[Diagnosis] Cymbalta causing Sleep Apnea?

[bibo1117]

Hi, I'm new to the forum. I'd really appreciate some insight here. 

My husband has been long suggested that I might have sleep apnea, but I always discarded that because I don't snore at all. My father has severe OSA with crazy snoring. (Might be genetic?)

I should mention that I have moderate to severe depression all year round as well as ADHD. Even with treatments, I'm still feeling moderate to severe fatigue all day long, having trouble concentrating, having brain frog and memory problems, easily falling asleep while sitting and reading or watching TV. I know Adderall makes my sleep a little worse, but I cannot function at all without it. The Rx in question is Cymbalta. I've been taking it for almost 2 years now, and it seems like the only antidepressant that has somewhat worked for me (after trying to find the right RX for many years). Since I started taking it, I've had pretty severe night sweat, making me waking up multiple times a night to change shirt or use the restroom in summer. Now in winter, I'm still waking up 1-2 times to use the restroom during the night. But as far as I could remember, I was always a sleeping-like-a-rock type of kid who would often woke up feeling very refreshed. Now maybe I wake up feeling refreshed once a year. 

So my question is, is it possible that sleep apnea is entirely caused/induced by antidepressant use? For those of you who've been in similar situations, do you recommend that I try to adjust or switch my  Rx first before seeking sleep treatment? I should mention that I'm very afraid of trying a new drug because Cymbalta is the only one that's worked for me. But piling on CPAP or APAP without knowing how much my antidepressants are causing the sleep problem feels a bit weird for me as well. 

Also, for someone who doesn't snore, would at-home test suffice? Thank you so much!

[super7pilot]

I don't snore and I had moderate Apnea (AHI 22)  

I was offered Cymbalta (duloxetine) long before a sleep study when I told my Dr. I was feeling sad. After reading up on it, I ran away.  That's not to say that some folks don't need it.  Do read a thread about depression in the "off topic" area.

Has your Councillor ever recommended reading 'Dopamine Nation"  by Psychologist Dr. Anna Lembke.

Disclosure: this is not meant as a diagnosis or pro vs no thing. But we do as patients need to educate ourselves so we can act as our own advocate.

I would of course suggest an in lab sleep study to get a full picture of your sleep.

[PeaceLoveAndPizza]

Have you talked to your doctor about this? It seems the first step to take. They will recommend what they think makes the most sense to them.

With everything you have going on an in-lab monitored sleep study makes the most sense to me. You could try a home study, which may show enough information to determine if it is sleep-disordered breathing or not.

[SarcasticDave94]

Agreed, get a heart to heart talk with your doctor. It doesn't need to be a "sleep specialist" BTW for all things CPAP. Primary, dentist, other doctor. Any can script the test, and machine with supplies if needed. Find out about both the medication and CPAP testing. Then go from there with what's best yet informed.

[cyberfiche]

I've read that some anti-depressants can worsen sleep apnea. With that said, it sounds like Cymbalta has been really great for you. So I don't think I'd recommend stopping it. (Nevertheless, you should definitely talk to you prescribing doctor about your concerns.) Instead, I think you need to pursue a sleep study and get a PAP machine. Academic studies have shown that PAP therapy can actually help with mental health issues. I know it has for me. 

- cyberfiche