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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by psychobot5000 on June 7, 2006, at 17:43:34
Hi.
Does anyone know what AD medications, especially outside of SSRIs, MAOIs and tricyclics are least likely to interfere with sleep?
I'm just coming off a trial of Lamictal/lamotrigine, which proved immediately effective, but which prevented me getting restful sleep. Very frustrating. (Lamictal can suppress stage 3/4 sleep, and possibly REM as well--data are inconsistent on that score). Anyway, I've had almost precisely the same experience with nortriptyline and mirtazipine/remeron. These meds effectively relieved depression, but seemed to damage my sleep, to the extent that I couldn't function.
If anyone knows of alternatives (for example, meds with short half-lives), I'd be grateful.
P-bot5000
Posted by linkadge on June 7, 2006, at 20:28:18
In reply to ADs that don't interfere with sleep, posted by psychobot5000 on June 7, 2006, at 17:43:34
I think that most antidepressants can interfere to some extent with sleep stages.
Remeron, Trazodone, Serzone, Wellbutrin, and TCA's might have a more favorable impact on sleep than the SSRI's.
Linkadge
Posted by Phillipa on June 7, 2006, at 21:56:36
In reply to Re: ADs that don't interfere with sleep, posted by linkadge on June 7, 2006, at 20:28:18
Link what about lamictal? Love Phillipa
Posted by pulse on June 9, 2006, at 17:27:49
In reply to ADs that don't interfere with sleep, posted by psychobot5000 on June 7, 2006, at 17:43:34
wow, remeron and nortrip both no good for you & sleep. hmmm...
i can suggest 2 particular tcas then, but both cause weight gain and constipation.
elavil /amitriptiline (sp?) - worst weight gainer of all; most constipating. no personal experience on this one, but most i know say it would knock out an elephant and that sleep quality is good.
doxepin (generic), but i preferred brand name sinequn. the brand usually must now be a special order; some pharmacies can't even get it any longer. still fairly el cheapo. less sedating than elavil, but still plenty sedating. excellent quality of sleep. start at 25 mg. 3 times/day; then go up to 50 mg. 3 times/day...for the 150 mg./ day that most need for a therapeutic level. (some, mostly the elderly, require only 100 mg./day.) after therapeutic level is reached, it's now said one can take all their doses all together, once at bedtime. slightly less constipating, but reflux can be a problem on this one. weight gain, but less.
if you're not prone to tummy problems, at least the constipation only (far as i know) will still apply on either, but you'll likely be able to manage it, and it *may* go away - or at least decrease - over time.
pulse
Posted by pulse on June 9, 2006, at 17:31:31
In reply to ADs that don't interfere with sleep, posted by psychobot5000 on June 7, 2006, at 17:43:34
sorry, upon re-reading, i see you're not interested in a tca.
i have no other suggestions, then.
pulse
Posted by Declan on June 10, 2006, at 18:28:06
In reply to ADs that don't interfere with sleep, posted by psychobot5000 on June 7, 2006, at 17:43:34
Some people can't sleep on tianeptine, but it's been great for me.
I get deep sleep now, and only wake up once a night.
It's short acting, I think
Declan
This is the end of the thread.
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