Posted by Chloe on February 1, 2002, at 19:03:43
In reply to Re:TCA/depakote/sleep? » Chloe, posted by Ritch on February 1, 2002, at 0:45:23
>
> Glad to hear you are feeling "smoothed out". I can even tell it in your writing. You said that you are going up to 250mg tomorrow? You still are taking it all in the evening? Just a bit of advice-but I would take all of it in the evening if you are having some probs with early morning awakening. Yeah, I gained weight even on the lower doses-BUT *not* having the munchies is a good sign. I *did* have the munchies when I was on lower doses, so maybe you won't have that much of a problem. Are you still on the amitripytline? Are you taking the Depakote in addition to your Neurontin? The Depakote has a long enough half-life so that you *might* be able to take your Neurontin twice a day instead of 3-4x daily (So you could toss in more Neurontin right before you go to bed-and that might help your sleep also).Hi Mitch,
I don't know if I should take the other 125 mgs in the am or pm. I don't find it helps me sleep, yet anyway. So I was wondering if I should spread the dose evenly thoughout the day. I have read it has a 5-20 hour half life. Now that is a big range...I probably should have tried it this am, and seen how I tolerated it during the day. But I didn't. And tomorrow I have to work, retail, so I don't want to be "too" out of it. You think one evening dose is best for sleep reasons? But what about for cycling coverage? Have you ever taken it BID?I am still taking the neurontin, 100mgs am, 100mgs 4-5pm, 200 hs. I wish I could take it BID...But I start to sweat and get the shakes if I go much longer than 7 hours without a dose. I always thought it was low blood sugar...But food doesn't cure the neurontin shakes and sweats!
I am still taking the amitriptyline. Though, now it seems like a sugar pill. My sleep is still very light. But I think it's important to keep it on board. I have probably built up a tolerance to the sedating effects. But, it has elevated my energy level, and desire to "do" more. I still get this swell of rage inside a few times a day, but it's not overwhelming. I might fuss or complain for a while. But the rages/agitation that were lasting 30 hours have subsided for now. I have had two days without a huge disruption. Whahoo!
> There is one thing I have been trying lately for sleep soundness and it is adding a tiny dose of Melatonin (200 micrograms) at bedtime, and it seems to be helping. Another thing I really want to investigate is Omega3 stuff. I tried the "fish oil" gelcaps-YUCK-I have heartburn and it was pretty nasty. I heard that flaxseed oil has high Omega3 fatty acids and isn't "fishy". The reason I bring that thing up is I have heard it helps kids with ADHD as well as bipolar.I have used melatonin before. I am a bit leery of it though, since it can be depressogenic. And it's not known to help with early morning wakening, etc. But if I need to shut down the brain so I can fall asleep, I think it's a good remedy as needed. I might have to go digging in the medicine cabinet and haul that one out for a try...
In terms of fish oil, I take 2 grams(capsules) every night *right* before bed. I do not want them to start digesting until I am asleep. Burping fish oil is one of the most unpleasant experiences there is! I never take them during waking moments! I have no idea if they do anything for mood stabilization, etc. But I have heard that they are good for people with skin problems, ezcema and the like, which is me! It's been part of my routine for years now...So I guess it's not much help for the URC! I too want to try some flax seed oil. It does seem more benign than the fish oil. Though I really don't notices it anymore, since I take it right before bed.
Are you completely off the WB now?
Thanks
Chloe
poster:Chloe
thread:90799
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020131/msgs/92556.html