Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 3453

Shown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Depression & Narcolepsy

Posted by Julzzz on March 7, 1999, at 5:17:51

Hi,
Looking to find others with similar problems. I have had Narcolepsy since a child & depression since a teenager. Taking effexor & ritalin. Julzzz

 

Re: Depression & Narcolepsy

Posted by Terry on March 7, 1999, at 21:12:11

In reply to Depression & Narcolepsy, posted by Julzzz on March 7, 1999, at 5:17:51

Julzzz -- there is a new narcolopsy drug that is now available, modafinil (Provigil). It's a non-amphetamine that improves wakefulness in people with excessive daytime sleepiness associated with narcolepsy. Terry

> Hi,
> Looking to find others with similar problems. I have had Narcolepsy since a child & depression since a teenager. Taking effexor & ritalin. Julzzz

 

Re: Depression & Narcolepsy

Posted by saintjames on March 8, 1999, at 21:54:09

In reply to Re: Depression & Narcolepsy, posted by Terry on March 7, 1999, at 21:12:11

> Julzzz -- there is a new narcolopsy drug that is now available, modafinil (Provigil). It's a non-amphetamine that improves wakefulness in people with excessive daytime sleepiness associated with narcolepsy. Terry


James here.....

YEAAAAAAAAAAAA. This is so great to hear. I work as a counsler to disabled persons and 1 client has narco and dyslexia and hates being on Dex. as he in the past used meth (illicit) to control his narco. He no longer abuses speed but will only take a small amount of Dex (5mgs 2x day) because he does not want to start a habit again. His present dose does not control his narco well but he will not take more. I love this list despite those who would detract from it !

james

 

Re: Depression & Narcolepsy

Posted by Julzzz on March 10, 1999, at 2:57:31

In reply to Re: Depression & Narcolepsy, posted by saintjames on March 8, 1999, at 21:54:09

> > Julzzz -- there is a new narcolopsy drug that is now available, modafinil (Provigil). It's a non-amphetamine that improves wakefulness in people with excessive daytime sleepiness associated with narcolepsy. Terry
>
>
> James here.....
>
> YEAAAAAAAAAAAA. This is so great to hear. I work as a counsler to disabled persons and 1 client has narco and dyslexia and hates being on Dex. as he in the past used meth (illicit) to control his narco. He no longer abuses speed but will only take a small amount of Dex (5mgs 2x day) because he does not want to start a habit again. His present dose does not control his narco well but he will not take more. I love this list despite those who would detract from it !
>
> james

Terry,
I live in Australia - modafinil has so far only been used on compassionate grounds & with minimal success. However, if those patients so far have not been helped by other meds, then perhaps they are also sensitive to many drugs. ???? Who knows. At present a week of tabs would cost $90 Aust. So Aussies will have to wait a while longer. I take Ritalin but don't find it removes the 'weight' of excessive sleepiness - I also don't take the full dose as it has more unpleasant side effects. I take Effexor for the depression, which has been effective for the last 8 months. It is sometimes a fine line for the correct/incorrect meds, but also a fine line between the narcolepsy & depression. Julzzz

 

Re: Depression & Narcolepsy

Posted by Terry on March 11, 1999, at 16:03:18

In reply to Re: Depression & Narcolepsy, posted by Julzzz on March 10, 1999, at 2:57:31

Julzzz -- sorry to hear about the problems with modafinil in Australia. Have you tried getting it via mail? I've never done that, but once I simply typed in "Viagra" into my Internet browser and got about a dozen mail-order pharmacies that would send Viagra, even without a prescription! Although I don't condone such practices, that may be one way you and your doctor could try modafinil and see if it works. Good luck. I've heard that narcolepsy is very difficult to treat with stimulant drugs. I simply get sleepy during the day from Depakote (not anything like narcolepsy) and I hate it. It decreases my productivity and motivation. I can't imagine having a more disabling form of sleepiness. Terry

