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sleep apnea and depression


Posted by SS on February02, 2000 at 09:33:23:

Unfortunately, my experience with sleep apnea has been similar to that described by yardena. My life has been completely ruined. I have been unemployed for over two years, have no health insurance and no prospects for any kind of meaningful existence. If I didn't have a supportive friend, I would certainly have died. So called "health professionals" have only harmed me. Before I had a sleep study, I was given antipsychotics and antidepressants which only exacerbated my sensations of fatigue and confusion.
When I finally had a sleep study, I had an AHI of over 70. I was advised to undergo UPPP and turbinate reduction surgery, which I had, unfortunately. CPAP was never mentioned as an alternative. On a follow-up visit, he examined my throat and claimed that I didn't suffer from sleep apnea anymore! I insisted on having another sleep study together with a CPAP titration. Not surprisingly, I still had an AHI of over 50. He had no interest. This physician is on the faculty of a major medical school!
I managed to obtain a prescription for CPAP, purchased a machine and set it up. It has not improved my quality of life markedly.
In an effort to improve my condition, I went to yet another sleep medicine specialist.
The next physician I saw thought my condition was trivial and suggested that CPAP was unconditionally effective. She suggested that I take antidepressants. When I suggested that the depression was primarily related to sleep deprivation, she ignored me.
Years of suffering from sleep apnea have irreversibly damaged me mentally. Physicians in sleep medicine don't acknowledge that hypoxemia and sleep fragmentation cause cognitive problems. They simply shuttle their depressed patients to psychiatrists. Without treating the underlying sleep disorder properly, these patients have little hope. I only hope that other people cursed by sleep apnea get more considerate treatment.
My life is effectively over and I don't expect to live much longer. I just wish people had been more understanding and supportive when I still had a chance.

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