I am currently well and not suffering with any mental health issues. I do need some help though.
The Back Story
In February 2000 I was diagnosed with clinical depression. At the time I'd taken the decision to see a different GP within the practice who I had not seen before. I was prescribed with an antidepressant called Venlafaxine Effexor. The diagnosis was 21 years late. I had been complaining of my symptoms to several different GP's over that time with no diagnosis whatsoever.
For the next 16 years I battled with my depression. Soon after diagnosis I determined I was suffering with SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). However, I couldn't get on top of my symptoms despite a huge amount of self help. My GP stayed with me until she retired in late 2015. At which time I was in an extremely dark and vulnerable place.
In a final redoubt, in February 2016, I self referred and paid privately to see a doctor at a specialist sleep disorder hospital. I was ultimately diagnosed with Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and treatment began in June that year.
Since then I've not been "quite right". I've struggled with a residual tiredness and some other unwelcome symptoms.
Where Am I Now
When I was diagnosed with OSA I was told that my depression would abate. However, and now with the benefit of 4 years of treatment of the OSA I am absolutely sure I have Seasonal Affective Disorder too. I am also extremely confident that my SAD occurs in summer too.
An Analogy to Explain
The brains default setting is sleep. It needs a switch to wake it. And that switch is light sensitive. If the "light sensor" is faulty then the switch cannot turn the brain on. My light sensor is faulty
![Rolling Eyes :roll:](./images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif)
Overall the symptoms abate in spring and autumn as we move towards 12hrs of daylight.
A Plan
I'm currently not "fighting" my "natural" winter sleep pattern. I go to bed and fall asleep between 4.00 and 6.00am. I wake 8hrs later. I use my CPAP to sleep which is the gold standard for treating OSA and I have no symptoms. When I try to squeeze into a 9-5 society my symptoms recur. Until recently I've simply not understood that my OSA wasn't the only health problem. I'm planning to commence operation lifestyle this week
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
- Dawn simulation - reinstated
- Bright light therapy - new light box ordered
- Vitamin D3 - continue to take 3,000 iu's per day
- Vitamin B12 - reinstated 6,000 mcg's per day (sublingually)
- Other Vitamin B's - daily vitamin tablet tablet introduced
- GP - ask GP to refer me to a circadian sleep disorder specialist
- Antidepressant - discuss modest increase with GP (reinstate Cipralex?)
- Modafinil - a back stop medication that I can obtain to use a chemical "switch". Comes with issues and not a simple solution.
I doubt that anyone reading will have any direct experience of this kind of joint condition. However, I'd welcome any thoughts which could help please.
Thank you for listening
AiY