> > > Julzzz -- there is a new narcolopsy drug that is now available, modafinil (Provigil). It's a non-amphetamine that improves wakefulness in people with excessive daytime sleepiness associated with narcolepsy. Terry
> >
> >
> > James here.....
> >
> > YEAAAAAAAAAAAA. This is so great to hear. I work as a counsler to disabled persons and 1 client has narco and dyslexia and hates being on Dex. as he in the past used meth (illicit) to control his narco. He no longer abuses speed but will only take a small amount of Dex (5mgs 2x day) because he does not want to start a habit again. His present dose does not control his narco well but he will not take more. I love this list despite those who would detract from it !
> >
> > james
>
> Terry,
> I live in Australia - modafinil has so far only been used on compassionate grounds & with minimal success. However, if those patients so far have not been helped by other meds, then perhaps they are also sensitive to many drugs. ???? Who knows. At present a week of tabs would cost $90 Aust. So Aussies will have to wait a while longer. I take Ritalin but don't find it removes the 'weight' of excessive sleepiness - I also don't take the full dose as it has more unpleasant side effects. I take Effexor for the depression, which has been effective for the last 8 months. It is sometimes a fine line for the correct/incorrect meds, but also a fine line between the narcolepsy & depression. Julzzz

 

Re: Depression & Narcolepsy

Posted by Julzzz on March 11, 1999, at 17:20:30

In reply to Re: Depression & Narcolepsy, posted by Terry on March 11, 1999, at 16:03:18

> Terry, Drugs that are on the market in the US & UK do not usually get into Aust. for 5 or more years because Aust. Govt. has very strict drug guidelines & nearly always require the 5 or so years of their own testing - very strict (& paranoid). The only drug to ever get thru' fast is Viagra - 3 months - only because of the Net. I will give it a go! But I'm not sure about importing - ? drug laws. While the Narcolepsy was diagnosed in 92, I did not have any diagnosis & treatment of depression until 6 months after this. When my Psych. & I looked back there is evidence of Nar. from birth & Dep. since @ 13yo. I think the episode of Dep. after diagnosis has been my worst - it was mostly in response to now knowing something had been wrong all along & I wasn't suffering from 'Imaginitis'. I will add that I have 'struggled' all my life & still have 2 trade certificates & a bachelor's degree in health science - I'm a determined person!! I have never heard of Depakote? Nice talking to you. Julzzz

 

Re: Depression & Narcolepsy

Posted by Terry on March 11, 1999, at 18:38:51

In reply to Re: Depression & Narcolepsy, posted by Julzzz on March 11, 1999, at 17:20:30

Julzzz -- that's the pits about drugs taking so long to get on the market in Australia. some U.S. drug companies are doing trials in Europe to get drugs approved there first, then it's easier to get them approved in the U.S. So it must be difficult here as well, but it sure doesn't take five years to get something on the market! I know what you mean about getting diagnosed and then having a major "Aha!" and everything starting to make sense. I was diagnosed as bipolar II after my son was born several years ago. I had always suspected depression, but started getting manic after he was born. I now take Depakote, which is an anticonvulsant (generic names are valproate or valproic acid) that is used to treat mania/hypomania with bipolar disorder. (Thank God I have hypomania and not full-blown mania.) I also take low-dose Serzone for depression and clonidine (Catapres, actually an antihypertensive, but it works) for sleep. I'm controlled most of the time but still have mood swings, although not as bad as before medication. I actually tried Ritalin (low dose) for what my psych thought might be ADHD (difficulty concentrating, can't remember names, etc.) and it put me over the edge. I was only taking 5 mg a day. I can't imagine having to take it all the time. I guess if you really have ADHD it's a godsend, but it sounds like it's no fun for you with narcolepsy. I wish you all the best and please feel free to write anytime. My e-mail address is TWaldron@mindspring.com. Take care!

> > Terry, Drugs that are on the market in the US & UK do not usually get into Aust. for 5 or more years because Aust. Govt. has very strict drug guidelines & nearly always require the 5 or so years of their own testing - very strict (& paranoid). The only drug to ever get thru' fast is Viagra - 3 months - only because of the Net. I will give it a go! But I'm not sure about importing - ? drug laws. While the Narcolepsy was diagnosed in 92, I did not have any diagnosis & treatment of depression until 6 months after this. When my Psych. & I looked back there is evidence of Nar. from birth & Dep. since @ 13yo. I think the episode of Dep. after diagnosis has been my worst - it was mostly in response to now knowing something had been wrong all along & I wasn't suffering from 'Imaginitis'. I will add that I have 'struggled' all my life & still have 2 trade certificates & a bachelor's degree in health science - I'm a determined person!! I have never heard of Depakote? Nice talking to you. Julzzz

