Hey guys, one of the big reasons why I chose to get the CPAP was my lack of energy. It had always been dagnosed as depression and I have been on Wellbutrin on and off for a few years with very mixed results.
My AHI was 74 during my sleep study and I think this might be part of the problem.
Any of you out there with depression care to share your experiences with me? Has the CPAP helped? Have there been any tests done with CPAP and depression? If you don't want to talk about it on here, PM or email me.
I appreciate the help.
-B
CPAP therapy and depression
CPAP therapy and depression
Anyone want to hook a really smart kid up with a job in finance? email me.... bar2003@columbia.edu
I'd bet that most of us have been diagnosed with depression by the medical professionals aided by the pharmacutical industry. They were treating the visible (or not) symptoms . All in a 5 minute office visit. here fill out this depression test. .Ahhhhhhhh you suffer from depression !
IDIOTS...................... The Docs not anyone here.
Sad to say that sleep apnia is about # 57 on the list . You have go go thru the other 56 ailments first. That is if you are still alive. You didn't have a heart attack or die from a drug reaction.
Maybe its because there is no pill for it. Maybe cpap salesman need to visit all the docs and leave samples to get us hooked. It could have a timer that would self destruct in 10 days. This would protect their sales..
Just my opinion .
:twis ted:
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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): CPAP
IDIOTS...................... The Docs not anyone here.
Sad to say that sleep apnia is about # 57 on the list . You have go go thru the other 56 ailments first. That is if you are still alive. You didn't have a heart attack or die from a drug reaction.
Maybe its because there is no pill for it. Maybe cpap salesman need to visit all the docs and leave samples to get us hooked. It could have a timer that would self destruct in 10 days. This would protect their sales..
Just my opinion .
:twis ted:
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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): CPAP
Last edited by chrisp on Wed Jul 06, 2005 9:27 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I think there MUST be a relationship. Chronic lack of sleep wreaks havoc in may ways, on our bodies and with our body chemistry.
I have been treated for depression for years, but I think I am starting to feel just a slight bit of improvement since using CPAP (I've been using it for about 2 months).
It could be because I am doing a little better at work now (and so self esteem and excitement to be at work is rising) or just because I'm feeling better all around.
The technician who conducted my sleep test said that many who are diagnosed with SA and are compliant with the treatment find that they no longer need antidepressants.
I have been treated for depression for years, but I think I am starting to feel just a slight bit of improvement since using CPAP (I've been using it for about 2 months).
It could be because I am doing a little better at work now (and so self esteem and excitement to be at work is rising) or just because I'm feeling better all around.
The technician who conducted my sleep test said that many who are diagnosed with SA and are compliant with the treatment find that they no longer need antidepressants.
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MartiniLover
- Posts: 364
- Joined: Wed Jan 12, 2005 4:16 pm
- Location: Davison Michigan
I may be the oddity here.
I have been on Pap for about 9 months.
I continue to have brain fog, tired when I wake up, tired in the afternoon, and sleep 8.2 hrs on Pap during the night.
Last week my GP put me on Prozac (close enough) and I am feeling better. I am still getting used to it. Where it will go I am unsure, but so far I am feeling better.
I am a believer that many things go into this apnea stuff, and what works for one is not what works for another.
Love you all................
I have been on Pap for about 9 months.
I continue to have brain fog, tired when I wake up, tired in the afternoon, and sleep 8.2 hrs on Pap during the night.
Last week my GP put me on Prozac (close enough) and I am feeling better. I am still getting used to it. Where it will go I am unsure, but so far I am feeling better.
I am a believer that many things go into this apnea stuff, and what works for one is not what works for another.
Love you all................
_________________
| Mask: Mirage Quattro™ Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear |
| Additional Comments: Second favorite mask--Nasal Aire II |
I am a two martini lover. Two martinis and I think I am a lover!
Bipap 13/9, 10ft Hose
Bipap 13/9, 10ft Hose
I know there are many who are against meds for depression, but here's my feelings for what they're worth....
