Alpha Intrusion
Question:
Jo Technically, arousals are a 3 sec increase in frequency change in all EEG leads, cannot last more than 15 sec, or that is wake. That is theta to alpha, or beta. In REM, there must also be a chin muscle increase as well. Alpha intrusion is usually not periodic, it’s there or not. There used to be a way to score the degree of alpha intrusion as grade 1-4? (i think) All I know is that it’s really difficult to sleep stage prople with severe intrusion, as it rides over the underlying activity and masks it. Spont arousals, 102 would be 17/hr in 6 hrs of sleep. That probably screws up your sleep. Did they use sensitiove snore microphone, intercostal EMG, or nasal pressure? Sometimes people have UARS with restricted flow and causes arousal. Talk with your sleep doc. You may also be sensitive to noise, etc, was the lab bedroom quiet when you were tested? Again, talk with your doc. "Jo" <jo…@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:vja17p535flgef@corp.supernews.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> On a similar but not quite the same … are all spontaneous arousals Alpha > intrusions, or would it specifically be noted on a sleep study if they were? > (trying to get to the bottom of my 102 spontaneous arousals that are not > respiratory related..seems to be a very gray area for treatment to get rid > of the EDS in these cases…) > Joanne > "bs" <some…@adelphia.net> wrote in message > news:SrDYa.2059$2Y6.694793@news2.news.adelphia.net… > > Joe > > Alpha intrusion was first described by Dr. Muldofsky in Toronto as > > non-restorative sleep syndrome and alpha delta sleep. > > Your doc is correct as to common co-existing conditions, it is a symptom > of > > the effect of pain on the body and brain. It was explained to me that > while > > the brain is trying to sleep and slow down, the discomfort causes arousal, > > so there is a struggle between sleep and wake, = crappy sleep. The longer > > you have poor sleep, the more fatigue and pain you get….. > > So, we see this in many PSG’s while evaluating other things, and comment > > when we see it. Your physician is on the right track. Many patients seem > > to do well with rheumatologists that specialize in arthritic type > patients, > > even if that is not your cause of the alpha intrusion. > > Stimulant meds could increase sleep disruption, so be careful about the > > ADHD. > > There are MANY new studies that indicate sleep disruption in children from > > Leg Kicks, Apnea, Snoring or UARS, can lead to behavioral problems. Chase > > the simple stuff before committing yourself to long term stimulant meds, > > there are significant side effects! > > Good Luck! > > Bret > > "Joseph Wood" <j…@punkerdoo.org> wrote in message > > news:DiwYa.15219$Ad4.5684670@news3.news.adelphia.net… > > > I recently had a sleep study where the primary diagnosis was alpha > > > intrusion. > > > According to the doctor, possible causes are fibromyalgia and chronic > > > fatigue syndrome. I have since read that ADD and teeth grinding can > also > > > cause increased alpha levels. > > > The doctor is rotating me through anti-depressants (lexapro and paxil so > > > far) with the only results being increased daytime sleepiness. > > > Does anyone have any information/good resources on alpha intrusion and > > it’s > > > possible causes? > > > I’ve always felt I was ADD and have an appointment with a neurologist on > > > Monday. > > > Joe
Response:
Alpha intrusions – the amount of times in which alpha appears unassociated with a full awakening or a physical event (this type of activity can be seen with many types of medications esp. antidepressants) "Joseph Wood" <j…@punkerdoo.org> wrote in message
news:DiwYa.15219$Ad4.5684670@news3.news.adelphia.net… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I recently had a sleep study where the primary diagnosis was alpha > intrusion. > According to the doctor, possible causes are fibromyalgia and chronic > fatigue syndrome. I have since read that ADD and teeth grinding can also > cause increased alpha levels. > The doctor is rotating me through anti-depressants (lexapro and paxil so > far) with the only results being increased daytime sleepiness. > Does anyone have any information/good resources on alpha intrusion and it’s > possible causes? > I’ve always felt I was ADD and have an appointment with a neurologist on > Monday. > Joe
Response:
