Anxiety, Sleep Apnea, Xyrem

[winkle]

Hi

I was diagnosed with anxiety after the birth of my son in 1996.  At that time I was also diagnosed with Hashimotos thyroiditis (hypothyroidism) which is an autoimmune disease - my body is killing my thyroid off.  I was put on several ssri drugs and finally settled with Celexa (40mg once a day).  The Celexa helped but did not eliminate my anxiety completely.  I've been on Celexa for about 2-2 1/2years.  And have gained about 36 - 40lbs since being on Celexa.

As a side note, I have always been a snorer.  My husband says sometimes he can not even get to sleep some nights due to my snoring and restlessness.  I did try a cpap machine but was not a good candidate.  I also suffer from fibro myalgia like symptoms when I am really stressed.

I have just started seeing a new General Practitioner and he feels my anxiety is based on the fact my body can not get a "good, restful, night's sleep".  He wants to try me on a new medication called Xyrem.  My Doctor says this medicine when taken at night will give me the "good night sleep" my body is craving.  He feels if this is successful my anxiety and fibro myalgia symptoms will lessen greatly or cease completely.  

I am a little nervous and was wondering if you had any insight on this protocol or drug.

Thank you in advance for any information you can share

[Suri123]

Hi Dimple6, how are you? Certainly a change in place and your daily routine does affect your sleep unless you are used to frequent traveling and easily adjustable to altered sleep cycles. I would like to suggest you to get a sleep study done to know the present condition and get evaluated by a sleep doctor for the sleep study assessment and review of your early medial documents and Xyrem. You can ask him for the prescription and hope you would get it, if required now. You may take little more time to get adjusted to new place and people. Keep physically active and update on your progress. Take care.

[Dimple6]

Hi
I have been diagnosed as Cataplectic & borderline Narcoleptic. While in the States for two years I was able to take Xyrem and my life changed drastically, No episodes for 1 1/2 years where I had up to 5 per week, Lost 30Lbs, more energy, my zest for living returned. Then I moved back to Canada, No Xyrem back to episodes, gained 40 Lbs, sleepy all the time. Dr. cannot get Xyrem delivered to my area of the country, I'm most unhappy with the drug regime I have been put on. I found Xyrem was wonderful, and want to be able to take it again.

[snickersnake]

Everyone is different.  I also have hypothyroidism, fibromyalgia, 3 types of neuropathy and other neurological disorders, autoimmune disease and depression.  I've been on Xyrem, on and off, for 3.5 years.  I love it.  I sleep so much sounder, I feel more refreshed and it actually helps with the severe full-body pain.  I know that you started this message thread last November, but if you haven't tried Xyrem yet because you were scared off, I would recommend giving it a try.

[noops01]

hi,
You might want to consider surgical options for OSA.Surgery can increase the size of the airway.The surgeon removes adenoids, tonsils and other tissue at the back of the throat or inside the nose. At the same time i would suggest please stop the use of alcohol and tobacco completely as they worsen the symtoms of OSA.
It is difficult for hypothyroid patients to lose weight but it is not impossible, please make some dietary changes and follow an exercise routine .i hope you are taking thyroid hormone medication?

[nikkishan]

I've taken Zyrem and did not care for it.  It would make my Restless Legs so bad that it wouldn't even put me to sleep.  I too have hypothyroidism, sleep apnea, rls.  I'm not having any luck with any of the meds that I take, I do use a c-pap machine.  I see a Neurologist and he is trying everything with me and says he will continue until he can help me find something that will help with my RLS.  Also, I have panic attacks and taking the Zyrem caused me to have them.  Hope your doctor can find something that will help you.  Hang in there, I'm trying!

[winkle]

Hi,

What other measures are available for sleep apnea.  I did have a sleep study done at a hospital where I stayed overnight. I was hooked up to a lot of electrodes and monitored through the night.  I was diagnosed with sleep disturbance not quite apnea.  I was put on a cpap machine.  First, they gave me a nose mask which didn't work because I am a mouth breather.  Then they gave me a mask which covered my mouth and nose.  However, the constant pressure on the inhale was giving me heart palpitations and waking me up with tingling in my arms.  I then went to a dentist and was made a mouth guard which pulled my lower jaw forward.  This actually dislocated my jaw and my bite would be off for three days before it went back to normal.  It was also very painful.  At this point I'm not sure what to do.
I've tried to lose weight, however my thyroid condition makes it very difficult.  Any advice is appreciated.

[Anant10]

Hi,

To me it seems that your symptoms are due to Obstructive Sleep Apnoea syndrome (OSA). I will suggest that you get a polysomnography (sleep study) done. I understand that you are not a good candidate for nasal CPAP, but there are other measures available which can help in OSA.

Also, find below a link for information on Xyrem. Go for polysomnography before starting with Xyrem.

http://xyrem.info/html/main.isx