Nocturnal Hypoventilation and Depression

[uklad]

Hi,

As a result of a sleep study about 4 years ago, I was told that I suffer from nocturnal hypoventilation (I have ideopathic kyphoscoliosis). Whilst my daytime gasses were acceptable, my O2 was dipping regularly during sleep and my CO2 was increasing during sleep.

I was given a BiPap ventilator to use, but I couldn't get on with it - at all!

My doctor said not to worry, it wasn't too bad if I left it for a while. A few years later, I'm still not using the BiPap despite more attempts to get used to it.

Recently I've been noticing particular shortness of breath on excertion. I also have a history of clinical depression, which has gradually got worse over the last couple of years.

I'm beginning to think there may be a link between the depression and the hypoventilation.

I'm due to go back in a few months for a proper sleep study, but in the meantime I've borrowed a friend's pulse oximeter to measured my sp02 - during the day my sp02 is often around 94%, and at night this can drop considerably - please see http://i24.tinypic.com/289v5mq.gif

How do these o2 figures look, and is there any known link between similar ventilation problems and depression?

Thanks in advance,

j.

[National Jewish Health]

The oxygen saturation strip shows quite a number significant falls in oxygen concentration.  You should try working with an experienced, skilled sleep-therapist to find ways to make the BiPAP work for you.  If using it remains impossible for you, low flow oxygen might be a less than ideal alternative.

There is a strong link between sleep disorders, including hypoventilation, and depression.  Regardless of the cause, the depression should be treated pharmacologically.

[maggiemag]

Of course there is a link between untreated sleep apnea and depression!  You are not getting restorative sleep.. Who wouldn't be depressed.  You are losing brain cells due to low oxygen.  Some complain of foggy brain, confusion, irritability, lack of energy etc.  Clearly you NEED the bipap.  Try cpaptalk.com for help in getting used to it.  There are many adjustments that can be made so you will be 100% compliant.  You might need another sleep doctor too.  You do realize that untreated sleep apnea can lead to serious medical issues that can be a lot more serious than depression?

[uklad]

Thanks very much for your reply.

It's great to be able to get an extra opinion here, and is very much appreciated.

It's also given me a bit of extra hope that something else may be able to help lift me out of the depression. I am already being treated seperaly by a psychiatryist with medication, but anything else that can be done to ease the cause of some of symptoms will be welcome.

I have written to my respitatory consultant with my concerns and hope to hear back from him early next week.

Thanks again,

j.