![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by krycek on February 27, 2008, at 23:51:28
Hi all,
I had a quick question for you folks.
I have been struggling with insomnia on and off for about 10 years. Currently, I am taking 300mg of Effexor for GAD and depression. The effexor has seemed to help a lot with the depression, just not the anxiety so much.
I am seeing a new pdoc tomorrow, and was curious if anyone has any suggestions. In the past, I have tried Elavil and Trazodone(Desiryl). I have taken Ambein in the short term before, and been on ativan and xanax sporatically.
I am so tired of not being able to sleep...
Thanks,
krycek
Posted by Racer on February 27, 2008, at 23:57:20
In reply to Insomnia, posted by krycek on February 27, 2008, at 23:51:28
When I was on EMSAM, my pdoc prescribed Rozerem, and it was the best I've tried so far. It didn't help the first night or two, it's not like the others that help you get to sleep right away, but it built up to the best sleeping medication I've ever taken. I didn't feel horrible the next day, and it helped regulate my sleep over time.
It's worth a try, especially since it's said to act as an augmenting agent for antidepressants.
Good luck.
Posted by X-ray on February 28, 2008, at 3:59:33
In reply to Insomnia, posted by krycek on February 27, 2008, at 23:51:28
Hello Krycek,
I can recommend Remeron as a sleep aid.
Effexor and Remeron is an efficient combo for depression that is called "California Rocket Fuel".Best of Luck,
X-ray
Posted by Phillipa on February 28, 2008, at 12:41:40
In reply to Re: Insomnia, posted by X-ray on February 28, 2008, at 3:59:33
Lunesta? Phillipa
Posted by Justherself54 on February 28, 2008, at 13:46:11
In reply to Re: Insomnia, posted by Racer on February 27, 2008, at 23:57:20
> When I was on EMSAM, my pdoc prescribed Rozerem, and it was the best I've tried so far. It didn't help the first night or two, it's not like the others that help you get to sleep right away, but it built up to the best sleeping medication I've ever taken. I didn't feel horrible the next day, and it helped regulate my sleep over time.
>
> It's worth a try, especially since it's said to act as an augmenting agent for antidepressants.
>
> Good luck.Racer, my pdoc just prescribed Rozerem to replace my seroquel as I was eating myself into oblivion after taking it at bedtime. Can you describe further what I'll be experiencing after I take it..I haven't started it but I'll be starting at 5 mg for right now because I can have strange reactions to meds..like 10 mg of imipramine put me out cold for 12 hours..
I'm always scared to start any new med..I usually stare at it for 2 or 3 days before I take the plunge!
Any info greatly appreciated.
Posted by krycek on February 28, 2008, at 14:58:20
In reply to Re: InsomniaRozerem-Racer, posted by Justherself54 on February 28, 2008, at 13:46:11
Thanks for the suggestions, everyone.
She decided to wean me off my Effexor, started me on Prozac, Klonopin, and Ambien at bedtime.
I have never taken Klonopin before, but now I am pleasantly wrapped in its warm blanket. First time I haven't been out of my head with worry in a long time. I am cool with the Ambien, it's worked in the past. I have only taken it for 1 week max, and she gave me two months worth.
hugs,
-krycek
Posted by Justherself54 on February 28, 2008, at 17:57:27
In reply to Re: Insomnia--update, posted by krycek on February 28, 2008, at 14:58:20
> Thanks for the suggestions, everyone.
>
> She decided to wean me off my Effexor, started me on Prozac, Klonopin, and Ambien at bedtime.
>
> I have never taken Klonopin before, but now I am pleasantly wrapped in its warm blanket. First time I haven't been out of my head with worry in a long time. I am cool with the Ambien, it's worked in the past. I have only taken it for 1 week max, and she gave me two months worth.
>
> hugs,
> -krycekI know a lot of people have said klonopin makes their depression worse, but it sure helped me when I used to get racing thoughts and bad anxiety..I haven't had to take any during the day since I started Nardil, but I still take it at bedtime..it's the only benzo that I don't feel numbed on..I'm glad you've have gotten relief for the first time in a long time..enjoy your warm fuzzy blanket!
>
>
Posted by Maxime on February 28, 2008, at 18:29:59
In reply to Re: Insomnia--update, posted by krycek on February 28, 2008, at 14:58:20
Have you ever done a sleep study? Might find out the reason for your insomnia.
Maxime
Posted by yxibow on March 1, 2008, at 3:05:38
In reply to Re: Insomnia--update » krycek, posted by Maxime on February 28, 2008, at 18:29:59
> Have you ever done a sleep study? Might find out the reason for your insomnia.
>
> Maxime
>
>This is actually a valuable idea. They happen to be expensive unfortunately, although the right insurance can cover this. I would like to have one too, since I have had 15 years of insomnia I would say, but some of them are purists and want to remove any CNS depressants (benzos, other agents) before doing so, which is inpractical since one needs to continue on their medication plan.
Effexor can be a fairly strong agent and can cause insomnia itself -- it did for me, but everyone is completely different, some people are totally the opposite.Trazodone is good in the short run -- all of them are, Ambien up to 20 or 30mg, Lunesta even up to 4+ mg, Doxepin, etc (to temporarily reset a clock), but in the long run, and I'm not talking holistic in particular, resetting your sleep clock naturally if you have a modest to severe sleep disorder, which can take up to 21 days, naturally -- avoiding naps, having a set sleep time, winding down for the evening and avoiding things very stimulating, like the typing I'm doing now before bed, can greatly help.
Because sleep agents in the long run can interrupt natural REM and increased tolerance to them, the entire list of what is usually prescribed by psychiatrists. Not saying they don't have a use, but for example if you're already on benzodiazepines for a while for a reason (panic, etc), Ambien won't work for very long, possibly, because of the relation.
Anyhow, that's my 2c
-- tidings
Jay
Posted by krycek on March 3, 2008, at 21:16:21
In reply to Re: Insomnia--update » krycek, posted by Maxime on February 28, 2008, at 18:29:59
> Have you ever done a sleep study? Might find out the reason for your insomnia.
>
> Maxime
>
>My insomnia has pretty much been attributed to anxiety from a nighttime childhood trauma. I need to get the anxiety under control again and I am working on the childhood stuff w/ my T. Thanks for the suggestion though.
-krycek
Posted by 4WD on March 6, 2008, at 15:20:08
In reply to Insomnia, posted by krycek on February 27, 2008, at 23:51:28
Hi Krycek,
I was on Prozac for 8-9 years and had debilitating insomnia the whole time. I have actually had a problem with insomnia most of my life.
I do have a suggestion. When I switched from Prozac to Effexor the insomnia got better but didn't go away. However, when I switched from Effexor to Cymbalta, no more insomnia. Period. These two drugs are very similar so I don't know what the difference was I just know that after being on for Cymbalta for only a few days, pffft! no more insomnia. I could even fall asleep or doze in the afternoon and still sleep beautifully at night.
The most weird thing about this is that the effect was permanent. I only took Cymbalta for about 5 months. (It wasn't helping as much as I needed for anxiety or depression). But when I stopped the Cymbalta, the insomnia stayed gone. You might want to give it a try.
I am starting Nardil today and fear more insomnia. I have a horror of it after so many years spent tossing and turning in my bed. But I am on Trazadone and hoping that will take care of any problems I might have.
Best of luck to you. I know exactly how you feel.
Marsha
Posted by Phillipa on March 6, 2008, at 21:21:40
In reply to Re: Insomnia » krycek, posted by 4WD on March 6, 2008, at 15:20:08
Marsha may you sleep well tonight fingers and toes crossed. Love Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.