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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by awatts on April 12, 2005, at 13:31:37
http://host1.bondware.com/~memphismed30/news.php?viewStoryPrinter=247
Posted by Phillipa on April 12, 2005, at 18:48:54
In reply to Lunesta for Depression, posted by awatts on April 12, 2005, at 13:31:37
Wow! That's expensive! And all that money to advertise. I wonder if the drug reps are giving out samples to try. I would think they would have to to get people to try it. And I didn't know it only works with another antidepressant for depression. I was hoping that it alone would be enough. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by awatts on April 13, 2005, at 15:43:54
In reply to Re: Lunesta for Depression » awatts, posted by Phillipa on April 12, 2005, at 18:48:54
>And I didn't know it only works with another antidepressant for depression. I was hoping that it alone would be enough. Fondly, Phillipa
I think/hope that the key might be: "clinical trials show that it can be taken for extended periods of time without significantly increasing the chances of addiction."
Since ADs frequently take 4 or more weeks to start working, we can now, for the first time, see if long term use of a sleep medication might help depression. Maybe augmenting an existing AD, or, even better, as monotherapy for depression.
Posted by Jakeman on April 13, 2005, at 17:21:27
In reply to Re: Lunesta for Depression, posted by awatts on April 13, 2005, at 15:43:54
If I remember correctly, the study found that depressed insomniacs felt less depressed on Prozac and Lunesta than on Prozac alone. Maybe I'm missing something but this outcome is not surprising to me. Prozac is famous for causing insomnia. If you're robbed of sleep you feel worse mentally. Add an insomnia drug to get more rest and naturally you feel better than with Prozac alone.
I received some samples of Lunesta (2 mg) which I took for two nights, and the following two nights I took 7.5 mg of Zopiclone (Imovane), Lunesta's European twin. With both I woke after about 6 hours of sleep with a bitter taste in my mouth.
My experiment was very short so one can't draw conclusions. But I am beginning to become very suspicious of the hype surrounding Lunesta. Still, I'd like to give it a longer trial (IF I can afford it!). Come to think of it, if I had bought stock in Sepracor a year ago, I might be sleeping better without a drug :-)
best wishes, Jake
Posted by ed_uk on April 13, 2005, at 18:07:10
In reply to Re: Lunesta for Depression, posted by Jakeman on April 13, 2005, at 17:21:27
Hi!
>If I remember correctly, the study found that depressed insomniacs felt less depressed on Prozac and Lunesta than on Prozac alone. Maybe I'm missing something but this outcome is not surprising to me. Prozac is famous for causing insomnia. If you're robbed of sleep you feel worse mentally. Add an insomnia drug to get more rest and naturally you feel better than with Prozac alone.
LOL- I don't think you're missing anything!! I can't imagine that Lunesta has any specific antidepressant properties, I would think you're right when you say that the depressed patients felt bettter because they'd had a good nights sleep.
Regards,
Ed.
Posted by Phillipa on April 13, 2005, at 18:35:34
In reply to Re: Lunesta for Depression » Jakeman, posted by ed_uk on April 13, 2005, at 18:07:10
Darn! I was hoping for a "wonder drug". One that does it all! Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by ed_uk on April 13, 2005, at 18:46:18
In reply to Re: Lunesta for Depression » ed_uk, posted by Phillipa on April 13, 2005, at 18:35:34
Hi P!
>Darn! I was hoping for a "wonder drug". One that does it all!
Stick with the Valium! It's your wonder drug :-)
Ed xxx
Posted by Phillipa on April 13, 2005, at 19:55:42
In reply to Re: Lunesta for Depression » Phillipa, posted by ed_uk on April 13, 2005, at 18:46:18
That's what I was planning! Fondly Phillipa OOO
This is the end of the thread.
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