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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dinah on July 14, 2003, at 20:23:08
In reply to sleep and effexor, posted by babykitty on July 14, 2003, at 13:27:25
Originally posted by babykitty 7/14/03
> I recently upped my dosage of effexor xr to 150 mg. I have problems falling asleep and staying asleep. Also I have been having very vivid, strange dreams. Has this happened to any one else??
Posted by Mike in AZ on July 14, 2003, at 23:15:40
In reply to Re: sleep and effexor » babykitty, posted by Dinah on July 14, 2003, at 20:23:08
I am also experiencing interrupted sleep cycles. I can get to sleep with little problem, but I wake up at 3:00am (almost to the minute)and toss and turn the rest of the night. The weird thing is that I'm fully alert in the AM and that it does not take 3 hours (and 3 cups of coffee) to get me going in the morning. I guess I need to learn to be productive from 3:00am till work time.
I take my effexor with dinner (7:30ish) but should I consider taking the medication in the morning? Will this help me get a full night's sleep? Comments. . .
PS- The lack of a great orgasm on this stuff is a drag.
Posted by galkeepinon on July 15, 2003, at 1:10:14
In reply to Re: sleep and effexor » babykitty, posted by Dinah on July 14, 2003, at 20:23:08
hi babykitty, I have some serious concerns about effexor at the moment. I think it is an excellent antidepressant for some. It does not cause weight gain in many people, it works on 3 neurotransmitters, and it has helped me. BUT, it causes mania in bipolars. AND, I take it (75mg) and if I don't take it early in the day like 6am-I cannot sleep at night-causing me to take more medication to sleep that I wouldn't ordinarily need. The whole thing is a catch-22!!!!BIGTIME.
Are you on any other medication to help YOU sleep? Yes, I have had vivid dreams on Effexor, especially when, in the past, I have increased the dosage (the highest I have ever got was 150mg) like yourself.Gal
> Originally posted by babykitty 7/14/03
>
> > I recently upped my dosage of effexor xr to 150 mg. I have problems falling asleep and staying asleep. Also I have been having very vivid, strange dreams. Has this happened to any one else??
>
>
Posted by galkeepinon on July 15, 2003, at 1:11:40
In reply to Re: sleep and effexor, posted by Mike in AZ on July 14, 2003, at 23:15:40
Posted by Dr. Bob on July 15, 2003, at 6:19:24
In reply to Re: sleep and effexor » babykitty, posted by Dinah on July 14, 2003, at 20:23:08
[Posted by pasdenom on July 14, 2003, at 21:54:05
In reply to http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20030711/msgs/241876.html]
> Hi Babykitty,
> Yes, I have had the dream experience and the sleep problems. I was able to sleep better when my doctor added Lamictal to the mix, but I do miss the late nights sometimes. I would sit out on my deck, read, smoke, and hear the papers being delivered at 4am.
> My dreams have always been weird and vivid, but effexor raised them to a new level. I am on 150 mg and have been so for about a year. I've had dreams about inch high gorillas hiding in the bananas and biting my feet. Last night I was swimming in my dreams with huge killer whales that had fluorescent coloring on the back. The only thing I don't like is that before I fall asleep, when my eyes are closed, I see scenes as vivid as real life or a motion picture. And often as I'm falling asleep, I feel frightened, but of what I don't know.
>
> Hang in there. Ask your doc for something to help you sleep. By the way, when do you take your effexor? I hope it's in the morning!
>
> Good luck!
Posted by NThompson on July 16, 2003, at 17:05:26
In reply to Re: sleep and effexor--babykitty, posted by galkeepinon on July 15, 2003, at 1:10:14
Hi all,
Just wanted to share that my nightmares, restless sleep and no sleep went away when I started taking Trazodone 50mg at night before I go to bed. Not only does this help, but I actually can sleep and get rested and wake up feeling good in the mornings. Also, I have 2 young children and I can still wake up when I need to or if I hear something in the house that isn't normal house sounds. Basicly, I'm not dead to the world. It lets me sleep, but doesn't put me under ready for surgery! You should ask your p-docs about it. So far so good. And so far I don't see any side effects for the Trazodone except the getting to sleep. I hope you all can get some good rest. I know that feeling depressed is worse when you are tired and can't get moving.
