Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kath Hope www.hope2Sleep.co.uk on October 10, 2010 at 8:17am

So sorry to read this Donna, and I can imagine how you felt when you got your diagnosis and thought all your sleep troubles would be over with the APAP. You can read my short story here if it helps http://tinyurl.com/36a6avf and I promise you I come into contact with people all the time who do not get immediate success. Unfortunately, for most of us we have to work at this, and the first thing you need to work at is to try to eliminate the mask leaks, as this will be waking you up. Also, congratulations at managing 4 hours at a time in these early days. Are you using the APAP for your afternoon nap? If not, try to, as the quicker you get good sleep into your body, the sooner the sleep debt will be repaid. Also, practise using the machine whilst watching tv etc. My machine was my enemy in those first few months, but now it's my best friend that I'll go nowhere without :D and I never thought I'd say that!

I would hang back on the anti-depressants just now until you've managed more success on your APAP, as many anti-depressants actually cause apneas. It's not surprising that you're feeling rather 'down' though after years or being sleep deprived, and also the false hope of thinking you'd feel better immediately.

Keep gaining support from the lovely willing people on here and with successful APAP treatment, you WILL start to feel better soon so hang in there.

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Permalink Reply by Mary Z on October 10, 2010 at 9:14am

Donna, I agree with Kath. The mask leaks are a big problem, perhaps a better fitting masks would help. Or a FFM if you're mouth breathing and having leaks that way. Also do be sure to wear your mask during your afternoon nap. If your depression is from sleep apnea, and from what you describe that seems to be the case, I think getting settled in with your cpap would help more than an antidepressant. I was also taking long afternoon naps and falling asleep at inappropriate times, was not safe to drive. That is all much better now- it took a while. If I wake up during the night and need too adjust my mask I just do it automatically and get right back to sleep.
Good luck, I know what you're going through is torture, but hang in there. Get the cpap straight and then revisit the need for an antipepressant. If you still want to try an antidressant it shouldn't hurt anything, but it won't substitute for getting your cpap right and on all night.
Keep us posted.

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Permalink Reply by 99 on October 10, 2010 at 12:21pm

i take antidepressant and i do not drive after taking it
it affects your driving
should you take that route be very careful as not to drive
i take mine just before i go to bed

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Permalink Reply by Donna B. on October 10, 2010 at 2:44pm

Kath, thank you for replying,
I am using a nasal mask, not a full face mask. I find that the pressure causes me to exhale the air pressure through my mouth. It takes me a few minutes to settle into a breathing pattern. It feels like my lungs want to fight it but I don't give in and try to just relax. I have not been using my machine during naps, I used to nap on the couch with my dog (my profile pic) but found it better to just go to bed. I will make more of an effort to use it at nap time.

As far as the drugs, I really don't want to take anything else, I guess I was just expecting this to be a little easier. I hate being in this depressed state and the fact that I don't have anyone close by to talk to about this "in-person" makes it harder.

I had a chance to go to an APNEA support group meeting last week but missed it because I had to attend a memorial service for one of my clients. Needless to say that bummed me out for the rest of the night into the next day. :(
Donna B.



Kath Hope www.hope2Sleep.co.uk said:

So sorry to read this Donna, and I can imagine how you felt when you got your diagnosis and thought all your sleep troubles would be over with the APAP. You can read my short story here if it helps http://tinyurl.com/36a6avf and I promise you I come into contact with people all the time who do not get immediate success. Unfortunately, for most of us we have to work at this, and the first thing you need to work at is to try to eliminate the mask leaks, as this will be waking you up. Also, congratulations at managing 4 hours at a time in these early days. Are you using the APAP for your afternoon nap? If not, try to, as the quicker you get good sleep into your body, the sooner the sleep debt will be repaid. Also, practise using the machine whilst watching tv etc. My machine was my enemy in those first few months, but now it's my best friend that I'll go nowhere without :D and I never thought I'd say that!

I would hang back on the anti-depressants just now until you've managed more success on your APAP, as many anti-depressants actually cause apneas. It's not surprising that you're feeling rather 'down' though after years or being sleep deprived, and also the false hope of thinking you'd feel better immediately.

Keep gaining support from the lovely willing people on here and with successful APAP treatment, you WILL start to feel better soon so hang in there.

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Permalink Reply by Donna B. on October 10, 2010 at 2:55pm

Thanks Mary,
Maybe I do need a FFM rather than just the nasal. In my reply to Kath, I mentioned that I exhale the pressure through my mouth. I really don't know what is causing the leaks, maybe just turning over in my sleep ? My husband woke me up one night because it was making so much noise, don't know what that was all about because I reached over and shut the machine off. I must make more of an effort to fix these interruptions rather than give up and shut it off.
Thanks for your understanding and advice, it means a lot to me.
Donna B.





