1.5 months on CPAP and bad anxiety

Fscott · Post by **Fscott** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 5:58 am

It's been about 1.5 months on CPAP now, at 10cm/H20. The first two, two and a half weeks I was very, very tired. Then things started to go better.

Then right about when I hit the 1 month mark, I had bad anxiety set in all of a sudden.

I am on treatment for GAD, 10mg Lexapro and 2 mg Klonopin, and have been for several years.

I wake up every morning with muscle tension and severe anxiety. But through these last two weeks of severe anxiety, my AHI has still been good according to my machine @ ~1.3.

My sleep Dr. had hypothesized that my OSA goes back a long time, into my childhood (am 28 now). I am wondering if it is possible or even likely that the CPAP is causing this spike in anxiety. As my body acclimates to it's new way of feeling, I wonder if the internal changes are setting off my anxiety as my body doesn't know what's going on.

Has anybody experienced anything like this? Does this sound plausible?

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 6:57 am

There are many reasons for being anxious. Being choked when you sleep each night since childhood may certainly be one of them.

As for being confused by sleeping well, having more oxygen and energy: yes that's possible, and your thoughts and emotions happen in your brain too.

I don't think its the cpap. Anxiety is something constraining and inhibiting - as is the lack of energy caused by OSA. I think your anxiety may be a response to the loss of the shackles put on you when your OSA started....

O.

roster · Post by **roster** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 6:58 am

Fscott wrote: ........... But through these last two weeks of severe anxiety, my AHI has still been good according to my machine @ ~1.3.

What is your leak rate?

I have a lot to say about GAD, anxiety, Lexapro and Klonopin from my personal experience but first it needs to be determined whether your cpap therapy is truly effective.

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roster · Post by **roster** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 7:01 am

Please fill out your profile so we can see what equipment and software you are using.

Fscott · Post by **Fscott** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 7:18 am

My leak rate is right on target, ~36L/min at 10cm/H20 with a Quattro.

My machine is a Respironics M-Series Pro.

Country4ever · Post by **Country4ever** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 7:28 am

The source of anxiety is a really hard thing to determine. There are so many possible causes. My anxiety has gone up alot since starting cpap over a year ago, but I blame it on menopause, fibromyalgia, environmental and personal stresses, and who knows what else!
The brain/body is such a complex system. It wouldn't surprise me that somehow having a machine on, that is dictating our inhalation pressure, could cause us some sort of anxiety.
Perhaps you need to go up on your Lexapro? My husband had to be on 20mg to control his overwhelming angst.
How's your diet? Do you exercise and get sunshine? Would talking to a therapist help?
But its definitely true that you want to make sure you're actually getting good sleep now.
Good luck to you. I began an antidepressant a week ago and am struggling with panic/anxiety, so I can empathize. It really stinks. Hang in there.

roster · Post by **roster** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 7:38 am

My recommendations:

Make sure you have a good cpap therapy along with exercise, good diet and good sleep hygiene. You are 28 years old and stand a good chance of weaning off the drugs as your physical health improves.

One more thing, post your status here regularly for support and advice.

Good luck.

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 10:43 am

Also I would advise you to get the reader and software to help control your treatment. A lot of the time seeing what's happening and when can help us and others get treatment right. Jim

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 10:55 am

Make friends with your equipment. Acceptance will go a long ways to crossing this bridge. It's your new sleeping partner. Sometimes the "honeymoon" lasts longer for some people.

Try to determine what specifically is at the root of your anxiety and then try to figure out what you can do about it.

Den

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 11:34 am

Wulfman wrote:Make friends with your equipment. Acceptance will go a long ways to crossing this bridge. It's your new sleeping partner. Sometimes the "honeymoon" lasts longer for some people.

Try to determine what specifically is at the root of your anxiety and then try to figure out what you can do about it.

Den

And remember, it's not like some relationships, it won't get a lawyer and take your house and car. It's user friendly too. Jim

jnk · Post by **jnk** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 11:37 am

. . . right about when I hit the 1 month mark, I had bad anxiety set in all of a sudden. . . . Has anybody experienced anything like this? . . . Fscott

Fscott,

I've been on PAP thereapy a similar amount of time, and I feel a little like my brain was unplugged from my old body and plopped into a new one. So I'm feeling a little "Abby Normal" myself. (And I keep getting the urge to dance to "Putting On the Ritz," but that's another story. )

Everything feels a little "off." But I have chosen to think of it all as a good sign. Things are changing, and my body and brain need a little time to get reaquainted. That may be a very "western world" view, but it's a way of looking at it that is working for me. Right now, anyway.

You say you were tired, then felt better, then had anxiety. That sounds pretty normal to me. The anxiety may have been there before, but you were too tired to feel it, in a way. Any change in body chemistry can change your reaction to any drug, so your doc may need to adjust a dose of something up or down in reaction to your now-normalizing body chemistry, if your PAP therapy is going well. In other words, it may be that your feelings are a really good sign!

I try not to worry too much about the ups and downs of my roller-coaster ride on PAP, as long as I stay strapped into my seat. The way I see it is that humans need to sleep and to breathe. The solution isn't ever to stop sleeping or to stop breathing. So, for me, staying on PAP and doing everything I can to make it effective is a given.

I wish you the best in getting your answers and having success. Sounds like you're well on your way.

jnk

roster · Post by **roster** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 11:59 am

jnk wrote: ..... The anxiety may have been there before, but you were too tired to feel it, in a way. .........

I try not to worry too much about the ups and downs of my roller-coaster ride on PAP, as long as I stay strapped into my seat. .........

Thanks JNK, for the pearls of wisdom. Today you are on a roll.

And then there was this one which wasn't so obvious to the seven doctors I saw over a six-year period:

jnk wrote: ..... The way I see it is that humans need to sleep and to breathe. .........

jnk · Post by **jnk** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 12:08 pm

Thanks, rooster.

And as for . . .

wasn't so obvious to the seven doctors I saw

Med school has ruined many a brilliant mind. Great learning drives them mad.

jnk

roster · Post by **roster** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 12:34 pm

jnk wrote: ..........I try not to worry too much about the ups and downs of my roller-coaster ride on PAP, as long as I stay strapped into my seat. ..........
jnk

JNK,

I should frame that and put it on my mirror. My therapy is going very well except, maybe once per week, I wake up and feel like I had a very bad night. Which means I will be worth very little for that whole day.

On those mornings I need to look at your quote, resolve to keep a low profile the rest of the day (stay strapped into the seat) and remind myself that another night will come bringing another chance for a good day.

Thanks,

Rooster

jnk · Post by **jnk** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 12:50 pm

Rooster,

The roller-coaster illustration (ripped off from a lecture I heard a few months ago) has been a help to me on some days. So I'm glad to pass it on.

Now if I could just open my eyes, throw my hands up, scream, and just enjoy the silly ride like the blasted kids in the seats in front of me! But, hey, I guess we all need long-range goals.

jnk

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1.5 months on CPAP and bad anxiety

1.5 months on CPAP and bad anxiety

Re: 1.5 months on CPAP and bad anxiety