 

Re: Depression & Narcolepsy

Posted by alli on March 19, 1999, at 16:43:39

In reply to Depression & Narcolepsy, posted by Julzzz on March 7, 1999, at 5:17:51

I have depression and narcolepsy. I've had depression since childhood and narcolepsy since early teens. It took several years to be diagnosed with narcolepsy, as my sleepiness was assumed to be due to my depression. Anyhow, I'm currently taking Parnate and dexedrine, which seems to be helping, but I'm having trouble tolerating anything but a low dose. Treating the narcolepsy makes it much easier for me to function, which doesnt cure but does help my depression.

 

Re: Depression & Narcolepsy

Posted by Julzzz on March 20, 1999, at 2:13:10

In reply to Re: Depression & Narcolepsy, posted by alli on March 19, 1999, at 16:43:39

> alli, Have you tried any of the newer ADs - I haven't tried any of the Tricyclics although would assist in cataplexy, although I'm not 100% sure. It has been hard enough to get the medication right for the depression. Thanks for your reply. Julzzz

 

Re: Depression & Narcolepsy

Posted by jeff on March 30, 1999, at 2:32:45

In reply to Re: Depression & Narcolepsy, posted by Julzzz on March 20, 1999, at 2:13:10

>> Hi. It's a relief to see I'm not all alone on this, (altho' I wouldn't wish it on anyone). I've had problems with eccessive sleepiness long before I ever had any signs of bi-polar & anxiety. My Dr's, so far, rule out a sleep disorder and attribute it all to depression. I disagree since I'm often too sleepy to make it thru the day, but not depressed! I take effexor (alot), (ativan, depakote - small amounts), and ritalin. At first ritalin seemed like a miracle cure, but now I have increased tolerance & addiction problems. Does anyone think provigil would help this situation, as a substitute for ritalin? Any comments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

Re: Depression Narcolepsy

Posted by sunny13 on August 8, 2003, at 22:38:29

In reply to Re: Depression & Narcolepsy, posted by saintjames on March 8, 1999, at 21:54:09

I am taking provigil. sometimes it does not work.
are there others like me,
starting to feel depressed to go along with this problem. Have been diagnosed with bi-polar and depression.

 

Re: Depression Narcolepsy

Posted by DroopyinNC on September 3, 2003, at 14:14:13

In reply to Re: Depression Narcolepsy, posted by sunny13 on August 8, 2003, at 22:38:29

Quite a few years ago I was diagnosed with "chemical" depression by a Neurologist and placed on Paxil. Then about six years ago I was diagnosed by a Sleep Specialist with Narcolepsy. (I have excessive daytime sleepiness, the hallucinations and occasional bouts of cataplexy along with frequent mood swings and can be VERY EMOTIONAL.) I was put on Ritalin and taken off of Paxil. Recently I was rediagnosed with Depression and Narcolepsy and am now taking Ritalin SR and Lexapro. Other than the intial dizzy spells from beginning Lexapro (about 2 weeks ago) it doesn't seem to be too bad. Has anyone else used both of these drugs at the same time? What has been your experience?

 

provigil is a new drug for narcolepsy

Posted by loolot on September 4, 2003, at 14:43:27

In reply to Depression & Narcolepsy, posted by Julzzz on March 7, 1999, at 5:17:51

...which is good because it causes no speedy tense side effects and no withdrawals except getting tired. I like it, it brightens the mood a little but seems better when supplememnted with another AD.
I think this drug is a lot less risky has less unpleasant side-effects than the traditional stimulants.

 

Re: provigil is a new drug for narcolepsy

Posted by utopizen on September 4, 2003, at 18:34:15

In reply to provigil is a new drug for narcolepsy, posted by loolot on September 4, 2003, at 14:43:27

> ...which is good because it causes no speedy tense side effects and no withdrawals except getting tired. I like it, it brightens the mood a little but seems better when supplememnted with another AD.
> I think this drug is a lot less risky has less unpleasant side-effects than the traditional stimulants.
>

It works for some I guess, but I tried 500mg and it didn't do a thing.... I think Desoxyn is a better bet.


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