depression & sleep apnea/adjusting machine settings myse

Sarah Smith · Post by **Sarah Smith** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 1:37 pm

I've been struggling with worsening depression for the last year. I've finally decided to seek help for it, but because I'm pregnant, I don't want to go on anti-depressants. Actually I don't want to anyway, I hate how doctors want to mask the symptoms instead of finding the root cause.

Now I'm wondering if my apnea is to blame. I've been exhausted, irritable, angry, and depressed. I can't even keep up with my housework, and my kids are suffering because of my inability to cope.

I've been on a CPAP for three years now, but for a while I've been feeling like the machine isn't doing the job. I can't even tell that the air is coming out anymore. Maybe the machine is too old, but I don't think so. I think maybe my apnea has gotten worse. If that's the case, I'd like to try to adjust my machine. I saw on another website how to do it, but it's not working with my machine. It's an Invacare.

Any idea how I can figure out how to raise the levels on my machine? I can't afford another sleep study right now, and you know they're going to want me to buy a new machine. I'm really hoping this is the answer. I'm so glad I found this site. I never would have suspected my apnea of possibly causing depression!

Thanks,
Sarah

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 2:39 pm

I've been on a CPAP for three years now, but for a while I've been feeling like the machine isn't doing the job. I can't even tell that the air is coming out anymore.

Sarah, perhaps you could ask your DME to check the pressure coming out of your machine with a manometer. Just to be sure it is working right and is delivering the pressure you were prescribed three years ago.

If the machine is working right, you might also ask your doctor if he'll order the DME to raise your pressure a notch or two. Or better yet, order a trial with an auto-titrating machine (autopap) to see if the prescribed pressure from "way back when" is still what you need.

Also wouldn't hurt if the doctor would order an overnight recording pulse oximeter - free from some DMEs - just to see how your oxygen saturation is doing while sleeping with your machine.

I think many doctors would order one, or any of those, without requiring you to go back in for another full sleep study. Perhaps your doctor is one who is willing to try troubleshooting a few things first.

TXKajun · Post by **TXKajun** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 2:50 pm

Sarah, also consider the little one you're carrying. Could it be possible that you require more oxygen now that you're breathing for 2?

Like rested gal said, contact your doctor. Even your OB/GYN should be able to help.

Good luck! This therapy works!!!

WAFlowers · Post by **WAFlowers** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 3:18 pm

TXKajun wrote:Sarah, also consider the little one you're carrying. Could it be possible that you require more oxygen now that you're breathing for 2?

Plus the extra pressure on your diaphragm limiting your breaths. Plus possible weight gain and water retention causing tissue swelling increasing leading to an increase of apneic events.

Like rested gal said, contact your doctor. Even your OB/GYN should be able to help.

Can't agree more! Good luck from me too.

macoil2 · Post by **macoil2** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 4:08 pm

Yesterday the NY Times reported on a study by a university hospital,in Tampa that equated depression with sleep.apnea.It suggested a correlation between the two noting that one can trigger the other.It noted that physicians often misdiagnose apnea as depression.

I know that I am depressed from Sleep,apnea and am seeing a clinical, psychologist. Will it do any good who knows.?

loonlvr · Post by **loonlvr** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 7:25 pm

I would say its a given that if your not getting a good nites sleep, your gonna feel tired, edgy and depressed. Would not take a rocket scientist to figure that out. I would go restgals route and secure a Auto for a home study. Maybe you need a higher pressure now. OSA does get worse with age, although three years is not that long. Thats the easiest route to go.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 9:17 pm

Hello I'm new to the forum and I relate to you're being tired. I used to have a cpap and then went to a variable speed. Some of the machines have little computer chips located inside of them. Instead of a second sleep study, you would be able to have your cpap company put the computer chip into their office computer and it will print up a copy of sleep history ( including how many times you are off the machine and for how long each time ) Mine was printed up in a colored graph mode. This would save you some money if your machine has it. Simply call your cpap company and inquire. Hope this benefits you.