I find that I am feeling much better overall, but I am not messing with the anti-depressants. I had a major episode last year (prior to being diagnosed with SA) where I even had to take 4 weeks off of work. I am not about to go off my meds now. I am feeling way too good. I have been depressed since childhood, but have only had other symptoms of apnea the last 10 years or so. I know there can be a correlation, but I have a great psychiatrist, psychologist, and family practitioner that have all been extremely attentive and in tune with my needs. All 3, plus my sleep doc (a neurologist), agree that I need to stay on my meds. I know that I have been fortunate to find Docs that actually listen. All of them have always tried other solutions prior to any meds.
Okay, what I really want to and need to say is...
Please don't judge me because I choose to continue to take the depression meds. All I know is that I feel better. Not all Docs are evil and not all patients that follow Docs orders are stupid. I am not in any way saying that everyone should take antidepressants, but I know a few that have different lives today because of them. I am the person I am meant to be...productive, loving, and intelligent, because I have access to medications that take care of irregularities in my body. I thank God every day for science and supportive people. I would not refuse insulin for diabetes any more than I would refuse the things my body needs to stay healthy.
Sorry if I have offended anyone, I just felt a need to defend my decisions in response to a couple of the other posts in this thread.
Sue
I find that I am feeling much better overall, but I am not messing with the anti-depressants. I had a major episode last year (prior to being diagnosed with SA) where I even had to take 4 weeks off of work. I am not about to go off my meds now. I am feeling way too good. I have been depressed since childhood, but have only had other symptoms of apnea the last 10 years or so. I know there can be a correlation, but I have a great psychiatrist, psychologist, and family practitioner that have all been extremely attentive and in tune with my needs. All 3, plus my sleep doc (a neurologist), agree that I need to stay on my meds. I know that I have been fortunate to find Docs that actually listen. All of them have always tried other solutions prior to any meds.
Okay, what I really want to and need to say is...
Please don't judge me because I choose to continue to take the depression meds. All I know is that I feel better. Not all Docs are evil and not all patients that follow Docs orders are stupid. I am not in any way saying that everyone should take antidepressants, but I know a few that have different lives today because of them. I am the person I am meant to be...productive, loving, and intelligent, because I have access to medications that take care of irregularities in my body. I thank God every day for science and supportive people. I would not refuse insulin for diabetes any more than I would refuse the things my body needs to stay healthy.
Sorry if I have offended anyone, I just felt a need to defend my decisions in response to a couple of the other posts in this thread.
Sue
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| Mask | |
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guest
stop drinking=stop depression
Alcohol is a depressantMartiniLover wrote:I may be the oddity here.
I have been on Pap for about 9 months.
I continue to have brain fog, tired when I wake up, tired in the afternoon, and sleep 8.2 hrs on Pap during the night.
Last week my GP put me on Prozac (close enough) and I am feeling better. I am still getting used to it. Where it will go I am unsure, but so far I am feeling better.
I am a believer that many things go into this apnea stuff, and what works for one is not what works for another.
Love you all................
Idiots........Refered to the docs that failed to diagnose OSA. They let drug salesman influence their judgement by using the sales literature disguised as a question sheet. Do you feel blue.....Bla, Bla.....Instead of finding the cause of our many problems like heart, fibromyalgia, depression, diabetes,
All may be caused by OSA. They are treating the aftereffects. Why did it take the docs years to find the OSA. Thats my point. There really isn't alot of money to be made treating it. Whats a $500 cpap that lasts for years compared to a drug that may cost $500 a month.
My post wasn't aimed at anyone here. Sorry if you thought it was.
I wonder where OSA is on their list of ailements to check for. Since 1 in 10 people have it you'd think it would be closer to the top... Thats my point.
Follow the money. It never lies !
Cheers,
Chris
All may be caused by OSA. They are treating the aftereffects. Why did it take the docs years to find the OSA. Thats my point. There really isn't alot of money to be made treating it. Whats a $500 cpap that lasts for years compared to a drug that may cost $500 a month.
My post wasn't aimed at anyone here. Sorry if you thought it was.
I wonder where OSA is on their list of ailements to check for. Since 1 in 10 people have it you'd think it would be closer to the top... Thats my point.
Follow the money. It never lies !
Cheers,
Chris
I also hate it when the doctors are too quick to prescribe anti-depressents as soon as they hear insomnia or fatigue. I have been to psychiatrists where a office visit is 2 minutes or less and the private ones which is half an hour. Non of them would even consider OSA unless you tell them so.
