Post
by Mtnviewer » Tue Feb 03, 2009 4:21 pm
Previous to my learning about OSA, I had looked into depression, and was able to get diagnosed for clinical depression, got a prescription for an anti-depressive, still felt many of the "symptoms" of depression and finally was advised to change medication or try being off of it. I opted to be off of it. Then several years later I learned of OSA and as I learned more about OSA, I started asking which symptoms come first, Depression or OSA? I now know that I was wrongly diagnosed with "depression" by both my GP and a Phscyologist but little was known of OSA then by anyone. Even today, I'd bet that neither a Psychiatrist, Psychologist or medical doctors could confirm which is which in a person without a sleep study to rule out OSA. Even then, as I've had two sleep studies, both flawed, and one even had my "sleep" there and the resulting PSG "inconclusive" for various reasons, I was still diagnosed with OSA to various degrees. Also, one ENT said my throat equipment was fine, one said it was symptomatic of OSA (he also gave me THE most thorough exam and explanations of my physique than anyone, so I believe his opinion, and he suggested CPAP first before any surgery).
Then it took several more years before only recently getting a few truly restful night's sleep on PAP therapy to know FOR SURE, that for myself, OSA is the culprit, not depression. after many years of always wondering if depression was part of my fatigue, and other symptoms and life spiralling down. After a few nights of incredible relief from OSA symptoms on PAP therapy, I finally have hope, vs. feeling ...... depressed. The differences are startling and my restful sleeps were not as good as I hope they'll become, but they were THE most helpful of anything that I've tried. Only the helpful relief of daily Transcendal Meditation has gotten me through 25+ years of unknown fatigue etc. (I don't know how or why 20 mins of TM helps, once or twice a day, but it does.)
It seems to me that the symptoms of depression can be so varied and like other illnesses, both mental and physical, that a clear diagnosis is so very difficult. My talking to doctors and sleep specialist MD's is that they are only NOW figuring out that OSA may be causing more accurate diagnosis of depression, than true depression does. While we're not all the same by any means, my experiences show that for "general" depression like symptoms, OSA should definitely be explored amongst other possibilities. The medical system it seems is also quite eager and too profitable to prescribe a pill, for something as difficult to diagnose as "depression". Wheras for OSA, and unlike many medications for depression, there are next to zero side affects or dangers of getting a sleep study for the determination of OSA as causing one's depression like symptoms.
So where clear mental illness or a crisis is not the reason, which should be looked at first for the reasons to one's fatigue etc., OSA or Depression? I'd suggest OSA.
I MUST stay off my back to reduce OSA & snoring. I use a small backpack of solid styrofoam to keep me on my side (tennis balls too small), & use DIY customized soft foam pillow to keep my head in a side sleeping position to eliminate most OSA.
