Sleep Apnea Support Group
Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep. People with sleep apnea partially awaken as they struggle to breathe, but in the morning they may not be aware of sleep disturbances.
im 26 and ever since i can remember ive always had problems going to sleep and staying asleep.
In the last couple of years ive been treated for depressive anxiety and struggled to control eating disorders and self harm. Ive tried loads of different meds to minmize this all with hideous side effects. im now on one that ive had no side effects and is to some extent helping.
However i still cant get this sleep thing under control. i need to sleep all the time even after hours of sleep i still feel exhausted and want to sleep more. i sleep between shifts. i can sleep for hours and still struggle to get up. i always wake up when i sleep and can be awake for up to an hour at a time when this happens. on the occassions when i have good sleep i wake up feeling like i havent slept at all. ive tried sedatitive type meds but they didnt help at all.
please if anyone has any advice on what i can do or why this is id really apprieciate it coz my gp just says its part of the depression but im convinced its not.
In the last couple of years ive been treated for depressive anxiety and struggled to control eating disorders and self harm. Ive tried loads of different meds to minmize this all with hideous side effects. im now on one that ive had no side effects and is to some extent helping.
However i still cant get this sleep thing under control. i need to sleep all the time even after hours of sleep i still feel exhausted and want to sleep more. i sleep between shifts. i can sleep for hours and still struggle to get up. i always wake up when i sleep and can be awake for up to an hour at a time when this happens. on the occassions when i have good sleep i wake up feeling like i havent slept at all. ive tried sedatitive type meds but they didnt help at all.
please if anyone has any advice on what i can do or why this is id really apprieciate it coz my gp just says its part of the depression but im convinced its not.
RuthCR
Hi, Have you had a sleep study yet to find out what is happening to you when you are asleep. Sleep is quite complex and only a sleep study will show what treatment you need. I was always a light sleeper and I was a snorer as well. I have only been diagnozed in the past year and am now on CPAP with excellent results. Some people have 'obstructive sleep apnea' where thier throat collapses and blocks the airways leading to poor REM sleep. Some have 'Central sleep apnea" when they actually have periods when they stop breathing but may not snore. It will be hard to advise you about your sleeping until you have had a study done. You certainly have serious problems, you have done well to cope this long. Best wishes, Ruth
deleted_user
A sleep study is your best bet at determining what is going on at night. Depression can be a symptom of sleep apnea. Find a sleep lab with reputable doctor who is a certified sleep physician and they should be able to shed light on your situation.
deleted_user
Hi i would surggest you going to your Doctors a ask for a sleep study I also suffer depression and on medication. CPAP helped me a hell of alot hope all goes well
deleted_user
Hi - reading your note was like reading my own bio. For as long as I remember, I would wake up weepy, anxious, and mildly depressed. After having my primary MD help me with little results, I went to a therapist who then sent me to a psychiatrist. The first thing she did was send me for a sleep study. She said, "I cannot stabilize your mood, if your sleep is off." Needless to say by this time I was desperate, so I went. The best night sleep of my life was the 2nd sleep study when they tried out the CPAP on me! I have used my CPAP for 1.5 years now. I have never missed a night. Sure it took a couple of tries to get the mask right. With the CPAP I no longer wake up anxious, weepy or depressed. Those symptoms are simply gone! If I dose off without the CPAP, I do wake up irritable and anxious... so on the rare occasion when I have time for a nap, I am so happy to have my CPAP! One other thing, I travel for business about 45 weeks a year. I travel with the CPAP, no exceptions. As a business traveler, yes carrying the CPAP is a huge hassel, but the benefits far out weigh the inconvenience. I hope this note helps you to understand that your symptoms just might be relieved by the sleep study and possible diagnosis. Be persistent. Life doesnt have to be so hard.
EmmaammE
thank you so much for your comments, its given me some hope that i can get on top of this.
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