Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 102125

Shown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Sleeping my life away

Posted by Phoebe Hayes on April 6, 2002, at 3:46:02

I am writing this post in the hope that somebody out there can relate.

At the age of 32, I find it almost impossible to hold down a job because I can't get out of bed in the mornings. I have been taking 75mg a day of Efexor XR for over 3 years now. When I first began taking Efexor I noticed a dramatic improvement in mood after only 3-4 days and believe that the drug still curbs a lot of the social anxiety/excess sensitivity that paralysed me in the past.

I have had enough psychotherapy to understand both my past and the cognitive distortions that creep in to my life from time to time. I also try to fight the depression with seretonin-boosting exercise, diet, and music. Unfortunately I have a nightly craving for wine (which picks up my mood) but I’m working on kicking this addiction and now drink less than half of what I did a year ago.

Now that winter is approaching here in Australia, my energy levels are plummeting again. I have started my annual `hibernation routine', which consists of sleeping at least 13 hours a day whenever I get the chance. Sometimes, on weekends, I can sleep as much as 16 hours a day.

I always eat too much in the winter and am already around 6kg (13lbs) overweight. My general feelings of apathy and sluggishness, combined with my guilt about eating too much, will ensure that my exercise will grind to an eventual halt, around May. From that point, I will be a true bear (sleepy, lazy, antisocial) until the days start to get longer again in Sept/October.

Friends and family tell me that I'm just lazy. I wish that this were true - because mere laziness (once a person is conscious of it) is easier to overcome than is the insidious biological process affecting me.

I am no longer in therapy and am satisfied with my capacity to handle my life on a purely psychological level. My old psychotherapist suspected that I either suffered from SAD or from a milder form of bipolar disorder - but no diagnosis was ever made. Since then, I have seen the occasional doctor about my mood swings but have been dismissed as a normal person with the `winter blahs' every time. The usual advice is to get more exercise and do some meditation.

The thing is that I'm not even entirely sure that depression is the problem. I am nothing like the crying, anxious mess that I was when I first presented myself for treatment a few years ago. On most days, I experience periods of normal (even excited) moods on most days; I'm not usually so sad that I can't snap out of it.

The main problem is just a general lack of energy and motivation. It seems that facing any kind of stress at work sends me into a kind of overdrive that is too stressful for my mind/body to cope with.. To compensate, I seem to shut down or hibernate. My moods can swing dramatically from hour to hour. I also experience a severe loss of confidence and subjective (not delusional) paranoia, which is related to the weight gain. This too, affects my ability to present for work and seems much worse in winter.

I don't know whether I should increase my dose of Efexor, change my medication, or just have a general physical checkup. I only know that something isn't quite right and wish that someone would believe me!

Does anyone relate to this? What did you do?? Surely sleeping 16 hours a day isn't normal!

Phoe

 

Re: Sleeping my life away

Posted by Phil on April 6, 2002, at 6:57:31

In reply to Sleeping my life away, posted by Phoebe Hayes on April 6, 2002, at 3:46:02

Phoebe, Are you seeing a psychiatrist or family doc?
Have you considered a sleep study?
Have you had your thyroid checked? Noa could be helpful to you on this, I think. See the tips link at the top of the page.
How much do you drink a night approximately? Alcohol is tricky; when you drink for other reasons besides just being social, you could be headed for trouble. Can you stop drinking to see if that would help? If the answer is no, you might consider talking to a counselor about it.
Are you in a position to buy a light box?

I sleep a lot too. I LOVE to sleep. I think some of my sleepiness comes from burning too much emotional energy throughout the day.

Find a doc who is willing to experiment with another drug or combo. It could be that, although your mood is better, it's far from any remission of the depression.

Wish you well..will you keep us posted?

