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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Philip N. on October 1, 2006, at 21:59:10
Has anyone used low dose Elavil to help with sleep as it has a sedating property? Thanks
Posted by psychobot5000 on October 1, 2006, at 23:45:58
In reply to Elavil @low dose vs benzo for sleep?, posted by Philip N. on October 1, 2006, at 21:59:10
Yes, and it works. However, probably because it also increases noradrenaline, it can effect the quality of sleep.
A similar drug with even stronger antihistamine effects is doxepin. You can therefore take it for sleep, at lower doses than elavil.
Posted by med_empowered on October 2, 2006, at 8:10:23
In reply to Re: Elavil @low dose vs benzo for sleep?, posted by psychobot5000 on October 1, 2006, at 23:45:58
surmontil (trimipramine, I think) is another option...its kind of clozapine-ish and sedating, and at low doses I think it actually increases REM sleep.
Posted by psychobot5000 on October 2, 2006, at 9:58:53
In reply to Re: Elavil @low dose vs benzo for sleep?, posted by med_empowered on October 2, 2006, at 8:10:23
Trimipramine--good point. It's actually very similar to doxepin (and elavil, I suppose) in terms of its effect on various receptors--side effects are supposed to be almost precisely the same. But I did read something suggesting that it was the 'only drug' to aid with sleep, without effecting one's sleep architecture. Sounds good to me.
Pbot
Posted by Karen44 on October 2, 2006, at 17:13:08
In reply to Elavil @low dose vs benzo for sleep?, posted by Philip N. on October 1, 2006, at 21:59:10
> Has anyone used low dose Elavil to help with sleep as it has a sedating property? Thanks
Yes, I have in the past, and I think it was better than trying to use a benzo which is habit forming. Good luck with your stuffKaren44
Posted by Philip N. on October 2, 2006, at 17:20:14
In reply to Re: Elavil @low dose vs benzo for sleep?, posted by Karen44 on October 2, 2006, at 17:13:08
Hi Karen. Do you remember the dosage? I've tried 5 and 10. Still not sleeping too good. A friend of mine takes 25 but I didn't want to start with that much.
Thanks
Posted by Karen44 on October 2, 2006, at 17:27:23
In reply to Re: Elavil @low dose vs benzo for sleep? » Karen44, posted by Philip N. on October 2, 2006, at 17:20:14
> Hi Karen. Do you remember the dosage? I've tried 5 and 10. Still not sleeping too good. A friend of mine takes 25 but I didn't want to start with that much.
> ThanksI used to take 25 mg of Elavil at night, and it knocked me out cold. I now am prescribed Moban at the lowest dose to take as needed to help with sleep.
Karen44
Posted by Philip N. on October 2, 2006, at 17:32:13
In reply to Re: Elavil @low dose vs benzo for sleep?, posted by Karen44 on October 2, 2006, at 17:27:23
Hey Karen.
How long did that work for you? Are you taking any other meds?
Thanks
Posted by Karen44 on October 2, 2006, at 20:38:10
In reply to Re: Elavil @low dose vs benzo for sleep? » Karen44, posted by Philip N. on October 2, 2006, at 17:32:13
> Hey Karen.
>
> How long did that work for you? Are you taking any other meds?
> ThanksIt worked for sleep until I went on Parnate and then used Chloral Hydrate at night. This was in the mid 1980's. I no longer needed any antidepressant medications by 1993 and took none until last year when I got depressed again over lots of health things going wrong with me. In the past and in the past year, I have been tried on lots of antidepressant medications with lots of side affects and/or adverse reactions. Parnate worked well then and now, but I did not want to continue with the Parnate for a variety of reasons. I am now on Lamictal, 100 mg. per day. I am still feeling depressed, more at times and less at times. I am in therapy as well as med's with my psychiatrist who thinks that a big part of my depression is related to issues I am grappling with at this time. He does not want to up the Lamictal at this time.
Karen44
Posted by Philip N. on October 3, 2006, at 9:25:22
In reply to Re: Elavil @low dose vs benzo for sleep?, posted by Karen44 on October 2, 2006, at 20:38:10
Hi Karen.
Were you on the ADs for several years until '93 and did you have problems stopping back then? I tried stopping thses SSRIs last December after 9 years and cold turkeyed. I did wht I thought was OK until about June and then things started really going downhill. I'm going to have to start back with the Lexapro to see if it will turn around. (That was what I was on when I stopped)
Thanks
Posted by Karen44 on October 4, 2006, at 23:09:52
In reply to Re: Elavil @low dose vs benzo for sleep? » Karen44, posted by Philip N. on October 3, 2006, at 9:25:22
> Hi Karen.
>
> Were you on the ADs for several years until '93 and did you have problems stopping back then? I tried stopping thses SSRIs last December after 9 years and cold turkeyed. I did wht I thought was OK until about June and then things started really going downhill. I'm going to have to start back with the Lexapro to see if it will turn around. (That was what I was on when I stopped)
>
> ThanksI was on antidepressants such as Elavil during the day as well as evening. No help from tricyclics or tetracylics back in the late 70's and early 80's or previous--was on antidepresants in the mid 60s to early 70's and then did well without any antidepressant medicaition. Back on antidepressants in the late 70's and into the 80's to no avail; started on Parnate in 1982, and this worked--on Parnate and intensive therapy (from x3 to x5 times per week) until 1984 and then twice per week to eventually once per week. Off of med's entirely by 1993. Psychiatrist and I agreed I didn't need med's anymore. Did fine until last year when lots of physical stuff developed. Went back on Parnate, and it worked to a certain extent. Now on Lamictal 100 mg. in a.m., and it works to a certain extent. I am still feeling very depressed, but my psychiatrist thinks it has to do with issues we are addressing more than anything else. I am a firm supporter of medication and therapy--research says that's the best, better than therapy alone or medication alone. People are complex beings; nothing happens in isolation.
This is the end of the thread.
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