Antidepressants and anxiety pills effects

[sleepinow]

Hey, I may soon be diagnosed to Aspegers Syndrome and would need to take antidepressants. I have read somewhere that antidepressants or anxiety pills may worsen the effect of sleep apnea. Can this be countered by a higher pressure?

[49er]

Hey, I may soon be diagnosed to Aspegers Syndrome and would need to take antidepressants. I have read somewhere that antidepressants or anxiety pills may worsen the effect of sleep apnea. Can this be countered by a higher pressure?

I am perplexed, why would being diagnosed with AS require that you take antidepressants? If you doctor is suggesting them because you have clinical depression that might best be treated with Antidepressants, that is one thing. But unfortunately, I have run into to many people who get this diagnosis and a routine recommendation of antidepressants without considering each individual situation. That is why your post concerned me.

To answer your question, I can't point you to any scientific studies that that antidepressants worsen apnea. But on the AD withdrawal boards, people reported having apnea like symptoms that seemed to eventually resolve. As one who was on psych meds for many years, I do wonder if that is what happened to me but again, I have no scientific proof to point to.

Whether you take antidepressants or not, it is best to download sleepyhead software so you can monitor your therapy to make sure it is effective. Raise our pressure based on the data indicating a need and not because of what the drugs might do.

Best of luck to you.

49er

[sleepinow]

Hey, I may soon be diagnosed to Aspegers Syndrome and would need to take antidepressants. I have read somewhere that antidepressants or anxiety pills may worsen the effect of sleep apnea. Can this be countered by a higher pressure?

I am perplexed, why would being diagnosed with AS require that you take antidepressants? If you doctor is suggesting them because you have clinical depression that might best be treated with Antidepressants, that is one thing. But unfortunately, I have run into to many people who get this diagnosis and a routine recommendation of antidepressants without considering each individual situation. That is why your post concerned me.

To answer your question, I can't point you to any scientific studies that that antidepressants worsen apnea. But on the AD withdrawal boards, people reported having apnea like symptoms that seemed to eventually resolve. As one who was on psych meds for many years, I do wonder if that is what happened to me but again, I have no scientific proof to point to.

Whether you take antidepressants or not, it is best to download sleepyhead software so you can monitor your therapy to make sure it is effective. Raise our pressure based on the data indicating a need and not because of what the drugs might do.

Best of luck to you.

49er

Many people with Aspergers are depressed, enough so that they have occasional suicidal thoughts. I never mentioned that all people with Aspergers require antidepressants but I do think I am because many of my days are filled with memories of being sad and being in a sad state. I think part of it is because I haven't been able to exercise in such a long time and it is one of my favorite things to do. I have been lonely for most of my life and I feel it is affecting me a big deal too. Anyways im gonna be evaluated for it next month, but yeah not being able to properly communicate with people makes me feel terrible. I wish people would better understand me. There is barely any one that I can even talk to now because I don't really know how to start a conversation (know what to say) or if they want to speak with me. It sucks and its the way I think

Survey data was used on 256 men and 118 women who were diagnosed by a clinician with Asperger’s syndrome between 2004 and 2013 in England. Any depression, suicidal thoughts, or plans were recorded on a self-report questionnaire, along with self-reported autistic traits and empathy.

Two-thirds (66 percent) of the respondents reported suicidal thoughts, 35 percent reported plans or attempts at suicide, and 31 percent reported depression.

In their paper, the team says it is “puzzling” that more people in this sample reported lifetime experience of suicidal thoughts (66 percent) than were depressed (31 percent). One explanation could be under-reporting of depression, perhaps because of the difficulties verbally describing subjective emotional experience often seen in Asperger’s.

“Adults with Asperger’s syndrome often suffer with secondary depression due to social isolation, loneliness, social exclusion, lack of community services, underachievement, and unemployment.

