Changes in body/brain chemistry?

[Outlier]

Years ago, in another life, I had a serious opiate addiction. Long story short, I have long-since kicked it and have been clean since. After the initial few days of feeling miserable after quitting cold turkey, I went through a period of a couple or three months of hard to describe physical sensations and extreme emotionality that I attribute to changes in body chemistry, most notably opioid receptors in the brain that had been dormant for so long (a period of addiction that lasted almost 10 years) slowly "waking up." There was a restless feeling - I had a hard time sitting still, and I was always doing this weird thing where I nervously flexed my toes and moved my legs a lot. It was similar to what people describe as restless leg syndrome. Also, though I'm normally a fairly unemotional, stoic person, I went through a period of wildly varying emotions - from compulsive behavior, feeling energetic and really happy, to periods of extreme sadness. I would often cry at really stupid things, like I did once over a pet food commercial. I often felt like I was experiencing the emotionality that women must sometimes experience during their menstrual cycle. In all, it took about a year to feel normal again.

All that to say that at almost 6 weeks in APAP therapy, I seem to be experiencing similar, albeit milder, symptoms again. I have the weird restlessness/twitchy leg thing happening, and I have experienced periods of great energy and enthusiasm that has been lacking for years, followed by periods of sadness and depression that I cannot attribute to anything else going on in my life. Could it be that my body chemistry is undergoing similar changes after years of severe OSA? It makes sense that after experiencing drops in O2 levels each night for so many years (as low as 70% during my sleep study), perhaps my brain is adjusting to having proper oxygen levels. My AHI during the sleep study was 77.6, and I suspect that I have had OSA for close to 20 years.

It would be nice to hear from others who have had similar experiences, just to help me convince myself that I'm not, you know, crazy or anything...

[Julie]

Hi - first of all, congrats on getting clean - really hard from what I know! Second, I don't think you're crazy, but it sounds to me as if you might have a problem with depression in general, a little bipolar effect or something like it - depression is known to cycle back once you've had a serious bout and/or you could be experiencing SAD (the kind of depression that hits people this time of year when light levels are lower - there's a fix for that btw). Your doctor should refer you to a psychologist/psychiatrist to investigate those and possibly put you on something non-addictive to help. I doubt very much if Cpap would cause those symptoms, but you might incidentally have restless legs that show up with Cpap - something else to be sorted out. Btw, little thing, I don't think what women experience as PMS would quite be the same thing as you went through. even if hormones make us a bit more emotional and sometimes a little 'crazy' at those times. You had very serious withdrawal problems - were you under a doctor's care? - not in the same ballpark really. Are you on any meds now for any reason? They could affect how Cpap works too.

[Outlier]

I do take some meds for blood pressure, allergies and reflux, but nothing psychiatric in nature. I wanted badly to go to rehab when I got clean, but I was uninsured and could not afford it. But luckily I was so over addiction and wanted so much to get clean that I was somehow able to summons the willpower to quit cold turkey and never look back. So no, I did not have any medical care when I got clean. I have suffered from depression off and on since I was a teenager, and though I've never been diagnosed bi-polar, my brother and father have. I've taken anti-depressants before, but I do not want to go that route at this point in my life. I spent so many years trying to self-medicate away the uncomfortable feelings in life that I'd rather just feel them, deal with them, and move on.

[SleepyBobR]

Good decision, imho. Psychiatric drugs are a mine field and that's what you'd be on if you went anywhere near a psychiatrist. There is nothing in their arsenal that doesn't create physical dependency.
From your description of yourself I'd say you are fine with no drugs. Steer well clear.

As for your strange reaction to CPAP, I'm betting it goes away by itself as you adjust. As for the cause, who knows? I like your theory.

[Julie]

Hi, Ok, but... what about a little run of CBT, or some other talk/group Rx, because I get the feeling you're go-it-alone attitude is adding a lot to your stress... kind of counterproductive if anything.

[kteague]

It sounds like you are very in tune with your body, and that should be a big bonus as you go forward. I have read on here where people on psych drugs found their meds needed sdjusting after starting CPAP, so that leads me to believe that something in the brain changes. I don't have any science to back it up but it seems reasonable to me that brain chemistry would be different with a different set of influences. How does your sleep seem? Does it seem deep and restful or shallow and fitful? The thing you noted sbout your feet and legs may merit a closer look but I wouldn't necessarily go there just yet. It remains to be seen how your emotions will be after some time of restorative sleep and healing. As long as your moods aren't detrimental, I think you are wise to let the dust settle and really see what you are working worth. Because you seem in tune, this probably doesn't need to be said, but I do encourage you to stay in tune to any signs you might need more help rather than toughing it out. Taking certain meds can be an issue for one who has struggled with addictions, but it isn't required to be a martyr for the cause. I commend you for your approach and wish you well.

[Outlier]

My sleep is typically very good. I dream a lot, and that used to only happen sometimes for short periods of time. I think letting things sort themselves out might be the best approach. If I am experiencing some sort of change in chemistry, my previous experience with withdrawal tells me it takes quite a while for the body to obtain stasis again. I have seen a therapist off and on, but that's been more off than on lately, not out of not wanting to go, but because I just haven't been able to afford it. Hopefully the depression is fleeting, as it sometimes can be, but if it gets worse I'll call the therapist. Having this forum to voice (for free!) these things and get input from others helps a bunch. Thanks everyone for chiming in.

[BlackSpinner]

I do think getting good sleep and O2 will change your body chemistry. My skin and nails changed, my moods changed, my hair changed, my food cravings changed - all of that has to do with body chemistry. Even the blood of people who live with low O2 is different. Every body is different and reacts differently depending on the paths created by previous body issues..