Unexpected Negative Effects (Psychological) of Using CPAP

[BeanMeScot]

Along with that, there's the possibility of pre-existing conditions or OSA-related conditions.

The literature is a bit divided on this, but there are some reports of a relationship between OSA and hypothyroidism. If we are to assume that this is a possibility, then it's something that every OSA patient might want to be on the watch for; and to "rule out" if symptoms similar to hypothyroidism occur.

If you google hypothyroidism and depression, you get lots of hits. Here's just one.

http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/h ... 0038_6.htm

Effects of Hypothyroidism and Subclinical Hypothyroidism on the Mind

Depression. Depression is common in hypothyroidism and can be severe. Some psychiatrists suspect that even subclinical hypothyroidism may contribute to depression. The two disorders may have some common physiological basis. Adding thyroid hormones to antidepressants may hasten a depressed patient's recovery, even in some patients who have not been diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism should be considered as a possible cause of any chronic depression, particularly in older women.

Since hypothyroidism can be difficult to diagnose, I thought that I'd mention it. Your docs may have already ruled it out.

Good luck, and thanks for relating your important experiences. Stay with it and please stick with this forum to keep all updated on your progress.

Regards all - -


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This is interesting. I had not heard about this connection before. But I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism over 12 years ago and have been successfully managed on Levothroid since that time. My dosage hasn't changed in over 11.5 years. I was diagnosed with OSA early last year. So what is the cause and what is the effect and why do they occur together? I can't see why there should be a link.

FWIW, my Hypothyroid symptoms came up fairly quickly. It was probably less than a year between when the symptoms started and when I was diagnosed.

[Captain_Midnight]

Bean Me asks about the causal relationship between OSA and hypothyroidism.

Here's an abstract of one of many studies. Notice that the authors think that the thyroid condition causes the OSA. I tend to think that either could cause either. Consider that hypothyroidism is an inflammatory condition; and that in OSA, inflammatory cytokines (both local and systemic) are released. That alone might do a nunber on that thyroid; however there is also the physical tissue damage from snoring (the thyroid is not far from the epicenter, right?).

I suspect that there are some papers that relate this, but most science research points to the thyroid problem leading to the OSA.

I would love to see a few studies examining the TSH levels of hypothyroidic apneic patients before and after 90 days of optimized xPAP. That would explain much.


http://tinyurl.com/cqaqao

Sleep apnea and hypothyroidism.
Kittle WM, Chaudhary BA.
Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta 30912-2623.
Thyroid deficiency states are now a well recognized cause of the sleep apnea syndrome. The spectrum of disease ranges from mild, asymptomatic hypothyroidism to severe myxedema, and the disorder is associated with both obstructive and central types of sleep apnea. A variety of factors may be involved, including upper airway obstruction with or without obesity, and alterations in ventilatory drive. The definitive therapy is thyroid hormone replacement, which has been shown to diminish or completely eliminate apneic episodes and arterial oxygen desaturation, as well as to effect many improvements in sleep patterns and overall sleep efficiency. The incidence of thyroid deficiency states in patients with sleep apnea syndrome is not known, but it seems reasonable to evaluate thyroid function in all patients. Thyroid replacement therapy seems logical for the treatment of sleep apnea in patients with previously unrecognized subclinical hypothyroidism. Much remains to be learned about the diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea syndromes associated with thyroid hormone deficiency, and further studies are needed.


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[BeanMeScot]

Bean Me asks about the causal relationship between OSA and hypothyroidism.

I would love to see a few studies examining the TSH levels of hypothyroidic apneic patients before and after 90 days of optimized xPAP. That would explain much.

But I have had optimal TSH levels for 12 years. Yet still wound up with Apnea. My Apnea isn't even really severe. I have an AHI of 10.5 in non REM. It only gets really bad in REM.

[swcompassionate]

Sorry to hear all that you are going through. I too have anxiety and depression msyelf. Although I have not noticed the side effect you have had from CPAP I am still tired from still trying to adjust to sleeping with the machine. Be very gentle with yourself during this time and please keep taking your medications unless you give it a good four to six weeks and if you find it is not helping you keep switching until you find a medication that works for you. Hang in there and keep us updated. There is a lot of wonderful support on here. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Maria

[ang123456]

going through a similar thing, after using cpap for a few days im grouchy, angry, and sad. Im already on mental illness meds and a med for my thyroid and have been very stable for a number of years. really annoyed bc the drs are saying this is not possible, this reaction. as usual, its all in my head, haha. well, technically it is, but im not making it up and its not fro another reason! i just wish drs would consider that the machine is going to alter my mental state and that i may nedd to adjust my meds.

[BlackSpinner]

going through a similar thing, after using cpap for a few days im grouchy, angry, and sad. Im already on mental illness meds and a med for my thyroid and have been very stable for a number of years. really annoyed bc the drs are saying this is not possible, this reaction. as usual, its all in my head, haha. well, technically it is, but im not making it up and its not fro another reason! i just wish drs would consider that the machine is going to alter my mental state and that i may nedd to adjust my meds.

Just read the thread in the top panel about changes. Yes it is all in your head and you need to deal with it.

[Julie]

BSpinner - I don't think that was a particularly understanding response. But I do think the person (who posted on a 5 yr old thread) needs to stop thinking his doctors should do this or that and consider trying to get past his problems with new therapies, or just a little resolve. Maybe he's been on meds for so long he thinks it's normal, and it's not... some of us have a lousy time and work on ourselves and get past them. But what do I know?

[chunkyfrog]

Since the guest (ang123456) has only been using cpap for a few days, there may need to be time allowed for adjustment.
It is not uncommon for cpap to disturb our sleep for a while before we get used to it.
There often is some negative emotional fallout as a result of this diagnosis and treatment--(doctors are SO clueless!)
Add that to existing mental woes, and there can be problems that the non-cpap-familiar doctor does not anticipate.

[Janknitz]

My experience was that there was a grieving period adjusting to CPAP. The grieving was for being able to get into bed and just sleep, without the uncomfortable mask, air blowing in my face, farting and aerophagia, noise and panic attacks.

It takes a while to adjust. Eventually waking up peaceful, calm, and full of oxygen starts to help you understand why this is all worthwhile, and the grieving period eventually fades away. But the tincture of time is the only cure.

[ChicagoGranny]

going through a similar thing, after using cpap for a few days im grouchy, angry, and sad. Im already on mental illness meds and a med for my thyroid and have been very stable for a number of years. really annoyed bc the drs are saying this is not possible, this reaction. as usual, its all in my head, haha. well, technically it is, but im not making it up and its not fro another reason! i just wish drs would consider that the machine is going to alter my mental state and that i may nedd to adjust my meds.

Are you monitoring your data?

You could be having large leaks or your pressure might not be set properly. Your therapy might be ineffective. Without data you can't be sure about what is happening.