NEW SCARED AND AFRAID REPOST

[Julie]

Have you looked into what effect the Lexpro might have on sleep? I wonder if you were to take it in the a.m at least if it would help.

Here's what the heading (pre individual links) on Google said in big letters -

Common side effects of Lexapro include drowsiness, dizziness, sleep problems (insomnia), nausea, upset stomach, gas, heartburn, constipation, weight changes, dry mouth, yawning, ringing in the ears, decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm.

That's a whole lot of stuff to deal with if even any of it is present...

[MMK]

Julie:

That is why I am wondering if my sleep apena could possibly been misdiagnoised and my snoring and tirdness is because of my lexapro which btw, teh doc bump up to 20mg from 10mg and wants me to take it at night because of the side effect of drowsiness.

[Julie]

No - otherwise anyone else on Lexapro would have similar problems... and the labs are used to people on meds of all kinds. Please don't be denial about apnea, it doesn't have to be a big deal, but you do want to take care of yourself all things considered. Once I got my 'bugs' worked out years ago, I'm at the point - and have been for years now - where I just get into bed, throw the thing on and sleep. And in the a.m. I take off the mask, cover it and go on with my life. And I'm a lot older than you with other stuff going on I'd also rather not have, but I don't try to talk myself out of it (would be nice if I could). You can get past the hard part here, really, and the faster you do it the easier it'll be in the future... stop pushing back and dive in, the water's not so bad. Talk to your MD about switching meds, cutting back, changing the time, etc.

[Pugsy]

The tiredness (fatigue) could easily be blamed on the Lexapro but the snoring...nope..snoring is caused by the airway tissues trying to (or succeeding) collapse and it's the vibration from air moving past those tissues that results in the snoring sound.

Lexapro isn't the cause of the sleep apnea diagnosis. That diagnosis comes from the airway collapsing either fully or partially and is totally unrelated to Lexapro. Now if you were taking high dose of a muscle relaxer or opiod medication those might impact the airway tissues but not Lexapro.

[ChicagoGranny]

That is why I am wondering if my sleep apena could possibly been misdiagnoised and my snoring and tirdness is because of my lexapro which btw, teh doc bump up to 20mg from 10mg and wants me to take it at night because of the side effect of drowsiness.

My guess would be the other way around - You were originally diagnosed with anxiety, and because they thought you were nutz, the doc prescribed Lexapro. While actually, what was going on was you had sleep apnea which caused the anxiety. They should have prescribed CPAP years ago and never Lexapro.

I just seem this is more trouble theni it's worth.

You would do well to get out of your whining mode and get into a problem-solving mode with a can-do attitude.

Lots of people have had problems with mask leaks, etc. when first starting CPAP. They overcame these problems and made CPAP work well for them. A woe-is-me attitude is counterproductive.

Work on one problem at a time and strive for small, continuous improvement. Ask questions.

[Arlene1963]

I was just given the bad news on Wednesday July 27th.2016 that i have moderate sleep apena and need a CPAP.

This isn't bad news, this is good news. Firstly, we are lucky enough to live in a time where sleep apnea can be treated and doesn't condemn us to die prematurely.

With this diagnosis and with proper treatment, your body and mind can heal and you can start living a fuller, healthier, less angst filled life.

There are millions of folks who have apnea and don't even know it ... so you're one of the lucky ones.

Go and buy a lottery ticket, you might be on a winning streak!

Also you've found your way to this forum and help here, so all is good. Don't be scared and afraid, it can be daunting at first, but be glad that you're empowered now to heal and treat your apnea and that you can do something concrete about this, now.

[Sheriff Buford]

I was just given the bad news on Wednesday July 27th.2016 that i have moderate sleep apena and need a CPAP.

This isn't bad news, this is good news. Firstly, we are lucky enough to live in a time where sleep apnea can be treated and doesn't condemn us to die prematurely.

With this diagnosis and with proper treatment, your body and mind can heal and you can start living a fuller, healthier, less angst filled life.

There are millions of folks who have apnea and don't even know it ... so you're one of the lucky ones.

Go and buy a lottery ticket, you might be on a winning streak!

Also you've found your way to this forum and help here, so all is good. Don't be scared and afraid, it can be daunting at first, but be glad that you're empowered now to heal and treat your apnea and that you can do something concrete about this, now.

Arlene: to be told you have this disease, or any other disease, is certainly bad news. I agree with you that we are blessed with the available treatment, but there's not one of us that would rather NOT have apnea to begin with.

Sheriff

[kteague]

Just a few thoughts...

Wondering if any Synthroid users have any input about your dose being in the evening. I'm not sure how and when that medicine peaks in the system, but I did read this: "Common side effects of Synthroid include fever, hot flashes, sensitivity to heat, sweating, headache, nervousness, irritability, nausea, sleep problems (insomnia), changes in appetite or changes in weight, and transient hair loss. Some women experience menstrual changes.Apr 8, 2015
Common Side Effects of Synthroid (Levothyroxine Sodium) Drug ...
http://www.rxlist.com/synthroid-side-ef ... .htmRxList"

It might help your frustration level if you accept that there will be an adjustment phase and that you likely won't feel a lot better until you've consistently used the treatment over time. People here can help you sort through the problems you run into. It's ok to not like the idea of this diagnosis and treatment. Have you a hissy fit then shake it off and get on with things. As far as diagnoses go, this has been my easiest one to face. The way I see it, at least one of my health issues is totally treatable - and with just AIR!!!!! No pills with side effects. No toxic chemicals. No surgery. No alteration in my daily living. Just air. It may not feel like it now, but some of the things that irritate you most will probably not even phase you in a few months. Early on the vent air drove me crazy. Couldn't stand for it to blow on my arms. Hated hearing it hit the cover. I have to laugh at that now when on a hot night I find myself positioning my arms to feel the breeze. Please know that what you are feeling now is transient. It won't always be this hard. And it will be worth it.