Let me know how your doing, take care,
Nyia
Posted by galkeepinon on July 16, 2003, at 18:02:48
In reply to Re: sleep and effexor--babykitty,Dinah and gal » galkeepinon, posted by NThompson on July 16, 2003, at 17:05:26
Hi Nyia, So you are on Effexor too? Or no? Thanks for the info, Can I ask you this though. I know you said that with the Trazadone you don't see any side effects, but how about any weight gain feeling? 50mg is rather a low dose. I think that is great if it helps you sleep. I have a huge problem with my feet! I rub them together from anxiety I guess-kinda like clenching your jaw-tension. I'm trying to learn how to relax because I don't think meds can help me with that.
Gal
> Hi all,
>
> Just wanted to share that my nightmares, restless sleep and no sleep went away when I started taking Trazodone 50mg at night before I go to bed. Not only does this help, but I actually can sleep and get rested and wake up feeling good in the mornings. Also, I have 2 young children and I can still wake up when I need to or if I hear something in the house that isn't normal house sounds. Basicly, I'm not dead to the world. It lets me sleep, but doesn't put me under ready for surgery! You should ask your p-docs about it. So far so good. And so far I don't see any side effects for the Trazodone except the getting to sleep. I hope you all can get some good rest. I know that feeling depressed is worse when you are tired and can't get moving.
>
> Let me know how your doing, take care,
> Nyia
Posted by NThompson on July 16, 2003, at 20:48:14
In reply to Re: sleep and effexor--babykitty,Dinah and gal » NThompson, posted by galkeepinon on July 16, 2003, at 18:02:48
Hi hun,
Yeah I am on Effexor and Paxil, in the mornings and Trazadone at night. The Paxil helps me with my anxious, nervous, stress feeling. And I don't grind my teeth as much now. But I really would pick at myself (chest and arms, almost anything in reach) and make marks that wouldn't go away for weeks. With this combo of meds I am hardly picking anymore and when I start to, I am realizing that I am doing it, so I stop.
As far as weight gain. I would say that I probably would gain weight if I was still sitting all day every day on the couch still, but I have gotten up off my but to try and do things. Don't get me wrong, I am not on an exercise program or anything! I need to! But I haven't gained or lost any weight either. And so far I haven't had the night sweats or the one where you can't have an orgasm. So far so good.
I am on a lower dose of things and we are trying slowly to get me up. Checking to see how well or not well I'm doing. I do feel better than I did before the meds. I'm not crying everyday. My life is starting to become my own. Again.
But ask your p-doc about Trazadone, if it is right for you or if it can mix with the meds you are already taking. Are you also on Effexor? How long on meds?
Let me know how you're doing and keep in touch,
Nyia
Posted by galkeepinon on July 16, 2003, at 21:58:40
In reply to Re: sleep and effexor--galkeepinon » galkeepinon, posted by NThompson on July 16, 2003, at 20:48:14
Yeah, I'm on 75mg of EffexorXR, I've been on all different kinds of meds for about 7 years, so the weight gain thing is something I'm always cautious of and wondering about with meds long term. I don't exercise much either but I'm always talkin one day...one day..... I used to work out a lot!!!!! But not since high school when ya had to;) it's all my resposibility now-just hard when dealing with bipolar/depression etc. but it's hard-so what-I'll get there lol
Right now I'm dealing with some nasty headaches that I never get. I have no idea whats causing them. I'm under a lot of stress but not too much-I'd say. Just a lot on my mind.
I did try Trazadone one night 100mg-didn't do a darn thing for sleep so I never tried it again, maybe it will work now? I think I have some left somewhere around here but they may be a few months old.
keep in touch and thanks:)
Gal
> Hi hun,
>
> Yeah I am on Effexor and Paxil, in the mornings and Trazadone at night. The Paxil helps me with my anxious, nervous, stress feeling. And I don't grind my teeth as much now. But I really would pick at myself (chest and arms, almost anything in reach) and make marks that wouldn't go away for weeks. With this combo of meds I am hardly picking anymore and when I start to, I am realizing that I am doing it, so I stop.
>
> As far as weight gain. I would say that I probably would gain weight if I was still sitting all day every day on the couch still, but I have gotten up off my but to try and do things. Don't get me wrong, I am not on an exercise program or anything! I need to! But I haven't gained or lost any weight either. And so far I haven't had the night sweats or the one where you can't have an orgasm. So far so good.
