British Snoring & Sleep Apnoea Association

hi nuneaton man,mac,sleep2snore and alsa,i took you're advice and got the pressure put up on my cpap.I also went to see my consultant today.I said to him what i told you'se.I was honest with him,He advised me to stop work today,he is getting in touch with the southern general to arrange for me to get brain scans done,he thinks their could be something neurologicaly wrong.Has anyone had this done? if so can you tell me what they do.I beleive it's somthing to do with the central nervous system.My life is really crap at the moment,I also think i've lost my licence for sure,it's only a matter of time.If i could only get something to keep me awake during work,I think everything would be alright.I'm so down at the moment because I don't know where my life is heading,I'm on antidepresants,acid reflux pills,2 different tablets for cholesterol and antihistamines and aspiren daily,thank's guys for replying to my post,hope you'se are all well.

Jim, thank you for getting in touch even though you're having a very rough patch. I'm so glad that you contacted your doc and if there are going to be various tests run, at least he's taking you seriously and will get to the bottom of the problem.



Now this sounds as though you've got shares in the local chemist's (!) but don't worry overmuch! Many of us take these medicines in this sort of combination.

The only area that concerns me about your excessive daytime sleepiness is the antidepressants. A few years ago I was on what is called SEROXAT in the UK; with OSA it made me VERY sleepy. However, once I managed to taper (and don't consider doing this unless you are ready to stop your medication) and get off it, the sleepiness disappeared quickly.

You may want to discuss with your doc about any relationship between your antidepressant and your sleepiness. It's possible to 'move sideways' to a different med to get the right help but decrease the sleepiness.

As for the driving, you MAY have to accept this for the short term, but much better to not drive, be safe and alive ... and for other road users and pedestrians too. Take each day one at a time. Not easy but you're a fighter and you'll get there in the end. There are 'wakefulness' medicines but they'll cause you even more problems both short and long term. Let the doc do his tests ... and let's hope your appointment is soon. Sorry to be able to waive a magic wand ... as we'd all like ... but do stay in touch. I hope someone else will be able to reply to you more positively soon.

thanks Alsa, the doc put me on antidepresnts after i said to him that i was tired and drowsey during the day, he said that depression might be the cause of me being tired.when i went to the hospital to see my consultant ,he agreed that if i was depressed my daytime sleepiness would get somewhat better.I should be hearing from the hospital soon, as my consultant said he was contacting the other hospital to get scans done as soon as possible,I don't know what these scans are ment to show up,if anything.It's a great help knowing i can talk to you'se on the forum.I went to work yesterday asking if their was anything i could do in the meantime,but as I am not allowed to drive buses they said I was to get myself sorted out first,also as i put in a sick line,I would'nt be covered under their insurance if anything happened.How are you getting on ( fine i hope ).Thanks for replying to my post alsa.

Hi Jim
Some people are also particularly sensitive to the effects of antihistamines, which can cause drowsiness. As well as the antidepressants. It may be worth having a medication review with your GP or other specialist to see if they are exacerbating things. If you stop driving for now (would be the safest option) you do not have to do anything regarding dvla. Once you are sorted and feel fit to drive again you will be in a much better position to keep your licence.
Hope you get sorted soon

Sorry to hear you are going through a rough spell Jim.
I also would be going though the meds.

I don't know what they are doing the scans for
Best way to find out is ask the consultant.

Hi Jim

Just wondering and I apologise if I have missed earlier posts. When your doctors say brain scan could they mean a full sleep study as this would include being wired up to a E.E.G. if so I have had several of these as part of a medical study, they are fine.

Also when the doctor refers to the CNS could they be referring to Central Sleep Apnoea this is neurological. It can manifest itself as a standalone condition or it may hidden behind OSA i.e. it cannot be diagnosed until the OSA is controlled.

I am not suggesting that this is what your condition is but I thought I would bring them up as possibilities.

Good Luck Mate