*thank you* for this information, I can’t tell you how much it helps to get more insight into what it actually means to be told you have spontaneous arousals (understanding it better seems to help mentally even if there may not be a way to get relief!) As for the other questions.. I had a ‘microphone’ taped to my neck for the snoring and something taped under my nose – not sure what the names of those are technically. Yes the lab bedroom was wonderfully quiet and dark. This was a follow up study after 7 months on CPAP with continuing EDS (but definitely less sleepiness with CPAP although some days are worse than others) and fatigue to check titration was correct and with an MSLT to rule out narcolepsy, which it did. The study says that I had 114 arousals of which 12 were respiratory related – could UARS account for the respiratory related ones or is that something different? Here are the stage breakdowns in case that makes a difference… Sleep time 368 minutes. Latency 17.5 minutes Efficiency 81.8% REM 22% Stage I & II 67.4% Stage III & IV 20.7% My sleep doc tried me on Ambien to hopefully ‘get a longer, deeper sleep period’ but after 3 nights on it I felt 100 time worse, I came off that for a week and then tried again, 3 days later same intense extra fatigue and depression – so I gave up on that road. His next suggestion was surgery… which after reading all the wonderful information in the newsgroup and FAQ made me now avoid him like the plague – my AHI is down to 3 with CPAP, how would surgery help the arousals??!! eek! My current Primary Care doc is going down the road of ‘well, it must be Chronic Fatigue Syndrome’ because ‘we’ve ruled out everything else’. So I’m waiting for a referral to a specialist in that area…but I’m still thinking the spontaneous arousals have something to do with it and would like to address those first if possible. The fatigue, tiredness and brain fog vary from day to day, sometime just fatigue, sometime all 3, sometime intense to the point of being almost unable to function, sometimes it’s mild…. but there’s always some level of fatigue and brain fog there. Damn frustrating! Thanks again for your help. Much much much appreciated. Jo "bs" <some…@adelphia.net> wrote in message
news:bO7Za.2494$2Y6.1093998@news2.news.adelphia.net… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Jo > Technically, arousals are a 3 sec increase in frequency change in all EEG > leads, cannot last more than 15 sec, or that is wake. That is theta to > alpha, or beta. In REM, there must also be a chin muscle increase as well. > Alpha intrusion is usually not periodic, it’s there or not. There used to > be a way to score the degree of alpha intrusion as grade 1-4? (i think) All > I know is that it’s really difficult to sleep stage prople with severe > intrusion, as it rides over the underlying activity and masks it. > Spont arousals, 102 would be 17/hr in 6 hrs of sleep. That probably screws > up your sleep. Did they use sensitiove snore microphone, intercostal EMG, > or nasal pressure? Sometimes people have UARS with restricted flow and > causes arousal. Talk with your sleep doc. You may also be sensitive to > noise, etc, was the lab bedroom quiet when you were tested? > Again, talk with your doc. > "Jo" <jo…@yahoo.com> wrote in message > news:vja17p535flgef@corp.supernews.com… > > On a similar but not quite the same … are all spontaneous arousals Alpha > > intrusions, or would it specifically be noted on a sleep study if they > were? > > (trying to get to the bottom of my 102 spontaneous arousals that are not > > respiratory related..seems to be a very gray area for treatment to get rid > > of the EDS in these cases…) > > Joanne > > "bs" <some…@adelphia.net> wrote in message > > news:SrDYa.2059$2Y6.694793@news2.news.adelphia.net… > > > Joe > > > Alpha intrusion was first described by Dr. Muldofsky in Toronto as > > > non-restorative sleep syndrome and alpha delta sleep. > > > Your doc is correct as to common co-existing conditions, it is a symptom > > of > > > the effect of pain on the body and brain. It was explained to me that > > while > > > the brain is trying to sleep and slow down, the discomfort causes > arousal, > > > so there is a struggle between sleep and wake, = crappy sleep. The > longer > > > you have poor sleep, the more fatigue and pain you get….. > > > So, we see this in many PSG’s while evaluating other things, and comment > > > when we see it. Your physician is on the right track. Many patients > seem > > > to do well with rheumatologists that specialize in arthritic type > > patients, > > > even if that is not your cause of the alpha intrusion. > > > Stimulant meds could increase sleep disruption, so be careful about the > > > ADHD. > > > There are MANY new studies that indicate sleep disruption in children > from > > > Leg Kicks, Apnea, Snoring or UARS, can lead to behavioral problems. > Chase > > > the simple stuff before committing yourself to long term stimulant meds, > > > there are significant side effects! > > > Good Luck! > > > Bret > > > "Joseph Wood" <j…@punkerdoo.org> wrote in message > > > news:DiwYa.15219$Ad4.5684670@news3.news.adelphia.net… > > > > I recently had a sleep study where the primary diagnosis was alpha > > > > intrusion. > > > > According to the doctor, possible causes are fibromyalgia and chronic > > > > fatigue syndrome. I have since read that ADD and teeth grinding can > > also > > > > cause increased alpha levels. > > > > The doctor is rotating me through anti-depressants (lexapro and paxil > so > > > > far) with the only results being increased daytime sleepiness. > > > > Does anyone have any information/good resources on alpha intrusion and > > > it’s > > > > possible causes? > > > > I’ve always felt I was ADD and have an appointment with a neurologist > on > > > > Monday. > > > > Joe
