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Yesterday I got an e-mail, out of the blue, from someone I didn't know who had read a comment from me on a news release from my sleep lab. I knew I was the "spokesperson" for that lab, but had NO idea someone would actually try and contact me about sleep apnea from reading that news release. Without going into detail, he found an e-mail contact for me online. He wanted my opinion on the sleep lab as he needs a sleep study done and wanted to know if I had any problems sleeping with a mask, etc. I did answer his questions and then let him know that I'd be happy to assist him AFTER he has completed his sleep study and told him I was proud of him for taking this first step.
I guess now I really am "officially" speaking out about sleep apnea. If it's alright with all of you on this tribe, I'd like to let him know about it. But I wanted to ask permission, especially of our moderator, MC, first.
Love,
Leah
I guess now I really am "officially" speaking out about sleep apnea. If it's alright with all of you on this tribe, I'd like to let him know about it. But I wanted to ask permission, especially of our moderator, MC, first.
Love,
Leah
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Phoenix
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Re: Weird!?!
Tue, July 31, 2007 - 11:46 AMI knew you whe-en! I knew you whe-en!!!
May I have your autograph??? Yes, there on the bottom right of that check. That will work... -
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Re: Weird!?!
Wed, August 1, 2007 - 1:57 PMDarla, darling, I always thought of you as the Depression Darla but I shouldn't be surprised. My psychiatrist ordered the sleep study in the course of ruling out possible causes or co-factors in my depression. I just had my CPAP in for its first annual check yesterday, so I've been using it over a year. It seems my short term memory is improving--or could it be it has continued deteriorating and now I forget things so thoroughly that I don't even realize there is anything wrong.
I suppose there is rather a high correlation between depression and sleep apnea. -
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Re: Weird!?!
Wed, August 1, 2007 - 2:45 PMHey Max!!!
My shrink says that about 1 in 6 people with depression also have sleep apnea. I think your shrink is a VERY smart cookie. I hadn't really thought about it that much, but it occurred to me in reading your post that I haven't had days of depression like I used to,,,sure, I've had excursions, but nothing very lasting. I'll have to think more about that.
Definitely get checked. It's a PITA, but for me is way worth the PITA part for the benefit!
Keep us posted!!!
(Good Lord - Depression Darla?)
Hugs. -
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Re: Weird!?!
Thu, August 2, 2007 - 12:53 AM(Good Lord - Depression Darla?)
Intended in only the most positive possible way. Also, the alliteration was absolutely irresistable.
BTW, my shrink also did a metabolic panel. My thryoid required a little kick and I'm using supplements for deficiencies of vitamins B12 and D. She is very thorough but what I like best about her is she doesn't see pathology lurking in every thought I express or life experience I share. If you've ever had one of those sorts, you know what I mean. -
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Re: Weird!?!
Thu, August 2, 2007 - 7:14 AMMax, there was no offense taken - it was just that I never saw THAT coming!!!
Glad you have a good shrink. That is VITAL. I've been going to the same one since 1992!
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Re: Weird!?!
Wed, August 1, 2007 - 2:52 PMM:"I suppose there is rather a high correlation between depression and sleep apnea."
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I am under the same impression. Inconsistent sleep patterns and sleep deprivation can definitely contribute to a brain chemistry out of whack - depression and related anxiety, OCD, etc...
My depression definitely took a turn for the better with my growing compliance with my BiPap regimen.
MC -
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Re: Weird!?!
Thu, August 2, 2007 - 10:26 AMIt's a good thing you all are here, I swear. Just when I get to the point where I get tired of the nightly face bondage and throw my CPAP mask on the floor and decide to take a vacation from it, I read something compelling like this post. That it could help me not fall into those days of depression I used to feel.
I appreciate you all very much. Now, where are the cookies and milk I signed up for?
Pam
AKA Ms Boot Legged
AKA Mosquito Face
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Re: Weird!?!
Tue, January 22, 2008 - 11:07 AMWOW! For about two years before I was diagnosed with sleep apnea, I was getting sick all the time and the fatigue was getting worse. I did not suffer from depression, but I started having anxiety attacks. Now mind you, at this point, I had seen several doctors for one issue or another. When the anxiety attacks started, my primary sent to a psychiatrist. I was not happy about going, but I am glad I did. I was not in his office for more then a couple minutes when the psychiatrist diagnosed with the sleep apnea: not the other half dozen doctors I saw before him.
Why do the psychiatrist got this down and the other doctors don’t?
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Re: Weird!?!
Tue, July 31, 2007 - 11:46 AMBy all means!
And to everyone - invite whomever you wish. Its a public tribe and I don't require approval for joining.
And...it is confirmed. You are the poster child for apnea awareness, Leah. :)
MC -
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Re: Weird!?!
Tue, July 31, 2007 - 10:03 PMWell, I sent him the link to this tribe. Let's see if he bites...!
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Re: Weird!?!
Sat, August 4, 2007 - 4:09 PMWOw...first I would like to say..
i cannot believe there was 22 messages here..and somehow..I missed seeing the posts..
sori folks...musta been asleep at the wheel!
Second..WHooooooohooooooooo...Leah... that is great news..
and of course would be great to have someone new here...
i know how much all of your support helped me...
you know..what I think..
I think the cpap has helped with my breathing problems..
have been getting lots better at it most nights..
I still from time to time..hmm like last night..rip the thing from my face..
but honestly..it is a good thing
and I also..notice..YES DARLA>>ITS TRUE... I do sleep lotssssssssss..deeper with it
I remember you post about having a hard time awaking in the morning..
