Posted by Dave954 on October 4, 2009, at 16:39:08
I am in desperate need of help for my treatment resistant insomnia. For many years I was on an excellent combination of medications to treat my depression, mood and sleep. I was taking 10 mg of Lexapro with 80 mg of Strattera in the morning and 200 mg of Seroquel with 900 mg of Neurontin at bedtime. Then, about a year and a half ago I stopped sleeping well. My Seroquel was doubled to 400 mg and I began sleeping ok again. Then, my sleep became poor yet again. I have tried all of the benzos (Ativan, Klonopin, Valium and Xanax) in addition to Ambien and Lunesta. All of those medicines, while they helped my sleep to a degree, worsened my depression. I have also tried Risperdal, which used to help my insomnia, but it is no longer effective. I have also tried Remeron and Trazodone which also helped my insomnia to a degree but also worsened my depression. I tried a higher dosage of the Lexapro and my sleep remained unchanged. I have tried removing the Strattera from my current regimen and my sleep remained unchanged, while my depression and anxiety became worse, so I eventually resumed it. My psychiatrist had me undergo a sleep study, an MRI of my brain and an EEG as well as a physical. Everything came back normal. The neurologist that I went to recommended that my psychiatrist either increase the Neurontin or try me on Xyrem at this point. My psychiatrist seems too concerned about protecting his medical license as opposed to helping me with stronger medicines - although I have heard that Xyrem can worsen depression. I have tried supplements like Kava Kava, Valerian Root and Melatonin and they didn't work. I thought about asking to be put on Xyprexa but my understanding is that it isn't as sedating as Seroquel. I pay for my psychiatrist out of pocket as he doesn't accept insurance and I thought maybe he would be more helpful than a doctor under my plan (I am beginning to think this isn't the case). I really feel hopeless at this point and could use any expert advice. I live in the Washington DC area. Thanks.
poster:Dave954
thread:919704
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20091001/msgs/919704.html