I have severe sleep apnea, I'm on a CPAP
machine that does nothing but keep me from
falling asleep or wakes me up once I fall
asleep at which point I just rip it off.
I've already had all the sleep test done.
I've been treated for years for anxiety,
dysthymia, and major depression some of
which I feel is a result of the sleep
problems. I'm to the point where I'm
taking 12.5mg Ambien CR and 8mg Rozerem
before bed and many nights still never get
to sleep. I average 2 to 3 hours on a good
night. I've even tried a few beers with
the meds and can lay there just staring at
the ceiling. My psychiatrist has run out
of ideas in treating me she's stumped so
we've stopped all mental health meds but
my sleep dr just keeps adding more sleep
meds. I crappy from so many sleep meds but
no sleep. My question is should I see a
neurologist since all my research and
other symptoms point towards a
hypothalamus problem. I've asked all my
dr's if it could be my hypothalamus but
none was sure enough to touch the idea.
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MandMs
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 26 Jan 2007 Posts: 1881 Location: Strumica, Macedonia
Thanks: 21
Thanked:10
Hi, cabits! Posted: 03-21-08 03:23am
I can only guess how difficult is to have
normal daily life with proper functioning
and having sleep apnea causing extremely
fragmented and of poor quality sleep.
Insomnia and mood disorders can be caused
and worsened by sleep apnea.
What type of sleep apnea you have?
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cabits
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 23 Nov 2005 Posts: 8 Location: Neverland
Posted: 03-21-08 10:17am
Doc says its obstructive but I notice when
I'm laying down trying to get to sleep
that I subconsciously stop breathing even
before I'm asleep. I'll notice that I
haven't taken a breath then have to take a
deep breath and start all over again
trying to get to sleep. I have a heart
condition called PVC and the Dr knows
about it too. Right now he doesn't want to
call central sleep apnea or mixed sleep
apnea. The sleep test show that I don't
always get to sleep long enough to reach
REM. I attain REM about 50% of the nights.
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MandMs
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 26 Jan 2007 Posts: 1881 Location: Strumica, Macedonia
Thanks: 21
Thanked:10
Posted: 03-27-08 03:52am
Studies are currently being done on the
effects of apnea on the hypothalamus and
pituitary systems.
During sleep apnea events, patients are
forced to come out of nourishing REM sleep
in order to regain breath. Repetitive
apneas cause sleep fragmentation and
disorganization of sleep stages and
cycles. Some, experts think that hypoxia
may have direct central effects on
neurotransmitters, which, in turn, will
affect hypothalamic-pituitary hormone
production. Sudden arousal from sleep may
produce central "stress" response leading
to hormonal changes. Daytime sleep
episodes may interact with daytime hormone
rhythms.
All of the above factors may interact and
lead to changes in the central control of
sleep and endocrine rhythms.
PVC can be triggered by anxiety, stress,
hormonal imbalance, antidepressants, lack
of sleep and exhaustion.
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painfree
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 14 Nov 2004 Posts: 69 Location: ,
Thanks: 3
Thanked:0
Posted: 05-03-08 16:41pm
The CPAP machine is usually a very
effective treatment for sleep apnea. If
you have been diagnosed with severe sleep
apnea, please be aware that you are at
high risk for the development of many
serious, even life-threatening, conditions
if it's left untreated. It's a real pity
that you can't tolerate CPAP. Here are
some other things that you can try on your
own that might be helpful.
1. Make sure that you are not overweight.
2. Sleep on your side with your head
angled upwards by about 30 degrees. Never
sleep on your back.
3. Beware of sleep medications, even
nonprescription ones. They can exacerbate
sleep apnea.
4. Don't drink any alcoholic beverages
within several hours of going to sleep.
They can exacerbate sleep apnea.
5. Don't smoke tobacco products. That can
exacerbate sleep apnea.
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