OSA could sure cause or worsten depression. I wish that the primary care physicians were more systematic about finding the underlying causes. I also should praise my late psychologist which after several years told me "Don't you think it's about time to get a sleep study done?" That's when I went to Stanford sleep clinic and had my OSA detected
OSA could sure cause or worsten depression. I wish that the primary care physicians were more systematic about finding the underlying causes. I also should praise my late psychologist which after several years told me "Don't you think it's about time to get a sleep study done?" That's when I went to Stanford sleep clinic and had my OSA detected
I don't do mornings !!!
I'm on the other side of the see-saw from one of the previous posters - I'm pleased as punch to be decreasing my Paxil, which I've been on for 10+ years. Step 1 was start allergy treatments, step 2 was have surgery for enlarged turbinates and deviated septum - step 3 is the CPAP, and I am down from 30mg Paxil to 12mg Paxil, stepping down very slowly, but I'm doing it, baybee! I am looking foward to normalcy.
41yow, 118lb, severe OSA, lots of allergies, had surgery for deviated septum.
click to see my introductory post.
click to see my introductory post.
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sir_cumference
- Posts: 240
- Joined: Wed Jun 29, 2005 10:47 am
- Location: UK
I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatugue syndrome by mistake instead of OSA - that led to 7 wasted years until finally they realised that I had OSA not CFS or ME or whatever people call it nowdays.
Wrong diagnosis means your body will not get better, and that can lead to depresion, not least because you are trying to cope without understanding why you can't cope and what's happening to you.
Anyway, after years of people saying I had CFS, I was then told I must have depression because that's a part of CFS - it seems that the medical profession is quicker to diagnose something they think they can treat rather than continue to search for the reason why you're so ill.
Depression can be a chemical imbalance, or it can be a reaction to the stress of trying to cope in a situation you should never have to cope with in the first place.
For me, depression was always something that stayed in the shaddows waiting to pounce should i get much worse. Thankfully I was diagnosed with OSA and started to recover and regain hope that I will continue to improve. If your depression is chemical, go and get the drugs, if it's coping, drugs can help to pull you out of it - either way, try and plan an exit stratergy so that at some stage in the not too distant future you plan to reduce the drug intake to see if the OSA treatment has help renew the ability inside of you to deal with everything.
sir_cumference
Wrong diagnosis means your body will not get better, and that can lead to depresion, not least because you are trying to cope without understanding why you can't cope and what's happening to you.
Anyway, after years of people saying I had CFS, I was then told I must have depression because that's a part of CFS - it seems that the medical profession is quicker to diagnose something they think they can treat rather than continue to search for the reason why you're so ill.
Depression can be a chemical imbalance, or it can be a reaction to the stress of trying to cope in a situation you should never have to cope with in the first place.
For me, depression was always something that stayed in the shaddows waiting to pounce should i get much worse. Thankfully I was diagnosed with OSA and started to recover and regain hope that I will continue to improve. If your depression is chemical, go and get the drugs, if it's coping, drugs can help to pull you out of it - either way, try and plan an exit stratergy so that at some stage in the not too distant future you plan to reduce the drug intake to see if the OSA treatment has help renew the ability inside of you to deal with everything.
sir_cumference
In my opinion, sleep apnea/depression can be a vicious circle.
Depressed people often sleep a lot and if you're apneic, the sleep is not restful either physically or mentally. It's harder to fight depression if you're too tired to exercise or avoid social or fun activities because you need a nap.
Apneic people who feel lousy and are constantly exhausted can become depressed trying to deal with the frustration of not being able to live their lives without these symptoms. If you have a chemical imbalance to begin with, it's an even easier slide down the hill. Antidepressants alone won't help if your physical body doesn't get the rest it needs.
Rigby
Depressed people often sleep a lot and if you're apneic, the sleep is not restful either physically or mentally. It's harder to fight depression if you're too tired to exercise or avoid social or fun activities because you need a nap.
Apneic people who feel lousy and are constantly exhausted can become depressed trying to deal with the frustration of not being able to live their lives without these symptoms. If you have a chemical imbalance to begin with, it's an even easier slide down the hill. Antidepressants alone won't help if your physical body doesn't get the rest it needs.
Rigby
Started CPAP 6/9/05
Using ComfortLite Nasal Interface
"I can't breathe!"
