Sleep Apnea Sufferers: What has been your experience with CPAP?

Question

I've had treatments for depression for about 3 years now. None of the depression treatments such as medication and ECT helped.

I recently suspected sleep apnea and went for an overnight sleep study. They confirmed that I was experiencing sleep apnea, and I had a partial night's rest using the CPAP machine at the testing location, but it wasn't a full night's rest using it.

The test was last weekend, and they said it would be 7-10 days for a doctor to analyze the data and get back to me. I won't know how severe my sleep apnea is until I hear from the doc...

I was wondering if anyone would like to share their sleep apnea problems and solutions, and how well they did (or didn't) work. I'm especially interested in anyone's story involving depression, either due to or made worse by sleep apnea.

I'm not terribly overweight, 6ft 1in and 220 lbs, but the doc said I have a very narrow throat, and my severe allergies and sinus problems play a role.

I appreciate anyone's storys!

Answer 1

I am 36 yoa, 6'2", and weigh 250#, I have a 21" neck and have been diagnosed as having sleep apnea. I was put on a CPAP machine and I could not get used to the machine. I got tangled up in the hose all the time, not to mention that it dried my sinuses to the point of constant nighttime nosebleeds, even with a passive humidifier. I found once I started an exercise regimin that included eating healthier and weightlifting along with cardio exercise that I was able to relax and sleep better. I still have relapses, my wife notices that I do it most when I have a stressful day at work ( I am a law enforcement officer) You should try the machine and make the determination for yourself. There is also a surgical procedure where they "roto rooter" your sinuses to open the passages up. I don't know about that. I do know that when you find out what works you will feel the difference in your quality of sleep. Good Luck!

Answer 2

I was just diagnosed with sleep apnea this past November. The only reason I guessed I had a problem is because my hubby told me that I start thrashing my legs about because I stop breathing. The sleep clinic I went to for 2 nights diagnosed me the first night and then tested my sleep the second night with C-PAP (which stands for constant positive air pressure). I stop breathing approximately 30 to 45 seconds at a time for about 200 times in a six hour sleep period. Which means I also subconsciously wake up about 200 times a night. I would wake up every morning - and I mean every morning - with a severe headache and by about noon or 1:00 p.m. would be ready for an hour long nap. All of the above symptoms caused a mild form of depression in my case. Not any more. I started using the C-PAP machine on Nov. 27th and have been using it faithfully every night. Today makes a month now and I don't have the headaches anymore, however, I'm still a bit tired throughout the day, but just don't find it necessary to nap anymore. They told me it would take about 3 full months to become totally familiar and comfortable with the whole thing anyway. I look forward to going to bed these nights now knowing that I'll get a fairly decent night's sleep. By the way, everything deserves a chance and takes time. I am 5'6" and weigh 145 lbs. My throat is narrow. I don't have an obesity problem so I am of the exception since many apneatics are overweight. There are several different masks to test out also. Mine is a small two inch long pillow which fits directly under my nose and into my nostrils with straps that go over and behind my head. It's probably the most comfortable of all of the masks since it doesn't cover the entire nose and mouth areas. However, if you have a problem with keeping your mouth closed during sleep, then you'll probably have to use the nose and mouth mask. In any case, the C-PAP and mask are the way to go. Also be careful with drinking if you have sleep apnea. Alcohol increases the relaxation of the throat. A friend of our son's girlfriend went to his bachelor party the night before his wedding. He got so intoxicated and none of his friends new he had his C-PAP with him, so they didn't put it on him when they put him to bed. He died that night. Stopped breathing in his sleep and he had a heart attack. 28 years old.
Hope this info helps.
Not sleepless in Washington, Michigan anymore.

Answer 3

Hubby was diagnosed with sleep apnea last spring and uses a cpap machine with the nasal pillows and it has helped him a lot. I also have a friend who has had sleep apnea for years and she has used a machine but uses the mask and she is lost without her machine. Once you start using the machine when they get one for you it will help tremendously. I am not sure what it will do for your depression but if the sleep apnea was part of why you felt so lousy during the day then a good nights sleep will certainly help some.

Answer 4

I have complex sleep apnea and have been using CPAP/BIPAP/ASV for the past five months. The machinery appears to have taken care of my obstructive and central sleep apnea but the quality of my sleep is no better. I awaken every night shortly after midnight, then sleep in short naps for the rest of the night while fighting with the CPAP machine because it makes it so much more difficult to fall asleep. I often burn my sinuses despite humidification and, if I have a headache, which is often, cannot tolerate the machine for five minutes. This problem has been a nightmare without solutions and I would not wish it on my worst enemy.

Answer 5

~I know people that have Sleep Apnea, both before and after using the machine. The first one snored SO loud!

The other a truck driver who somehow managed to keep himself awake. He would fall asleep sitting there talking to me. By the time he had the sleep study done, he was close to death. He's a lot happier now and has lost weight. He said they woke him and put him on the machine right there.

It sounds like you are likely to have it and my guess is that it is causing depression. Lack of sleep can easily cause depression.
I need to get an appointment for my test. I'm hoping it will solve a lot of my problems as well. I have allergies and asthma.

My mom gave me those nasal strips to try and I haven't. I don't hear myself snore, so why bother? lol

Relax, I'm sure everything will work out. Worrying won't bring faster results.
I've pasted a link for you below.
Good luck~

Answer 6

I worked with individuals for years that had bi-pap and c-paps for sleep apnea, they were cumbersome, somewhat awkward and would occasionally at times come apart if they pulled too much on them and tossed around a lot, use distilled water with them for the humidity, they are life safers, when your 02 sats drop too much thru the night it can eventually become very detrimental to your health, even fatal, anyone who wakes up a lot at night or is a very heavy snorer should be checked for sleep apnea, all individuals I took care of that had them got relief and tho it takes a little time, eventually adjusted to them and rested better at night, and more important, safer. We
also elevated head of beds for anyone who had breathing problems.

Answer 7

They onyl need to be adjusted if you are having problems. In fact, with most machines you can adjust them yourself...assuming your respiratory company is not stingy!