>
> I am on a lower dose of things and we are trying slowly to get me up. Checking to see how well or not well I'm doing. I do feel better than I did before the meds. I'm not crying everyday. My life is starting to become my own. Again.
>
> But ask your p-doc about Trazadone, if it is right for you or if it can mix with the meds you are already taking. Are you also on Effexor? How long on meds?
>
> Let me know how you're doing and keep in touch,
> Nyia
>
Posted by NThompson on July 19, 2003, at 2:06:15
In reply to Re: sleep and effexor--galkeepinon » NThompson, posted by galkeepinon on July 16, 2003, at 21:58:40
Hey there Gal,
Yeah try it a couple of nights. See what happens. I hope you get some rest. Yeah, my workout routines have been slim to nill lately. I have to lose some of this weight though. I think that that might be part of my depression and not being happy with myself. I don't like the way I look, talk or just everything! I look in the mirror and I have absolutely no idea who this person is looking back at me. Where the hell did I go?? I am only 29 years old and look and feel soo much older. Some of my friends are younger, 21-24 years old. They are starting to exclude me now when they go out. I'm not quite sure why, but I am the only one out of them that's married with kids. Maybe they don't want their "mother" around while picking up on guys! I don't quite know if it is the 5-8 year age differance or if it is just them, but I see things totally different than they do. I see the more responsible road and they go down the careless one. I see the reasonable road and they take the irrational one. I don't know.. maybe I am a party pooper!
Anyway how have you been doing lately? I hope your meds are doing you some good. Let me know how you are doing, okay!
Take care,
Nyia
Posted by galkeepinon on July 19, 2003, at 7:18:53
In reply to Re: sleep and effexor--galkeepinon » galkeepinon, posted by NThompson on July 19, 2003, at 2:06:15
Hey there Nyia,
Well, I'm up at 5am, went to sleep early last night-what? on a Friday night lol. I now have had a reaction to the Topamax-itching-bad-another poster mentioned pruritis? So I have to mention that to my psychiatrist next week when I see him. I took Benadry and it tends to make me hyper so I guess thats why Im up. I can't seem to win. Physically, I have been feeling like crap-stomachaches, migraines, etc.-I think I'm just stressed again. I've not been dealing very well lately with some family issues and have been having to make a decision about something regarding college whether to take some time off and get well when I'm so close to finishing. I'm also trying really hard to boost my self-esteem back to where it used to be. I have a few people who just love to push my buttons and I use cigarettes to numb out and they are making me sick as a dog!!! I've only been smoking for 4 years. I'm too smart and too pretty for that!!! (NOT at all meant to sound conceited!!!)
I hear exactly what you are saying here, the weight thing is definately part of my deopression too. When I first started Topamax, I had no appetite, it's slowly coming back. I cry so very hard sometimes and ask the same question as you do-"Where did I go" Most of my friends are married and have kids-1 is working and buying a brand new home with their husbands. I am not a jealous person-I think it's great, it just makes me so depressed, because no matter how hard I try, I can't work, and now I can barely go to college. I just keep on keepinon-hence the nick lol ***As far as the Effexor goes, I basically have quit it. I probably should go back on it. I'm really thinking here that I need an anti-depressant and some damn therapy before things get worse. Thanks for listening:)
Please keep in touch-so glad to hear from you!Gal
> Hey there Gal,
>
> Yeah try it a couple of nights. See what happens. I hope you get some rest. Yeah, my workout routines have been slim to nill lately. I have to lose some of this weight though. I think that that might be part of my depression and not being happy with myself. I don't like the way I look, talk or just everything! I look in the mirror and I have absolutely no idea who this person is looking back at me. Where the hell did I go?? I am only 29 years old and look and feel soo much older. Some of my friends are younger, 21-24 years old. They are starting to exclude me now when they go out. I'm not quite sure why, but I am the only one out of them that's married with kids. Maybe they don't want their "mother" around while picking up on guys! I don't quite know if it is the 5-8 year age differance or if it is just them, but I see things totally different than they do. I see the more responsible road and they go down the careless one. I see the reasonable road and they take the irrational one. I don't know.. maybe I am a party pooper!
