Posted by floatingbridge on May 17, 2011, at 9:22:18
Yesterday my gp was open to a low dose amitriptyline trial (she did make a face, but that's cool; she just wants what's best for me), but sensibly asked me to wait until I had one month emsam under my belt. I am very thankful to have a doctor check my impulsivity : P
In the meantime, and it's kind of embarrassing to admit my temporary
solution because it's obvious, I take my daily 0.5 mg xanax XR (or CR) at night along with 0.5mg or 1.0mg regular xanax (amount depending how restless I feel) for sleep onset.I had taken the XR during the day out of habit, and have continued, not because I really needed it--so far emsam has reduced my anxiety--but because I am concerned about inducing a withdrawal and muddying the emsam trial.
My gp suggested I remove 1/3 of patch at night. She gave me permission to fiddle
with the ratio. She told me a humorous/ poignant story of her smoking cessation patients who would leave their nicotine patches on all night and lie awake obsessing over smoking.I also loved seeing her surprised but pleased expression at how well I am tolerating emsam. She had once said to me "you are just one of those people who can't tolerate medication!" I'm her
first emsam patient.Xanax Xr (or CR) seems under-utilized by xanax users. I'm not sure why. Maybe because xanax is considered an emergency panic medication, and folks move on to longer acting agents. (But klonopin really tanked me!) The generic works for me--I did a blind comparison w/ the expensive brand name.
Long post for a simple solution. At least I hope last night's unbroken sleep is not an anomaly.
* and whoever gazes at the stars will never again be quite alone...
c-ptsd & attendant health concerns
poster:floatingbridge
thread:985529
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20110515/msgs/985529.html