-Cassidy, S. et al. Suicidal ideation and suicide plans or attempts in adults with Asperger’s syndrome attending a specialist diagnostic clinic: a clinical cohort study. The Lancet Psychiatry, 25 June 2014 doi: 10.1016/S2215-0366(14)70248-2

-Raja, M. Suicide risk in adults with Asperger’s syndrome. The Lancet Psychiatry, 25 June 2014 doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(14)70257-3

I was just wondering with my topic because I think I have read somewhere where it may not be worth taking antidepressants for worse apnea therapy

[Julie]

I understand you're taking AD's, especially as ADD is often present in AS, but I think the particular type of meds is more important to get info on... and I'm sure you Google that, though it won't tell you much about them re having OSA. I imagine anything that keeps you awake, alert, unnaturally would be difficult to use unless you can take it in the a.m. I wouldn't do dexedrine though, but which ones have you tried (or been prescribed)?

[49er]

Hey, I may soon be diagnosed to Aspegers Syndrome and would need to take antidepressants. I have read somewhere that antidepressants or anxiety pills may worsen the effect of sleep apnea. Can this be countered by a higher pressure?

I am perplexed, why would being diagnosed with AS require that you take antidepressants? If you doctor is suggesting them because you have clinical depression that might best be treated with Antidepressants, that is one thing. But unfortunately, I have run into to many people who get this diagnosis and a routine recommendation of antidepressants without considering each individual situation. That is why your post concerned me.

To answer your question, I can't point you to any scientific studies that that antidepressants worsen apnea. But on the AD withdrawal boards, people reported having apnea like symptoms that seemed to eventually resolve. As one who was on psych meds for many years, I do wonder if that is what happened to me but again, I have no scientific proof to point to.

Whether you take antidepressants or not, it is best to download sleepyhead software so you can monitor your therapy to make sure it is effective. Raise our pressure based on the data indicating a need and not because of what the drugs might do.

Best of luck to you.

49er

Many people with Aspergers are depressed, enough so that they have occasional suicidal thoughts. I never mentioned that all people with Aspergers require antidepressants but I do think I am because many of my days are filled with memories of being sad and being in a sad state. I think part of it is because I haven't been able to exercise in such a long time and it is one of my favorite things to do. I have been lonely for most of my life and I feel it is affecting me a big deal too. Anyways im gonna be evaluated for it next month, but yeah not being able to properly communicate with people makes me feel terrible. I wish people would better understand me. There is barely any one that I can even talk to now because I don't really know how to start a conversation (know what to say) or if they want to speak with me. It sucks and its the way I think

Survey data was used on 256 men and 118 women who were diagnosed by a clinician with Asperger’s syndrome between 2004 and 2013 in England. Any depression, suicidal thoughts, or plans were recorded on a self-report questionnaire, along with self-reported autistic traits and empathy.

Two-thirds (66 percent) of the respondents reported suicidal thoughts, 35 percent reported plans or attempts at suicide, and 31 percent reported depression.

In their paper, the team says it is “puzzling” that more people in this sample reported lifetime experience of suicidal thoughts (66 percent) than were depressed (31 percent). One explanation could be under-reporting of depression, perhaps because of the difficulties verbally describing subjective emotional experience often seen in Asperger’s.

“Adults with Asperger’s syndrome often suffer with secondary depression due to social isolation, loneliness, social exclusion, lack of community services, underachievement, and unemployment.

-Cassidy, S. et al. Suicidal ideation and suicide plans or attempts in adults with Asperger’s syndrome attending a specialist diagnostic clinic: a clinical cohort study. The Lancet Psychiatry, 25 June 2014 doi: 10.1016/S2215-0366(14)70248-2

-Raja, M. Suicide risk in adults with Asperger’s syndrome. The Lancet Psychiatry, 25 June 2014 doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(14)70257-3

I was just wondering with my topic because I think I have read somewhere where it may not be worth taking antidepressants for worse apnea therapy

I understand what you are saying but dealing with AS is a normal reaction to a bad situation. In other words, not knowing why you are socially isolated and have trouble with social skills would cause many people to be depressed and even suicidal. What you may want to consider is once you find support in your community or online in learning how to cope with AS issues, your depression might greatly be alleviated and the need for meds would greatly lessen. Is there a local JSSA in your community as the one in my area has great social skills groups, particularly for young AS adults.

PM me if you want to talk about it some more as I know this is OT. I do wish you well.

