CPAP and Anti-depressives/SSRI's

[scrapper]

The links appear in the literature regarding OSA and depression.

Has anyone reduced or eliminated anti-depressive drugs since beginning on cpap?

(Please do not take this query as prescriptive advice without physician involvement)

[kopoloff]

Simple answer - YES
Detailed answer - not now because I'm going to bed soon, but I'll tell the story tomorrow

K

[2ndGenCPAPgal]

I have had a lot of trouble finding an antidepressant that, first, didn't have unbearable side effects(GI issues). The one that I was able to tolerate the longest still gave me moderate side effects with only so-so results. I stopped it several years ago and was debating starting it again but just didn't want to deal with the side effects.

Since beginning CPAP, my depression has been relieved at least to the extent that it ever was on the 1 medication I found. And NONE (0, zip, zilch) of the side effects that I did on the medications!! I wouldn't claim that my depression is "cured" but over all I like to think of it as a net gain.

[secret agent girl]

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[scrapper]

Having worked in health care and hospice all of my life, be careful what you read AND BELIEVE....it's not always as it seems, but I do agree that the drug industry does a number on the American people via advertising and pricing.

[scrapper]

bttt

[rbtgjns]

As is with many long-term illness there are known co-morbid conditions. Among the most frequently recognized are depressed mood. Depression is fairly common and is determined by a cluster of symptoms. Predominately is disturbances in sleep, Falling asleep easily but wakening up frequently throughout the night is a classical symptom as well as fatigue (loss of interest in activities that were pleasurable), procrastination (fairly ubiquitous), predicting a bleak future, intrusive thoughts (often angry and self-recriminating) and being irritable (itching for a fight). For more detail use Goggle.

Modern psychiatric medications are known to vary in effectiveness and can be described to follow the rule of threes (1/3 respond well, 1/3 have partial response and 1/3 have little/no response or uncomfortable side effects that cause treatment to be discontinued). Several well designed studies have shown that antidepressant medication outcome leaves much to be desired. Here is an article (somewhat complicated) that I think is candid. http://www.biopsychiatry.com/index.html

Prolonged depression can lead to specific area of the brain becoming injured. SSRI have been shown to be neurogenic (helping to grow new brain cells). Among the effects of SSRI are loss of appetite, increased energy and sexual dysfunction. The later is used to treat those that reach orgasm before coitus has started.

Alternate treatment ideas have been presented by DR. Amen. http://www.amenclinics.com include exercise, SAMe, nutrition and more. Also it is important to get a complete physical as depression can signal other illness that cannot be ignored or minimized.

Depression, neuropathy, GERD, IBS, hiatal hernia, cardiac and hypertension have been found to cluster with OSA. Not everyone that has sleep apnea will have all of the co-morbid conditions.

Treatment of depression is very important and not to be delayed. For me vigorous exercise, good nutrition (vitamin deficiency can cause depression), good sleep hygiene, stress resolution have been most helpful. Antidepressant medication after a complete medical physical can be added to the prior (for me) list.

[Irene P.]

I have been on antidepressants almost continuously for the last 30 years or so. When I'd try to get off them, the depression became intolerable to me and the others around me. I started cpap in May of this year, and my mood started getting somewhat better within a month or so. After a couple of months, I was able to reduce my medication, and have reduced it again since then. I'm still on a small dose and hoping eventually get off it altogether. However, I'm elated at just being able to reduce it.