"Turn your machine on!"
"Oh."
Using ComfortLite Nasal Interface
"I can't breathe!"
"Turn your machine on!"
"Oh."
Interesting thread, and my first post on this forum.
I have had my cpap machine a little over a year. I don't know what my index/rate/setting is or means but I do know that my sleep clinics rated me as very severe obstructive sleep apnea, one of the worst cases they've seen.
Anyway, I've had it a long time I figure (the apnea), maybe 10 years or more. And I'd been diagnosed with depression about 6-7 years ago. Placed on Paxil about that time. Which seemed to help somewhat. In more recent years and under a new doctor's care and referral to a specialist, I am now on Citalopram and am feeling *much* better. No severe depression episodes. No panic attacks or wild mood swings in a few years now.
Why do I think the meds have helped or played a big part in my recovery? Because I was mildly agoraphobic with social phobia and suffered panic attacks. The meds helped that a lot. Sure the cpap may have helped but...
I STILL require naps mid-afternoon. And I sleep 6-8 hours regularly every night with the cpap machine. So that's 8-12 hours of sleep per day, every day. Do I feel more rested? Yes and no.. I feel rested, but I still tire way too easily. 4-5 hours of work and I'm totally drained.
However, not as drained as before. I used to literally fall asleep in my computer chair. Or wherever. I never quite managed to make it to the bed for a nap. Of course now I have to put the mask on so I do get there. But I'm still taking naps!
What to do about it is probably another topic.
But I did want to pipe up and say that YES I have been depressed, yes I am feeling mostly better after using the cpap. YES! I do think sleep apnea and depression compound each other symptom wise. YES! I think depression can definately be a result of sleep deprivation. And finally, a resounding YES, I do think medicaton in addition to cpap treatment can help an individual's situaton.
However, I think it is *very* important that you find a doctor (or specialist) that knows what the heck they are talking about regarding mental disability medication. Don't take your GP's word on it. DO ask for a 2nd opinion. Do NOT give up. You can feel better. And yes, better than you do now.
Blessed be and good luck
I have had my cpap machine a little over a year. I don't know what my index/rate/setting is or means but I do know that my sleep clinics rated me as very severe obstructive sleep apnea, one of the worst cases they've seen.
Anyway, I've had it a long time I figure (the apnea), maybe 10 years or more. And I'd been diagnosed with depression about 6-7 years ago. Placed on Paxil about that time. Which seemed to help somewhat. In more recent years and under a new doctor's care and referral to a specialist, I am now on Citalopram and am feeling *much* better. No severe depression episodes. No panic attacks or wild mood swings in a few years now.
Why do I think the meds have helped or played a big part in my recovery? Because I was mildly agoraphobic with social phobia and suffered panic attacks. The meds helped that a lot. Sure the cpap may have helped but...
I STILL require naps mid-afternoon. And I sleep 6-8 hours regularly every night with the cpap machine. So that's 8-12 hours of sleep per day, every day. Do I feel more rested? Yes and no.. I feel rested, but I still tire way too easily. 4-5 hours of work and I'm totally drained.
However, not as drained as before. I used to literally fall asleep in my computer chair. Or wherever. I never quite managed to make it to the bed for a nap. Of course now I have to put the mask on so I do get there. But I'm still taking naps!
What to do about it is probably another topic.
But I did want to pipe up and say that YES I have been depressed, yes I am feeling mostly better after using the cpap. YES! I do think sleep apnea and depression compound each other symptom wise. YES! I think depression can definately be a result of sleep deprivation. And finally, a resounding YES, I do think medicaton in addition to cpap treatment can help an individual's situaton.
However, I think it is *very* important that you find a doctor (or specialist) that knows what the heck they are talking about regarding mental disability medication. Don't take your GP's word on it. DO ask for a 2nd opinion. Do NOT give up. You can feel better. And yes, better than you do now.
Blessed be and good luck
Warm Regards,
Shannon
Shannon
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DrainedDad
- Posts: 53
- Joined: Fri Jun 10, 2005 11:18 am
- Location: Caledonia, Mi
Great thread! I believe that exhaustion, sleep depravation, and depression can all go together. When you can't figure out what is wrong with you, when you are exhausted all the time, when you don't enjoy anything anymore, it really doesn't matter how you got there. What is important is that you get out!
