makes!!!! It is getting quite dark here in the morning at this time of the year.

I do not intend to quit CPAP therapy, as I know Apnea affects much more than "feeling chirpy" but I was wondering if others combine both treatments to help them feel more energized.

Thank you for your comments!

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zoocrewphoto
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Re: CPAPs vs SAD lights for energy level

Post by zoocrewphoto » Wed Oct 22, 2014 6:46 pm

It sounds like you have more than one issue going on. The light box is usually for SAD or DSPS. It would not help with sleep apnea.

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Who would have thought it would be this challenging to sleep and breathe at the same time?

Kennerly
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Re: CPAPs vs SAD lights for energy level

Post by Kennerly » Wed Oct 22, 2014 7:23 pm

Last winter at my docs recommendation I started using a light box to help me get to sleep on time. (I don't have a SAD diagnosis.) Once I got the right "dose" worked out I did seem to get a little bit of a mood lift. Also noticed the same thing a few weeks ago when I began using it again after taking the summer off. Not sure yet if the effect will persist or if it only happens in the first month or so...

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kteague
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Re: CPAPs vs SAD lights for energy level

Post by kteague » Wed Oct 22, 2014 7:45 pm

I think I'm understanding correctly that you used a machine at home for 2-3 weeks for titration. Are you still using that machine while you wait for another one? There is so much left unsaid. What we don't know is if the settings on the machine were optimal for you, how well your sleep apnea was treated during that time, or how well you slept during that period while adjusting to the mask etc. I think the only way one can expect much improvement from the treatment to happen during this time is to know that you slept well, got enough sleep, and the data showed your apnea was well treated. You can try things like light treatment, but if spending the money is at all an issue, I would say it's too soon to know if it's a need. Stick around as things progress and let us know if you have any glitches to work through. Sometimes we do need to utilize other helps alongside CPAP, every case is different. Maybe you'll be one of the lucky ones and CPAP will be enough.

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Anemone
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Re: CPAPs vs SAD lights for energy level

Post by Anemone » Wed Oct 22, 2014 8:03 pm

zoocrewphoto wrote:It sounds like you have more than one issue going on. The light box is usually for SAD or DSPS. It would not help with sleep apnea.
My appologies, I must not have been clear. I understand that Apnea is an issue, but wondered about supplementing treatment for 'beind tired symptoms" with SAD treatment.

Anemone
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Re: CPAPs vs SAD lights for energy level

Post by Anemone » Wed Oct 22, 2014 8:08 pm

kteague wrote:I think I'm understanding correctly that you used a machine at home for 2-3 weeks for titration. Are you still using that machine while you wait for another one? There is so much left unsaid. What we don't know is if the settings on the machine were optimal for you, how well your sleep apnea was treated during that time, or how well you slept during that period while adjusting to the mask etc. I think the only way one can expect much improvement from the treatment to happen during this time is to know that you slept well, got enough sleep, and the data showed your apnea was well treated. You can try things like light treatment, but if spending the money is at all an issue, I would say it's too soon to know if it's a need. Stick around as things progress and let us know if you have any glitches to work through. Sometimes we do need to utilize other helps alongside CPAP, every case is different. Maybe you'll be one of the lucky ones and CPAP will be enough.
Kteague, thank you for your response. Apparently I am a good patient: responded well to the test during the titration, slept well, episodes of apnea decreased drastically. But I did not feel any better. This being said, I only used the machine during the titration, and it was not for a long duration. I am not using a machine at this time as I have to wait to receive it after ordering it post titration. So, while I understand apnea can cause strokes, etc., and I should use it no matter what, despite of the effect on my energy levels, I have seen a difference, for pennies on the dollar (100$ vs 2000 $ for the APAP) with the SAD light.

I do see the SAD light only as a complementory machine to the APAP.

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zoocrewphoto
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Re: CPAPs vs SAD lights for energy level

Post by zoocrewphoto » Thu Oct 23, 2014 11:55 am

Anemone wrote:
zoocrewphoto wrote:It sounds like you have more than one issue going on. The light box is usually for SAD or DSPS. It would not help with sleep apnea.
My appologies, I must not have been clear. I understand that Apnea is an issue, but wondered about supplementing treatment for 'beind tired symptoms" with SAD treatment.

If you don't have SAD, I doubt it will help you. If you aren't trying to change your sleep times for DSPS, then I doubt it will help you. Light treatment is not for lack of sleep mood issues. It is for problems caused by lack of light, usually in people sensitive to lack of light who live in locations that don't provide enough light. It has nothing to do with sleep apnea. Adding light will not improve your oxygen saturation or improve the number of times you wake up during the night.

_________________
Mask: Quattro™ FX Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: Resmed S9 autoset pressure range 11-17
Who would have thought it would be this challenging to sleep and breathe at the same time?