[MMK]

To chicago granny: i did not appreciate you assuming why I am taking lexapro, at the time I was dealing with my mom's passing in May 2011, being diagnosied and in and out of the hosptial with the ITP,(5 months after my mom passe on) going for blood work twice a week, never sure while i was sitting at work if they were going to call me and tell my my platelets were dangerously low and I need to leave work and get to the ER NOW!, the surgery for the spleen removal witih only plalate count of 3000(normal is 1000,000 to 400,000) back in the hosptial a week after they left me go home because my plaltes were down again and I was quiet upset and scared at the time and thought nothing is going to get my platelets back up and I am either going to die or spend the rest of my life in and out of hospital. Just because it has been in remission since 2013 does not mean it can not come back again. As you can see at the time I was going though similar emotion that I am now being diagnosed with now with sleep apena, that is why the physiologist I seen in the hospital recommend and gave me the lexapro.

Sorry if this was off topic but I felt like I had to clarify why I am taking lexapro.

[MMK]

kteague and sheriff : Thank you for your very kind words.

[Arlene1963]

MMK, it would seem that my words of encouragement went over like a lead balloon, and for this I apologise.

I'm new to this as well and know how overwhelming it can all be.

Anyway, I wish you all the best in getting over your fears and anxiety, as experienced posters here say, it is a slow process and ask questions, and don't give up!

Best wishes
Arlene

[moonslice]

MMK,

I can relate to some of your problems. I also had a lot of denial and bitterness. I just got diagnosed a couple of weeks ago. I've had other health problems (moderate hearing loss - still adjusting to hearing aids, infertility, severe endometriosis, premature menopause at 38, GERD, sinus stuff that required surgery) and didn't want a new one either, but you have to separate this from all that other stuff.

Do not think of it as another thing that's being done to you. That's not the case. You are lucky to get this diagnosed because information is power. Now you know, so you can work toward fixing it. This isn't a new problem. It's an old problem you're just now fixing out about.

As for compliance, get on the phone to your insurance company and demand to know exactly what their compliance rules are. My DME told me I'd have to comply within 6 weeks or the insurance would not cover it. WRONG. My insurance said I have to wear it for 4 hours a night 70% of the time during any 30 day period within the first three months. That's a pretty big difference. I've had my CPAP since July 22 and I'm still working it all out, and I'm nowhere near compliant yet.

Also, if you are really nervous about meeting your compliance, you can just wear the mask some before you go to sleep. The machine doesn't know if you're asleep and wearing it while awake can help you get used to it. It won't benefit you medically, but it might help alleviate some anxiety about compliance.

Also, call your DME. If they are worth anything they will talk to you about these issues over the phone. Maybe you'll have to go back in, but maybe not. Don't assume you're stuck with what you got. You have time to exchange your mask if it's not working for you. I'm on my second mask, and still trying to decide if it will work.

Oh, yeah, and I'm also like you, trying to lose about 20 pounds even though I'm not technically overweight. I don't know if it will make the apnea go away, but it will be good for my GERD anyway!

Be positive I've had five surgeries in my 42 years on this earth (two of them cancer scares). I'm thankful that sleep apnea can be treated without another surgery. Also thankful I now know why I woke up constantly. I thought it was because of menopause and I'd been taking herbs to help and talking to the acupuncture guy and wondering why he could fix my hot flashes but not my sleep problems! Now I know. I assume if you take some steps back and look at your situation, sleep apnea will explain some things to you as well.

[palerider]

Arlene: to be told you have this disease, or any other disease, is certainly bad news. I agree with you that we are blessed with the available treatment, but there's not one of us that would rather NOT have apnea to begin with.

the way I read what she said, was not "hurray! you have a disease!" but, instead

HURRAY! You have a treatment that can make you feel so much better than you've been feeling, and not knowing why you've been feeling like crap!

[zoocrewphoto]

Arlene: to be told you have this disease, or any other disease, is certainly bad news. I agree with you that we are blessed with the available treatment, but there's not one of us that would rather NOT have apnea to begin with.

the way I read what she said, was not "hurray! you have a disease!" but, instead

HURRAY! You have a treatment that can make you feel so much better than you've been feeling, and not knowing why you've been feeling like crap!

Exactly!

Many of us have felt like crap for years, usually blaming getting older or gaining weight, and just assuming that we were stuck feeling this way. Finally having a diagnosis and treatment is awesome!

[Michelle-OH]

I can tell you that my doc has always had me take my thyroid med in the a.m., used to be synthroid but then I switched to armour since it's more natural and I wanted to see if that worked as well. I also encourage you to stay the course with cpap because I believe that once you are over all the issues that come in getting used to it, you will find it helpful. It seemed like all my friends loved their cpaps from night 1, coming on here helped me realize that is not the case and I wasn't the only one having problems adjusting. Good luck!