Phil

 

Re: Sleeping my life away » Phoebe Hayes

Posted by Ritch on April 6, 2002, at 9:03:55

In reply to Sleeping my life away, posted by Phoebe Hayes on April 6, 2002, at 3:46:02

> I am writing this post in the hope that somebody out there can relate.
>
> At the age of 32, I find it almost impossible to hold down a job because I can't get out of bed in the mornings. I have been taking 75mg a day of Efexor XR for over 3 years now. When I first began taking Efexor I noticed a dramatic improvement in mood after only 3-4 days and believe that the drug still curbs a lot of the social anxiety/excess sensitivity that paralysed me in the past.
>
> I have had enough psychotherapy to understand both my past and the cognitive distortions that creep in to my life from time to time. I also try to fight the depression with seretonin-boosting exercise, diet, and music. Unfortunately I have a nightly craving for wine (which picks up my mood) but I’m working on kicking this addiction and now drink less than half of what I did a year ago.
>
> Now that winter is approaching here in Australia, my energy levels are plummeting again. I have started my annual `hibernation routine', which consists of sleeping at least 13 hours a day whenever I get the chance. Sometimes, on weekends, I can sleep as much as 16 hours a day.
>
> I always eat too much in the winter and am already around 6kg (13lbs) overweight. My general feelings of apathy and sluggishness, combined with my guilt about eating too much, will ensure that my exercise will grind to an eventual halt, around May. From that point, I will be a true bear (sleepy, lazy, antisocial) until the days start to get longer again in Sept/October.
>
> Friends and family tell me that I'm just lazy. I wish that this were true - because mere laziness (once a person is conscious of it) is easier to overcome than is the insidious biological process affecting me.
>
> I am no longer in therapy and am satisfied with my capacity to handle my life on a purely psychological level. My old psychotherapist suspected that I either suffered from SAD or from a milder form of bipolar disorder - but no diagnosis was ever made. Since then, I have seen the occasional doctor about my mood swings but have been dismissed as a normal person with the `winter blahs' every time. The usual advice is to get more exercise and do some meditation.
>
> The thing is that I'm not even entirely sure that depression is the problem. I am nothing like the crying, anxious mess that I was when I first presented myself for treatment a few years ago. On most days, I experience periods of normal (even excited) moods on most days; I'm not usually so sad that I can't snap out of it.
>
> The main problem is just a general lack of energy and motivation. It seems that facing any kind of stress at work sends me into a kind of overdrive that is too stressful for my mind/body to cope with.. To compensate, I seem to shut down or hibernate. My moods can swing dramatically from hour to hour. I also experience a severe loss of confidence and subjective (not delusional) paranoia, which is related to the weight gain. This too, affects my ability to present for work and seems much worse in winter.
>
> I don't know whether I should increase my dose of Efexor, change my medication, or just have a general physical checkup. I only know that something isn't quite right and wish that someone would believe me!
>
> Does anyone relate to this? What did you do?? Surely sleeping 16 hours a day isn't normal!
>
> Phoe


Hi,

Your symptoms are much like mine. SSRI meds like Effexor sometimes actually *worsen* tiredness associated with SAD. I have SAD major depressive episodes twice a year with the same symptoms-esp. wintertime. SSRI's just don't cut it-period. I was up to 20mg of Celexa (which is a lot for me), and it didn't help much. The only thing that has helped dramatically is a psychostimulant. I believe it is some sort of neuroendocrine thing related to overall levels of alertness/wakefulness. In short-it is like several weeks of narcolepsy with severe cognitive problems (attention, focus, memory, etc.). It seems like SSRI simply *adds on* the emotional symtpoms of the depression. If you can't get docs over there to write for a stimulant you might bug them about thyroid hormone and/or consider SAMe. Mood stabilizers like Neurontin, Lamictal, etc. might also help some. Effexor triggered episodes of agitation/hostility/hypomania for me. You can try the light box thing, it is worth a shot. I haven't tried it yet, but others have and there is some spotty success with it.

good luck,
Mitch

 

Re: Sleeping my life away

Posted by Phil on April 6, 2002, at 10:32:32

In reply to Re: Sleeping my life away » Phoebe Hayes, posted by Ritch on April 6, 2002, at 9:03:55

I agree with Mitch (Ritch) on the stimulant idea.
I took Ritalin for years and am now taking Adderall. I've been thru a lot of cocktails but the stim is the one that makes any of them work for me.