I do not have that problem..as my bladder..is screaming..and makes me get up..
but am not getting up in the middle of the night..like I use toooooo!
hmm depression and cpap...
not sure..just yet.. my life has been on a downward spiral..for a few months..and basically that is what makes me depressed..
its not chemical..its life..
so I probably not a good judge on how much it is helping this situation.. -
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Re: Weird!?! (rather personal)
Sat, August 4, 2007 - 5:03 PMHeron,
You hit the nail on the head for me right now too. I've been using my CPAP machine for just over a year now. Yes, I wake easier in the mornings and yes, NO MORE night-time bladder calls!! Yes, deeper sleep patterns. So why am I still not me?
The depression issue, for me, seems to still be here to stay and I am really struggling. January 2007 I went into an anaphylactic shock reaction to my antidepressant and had to stop taking it. I also had to let my body detox from it. Once the a-shock wore off (NOT a pleasant thrill ride, believe me) I thought I was doing "okay" and really didn't want to go on another drug. But I've really still been on a downward spiral mood-wise. I've gained a ton of weight; stopped belly dancing, stopped poi spinning, pretty much stopped everything (except eating). Now I can't fit into any of my clothes, can hardly move, feel like I look like $#!+ and basically have turned into a creature in hibernation, avoiding most people and situations. Two weeks ago the death of one of my best friends from over the last 20 years has NOT helped me emotionally.
Obviously this is not a "lack of compliance" CPAP issue since I use my machine every night for at least 8-9 hours. Right now I'm a wreck and with the exception of my medieval group meetings on Friday nights and an occasional medieval outing, I've been a hermit.
I know what I "need" to do -- eat right, exercise, enjoy life, etc. However, knowing what I need to do and having the impetus to actually DO it are two different things. So here I sit, an intelligent woman with ZERO motivation.
I know there's light at the end of the tunnel. Unfortunately I'm stuck in the middle of the dark tunnel and having trouble seeing the end of this road.
Sorry, but this poster child's having a rough time of it.
Love,
Leah -
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Re: Weird!?! (rather personal)
Sat, August 4, 2007 - 5:31 PMFolks, you are very welcome to come and join the Depression tribe which I moderate. We're having some issues right now with a particular member, but generally speaking, it is a supportive and loving group. They are funny, serious, sensitive and all dealing with Depression. You don't have to join or post - you can feel free to lurk (I, personally LOVE lurkers - I know they are being supported even if they are uncomfortable joining). If you do want to join, I'll approve you - no need to go into any detail unless you want. And, of course, I am always here as a resource.
I also suggest that you might want to check out some of the self-help podcasts on iTunes. I don't like all of them, and some of them are damned annoying, but some are good. I like Armand DiMele and The Positive Mind (but don't listen to his depression talk - it's crap IMHO) and also REALLY like Shrink Rap Radio. Don't waste your time with My Three Shrinks - they get off topic and are too damned silly, again IMHO.
There are tons of resources and books, etc. I can recommend if you are interested. Depression sucks - believe me, been there, done that, got the tee shirt and wore it out. -
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Re: Weird!?! (rather personal)
Sat, August 4, 2007 - 6:54 PMDarla...huggss...
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Re: Weird!?! (rather personal)
Sat, August 4, 2007 - 6:55 PMMax...Bootlegg and MC..hugzzzzzzzzzzz to you guysssssssssssss2~
did I miss anyone? -
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Re: Weird!?! (rather personal)
Sat, August 4, 2007 - 7:56 PMMay I have seconds??? -
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Re: Weird!?! (rather personal)
Sun, August 5, 2007 - 7:34 AMMost Definitely...Darla..
thirds and 4ths..and 5ths..and........................................................~
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Re: Weird!?! (rather personal)
Sat, August 4, 2007 - 6:54 PMLeah..hugsss too -
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Re: Weird!?! (rather personal)
Sun, August 5, 2007 - 9:04 AMand (((hugs))) back to all of you! -
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Re: Weird!?! (rather personal)
Thu, August 9, 2007 - 8:38 PMI've been having a lot of trouble signing on to this site which is the reason why you almost never hear from me. However, I think (cross your fingers) that I have finally figured out my problem.
Leah, it is distressing to read about your problems. I thought that of all of us you had gotten it right!
Is there not another anti-depressant that you can take? Because it is so obvious that you need one very badly. I am taking mirtazapine (Remeron) now and have taken Zoloft in the past without trouble. Of course, I realize that I'm not you but there are so many A-D meds out there that there has to be something for you. Please try something else. We have to get you back on track.
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Re: Weird!?! (rather personal)
Fri, August 10, 2007 - 8:41 AMDear Frances,
While I will continue to wax poetic on the myriad of benefits of CPAP therapy which has been a God-send to me, other things happen in one's life that are not necessarily sleep apnea related -- things happen; such is the way of life.
I know there are other anti-d's I can try. At this time in my life, I simply don't want to and for very specific reasons: I don't want to go through anaphylaxis again! I am terrified of trying any new prescriptions; especially since I developed a life-threatening reaction to a drug I had been on for 3 years and then it "turned" on me. I know the meds work and that a new med would probably help. I just can't go that route again right now. There has to be a different way for me and I'm going to have to find it.
CPAP therapy has been tremendously successful for me and has given me back a great deal. I've used my machine over 3700 hours in the last 13 months; an average of 8-9 hours a night; every night since I got my machine on June 16, 2006. And yes, I have gotten that part of my life right! Frances, I am a real person and real people go through valleys and peaks in their lives with or without the need for CPAP therapy. I'm not perfect nor have I ever claimed to be. I never thought I had to be "perfect" to be a "success" in overcoming sleep apnea. I mean absolutely NO disrespect to you or anyone on this tribe or any of the others I am on. I am sorry to have distressed you.
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