Response:
I recently had a sleep study where the primary diagnosis was alpha intrusion. According to the doctor, possible causes are fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. I have since read that ADD and teeth grinding can also cause increased alpha levels. The doctor is rotating me through anti-depressants (lexapro and paxil so far) with the only results being increased daytime sleepiness. Does anyone have any information/good resources on alpha intrusion and it’s possible causes? I’ve always felt I was ADD and have an appointment with a neurologist on Monday. Joe
Response:
Joe Alpha intrusion was first described by Dr. Muldofsky in Toronto as non-restorative sleep syndrome and alpha delta sleep. Your doc is correct as to common co-existing conditions, it is a symptom of the effect of pain on the body and brain. It was explained to me that while the brain is trying to sleep and slow down, the discomfort causes arousal, so there is a struggle between sleep and wake, = crappy sleep. The longer you have poor sleep, the more fatigue and pain you get….. So, we see this in many PSG’s while evaluating other things, and comment when we see it. Your physician is on the right track. Many patients seem to do well with rheumatologists that specialize in arthritic type patients, even if that is not your cause of the alpha intrusion. Stimulant meds could increase sleep disruption, so be careful about the ADHD. There are MANY new studies that indicate sleep disruption in children from Leg Kicks, Apnea, Snoring or UARS, can lead to behavioral problems. Chase the simple stuff before committing yourself to long term stimulant meds, there are significant side effects! Good Luck! Bret "Joseph Wood" <j…@punkerdoo.org> wrote in message
news:DiwYa.15219$Ad4.5684670@news3.news.adelphia.net… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I recently had a sleep study where the primary diagnosis was alpha > intrusion. > According to the doctor, possible causes are fibromyalgia and chronic > fatigue syndrome. I have since read that ADD and teeth grinding can also > cause increased alpha levels. > The doctor is rotating me through anti-depressants (lexapro and paxil so > far) with the only results being increased daytime sleepiness. > Does anyone have any information/good resources on alpha intrusion and it’s > possible causes? > I’ve always felt I was ADD and have an appointment with a neurologist on > Monday. > Joe
Response:
On a similar but not quite the same … are all spontaneous arousals Alpha intrusions, or would it specifically be noted on a sleep study if they were? (trying to get to the bottom of my 102 spontaneous arousals that are not respiratory related..seems to be a very gray area for treatment to get rid of the EDS in these cases…) Joanne "bs" <some…@adelphia.net> wrote in message
news:SrDYa.2059$2Y6.694793@news2.news.adelphia.net… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Joe > Alpha intrusion was first described by Dr. Muldofsky in Toronto as > non-restorative sleep syndrome and alpha delta sleep. > Your doc is correct as to common co-existing conditions, it is a symptom of > the effect of pain on the body and brain. It was explained to me that while > the brain is trying to sleep and slow down, the discomfort causes arousal, > so there is a struggle between sleep and wake, = crappy sleep. The longer > you have poor sleep, the more fatigue and pain you get….. > So, we see this in many PSG’s while evaluating other things, and comment > when we see it. Your physician is on the right track. Many patients seem > to do well with rheumatologists that specialize in arthritic type patients, > even if that is not your cause of the alpha intrusion. > Stimulant meds could increase sleep disruption, so be careful about the > ADHD. > There are MANY new studies that indicate sleep disruption in children from > Leg Kicks, Apnea, Snoring or UARS, can lead to behavioral problems. Chase > the simple stuff before committing yourself to long term stimulant meds, > there are significant side effects! > Good Luck! > Bret > "Joseph Wood" <j…@punkerdoo.org> wrote in message > news:DiwYa.15219$Ad4.5684670@news3.news.adelphia.net… > > I recently had a sleep study where the primary diagnosis was alpha > > intrusion. > > According to the doctor, possible causes are fibromyalgia and chronic > > fatigue syndrome. I have since read that ADD and teeth grinding can also > > cause increased alpha levels. > > The doctor is rotating me through anti-depressants (lexapro and paxil so > > far) with the only results being increased daytime sleepiness. > > Does anyone have any information/good resources on alpha intrusion and > it’s > > possible causes? > > I’ve always felt I was ADD and have an appointment with a neurologist on > > Monday. > > Joe
