I'm new to this site...and I do have a question that I've had some difficulty finding info on.

I was diagnosed wi Sleep Apnea six years ago after totalling my car, a single car roll-over accident in broad daylight on a bright sunny day.  My doctor ordered a night-time sleep study followed by a daytime study the next day at a Sleep Disorders Clinic.  Within three or four days of starting with my CPAP machine I was a different person re: energy, concentration, wakefulness, etc.  I was able to stop using the CPAP for a couple years when I was able to maintain my weight below 150 pounds.  My weight came back and so did the Sleep Apnea.

My question for you is this:  I've been in a prolonged period of very serious depression, approx 9 months, and am doing the typical medication merry-go-round.  I recently, 10 days ago, started using two new medications...Cymbalta 60mg. in the morning and Trazadone 150mg in the evening.  Could the Trazadone be exacerbating my Sleep Apnea???  I seem much more physically tired than the last few months and although I realize this may simply be part of the adjustment period I felt I should really do some checking.

I'd appreciate any info you can supply.

Thanks, Sandra

Hi Sandra!
Medication use, certainly the use of antidepressants, must be reviewed with your physician.
Untreated or inadequately treated SA makes you tired because it disrupts your sleep quality.  Many medications can disrupt the quality of sleep and give you the same effect.  So could untreated depression, for that matter.  Depending on changes in you physical condition, the SA itsef may have gotten worse.
Have you resumed the use of your CPAP?
Another sleep study might be in order.  Back to the doctor!
sleepydave

Hi Sandra,

I have used trazadone in the past and have recently started to use it again. Trazadone will definately make you feel yucky thoughout the next day. I have trouble sleeping if I don't take it and I have trouble staying awake during the day if I do take it. I only have 25 mg of Trazadone and it does a number on me. I would certainly speak w/ your doctor about the dosage. Maybe it's just too strong for you!

Best of luck!

Tammy  

I just started taking 50 mg of Trazodone and have no problems with it at all.  I was taking another kind and that one had terrible side affects for me. It's funny how one drug can bother one person but work good for another...Sandra..you do take 150 mg...maybe that's why. It may take time for your body to get used to it. I know the other one I took made it hard to cope all day...I was so tired.  I take Trazodone for pain and to help me sleep but don't know if it is really working for me yet.


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*** Linda ***

Sleepydave, I appreciate the advice...with weight changes, age chenge, etc I wish I could go back to the Dr for reeval.  Unfortunately the Depression has kept me out of work for some time...no money, no insurance.  Guess it will just have to wait.

Hi Sandra!
There are options to get re-evaluated if finances are an issue.  Try going through the process backwards, i.e., call up sleep labs and find out the mechanism where they take patients without funds.  Probably varies by state, might have to go through a clinic, so try hospital-based sleep labs, might have a better shot.  You'll still need to get a physician to order the study, but some of these same labs have their physicians see patients in the clinic periodically (ours does, anyway).  Good luck, keep at it.
sleepydave