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I began to experience periods of anxiety last March quite out of the blue. I have always been a person who suffered considerably from performance anxiety but never "just because". I would, for example, be sitting at the computer only to realize that I had become quite uncomfortable. I was able to control these bouts by diverting myself and they would go away. At the same time, my insomnia was worsening.
This sudden appearance of anxiety has been puzzling and troubling for me.
I noticed in my reading of the AASA Forums that it is not unusual for people to report that they suffered panic attacks for some time before they were diagnosed with OSA. Have any of you suffered from anxiety attacks before you were diagnosed? Did they continue when your OSA was treated with a CPAP device?
This sudden appearance of anxiety has been puzzling and troubling for me.
I noticed in my reading of the AASA Forums that it is not unusual for people to report that they suffered panic attacks for some time before they were diagnosed with OSA. Have any of you suffered from anxiety attacks before you were diagnosed? Did they continue when your OSA was treated with a CPAP device?
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Re: anxiety
Wed, August 30, 2006 - 12:23 AMFrances...
From what I gather, depression-anxiety-ocd are related in many ways (brain chemistry being off) and this can be triggered by sleep deprivation that is caused by apnea.
I exhibited full blown, clinical depression that was reinforced with a healthy dose of OCD and my life was a living nightmare of anxiety and delusion for 2-3 years. It was so bad that I seriously began to consider an exit strategy. I thought I was crazy and that it was something wrong with my soul and personality.
It wasn't.
OSA commonly leads to depression and other anxiety type disorders like OCD - especially if one (like me) has had a history of OCD'ish or depressive tendencies. Two things made a major positive difference in my life:
1. Realizing and finally believing the depression/ocd/anxiety was not a character or moral flaw but an illness that has a life of its own.
2. Getting more sleep on the BiPap/Cpap therapy.
Sleep deprivation wreaks havoc on our lives. Depression and related disorder can be particularly insidious because the symptoms are often feelings that are usually linked to some cause like feelings of guilt, self-loathing, paranoia...Patients who are not aware of this tend to try and find a causal link in their lives - something they can attribute to being a cause of such feelings when in reality the feelings are not caused by us being bad or messed up but due to chemical imbalances. So, I began to beat myself up and began to believe I was f--ked up, evil and unredeemable.
This is hardly the truth. Sleep therapy will help. When I went through it, I went med free. With hindsight, I would personally try and get stabilized the next time around on meds first so I can respond to behavior therapy and get to things like exercising (which can also help) and doing the things I know I love but could not get myself to do anymore (like fishing, hanging out with friends, etc...). But the meds do not always work.
You are not weird or a freak. Most people in your shoes would experience some level of depression and related stuff, imo.
MC
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Re: anxiety
Wed, August 30, 2006 - 10:42 AMDear Frances,
MC is right on the money! Before I was diagnosed with Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea, I went through massive panic/anxiety attacks that made me feel as though someone had their hands around my neck and were choking me to death! I would wake at night screaming while trying to catch my breath. I did not know nor could I have realized that was the beginning of my symptoms of sleep apnea. I thought I was just undergoing panick attacks. I went to my general doctor and went on anti-depressants. The panick attacks stopped...however because they weren't true "panick attacks"...it was sleep apnea...I went into a further downward spiral. True, the "panick attack" feeling went away with the drugs...the sleep apnea continued...with me totally unaware of it. I thought I was going out of my mind. I didn't know WHAT was the matter with me. I only knew I was no longer living as a functional adult. And, I didn't know what to do or where to turn. It was horrible.
To make a very long story short, I have now been on CPAP therapy for the last 74 days and I must say that I now actually have a life back! I am still on anti-depressants because my depressive cycles actually go back to my teenage years, etc. and are not totally connected to sleep apnea. However, the sleep apnea definitely exacerbated the depression/anxiety. With my CPAP I am able to live well and feel so much better. I get a good night's sleep and average 8-9 hours a night sleep. I couldn't be more thrilled. I have not noticed any panick attacks since starting my CPAP therapy and my clinical depression symptoms are greatly reduced.
Sleep apnea and its resulting symptoms is one of the most misunderstood and unrecognized medical conditions. No, there is nothing "wrong" with you. This is NOT an inherent flaw or weakness in your character. This is a real, medical, PHYSICAL condition.
I wish you the very best and stay in contact with us on this tribe. It is a great comfort to know that you can "talk" with others going through this. I'm a newbie with my diagnosis as it was made the beginning of June 2006. This tribe has been a tremendous help to me and given me an outlet.
You are not alone. We're here for you.
Love,
Leah -
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Re: anxiety
Sat, September 2, 2006 - 8:36 PMThanks to both MC and Leah for replying.
I am taking an anti-depressant called mirtazapine (brand name, Remeron) and had the dose increased just last week because I was still experiencing some anxiety. And despite this, I still am.