Response:
Alpha intusions are brief 1-6 second awakenings (in a relative sense) that usuaaly do not occur spontaneously, but can in some folks. Usually the arousal that is needed to end the apnea may cause them. Also, periodic limb movements of sleep may cause them. I beeper going off repeatedly at intervals during the night may cause them. Pain during the night may cause them. The arousals are too short to remember in most cases but they still represent sleep fragmentation and are not good for us. The may slow or prevent the progression into slow wave sleep (deep sleep) and may increase daytime sleepiness. Medication treatments can be administered but first one should attempt to learn the cause of the alpha intrusions if possible. Did you have periodic limb movements (formerly called nocturnal myoclonus)? Terry M. Brown, D.O., A.B.S.M. Medical Director Sleep Disorders Center University of Mississippi Medical Center
Response:
Stan I take about 1.25 mg (breaking a 2.5 mg pill in half). It is sublingual. I’ve never tried the timed release capsules. John in Seattle
Response:
In article <4ghsj8$71g> tbrown2…@aol.com (TBrown2873) writes: Alpha intusions are brief 1-6 second awakenings (in a relative sense) that usuaaly do not occur spontaneously, but can in some folks. Usually the arousal that is needed to end the apnea may cause them. Also, periodic limb movements of sleep may cause them. I beeper going off repeatedly at intervals during the night may cause them. Pain during the night may cause them. The arousals are too short to remember in most cases but they still represent sleep fragmentation and are not good for us. The may slow or prevent the progression into slow wave sleep (deep sleep) and may increase daytime sleepiness. Medication treatments can be administered but first one should attempt to learn the cause of the alpha intrusions if possible. Did you have periodic limb movements (formerly called nocturnal myoclonus)? Terry M. Brown, D.O., A.B.S.M. Medical Director Sleep Disorders Center University of Mississippi Medical Center No, never had periodic limb movements or pain during the night. No beepers or traffic noise. Do you have some pointers on on where we could look for information about medication? Perhaps knowing something about the drugs would help in finding a cause. Vince
Response:
Mary Rawlinson <mary…@netside.com> wrote: >Has anybody had success in treating apnea with these strips?
It is unlikely that anybut the mildest apnea would be treatable by these. >And a similar question: does losing weight help apnea?
It is supposed to. It may still require CPAP, surgery, or dental appliance. >(He’s not looking forward to either surgery or a CPAP machine and wants >to try other alternatives first.)
CPAP is not really that bad, and it sure beats risking death. I have other opinions about surgery, but those are personal. Eric O. Troldahl
Response:
My husband Bill has apnea and lately has been using "Breathe Right" strips on his nose at night. He sleeps better and says he feels better in the morning, but I can tell the apnea is still there (he stops breathing for about 20-30 seconds from time to time). Has anybody had success in treating apnea with these strips? And a similar question: does losing weight help apnea? (He’s not looking forward to either surgery or a CPAP machine and wants to try other alternatives first.) Thanks, Mary and Bill
Response:
In article <4g37k1$…@newsbf02.news.aol.com> jwl…@aol.com (JWLEET) writes:
Stan – I had a similar situation with waking up frequently. Melatonin has helped a great deal. I now routinely sleep through the night. John in Seattle What kind are you using. Is it just a capsule, tablet, or is it a sub-lingual (under the tounge) preparation. I found that the sub-lingual helped me fall asleep, but didn’t last. The capsules dont seem to help. Vince
Response:
Mary Rawlinson <mary…@netside.com> writes: >My husband Bill has apnea and lately has been using "Breathe Right" >strips on his nose at night. He sleeps better and says he feels better >in the morning, but I can tell the apnea is still there (he stops >breathing for about 20-30 seconds from time to time).
Bill has done the experiment and you report that he still has apnea. He needs to get an overnight evaluation by a qualified sleep disorders facility. Apneas of this length can have a serious impact on his health. >Has anybody had success in treating apnea with these strips? >And a similar question: does losing weight help apnea?
Yes, but until the weight is down and it is shown by an overnight test that the apnea is gone, too, Bill should have CPAP or other treatment. >(He’s not looking forward to either surgery or a CPAP machine and wants >to try other alternatives first.)