>
> Anyway how have you been doing lately? I hope your meds are doing you some good. Let me know how you are doing, okay!
>
> Take care,
> Nyia
>
Posted by NThompson on July 20, 2003, at 11:52:12
In reply to Re: sleep and effexor--galkeepinon » NThompson, posted by galkeepinon on July 19, 2003, at 7:18:53
Hey there hun,
Sorry to hear about the sleeplessness and itching! As far as the college stuff really easy... YOU ARE WHAT'S IMPORTANT! Getting yourself better is number one, everything else can wait. However, if you feel that you can complete college while getting better, than that's great. Go for it. Use study groups, tutoring or find a friend in the same class that will help keep you on track. I know that alot of people talk about college as a party place, but just go there to get an education. You can party your as* off at your graduation party. But the decision is yours and yours alone. Will you be able to get better while going to school? Only you can answer that, but we can be here for support.
As far as your friends go...life isn't a race. Don't be in such a hurry to catch up with your friends. Everything will come to you when the time is right. Who knows, this might sound a little shallow, but maybe you will find your Prince Charming and get the castle and the whole fairytale, happily ever after, right when your friends are all getting divorces or unhappy because their husbands are all out cheating on them! Shallow huh!!!! Everyone wants the perfect life. And the grass always seems greener on the other side. Hell, no one knew that I was depressed. Don't get me wrong, I have a really awesome husband and we get along great, but I AM depressed. I would put up appearances and no one knew. So you see, what you see may not always be whats really there. Not even my closest friends knew.
And wanting a great life with someone isn't being jealous. It's being real. We all want the happily ever after life. And we will find it. It always seem to pop up when your not looking for it. Kinda like the earing you lost 2 years ago and couldn't find. Even though you searched and searched. And when you were rearranging things "bam" there it is!
So take care of yourself and let the doc know how you are doing. Make sure to tell him/her that your miserable and need help with everything. If you need to get ahold of me, I'm always here and looking online. You also can get me at nyiachad@aol.com
Let me know how you are doing.
Love ya,
Nyia
Posted by galkeepinon on July 28, 2003, at 19:59:16
In reply to Re: sleep and effexor--galkeepinon » galkeepinon, posted by NThompson on July 20, 2003, at 11:52:12
Hey there!
I'm so sorry it took me so long to get back to you on this....thank you so very much for your kind words here!!! It meant a lot. It made me think about a lot of stuff. You make a lot of sense and I thank you.Keep in touch,
Gal> Hey there hun,
>
> Sorry to hear about the sleeplessness and itching! As far as the college stuff really easy... YOU ARE WHAT'S IMPORTANT! Getting yourself better is number one, everything else can wait. However, if you feel that you can complete college while getting better, than that's great. Go for it. Use study groups, tutoring or find a friend in the same class that will help keep you on track. I know that alot of people talk about college as a party place, but just go there to get an education. You can party your as* off at your graduation party. But the decision is yours and yours alone. Will you be able to get better while going to school? Only you can answer that, but we can be here for support.
>
> As far as your friends go...life isn't a race. Don't be in such a hurry to catch up with your friends. Everything will come to you when the time is right. Who knows, this might sound a little shallow, but maybe you will find your Prince Charming and get the castle and the whole fairytale, happily ever after, right when your friends are all getting divorces or unhappy because their husbands are all out cheating on them! Shallow huh!!!! Everyone wants the perfect life. And the grass always seems greener on the other side. Hell, no one knew that I was depressed. Don't get me wrong, I have a really awesome husband and we get along great, but I AM depressed. I would put up appearances and no one knew. So you see, what you see may not always be whats really there. Not even my closest friends knew.
>
> And wanting a great life with someone isn't being jealous. It's being real. We all want the happily ever after life. And we will find it. It always seem to pop up when your not looking for it. Kinda like the earing you lost 2 years ago and couldn't find. Even though you searched and searched. And when you were rearranging things "bam" there it is!
>
> So take care of yourself and let the doc know how you are doing. Make sure to tell him/her that your miserable and need help with everything. If you need to get ahold of me, I'm always here and looking online. You also can get me at nyiachad@aol.com
>
> Let me know how you are doing.
> Love ya,
> Nyia
>
This is the end of the thread.
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