 

me too!

Posted by LiLi80 on April 6, 2002, at 15:44:06

In reply to Sleeping my life away, posted by Phoebe Hayes on April 6, 2002, at 3:46:02

I am on effexor 300mg a day, and i sleep just as much as you do. It makes me not go to class but i think i am better than i was when i was off it. But lately i have been taking these once a day vitamens for women and i am no longer tired when i am awake. i still sleep as much but i am not tired all the time. They have given me energy so i can function more. See if you can find some. My doc gave me prenatal vitamens too, cause they have more stuff in them, maybe you can get those.

 

Re: Sleeping my life away » Phoebe Hayes

Posted by Bob on April 6, 2002, at 18:45:32

In reply to Sleeping my life away, posted by Phoebe Hayes on April 6, 2002, at 3:46:02

Ritch's post is right on the money. SSRIs have always induced hypersomnia in me, but it is a delayed effect (after months of taking it). When it finally does kick in, though, my sleep habits are exactly as you describe. Getting out of bed in the morning is extremely difficult! I haven't come across too many other people who describe this problem as closely to mine as you have.

The only relief I've found from this drug-induced hypersomnia "syndrom" is from the newer antiseizure drugs, such as Lamictal, Topomax, etc. I've found them somewhat hard to tolerate for a number of reasons, though, and I don't think they are the final answer for me.

Bob

 

Re: Sleeping my life away

Posted by turalizz on April 6, 2002, at 20:33:40

In reply to Sleeping my life away, posted by Phoebe Hayes on April 6, 2002, at 3:46:02

Hi,
I also suffered from hypersomnia, chronic fatigue and lack of motivation. I had sort of "narcoleptic" attacks during the day that I could not resist.

Now I'm on Remeron and Reboxetine (Edronax), and they help me a lot. I can go through the day without taking a nap, with 7 - 8 hours of sleep, and I am able to wake up in the morning, fully motivated.

I tried Effexor too, but could not get any results.

cem

 

Re: Sleeping my life away - Bob

Posted by Bekka H. on April 6, 2002, at 20:54:34

In reply to Re: Sleeping my life away » Phoebe Hayes, posted by Bob on April 6, 2002, at 18:45:32

> The only relief I've found from this drug-induced hypersomnia "syndrom" is from the newer antiseizure drugs, such as Lamictal, Topomax, etc. I've found them somewhat hard to tolerate for a number of reasons, though, and I don't think they are the final answer for me.
> Bob

************************************************

Hi Bob,

Can you explain what you mean when you say that you've found Lamictal and Topamax difficult to tolerate?

Thank you.
Bekka

 

Re: Sleeping my life away - Phoebe Hayes

Posted by Bekka H. on April 6, 2002, at 21:18:54

In reply to Sleeping my life away, posted by Phoebe Hayes on April 6, 2002, at 3:46:02

Hi Phoebe,

Wow! I certainly can relate to your post! I felt as if I was reading about myself. Unfortunately, the SSRI's and Effexor have not only NOT been able to help me with my seasonal variations, but they actually exacerbate my problems. I hibernate and I feel much more depressed, although somewhat LESS anxious. Effexor was one of the worst for me. I told my pdoc that Effexor should be re-named "Ineffexor."

I wonder whether you are able to go to a few other doctors for consultations to see which one you get along with best AND which one will be most psychopharmacologically creative. It sounds as if you need at least one med that is activating. Is Wellbutrin (bupropion) available in Australia? Wellbutrin is an antidepressant that is activating. Is your doctor willing to prescribe stimulants to augment the other meds? If not, I'd find someone who will.