CPAP is what is most likely to help. Untreated apnea causes many serious medical conditions, shortens life, and endangers loved ones–falling asleep while driving, for example. Mental deterioration and emotional symptoms can destroy the ability to make a living, raise a family, or keep a marriage going. No fooling, I’ve been there. CPAP or whatever the doctor orders is cheaper and nicer, and you get to feel good and enjoy life together again. Bill, do it. Mary, go with him to your primary care doctor and get the ball rolling. Don’t delay. >Thanks, >Mary and Bill
– Jerry Halberstadt. email <halbe…@world.std.com> Visit the PHANTOM SLEEP PAGE at <http://world.std.com/~halberst/> or <gopher://gopher.std.com/11/Book%20Sellers/ntp-publisher> Classic gopher, connect to gopher.std.com, select Book Sellers/ntp
Response:
Breathing strips are a good method of opening a stopped-up nose. I use them (along with CPAP) when I have a cold. But sleep apnea is usually associated with the uvula or other parts of the breathing passages (obstructive sleep apnea) or the brain (CNS sleep apnea). If a sleep study finds nasal obstruction, maybe they will work. But I would not bet my life on it. (Think about that last sentence.) Wally ——————- DISCLAIMER: Bellcore allows its employees Internet access through its in-house connection. However, unless otherwise indicated, the statements and opinions expressed in this posting are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Bell Communications Research, Inc.
Response:
In article <VINCE.96Feb16135…@vince.math.uconn.edu>, vi…@vince.math.uconn.edu says… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->In article <4fucc6$…@spectator.cris.com> st…@concentric.net (Stan Ward) writes: >>I was recently diagnosed with moderate to severe Obstructive Sleep >>Apnea (about 30-50 apneas/hour) and was prescribed a CPAP (11 psi). >>Seems to work great (but I still hate it). However, my sleep is >>still interupted, just not as often. At the sleep center, 2nd >>round (when the CPAP was used), they said I had ‘Alpha Intrusion’, >>and a different anti-depressant drug might help. I had been on >>Serzone, but stopped when I started CPAP. >Well, I had two studies, first found mild apnea, and alpha intrusion, >second (after failed CPAP trial, septoplasty, etc over about 18 >months) found no respiratory problems, but still severe AI. They are >currently trying to decide what to do with me. >>I’ve been treated for depression for about two years, and I am >>currently operating under the assumption that I was not depressed, >>I was tired! It remains to be seen whether this is true or not, >>but the early signs are very positive. I’m going to give it >>another month before posting news of my ‘cure’ to >>alt.support.depression. >It is possible. One of the effects of sleep deprivation can be >depresson. >>What is Alpha Intrusion (AI)? Is it related to depression, or just >>using the same meds? >Well, its just a fancy name for the EEG pattern that is associated >with being awake coming in to the pattern you have in your sleep. >According to my doctor, it is commonly associated with pretty severe >pain, like fybromyalga, or depression. >>All the doctor could tell me is that it seemed that the brain >>occasionally gets active and disrupts REM sleep, but little is >>known about it. Other sources have said that when other >>disruptions (i.e., apnea) are removed, AI seems to get better. >Yeah, that is what I heard. >>While my general sleep is much better, I sleep about 3 hours solid, >>then wake up every half hour thereafter. The doctor was not very >>informative. Her explanation sounded a lot like, ‘you were >>sleeping well, and then you woke up’. This was not news. >This sounds like my sleep test. The doc recomended >amytryptiline(an anti-depressant), but it didn’t help and had >intolerable side effects for me. So I am still looking for help. >What new anti-depressant did you get. >I had never thought of myself as depressed, just tired. Perhaps I was >wrong, and it is depression causing sleep problems? > Vince
The new anti-depressant I am on is imiprobine. I’ve been on it for a week now. Prior to starting it I had to admit that sleep was not the cure for my anxiety and depression symptoms, which reoccurred over the few weeks after I stopped Serzone. So far, imiprobine has not helped my sleep or depression, but these things tend to take two to four weeks to kick in. In my case, besides the tired feeling, I was lethargic (not the same thing) and wasn’t interested in doing things I used to like. I would come home and turn in to a ‘mouse potato’ all night – playing solitaire & freecell for hours at a stretch. I develop anxiety symptoms for no reason – chest pains, muscle tension, etc. I also get obsessive-compulsive, picking up nervous habits, staying late at work to finish up projects that don’t need finishing up, re-checking things, etc. Not so severe that I couldn’t function, but definately not having fun. By the way, I noticed from Email that I’m not the only one to describe my pre-CPAP awakenings as feeling like I had a hangover. I’ve had a hangover that lasted fifteen years… My sleep is so much better than it was, that feeling is gone now. One problem down (if I can get used to the damned mask). Stan
Response:
In article <312717A3.1…@netside.com>, Mary Rawlinson <mary…@netside.com> writes: >My husband Bill has apnea and lately has been using "Breathe Right" >strips on his nose at night. He sleeps better and says he feels better >in the morning, but I can tell the apnea is still there (he stops >breathing for about 20-30 seconds from time to time).
