Posted by Nance on June 15, 2001, at 15:29:20
In reply to Re: Sleep problems, posted by Daveman on June 15, 2001, at 1:10:12
WOW! How awful for you -
I knew that depression is one of the possible side effects of Starnoc/Sonata, but I've never heard of it being associated with panic attacks and insomnia that severe. I guess it just goes to show that you can never tell how something will affect you, especially when it hasn't been on the market long enough to have an established history. Tolerance isn't _supposed_ to be problem with it, but there are too many reports on this board of drug reactions that aren't _supposed_ to happen for me to discount any possibility!
I can't determine from your message if you think the Starnoc/Sonata caused this reaction, or if you are saying that it didn't help with the panic attack. It doesn't really sound to me like tolerance is the issue here, so it may still work for your insomnia; I realize I'm making an assumption that you were taking it to help you get to sleep. I don't think that zaleplon has been indicated for treatment of panic attacks, but I could be wrong. Maybe Cam, or someone else, can advise. If you don't mind me asking, do have a history of panic attacks, or did this hit you out of the blue? It would be interesting to know whether this drug may be triggering a pre-existing condition, or whether it may be causing a new one. My anxiety manifests itself as paralytic immobility - I wonder if panic attack would be a risk factor for the more 'vegetative' insomniac?
I'm definitely on the alert for increased depression - I'm having a big enough problem already trying to find an effective antidepressant regimen. I'm glad to hear the Celexa/Remeron combo is working for you. Have you had any side effects that you would attribute to the Remeron? I'm currently on Celexa/WellbutrinSR and it's not really working. I'm also tapering off Dexedrine Spansule - it had an extreme paradoxical effect on me - dropped me even deeper into the Black Hole, and welded me to the couch. I have the opportunity to be involved in a clinical trial comparing sertraline and mirtazapine (Remeron isn't approved in Canada yet), but I'd have to give up the Wellbutrin, and sertraline (or placebo) wouldn't be near the top of my 'next-to-try' list. I've not really been seriously considering Remeron because of the high incidence of weight gain and sedation, neither of which I need. I'm plenty anergic enough already! Maybe I _should_ consider it (when it becomes available) - based on your experience, what do you think?
Something I've started to look into is moclobemide (it's available here). Based on a limited trial with a 'natural herbal product' ;-) while on vacation last year, I suspect I may have dopaminergic issues that are not being addressed. Think I'll go and do a search in the archives.
Again, glad you're feeling better - let us know what happens if you try the zaleplon again.
poster:Nance
thread:66282
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010612/msgs/66581.html