Several years ago, I bought a light box that I saw advertised in a medical journal. It's very helpful, although not as good as spring and summer. I use it all year round, but I spend more time in front of it in the winter. If we have a long dark spell (a week or more of overcast, rainy days, for example), I use it in the summer, too. The one I have is from Apollo Light Systems in Utah. The Sunbox Company is another one that is good.

Recently I read that some doctors believe that SAD (seasonal affective disorder) might be a variant of mild bipolar disorder or bipolar II. If that is the case, I wonder whether something like Lamictal might help you? Many other posters on PB have done very well on it. I tried Lamictal recently and had rather severe insomnia, but I intend to give it another try soon, perhaps at a lower dose or combined with Neurontin (gabapentin) at night.

If you try all of the above options and you find that you still can't get out of bed, then perhaps you can find a job that allows you to work flexible hours or to work "second shift." Here in the U.S., many organizations have shift work. For example, since hospitals never close, many hospital workers can work either 8am-4pm, 4pm-12 midnight, or 12midnight-8am. Perhaps you could try the 4-12 shift?

I think the first order of priority is to be very assertive with your pdoc and tell him exactly what you've told us. If he's not willing to be more adventuresome with your meds, I'd find another doctor who will give you something more activating.

Good luck, and let us know how you are.
Bekka

 

Re: Sleeping my life away - shiftwork » Bekka H.

Posted by Ritch on April 6, 2002, at 22:16:33

In reply to Re: Sleeping my life away - Phoebe Hayes, posted by Bekka H. on April 6, 2002, at 21:18:54

........ If you try all of the above options and you find that you still can't get out of bed, then perhaps you can find a job that allows you to work flexible hours or to work "second shift." Here in the U.S., many organizations have shift work. For example, since hospitals never close, many hospital workers can work either 8am-4pm, 4pm-12 midnight, or 12midnight-8am. Perhaps you could try the 4-12 shift?

Bekka,

Thanks for conributing that information! BOTH my parents have worked 2nd shift most of their lives. Most of my jobs have always entailed 2nd shift work as well(and currently so)! Interestingly, the first panic attack I ever had was having to *switch* from 2nd shift to 3rd shift temporarily to cover vacations for the 3rd shift folks. I remember getting really uptight about it and leaving for work at 10pm and I started to get more and more uptight as I got to the factry. When I got inside I freaked and had to go and try to "puke" in the bathroom. I was all flushed and my heart was racing. I tried and tried to puke and couldn't. I finally just went to the assembly line where I had to work. The minute I had to start working I was OK. The panic thing repeated itself the next nite (but with lessened intensity). I get freaked with schedule changes which clashes with my set patterns.


Mitch

 

Re: Sleeping my life away - Bob

Posted by DebbieLynn on April 6, 2002, at 23:58:18

In reply to Re: Sleeping my life away - Bob, posted by Bekka H. on April 6, 2002, at 20:54:34

I experienced sedation also on Effexor XR at low doses. My doctor put me up to 225 mg----150mg in the am and 75mg in the pm........and WOW what a difference. Effexor works in different ways at different doses.

Hope this helps]
Debbie, RN

 

Re: Sleeping my life away - Bob » Bekka H.

Posted by Bob on April 7, 2002, at 15:18:51

In reply to Re: Sleeping my life away - Bob, posted by Bekka H. on April 6, 2002, at 20:54:34

> > The only relief I've found from this drug-induced hypersomnia "syndrom" is from the newer antiseizure drugs, such as Lamictal, Topomax, etc. I've found them somewhat hard to tolerate for a number of reasons, though, and I don't think they are the final answer for me.
> > Bob
>
> ************************************************
>
> Hi Bob,
>
> Can you explain what you mean when you say that you've found Lamictal and Topamax difficult to tolerate?
>
> Thank you.
> Bekka

Bekka:

I took Topomax more than a year ago for 3 months. At first it gave me some smooth hypomania, and controlled my anxiety somewhat, but the effect would always dissipate, requiring me to up the dose. In the beginning the dose increases would result in significant cognitive dysfunction, tiredness, tingling and numbness in the extremeties, vision changes, cold hands, painful hands, loss of appetite, etc. I felt the need to keep pushing the dose up because it was the first time that a non-SSRI drug gave me "usable" energy and periods of euphoria with creating unmanageable anxiety. It was too good to be true though, as it started to turn more and more anxious, and caused hostility and anger. Eventually it ballooned into full emotional lability. The cold hands (and cold body) problem never went away, and the hypomania I had experienced in the beginning was gone. Then, I had a severe kidney stone attack that required a stay in the hospital, where they found four more stones in my kidneys. Not a mere coincidence, I should think, considering Topomax has the potential to cause kidney stones. My doctor ordered me to come off of the med as quickly as possible, resulting in what was probably one of the most emotionally/mentally destabilizing events of my life. Topomax offered promise and hope in the beginning, but eventually almost killed me.

I figured I'd try some Lamictal again a few weeks ago. I tried it about 1.5 years ago before the Topomax and developed a rash and had to stop. This time I am going VERY slowly. I take 2.5mg at night, and 2.5mg during the day. Again, in the beginning it relaxed me and made me more alert even at these ridiculously small levels. It doesn't feel so good anymore, though. It seems to be adding to my akathisia, anxiety, and agitation, causes insomnia off and on, and worst of all, gives me cold and sometimes painful hands. It's been almost three weeks holding at that tiny pediatric dose, and these problems don't seem to be remitting. I don't think I'll be able to continue on to a higher dose - I do NOT want to have another situation like Topomax. I am more sensitive to meds than anybody I've ever heard of. It's truly ridiculous. It's also ashame because the med gives me energy and seems to help with suicidal thoughts (at least when it seems to be working).

Previous to starting the Lamictal, I was "stabilized" at a dose of 20mg Celexa, and .5mg of Clonazepam/day. By stabilized I don't mean feeling ok, I just mean I was surviving for some time at those doses without a change.

 

Re: Sleeping my life away - Bob

Posted by Bekka H. on April 7, 2002, at 15:56:30

In reply to Re: Sleeping my life away - Bob » Bekka H., posted by Bob on April 7, 2002, at 15:18:51

Hi Bob,

Thanks so much for your reply. Wow! You've really been through the wringer from these meds! I have, too, and I'm getting more and more discouraged.

I don't think I'd ever try Topamax due to its reputed "Dopamax" effects, but some do well on it. Those kidney problems sound horrible! Had you ever had kidney stones before? My mother had them, and she would literally scream from the pain. That was back in the days before lithotripsy and other treatments.

I have had some problems with Lamictal-induced insomnia. I will try it again soon at a dose similar to yours. I haven't given up on it. So many people seem to do well on it, so I want to give it another try, but the insomnia was terrible. I even stopped my other meds to see whether the Lamictal alone would cause the insomnia, and indeed it did cause it. A number of PB posters have experienced Lamictal-induced insomnia and have had some success with adding Neurontin and/or klonopin for sleep. I might try that, too.

Are you still on Celexa? Did you ever try Lamictal by itself without the other meds?

I hope you feel better SOON!
Bekka

 

Re: Sleeping my life away - Bob » Bekka H.

Posted by Bob on April 7, 2002, at 17:30:03

In reply to Re: Sleeping my life away - Bob, posted by Bekka H. on April 7, 2002, at 15:56:30

> Hi Bob,
>
> Thanks so much for your reply. Wow! You've really been through the wringer from these meds! I have, too, and I'm getting more and more discouraged.


Yes, I have. The Topomax story is really just the tip of the iceberg... but it's a nasty sharp tip. I have many stories with other meds too, but we don't need to get into that now. I don't doubt you have suffered at the hands of psychoactive meds also, as they are often problematic. I know your discouragement well, and I hope we both find respite from it. It's a tough lifestyle to live.