I know my cycle started when I started to feel exhausted. I started to back out of my normal activities and pull away from friends because I just didn't feel well. Soon I was putting on weight and starting to become really self-consciencous. Before you know it I was in full blown depression.
I am blessed to have a great friend who is a doctor and he encouraged me to get the help I needed. Doctor visits, counselling, drugs, a very supportive and loving wife, and a lot of prayer, started me back. Once I got moving it became easier to continue the process. CPAP has been the next step and it has been very helpful. I saw my doctor yesterday (after a month of being on CPAP) and he was very encouraged with the progress. He said maybe in a few months I will be able to start backing down on the Welbutrin.
I don't think that anyone can tell you what is right for you. If your drugs are helping and you have no desire to stop taking them (and can afford them) keep taking them and feel well. If you want to get off the drugs, do it smart, with the help of you physician. I know that on CPAP I have had more energy and have been able to start exercising again. I am motivated to lose weight, get off drugs and get back to living an active life! When you start to get excited about life the depression just kind of fades away! Excitement, joy, and vitality just don't co-exist with depression. (Boy, I was beginning to think I would never use those terms about myself again )
I know my cycle started when I started to feel exhausted. I started to back out of my normal activities and pull away from friends because I just didn't feel well. Soon I was putting on weight and starting to become really self-consciencous. Before you know it I was in full blown depression.
I am blessed to have a great friend who is a doctor and he encouraged me to get the help I needed. Doctor visits, counselling, drugs, a very supportive and loving wife, and a lot of prayer, started me back. Once I got moving it became easier to continue the process. CPAP has been the next step and it has been very helpful. I saw my doctor yesterday (after a month of being on CPAP) and he was very encouraged with the progress. He said maybe in a few months I will be able to start backing down on the Welbutrin.
I don't think that anyone can tell you what is right for you. If your drugs are helping and you have no desire to stop taking them (and can afford them) keep taking them and feel well. If you want to get off the drugs, do it smart, with the help of you physician. I know that on CPAP I have had more energy and have been able to start exercising again. I am motivated to lose weight, get off drugs and get back to living an active life! When you start to get excited about life the depression just kind of fades away! Excitement, joy, and vitality just don't co-exist with depression. (Boy, I was beginning to think I would never use those terms about myself again )
I will lie down and sleep in peace Ps 4:8
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Janelle
in a nutshell, Sleep APnea causes (although not the only cause) depression, diabetes, OSA, chronic fatigue, hypertension, heart problems, strokes, heart attacks, high cholesterol, low thyroid and a host of other metabolic problems. And this is only a partial list. The end game is Sleep Apnea can kill you. And CPAP treatment can reverse nearly all of the above.
Also, if you are still not feeling good after many months on CPAP therapy, insist on another sleep test. And pay most particular attention to see if you are getting that deep sleep stage 3/4 sleep and REM sleep. If you are not you need to be on medication that will guarantee you will get that restorative sleep stage. Same goes for if you are still having problems with all of the above after severl months. I was on CPAP for 6 months and still felt drowsy when driving and still had to take occasional naps. I insisted on another sleep test and they discovered I wasn't getting Stage 3/4. I'm now on Xyrem and am feeling great, cleaning closets, scrubbing bathrooms and have a whole other list of things to do. Because now I have the energy to do them. Before it was, I don't give a damn, it can wait.
Also, if you are still not feeling good after many months on CPAP therapy, insist on another sleep test. And pay most particular attention to see if you are getting that deep sleep stage 3/4 sleep and REM sleep. If you are not you need to be on medication that will guarantee you will get that restorative sleep stage. Same goes for if you are still having problems with all of the above after severl months. I was on CPAP for 6 months and still felt drowsy when driving and still had to take occasional naps. I insisted on another sleep test and they discovered I wasn't getting Stage 3/4. I'm now on Xyrem and am feeling great, cleaning closets, scrubbing bathrooms and have a whole other list of things to do. Because now I have the energy to do them. Before it was, I don't give a damn, it can wait.
I was always told I was just lazy. That might be part of the problem, but hopefully not the whole thing.Janelle wrote:Before it was, I don't give a damn, it can wait.
Anyone want to hook a really smart kid up with a job in finance? email me.... bar2003@columbia.edu