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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Temmie on April 17, 2003, at 10:53:37
I'm going to be fifty in May, have chronic depression and PTSD, and if that's not enough -- now I can't sleep. Doc One prescribed Seroquel. She recommended 100 mg. a night, but it was hard waking up, and I felt hung-over into the first few hours of the day. Doc Two recommended Trazadone. 50 mg. didn't help, so she said to bump it up to 200. Well ... last night I took 200. Then I took another 50 (2 or 3 hours later), and at 4 a.m., I started all over again with another 200. It's embarrasing to admit to such noncompliance/abuse -- obviously I need to try something else -- but what? I need ... to ... stop my mind from racing ... somehow. Am I not explaining things well enough for my physicians? Is this just a mid-life "thing?" I'd sure appreciate any tips/suggestions, or advice from others who've been where I'm at. ZZZZZZZZZ ... Temmie
Posted by noa on April 17, 2003, at 13:09:41
In reply to Sleep Disorder, Depression and Meds, posted by Temmie on April 17, 2003, at 10:53:37
Are you female? Have you looked into hormonal causes?
Posted by jemma on April 17, 2003, at 13:22:23
In reply to Sleep Disorder, Depression and Meds, posted by Temmie on April 17, 2003, at 10:53:37
Remeron has been a godsend for a couple of people I know with insomnia and anxious depression. Apparently, it has the unique ability to restore sleep architecture in such a way that the benefits remain after you stop using it. It's most sedating at 15 mg, because its antihistamine effect predominates. The higher the dose, the more the norepinephrine-increasing effect comes into play.
- jemma
Posted by mags on April 17, 2003, at 15:50:49
In reply to Sleep Disorder, Depression and Meds, posted by Temmie on April 17, 2003, at 10:53:37
Hi there,
I take 100 mg seroquel and I also found I was a zombie in the morning....I have found if I take it early evening about 2-3 hours before I go to bed it helps.
It is the only thing I found to stop the buzz in my head and turn off my mind so I could sleep...and no nightmares either!
But many people on this board say Seroquel is not a good choice if you are not Schizophrenic( I'm not.) I am BPII and it helps me alot. Prior to taking it I tossed and turned for hours!
Marg
Posted by Temmie on April 17, 2003, at 17:14:35
In reply to Re: Sleep Disorder, Depression and Meds » Temmie, posted by mags on April 17, 2003, at 15:50:49
Thank you, all. I love Psycho-Babble. Such good people here. I am female, yes, and for the first time -- ever -- my period is two weeks late. Saw my MD this morning and (thank God) found out I am not pregnant. FSH levels don't indicate menopause, but surely these must be the early signs .... I am also (not) schizophrenic, and understand Seroquel has a use there ... but -- wow -- I liked the idea of taking it an hour or two before bed. Will also look into Remeron. My friend Ruth has loss of sex function and weight gain with Remeron, but these things are all so individual .... I have a new Rx, but don't have the name handy and I'm just heading out. I will pop in again tomorrow. Thanks to all of you. (And thanks to Dr. Bob!) Temmie
Posted by sapphiredragon on April 17, 2003, at 20:34:16
In reply to Re: Sleep Disorder, Depression and Meds, posted by Temmie on April 17, 2003, at 17:14:35
I am also female, and 50. About a year ago I had trouble with waking up in the middle of the night, heart racing, and not being able to fall back asleep.
My doctor suggested I try tri-est + progesterone supplementation & it really helped with sleeping.
So I second the recommendation that you check out your hormone levels.
You might also want to investigate the issue of natural (i.e. bio-identical) hormones vs. the synthetic (i.e. non bio-identical & thus patentable) hormone supplements for menopause.
Good luck.
Posted by Dr. Bob on April 17, 2003, at 23:38:48
In reply to Re: Sleep Disorder, Depression and Meds, posted by Temmie on April 17, 2003, at 17:14:35
Posted by Temmie on April 18, 2003, at 17:49:52
In reply to Sleep Disorder, Depression and Meds, posted by Temmie on April 17, 2003, at 10:53:37
Dear friends. Thank you for your advice and suggestions. I didn't pick up my new Rx until today, so decided to try Seroquel again last night. I took 100 mg. about 8:30 p.m., and it was just ... great ... to feel myself tiring "like a normal person." I don't care for the being-unsteady-on-my-feet feeling, or the dry mouth/difficulty talking (because of dry mouth), but I slept like a baby. Today I picked up my new Rx for Lorazepam. The strength is .5 mg. and recommended dose one or two per night. We'll see how it goes. I'm a little leery, as I've used Xanax for sleep -- and found it quick-acting, but not long-lasting. We'll see. Here's wishing everyone well. I will talk with my MD about "checking hormonal" levels. I'm not sure what this means, or whether this was addressed in the follical-stimulating hormone (FSH) test I had yesterday. In any event, life continues to be a journey, and for those of us who struggle with mental/emotional/psychological disease ... a difficult journey at times. So good to know I've got a place where I can find a little company along the way. Happy Easter/Equinox to all! Temmie.
Posted by beardedlady on April 19, 2003, at 16:34:04
In reply to Re: Sleep Disorder, Depression and Meds, posted by Temmie on April 18, 2003, at 17:49:52
It's excellent for the thought-stopping problem. Trazodone didn't work for me, either, but, in the long run (after about two weeks, it started working regularly), it was a wise choice.
It is weight neutral, and the orgasms are as good as they were when I was pregnant, even in my sleep!
beardy : )>
This is the end of the thread.
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