>
> I don't think I'd ever try Topamax due to its reputed "Dopamax" effects, but some do well on it. Those kidney problems sound horrible! Had you ever had kidney stones before? My mother had them, and she would literally scream from the pain. That was back in the days before lithotripsy and other treatments.


I had one small kidney stone years before, but I think I brought it on myself by taking insane amounts of fiber pills to counteract the AD-induced constipation (they have calcium in them). Having 5 kidney stones all at once was almost surely due to Topomax. The first one I passed was almost 5mm, so that's why it required a hospital stay on a Morphine drip. I got rid of 3 others with the lithotripsy treatment (that was all last summer). Last month the last one of those came rolling out in another attack, but was small enough that I passed it immediately. I sort of worry about meds like Lamictal and Neurontin producing more kidney stones in me. I don't think the likelyhood is high, but I guess I'm paranoid now. I sincerely hope you never get them. It's not the end of the world, but is certainly something one could do without.


>
> I have had some problems with Lamictal-induced insomnia. I will try it again soon at a dose similar to yours. I haven't given up on it. So many people seem to do well on it, so I want to give it another try, but the insomnia was terrible. I even stopped my other meds to see whether the Lamictal alone would cause the insomnia, and indeed it did cause it. A number of PB posters have experienced Lamictal-induced insomnia and have had some success with adding Neurontin and/or klonopin for sleep. I might try that, too.


I am taking Clonazepam .5 mg right now, and it does indeed counter the "overactivation" and insomnia somewhat. Problem is, those symptoms are not consistently present, and when they aren't I'm extremely and uncontrollably drowsy. The possible side effect profile for Neurontin includes tingling in the extremeties, athralgia, drowsiness, cognitive dysfunction, and even irritability and hositility. Considering those are all things I've experience on Topomax, it kind of scares me to try that med. I've had the cold (and sometimes painful hands) on Trileptal, Topomax, and Lamictal. It's almost guaranteed for me on Neurontin.


>
> Are you still on Celexa? Did you ever try Lamictal by itself without the other meds?


Yes, I am currently taking 20mg/day Celexa along with .5mg Clonazepam. I was actually taking Celexa when I tried the Topomax, and completely weaned myself from it, leaving me on monotherapy with Topomax. I think it might have added to my anxiety, but who the heck knows. I have debated lowering the Celexa, but I'm not sure what benefit that would have. I'm assuming, possibly incorrectly, that it is having some sort of antianxiety effect. I do hate SSRIs though, as they induce akathisia in the beginning, followed eventually by significant apathy and physical sluggishness. BTW, how much Lamictal did you get up to when you last took it?


>
> I hope you feel better SOON!


I hope the same for you also, as well as all the other people out there suffering like us.

Bob

> Bekka

 

Re: Sleeping my life away

Posted by livingghost on June 17, 2002, at 20:07:08

In reply to Re: Sleeping my life away, posted by turalizz on April 6, 2002, at 20:33:40

> Hi,
> I also suffered from hypersomnia, chronic fatigue and lack of motivation. I had sort of "narcoleptic" attacks during the day that I could not resist.
>
> Now I'm on Remeron and Reboxetine (Edronax), and they help me a lot. I can go through the day without taking a nap, with 7 - 8 hours of sleep, and I am able to wake up in the morning, fully motivated.
>
> I tried Effexor too, but could not get any results.
>
> cem

cem,

You're not missing anything with Effexor as far as the hypersomnia is concerned. Effexor has cured my depression, but causes hypersomnia as well (I believe).

 

Re: Sleeping my life away - Bob

Posted by winter on June 20, 2002, at 15:17:09

In reply to Re: Sleeping my life away - Bob » Bekka H., posted by Bob on April 7, 2002, at 17:30:03

Wow... you are my people!!! First off Phoebe do reserch or this very rare sleeping disorder, Kleine-Levine syndrome. My doctor thinks there is a possibility I may have a varition of it or a mild form of it but beacause it is so rare we can't say. This is how rare it is, I live in LA and there is a doctor here a sleep specialist and he has the largest case study of this disorder in the world; 3. My spelling may not be exact on that.