Mary Z said:

Donna, I agree with Kath. The mask leaks are a big problem, perhaps a better fitting masks would help. Or a FFM if you're mouth breathing and having leaks that way. Also do be sure to wear your mask during your afternoon nap. If your depression is from sleep apnea, and from what you describe that seems to be the case, I think getting settled in with your cpap would help more than an antidepressant. I was also taking long afternoon naps and falling asleep at inappropriate times, was not safe to drive. That is all much better now- it took a while. If I wake up during the night and need too adjust my mask I just do it automatically and get right back to sleep.
Good luck, I know what you're going through is torture, but hang in there. Get the cpap straight and then revisit the need for an antipepressant. If you still want to try an antidressant it shouldn't hurt anything, but it won't substitute for getting your cpap right and on all night.
Keep us posted.

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Permalink Reply by Kath Hope www.hope2Sleep.co.uk on October 10, 2010 at 4:44pm

Hi Donna. It does sound like you could do to try a full face mask, so that would be a good start, and trying to drag yourself away from that beautiful dog of yours :) to get all your naps on the CPAP. Your dog will appreciate this too, as you'll have more energy to take him/her for longer walks LOL. I reckon it took me at least 6 weeks to get decent sleep, and my problem was getting a FF mask that fitted me. I remember thinking that I wasn't a suitable candidate for CPAP, which scared me as I didn't like the idea of operations. It's so hard for you just now with feeling depressed, and if your depression is really bad then you must speak to your Dr, but if you can hang in there whilst you get your treatment going properly, you will hopefully find your depression lifting just by getting quality sleep, which you're so deprived of.

It's a pity you missed the support group meeting, as that would have done you the world of good, but you sound like me - putting other peoples needs first, so things have to change for you at the moment, at least until you feel better.

Try to keep thinking positive and we are with you in this, and hope to hear good news very soon. Meanwhile, be kind to yourself :)





Donna B. said:

Kath, thank you for replying,
I am using a nasal mask, not a full face mask. I find that the pressure causes me to exhale the air pressure through my mouth. It takes me a few minutes to settle into a breathing pattern. It feels like my lungs want to fight it but I don't give in and try to just relax. I have not been using my machine during naps, I used to nap on the couch with my dog (my profile pic) but found it better to just go to bed. I will make more of an effort to use it at nap time.

As far as the drugs, I really don't want to take anything else, I guess I was just expecting this to be a little easier. I hate being in this depressed state and the fact that I don't have anyone close by to talk to about this "in-person" makes it harder.

I had a chance to go to an APNEA support group meeting last week but missed it because I had to attend a memorial service for one of my clients. Needless to say that bummed me out for the rest of the night into the next day. :(
Donna B.



Kath Hope www.hope2Sleep.co.uk said:

So sorry to read this Donna, and I can imagine how you felt when you got your diagnosis and thought all your sleep troubles would be over with the APAP. You can read my short story here if it helps http://tinyurl.com/36a6avf and I promise you I come into contact with people all the time who do not get immediate success. Unfortunately, for most of us we have to work at this, and the first thing you need to work at is to try to eliminate the mask leaks, as this will be waking you up. Also, congratulations at managing 4 hours at a time in these early days. Are you using the APAP for your afternoon nap? If not, try to, as the quicker you get good sleep into your body, the sooner the sleep debt will be repaid. Also, practise using the machine whilst watching tv etc. My machine was my enemy in those first few months, but now it's my best friend that I'll go nowhere without :D and I never thought I'd say that!

I would hang back on the anti-depressants just now until you've managed more success on your APAP, as many anti-depressants actually cause apneas. It's not surprising that you're feeling rather 'down' though after years or being sleep deprived, and also the false hope of thinking you'd feel better immediately.

Keep gaining support from the lovely willing people on here and with successful APAP treatment, you WILL start to feel better soon so hang in there.

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Permalink Reply by D. W. Conn on October 11, 2010 at 10:44am

There are a couple of things you can do with a leaky mask... the best thing is get a re-fit and maybe a different mask. The second thing is purchase “Silly Putty” it is a way gummy substance kids play with at times. I have found it worked great in a pinch to fix a leak from an ill fitting mask.
There are a multitude of sleep aids and other medication that may help while you become accustomed to your PAP usage. It is best that you talk to your healthcare provider about those medications.

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