I'm still puzzled by the sudden appearance of the anxiety, Leah. I don't wake up gasping for breath or choking as you were. If I do have a problem I think it is more likely to be a lot of hypopneas since that was the problem when I slept on my back for an hour. But ordinarily, I sleep on my side and I know that the whole phenomenon is likely on one's side.
I've resisted the idea, but I think I need to try a sleep study again. But I found the first one so difficult, I'm having a hard time convincing myself that I can stick it out for a whole night. I'm trying to consider the whole thing an adventure but I'm sure I will lose my confidence when the actual time comes.
And I have to find another sleep clinic at which to have it because I could not go back to first one. For one thing, their rooms are too small - the one I used was about the size of a walk-in closet and the others are only a little larger. Nothing can be done now, but I will talk it over with my doctor in October.
Did you 2 find the sleep clinic bedroom comfortable? Was it dark? (Mine wasn't). Was it cool? (Mine started cool but got warmer). Did you have a bedside table for your use and were you able to control the room light switch? (Negative for both). And I found the oxygen sensor on my finger too large, it needed to be smaller. The breath sensor under my nose was fine when I was on my back but got pushed out of position when I tried to lie on my side. Objectively, I know that basically this is petty stuff but it just added to already acute sense of unease. Knowing all this now, I hope I can summon the self-control to ignore if there is a second time.
Thanks for listening. I probably won't have much to say for a while although we will have our laptop computer with us on the trip. However, campgrounds are probably more backward about supply internet hookups than hotels are.
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Re: anxiety
Sat, September 2, 2006 - 9:54 PMMy sleep study sucked - I didn't even think they got a read but they said they had plenty of info.
I encourage you, without passing any sort of judgment, to try and get another study done. Mine was very uncomfortable but for the doctor it was very meaningful.
Sorry about the anxiety - as it is related (as a disorder) to depression, I think there is a real possibility that it will go away with enough sleep and the right meds.
Peace.
MC
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Re: anxiety
Wed, September 6, 2006 - 5:15 PMDefinitely get another sleep study done and certainly use another sleep lab. Unlike MC, my sleep study experience was stellar. Not only was the technician competent and caring, she explained EVERYTHING to me before it began. The room I had was a beautifully appointed bedroom, including artwork on the walls and even hanging plants! I had a comfy queen-sized bed, a nightstand on both sides of the bed and a nice chair to sit on while changing clothes, etc. Honestly, the room was almost nicer than my bedroom at home!
Before beginning the study, the technician asked me if I wanted the room totally dark or did I want a small amount of light and she adjusted the lighting accordingly. She even asked me if I wanted soft music or "white noise" sounds to help me sleep.
Finding a GOOD sleep lab is key.
As far as the anxiety...I don't know anything about the drug Remeron. Its a newer one I think. I'm on Effexor XR which has been helping. The biggest help for me has been my CPAP. I adjusted so thoroughly and so well to it that my CPAP is virtually a "part of me" now. I tend to think my experiences may be more out of the ordinary than the average sleep apnea patient. I have no explanation for the ease of my transition to CPAP use and its resulting success. I can only say how thrilled I am for it.
Your not alone...we're here for you...and I'm sure your doctor is too. Frances, YOU have to be tenacious. YOU have to talk to you doctor and assertively tell him what you need and ask for it to happen. Health care these days in the US is a mixed bag. Depending on the insurance (or lack of) you have, the care differs. You have rights as a patient. You just have to stand up for them and let your feelings (and fears and dislikes of previous treatment) be known. Sorry...being a "patient advocate" is one of my "platforms" and something I speak up about.
Hang in there...you're not alone. -
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Re: anxiety
Wed, September 6, 2006 - 5:20 PMFrances, I definitely feel a little foolish...I just saw that you're not located in the USA!!!! Well, dismiss that sentence (or two)...LOL...I still get brain farts!! -
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Re: anxiety
Wed, September 6, 2006 - 8:36 PMLeah, you're right, whether I'm in the U.S. or not!
Here in Toronto, where I live, there is no shortage of sleep clinics but they don't get paid very well and can't afford luxuries. The clinic I chose had just moved to new quarters and I suppose that they just couldn't manage anything more spacious. Unfortunately, I didn't know any better, and equally unfortunately, I think I am very unusual in my reaction. My husband came with me to the clinic when I saw the sleep doctor and he had a look at the room I used and said that he could understand my reaction to it.
You may remember that he has OSA and he had his sleep studies at another clinic and says that he thinks I would like it better. It is considerably farther from our house and I originally turned it down for that reason. Well, it is too soon to say just what I will do about this because I won't be in a position to do anything about it until the end of October. Thank you for being so comforting. It is a great help.
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