Posted by Jay_Bravest_Face on September 7, 2009, at 23:35:36
Hey folks:
I just had a talk today with my doctor, after some consultation with a pdoc I went to see about med suggestions. One of my main problems, and this has started since I took Lyrica in particular, is that I spend most of my nights in dreaming-REM sleep. I am SOOO tired, and seem to be depressed from this. We tried lowering the LYrica dose and it didn`t help. But, Lyrica seems to be a LIFESAVER for me. It REALLY takes away that *lost without hope* feeling, especially my problems I had with just breaking out in tears about many things.
So, out of this, my doctor has been inquiring, and if you don`t have any complicating medical conditions, the SSRI-SNRI`s can be increased very, very high above the `regular`doses. The pdoc said he has seen people REALLY respond very positively over the long run, and in treatment-resistant cases, these high doses with augmentation of a med or two or more, work very, very well and very long-term. Of course there is worry of Serotonin Syndrome, but especially in patients who are otherwise healthy, and on meds for a long time, this seems to work.
I got my first hunch when I did very well on 120 mg`s of Prozac a day. These doses also seem to (as far as I know) quash dreaming, or keep it very minimal. I feel great when I am on meds and they very much reduce REM. Lots of REM activity, as well as LOTS of very *deep* sleep have been predictors of anti-social behaviour and in highly aggressive people who some eventually commit homicide. (I have the reference for this...it is on Pub Med...and it came as a bit of a shocker to me.) This has also suggested why people who are mildly sleep deprived tend to be less depressed and aggressive.
Anyhow, just thought I would throw that out there. My doctor is guiding me on higher-then-usual doses of SSRI`s. Once, 300mg of Effexor XR + 100 mg`s of Prozac, 150mg Lyrica, and 10mg`s of Zyprexa pulled me out of a very deep depression.
Here is a web page that talks about using a Zoloft dose of up to 400mg`s.
http://psyweb.com/Drughtm/jsp/sertra.jspPlease consult with your doctor before anything above is tried. But, SSRI`s are quite non-toxic even at the above levels. Also, I have been on many of these psych meds for over 14 years, and my body and mind may be a little more tolerant of higher doses. YMMV...IMHO...etc
Jay
poster:Jay_Bravest_Face
thread:916056
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090902/msgs/916056.html