Anxiety ??

[Crest]

Interesting that since I started on CPAP last March I also developed anxiety..Anyone have a history of this or know of any others with the same issue?

Marty

[jnk]

Yep.

My theory is that my body spent the last few decades pumping out panic hormones all night to wake me up when I stopped breathing. It is used to making a bucket full of that stuff and having it all on standby. Now, even though those panic hormones are no longer needed for that, the body is still making the stuff and looking for any excuse to let it out during the day.

In harmony with my theory, I plan to ride it out and let my body eventually figure out it doesn't have to do that anymore. In fact, every time a little feeling of anxiety or panic rears its ugly head, I smile to myself and say "come on body, figure it out already." And that little laugh to myself seems to help. It's been six months or so for me on the hose, and it seems to be getting a little better. But mileage varies.

Only a theory.

I think exercise can help burn some of that stuff off.

[packitin]

You'll have to be a little more specific. Anxiety is a broad term. All of us have "some" - its a matter of degree. Some may have it to the degree that its clinically diagnosed and medication is required. It may come about chemically, or it may come about socially. It may range from mild cases, when some may refer to it as "the blues", or it may result to the point where it is disabling, requiring treatment. For some it may be long-range, for other it may be episodic, that is, only occurring under certain conditions, which seem to trigger it. If panic attacks occur, one may have to go to the emergency room of a hospital, thinking it to be something very serious, such as a heart attack. For some it may be various phobias, which tend, upon occasion to immobilize them, resulting in irritability, strange behaviors, and the like. It can take the form of post-traumatic syndrome, and various other stress disorders, such as sleeplessness, fatigue, etc. So its a complicated issue.
Jay

[Crest]

Thanks..My anxiety is more of the anxious type that a little bit of Xanax seems to curtail. I wonder if it's just coincidental that it started when I started CPAP treatment.

Anyone out there start anxiety issues upon starting CPAP treatment?

Marty

[Crest]

hmmm

[grumpygirl]

Funny you should mention that- I have had the same issue since starting CPAP. It often hits me as I am trying to relax. Xanax does help(I only take a half of a tab) but I use it only when I REALLY need it. I thought maybe I was the only person facing this issue-it's reassuring to know I am not alone. I wonder why this happens after starting CPAP. BTW I have been on the "hose" now for a year. I also notice it HORRIBLY when I try to switch from straight CPAP to APAP. I get very irritable and anxious and I feel like my "fight or flight" response is in high gear. My hubby says I am short with every one. I have gone back on straight CPAP lately and notice the feeling has begun to subside. Strange huh?

[stepbill]

I have anxiety and have to take Lexapro for it. I get really bad chest pains, almost think it's a heart attack sometimes but if I take the Lexapro I don't have the attacks. Wish I could fight it mentally but I don't have any ammo . Mine was not brought on by the CPAP, it was brought on from going from being never married to the age of 40 and then having a wife and two stepboys!!!!

[swcompassionate]

Hi there,

I too deal with anxiety around bedtime because of putting on all the equipment. Just like any other major life change whether positive or negative, we all get a little anxious. Think about when you were about to start a new job you were probably excited but also nervous not knowing exactly what to expect? The first day of school, new year at college, day you got married, etc? All these events although positive caused excitement and anxiety at the same time because of facing the unexpected and the unknown. Someone suggested to me on this site to try sitting up in bed with your mask and do something distracting like read, meditate, pray so you begin to feel relaxed with it and then lie down with it. I hope this helps you at least a little. I think it is very normal for you to feel the way that you do. I am only two to three weeks into treatment so I am having a lot of the same issues. Hang in there and keep us updated on how it goes.

[Fredman]

Hi there,

I too deal with anxiety around bedtime because of putting on all the equipment. Just like any other major life change whether positive or negative, we all get a little anxious. Think about when you were about to start a new job you were probably excited but also nervous not knowing exactly what to expect? The first day of school, new year at college, day you got married, etc? All these events although positive caused excitement and anxiety at the same time because of facing the unexpected and the unknown. Someone suggested to me on this site to try sitting up in bed with your mask and do something distracting like read, meditate, pray so you begin to feel relaxed with it and then lie down with it. I hope this helps you at least a little. I think it is very normal for you to feel the way that you do. I am only two to three weeks into treatment so I am having a lot of the same issues. Hang in there and keep us updated on how it goes.

I wold suggest all of you try pursleep fragrances with your CPAP. A lot of us use this with our treatment. Basically you put a few drops of your choice of essential oils (my favourite is French Vanilla or Peace) onto an absorbant pad that is supplied and place it on a ceramic base under the air intake for your machine. You then are given this wonderful smell through your hose and mask. It is a nice way to drift off to sleep and helps me to relax.

As far as day time anxiety, you might be experiencing like someone said some hormonal adjustment. Also, you probably have more energy are you maybe experiencing the fact that you are feeling more alive than you have in a long time?

I know that while the change was immediate, once I started therapy, I have found now 4 years later, that I am still gaining back energy and my body is continuing to repair itself from all those poor sleep years!

[ziggytosh]

Interesting discussion. I have some anxiety too, mostly socially. I get super nervous when I have to give presentations at work, and even a little nervous just being in meetings. Have never liked parties. But that all predates CPAP. My observation (wishful thinking?) is that anxiety has been decreased. In meetings and in giving presentations, one thing that has helped is that I just feel so much more energetic and alert that I feel more up to the task. If someone asks me a question, I feel like my brain is working properly now and I'm able to answer. I still feel some anxiety though.

I looked around for some articles on this when I started CPAP a couple months ago. One thing I read -- not sure if this has an effect -- is that your brain does not use serotonin when you're in REM sleep, but it does continue to produce it. So if I understand that correctly, it sounds like if you aren't getting any REM sleep than you are missing a period where serotonin has a chance to replenish a bit. Serotonin deficiency is linked to anxiety and depression. I actually asked a psychiatrist about this. He said he wasn't sure about the serotonin thing, but he whipped out a sleep-psychology text book and showed me a whole list of mood-governing hormones that are affected by (lack of) quality sleep. He thought it was reasonable to believe that anxiety would be positively impacted by CPAP use ... but not with any certainty.

Anyway, JNK's theory and approach sounds just about right to me. It's not clear to anyone exactly how apnea and apnea treatment affect brain chemistry. But they do affect it, and a lot of hormone/brain chemical changes have a "cascade" effect, where the changes you experience unravel slowly over a long period of time. I think you just have to ride it out and recognize that the end state will be different than the current state. There are lots of positive impacts of CPAP -- try to notice those more and give the other things time to sort themselves out.

[sacnvr2l8]

Interesting thread...

I am just the opposite. I have experienced Anxiety and panic issues for about 15 years now. I have never trreated with medication. In Jan I had a seizure Aug I had a 2nd and needless to say my panic went throught the roof. After the 2nd seizure my Neuro recommended a sleep study as my Anti convulsant had made my already chronic snoring much worse. So diagnosed with apnea...1 month on Cpap...

Anxiety is almost completely GONE

As a side note I had NO symptoms of apnea beyond the snoring...I feel like CPAP cured my anxiety