Posted by Merci on October 25, 2003, at 21:40:59
In reply to any CPAP (sleep apnea treatment) experiences?, posted by craig allen on October 25, 2003, at 15:04:45
Craig,
I have been treated for several bouts of depression, but the latest one (the last 1.5-2 years) has been, by far, the worst. I have been on too many drugs and drug combinations to count. Nardil has eased my depression somewhat (60% or so); I've been on it for a year. When I'm depressed, insomnia comes with it...but this time, as my depression got better, my insomnia got worse. I was so tired that I thought I was losing my mind; I left grad. school in the middle of the semester because I just couldn't handle it, with the depressioon combined with the insomnia.
Anyway, 3 months ago I had a sleep study done and found out that I had severe sleep apnea - while being diagnosed with this disorder wasn't exactly good news, I was relieved to find out why mega-doses of sleeping pills had not been helping me sleep.
Sleep apnea and depression can be so interrelated that it almost becomes like the chicken and the egg - which came first? I've been using my CPAP for about 10 weeks and it has definitely made a difference in my mood, concentration, memory, energy...I would not say, though, that I am operating at 100% - it feels impossible to know whether my treatment for depression isn't completely effective or whether my treatment for sleep apnea isn't completely effective. My doctor is still making adjustments to the pressure in my CPAP, and I got a new mask last week, which I am still getting used to.
I've heard people call a CPAP a miracle after using it for one night. I'd love to say that it worked that well for me, but it hasn't. It HAS worked, though, and it has made enough of a difference that I am going to stick with it. This post has turned out to be quite a bit longer than I expected it would, but I guess I have a lot to say!
I guess what I would say is this: there's a very good chance that a CPAP will lead to at least SOME relief of your depression - who knows? Maybe you'll be one of the lucky ones who experiences 100% relief! (wow, I just realized that before I got the CPAP, I never would have said anything so positive!).
Good luck to you - I wish you well. I'm certainly not an expert but I'd glad to answer any more questions that you have. I'm currently traveling, but have a list of decent apnea links at home. I'd be happy to share those, too.
Merci
poster:Merci
thread:273165
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031025/msgs/273462.html