Bill’s experience is a very good example of the pitfalls of using unproven therapies in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. Although great for snorers with obstruction at the nasal passages, these devices have not proven useful in the treatment of apnea. Likewise, the use of dental appliances, and even the newest laser surgery technology for snoring should be used with caution, as the elimination of snoring may lull the individual into a false sense that the apnea is being adequately treated. Weight loss (in some studies as little as 10% of body weight) can result in a significant reduction of severity of apnea for many people but don’t forget that, to a lesser degree, thin people can have apnea too. And, although holistically speaking probably the best treatment for your overall health if you are overweight, weight loss is probably the least effective treatment because most people can’t lose the weight and most of those that do gain it back. Any of these treatments should be followed up with a polysomnogram to ensure that the condition is properly treated. Bill is lucky to have such an observant wife.
Response:
I was recently diagnosed with moderate to severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea (about 30-50 apneas/hour) and was prescribed a CPAP (11 psi). Seems to work great (but I still hate it). However, my sleep is still interupted, just not as often. At the sleep center, 2nd round (when the CPAP was used), they said I had ‘Alpha Intrusion’, and a different anti-depressant drug might help. I had been on Serzone, but stopped when I started CPAP. I’ve been treated for depression for about two years, and I am currently operating under the assumption that I was not depressed, I was tired! It remains to be seen whether this is true or not, but the early signs are very positive. I’m going to give it another month before posting news of my ‘cure’ to alt.support.depression. What is Alpha Intrusion (AI)? Is it related to depression, or just using the same meds? All the doctor could tell me is that it seemed that the brain occasionally gets active and disrupts REM sleep, but little is known about it. Other sources have said that when other disruptions (i.e., apnea) are removed, AI seems to get better. While my general sleep is much better, I sleep about 3 hours solid, then wake up every half hour thereafter. The doctor was not very informative. Her explanation sounded a lot like, ‘you were sleeping well, and then you woke up’. This was not news. Any ideas or info? Thanks. Stan in St. Louis
Response:
In article <4fucc6$…@spectator.cris.com> st…@concentric.net (Stan Ward) writes: >I was recently diagnosed with moderate to severe Obstructive Sleep >Apnea (about 30-50 apneas/hour) and was prescribed a CPAP (11 psi). >Seems to work great (but I still hate it). However, my sleep is >still interupted, just not as often. At the sleep center, 2nd >round (when the CPAP was used), they said I had ‘Alpha Intrusion’, >and a different anti-depressant drug might help. I had been on >Serzone, but stopped when I started CPAP.
Well, I had two studies, first found mild apnea, and alpha intrusion, second (after failed CPAP trial, septoplasty, etc over about 18 months) found no respiratory problems, but still severe AI. They are currently trying to decide what to do with me. >I’ve been treated for depression for about two years, and I am >currently operating under the assumption that I was not depressed, >I was tired! It remains to be seen whether this is true or not, >but the early signs are very positive. I’m going to give it >another month before posting news of my ‘cure’ to >alt.support.depression.
It is possible. One of the effects of sleep deprivation can be depresson. >What is Alpha Intrusion (AI)? Is it related to depression, or just >using the same meds?
Well, its just a fancy name for the EEG pattern that is associated with being awake coming in to the pattern you have in your sleep. According to my doctor, it is commonly associated with pretty severe pain, like fybromyalga, or depression. >All the doctor could tell me is that it seemed that the brain >occasionally gets active and disrupts REM sleep, but little is >known about it. Other sources have said that when other >disruptions (i.e., apnea) are removed, AI seems to get better.
Yeah, that is what I heard. >While my general sleep is much better, I sleep about 3 hours solid, >then wake up every half hour thereafter. The doctor was not very >informative. Her explanation sounded a lot like, ‘you were >sleeping well, and then you woke up’. This was not news.
This sounds like my sleep test. The doc recomended amytryptiline(an anti-depressant), but it didn’t help and had intolerable side effects for me. So I am still looking for help. What new anti-depressant did you get. I had never thought of myself as depressed, just tired. Perhaps I was wrong, and it is depression causing sleep problems? Vince