Second of all to all of you for the past three years I have been going through the same ordeal sleeping 12-14 hours on a really good day, 14-18 other wise. Rarely up in the 20's. I have seen psychologists, psychiatrists, psycho analyists, had sleep studies, you name it. Everything tested. Found out one thing my hormone levels were abnormal. My estrogen had dropped below 20 (normal is in the 100's). It was so low the could'nt measure it. I did HRT. I did not improve my sleeping enough however. Since I did that I haven't slept 18+ hours. No more almost daily migraines.

I have been on almost every medication you all have listed, paxil, wellbutrin, effexor(350mg), lamictil, reboxitine, topamax(200mg), provigil(150mg)..that is all I can remember. Nothing worked (don't even bother with provigil it will make you miserable. When I did wake up on it it kept me in a non asleep state, where I wasn't physically asleep, but I sure as hell felt like I was)

When I stopped taking the Effexor not only was that more painful than quitting smoking.(The withdrawl is said to be one of the worst prescription medications to get off of, so bad that some people can never get off of it because the withdrawl is too damaging to their system.)I stopped the effexor for two reasons my blood pressure had gotten too high for my taste (133/82 normally I am 112/72 or lower)and secondly my psychiatrist at the time wanted nme to try either Parnate or Nardil. Good ole' MAOI's....

Anyway when I finally got off of the effexor I felt better slight headache improvement, sleeping improvement for about a week. Most important of all I realised I was not all that depressed. Off of the effexor I did not feel any worse any more depressed as I had expected to. I remembered how I felt before I took my first med paxil, I was severely depressed then, and I wasn't feeling that way after the effexor withdrawal. However My psychiatrist was convinced that my hypersomnia was realted to depression. "I don't know why you sleep so much, hypersomnia is a symptom of depression, so that must be it. We will treat it as depression!"

I was uncomfortable about taking a MAOI, so I got a second opinion and by this time I was convince that I had some anxiety that came and went, an anger problem, and I was depressed about sleeping too much. Depressed not even being the best word; upset, disapointed, frustrated, at a loss. That was not my general mood I only felt that about the fact that I slept so much and there fore I couldn't lead the life I wanted to. I wasn't a depressed person therefore I was sleeping to much. I wasn't depressed therefore I has anxiety. It was unrealted and the other way around.

I saw a psycho-pharmaceutacologist he agreed with me 100%. Now I am taking Dexedrine. I am still trying to work out the dosage. So far it has helped more than anything. I am so thankful I could cry. I have been up since nine this morning. A miracle and I will stay up and not fall asleep, and have a good amount of energy like a normal healthy person does until an apropriate time at night. I don't think I am quite to sleeping on 7-8 but 9.5-10 is really good considering I just started the meds about a week ago. My body hates me! Its saying 'Wheres all my sleep I am not used to this!'

However I know taking anti-seizures, anti-depressants, all those things aren't going to work.

So I think maybe some of you should really carefully objectivly look at your selves and see if you really are that depressed. Doctors assume everything is depression, especially if they cant figure it out. Do you have hope? Do you have goals? Do you want to do things? Do you wish you go out and have a life instead of sleeping all the time? Some depressed people don't especially those that would be inclined to sleep alot. Talk about it with a therapist who isn't going to say " Oh but you are depressed this is why you have these problems..." Maybe you are, but you might not be and you might be wasting time and money thinking you are.

I only say all this not as an opinion of any of you but so that maybe someone can learn from my experience.

Sorry about the long message, Winter

 

Re: Sleeping my life away

Posted by noa on June 20, 2002, at 16:43:57

In reply to Re: Sleeping my life away, posted by livingghost on June 17, 2002, at 20:07:08

>>Effexor has cured my depression, but causes hypersomnia as well (I believe).

I hear that it does. But funny thing--it seems to cause hypersomnia in some people and insomnia problems in others.


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