[sleepinow]

I understand you're taking AD's, especially as ADD is often present in AS, but I think the particular type of meds is more important to get info on... and I'm sure you Google that, though it won't tell you much about them re having OSA. I imagine anything that keeps you awake, alert, unnaturally would be difficult to use unless you can take it in the a.m. I wouldn't do dexedrine though, but which ones have you tried (or been prescribed)?

I am not taking them yet I guess I want to prepare myself in case my apneas do get worse from medicine. I guess i have to do more research on the different types that there are.

[Julie]

And there are groups all over (many online) who can help with the social stuff, AS in general, and I'm surprised your MD hasn't suggested you look into joining some.

[sleepinow]

And there are groups all over (many online) who can help with the social stuff, AS in general, and I'm surprised your MD hasn't suggested you look into joining some.

My sleep doctor suggested I see a Psychologist but I ignored her. I broke down in her exam room because of a feeling of hopelessness from my sleep study results

As for my PCP I only saw her a few times, one where I needed meds for thyroid and help for hemorrhoids. She never really examined me through a psychological assessment. I have never even been assessed before. The reason why I only just recently have been visiting my doctor and getting sleep studies done is because of Affordable Care Act/Obamacare

[ChicagoGranny]

antidepressants or anxiety pills

How is your CPAP therapy? Highly effective or not? AHI? Leak level?

As for my PCP I only saw her a few times, one where I needed meds for thyroid and help for hemorrhoids. She never really examined me through a psychological assessment. I have never even been assessed before.

Then why jump to the conclusion that you need drugs for depression?

Your posts here are concise but thorough and well written. These are not signs of depression.

[MarylandCPAPer]

I have taken antidepressant drugs and anti-anxiety meds since long before starting CPAP treatment. On my first CPAP machine, data showed my AHI went from an untreated level of 49 to below 1, so I don't think the meds interfered with OSA treatment all. My current CPAP has been showing AHIs below 2 most of the time.

My dr. recently added another medicine that is a 2nd anti-depressant that is supposed to help skin problems at low doses. I have found that it is an excellent sleep aid and I am routinely sleeping soundly for 12 or more hours a day, which is fantastic for me, as I have been a light sleeper who has had a hard time getting to sleep and staying asleep, and I have a lot of pain that interferes with sleep. I have been using it for about a week. I checked Sleepyhead data to see if I can see an effect on AHI. It has not had a significant effect, other than longer periods of continuous sleep, which is a positive effect for me.

I hope that whatever change is made in your treatment helps. Please keep us posted on how things go.

[ephraimh]

benzodiazepines can adversely affect your respiratory system. they do effect mine, substantially. my sleep improved enormously when I switched to Ambien. some doctors prescribe them as a sleep aid because Ambien & Lunesta often creates a dependency that is harder to break than weaning off tranquilizers.

[ChicagoGranny]

benzos, Ambien, Lunesta

Temporary. Dead ends long term.

Do this instead,

- Practice good sleep hygiene (Google it and read several sources)
- Eat a good diet
- Have a regular, moderate exercise program
- Try to avoid daytime naps.
- Practice total abstinence of caffeine including sources like chocolate
- Review all medicines, vitamins and supplements you are taking to make sure none are interfering with sleep
- Optimize emotional stress in your life
- Use CPAP software to make sure your therapy is optimized
- If you still don't feel or sleep well, make sure you have regular wellness visits to confirm there are no other medical problems.

[Julie]

"Optimize emotional stress in your life"... Is that some new kind of therapy?

[ChicagoGranny]

Is that some new kind of therapy?

I don't believe in nonsense new therapies.

Optimize emotional stress in your life

This is just age old, plain common sense.

If you have too much emotional stress hitting you at once, it can affect your ability to sleep well. Do things to remove some of the stress.

If you have very little emotional stress, then you must not be engaging with family, friends and society - again, an unhealthy position to be in.

I think the latter may be your big problem, Julie. You seem to have no close family, no friends and no social life - just an internet forum as the only contact with the great big, beautiful world.

[Julie]

And your problem is that you meant to say 'minimize', but obviously screwed up.