Posted by Shawn. T. on July 22, 2002, at 2:33:15
In reply to Anti-Histamines, Questions about Sleep Meds » Shawn. T., posted by fachad on July 21, 2002, at 9:57:32
> > Note that you'll lose the anti-histamine
> > side effects after a couple weeks.
>
> That's not always true. My wife has been >taking Elavil (amitriptyline) for over 8 years, >and she still falls asleep hard and sleeps very >soundly from it.You are right. I doubt it's possible to avoid the sedation from the histaminic actions of Remeron and Elavil. I really hate the thought of someone being on amitriptyline for any reason. It just has so many side effects; I can't name any other antidepressant that has more. I like the idea that it is a pharmacy in a pill.
http://www.preskorn.com/columns/9803.html
> > Trimipramine is awful! Is it really worth >the negative effects on learning to get to sleep >when other sleep aids exist?
>
> What other sleep aids do you think are a good >idea?
>Remeron
> What would you recommend to someone with >chronic insomnia?
>
> If your first choice is a proprietary med, what >would you recommend as an alternate if their >insurance does not cover brand meds and they >cannot afford brand name meds? (That >consideration would exclude both Remeron and >Surmontil = trimipramine).
>
> Would your second line sleep med be a benzo, or >a TCA?Neither. Ask your doctor about taking .5 to 1 mg of melatonin to help with insomnia.
http://www.gnc.com/health_notes/Concern/Insomnia.htm
http://www.gnc.com/health_notes/Supp/Melatonin.htm
> And if they could not tolerate you second line >med, would you have another choice?
I normally wouldn't suggest this to anyone, but you might talk to your doctor about trazadone (Desyrel). I'd say start at 25mg/day and don't go over 50mg/day. I've heard bad things about taking too much trazadone.http://www.fpnotebook.com/PSY169.htm
> Don't forget that insominia has adverse effects >on learning and memory if left untreated.
>True.
> And regarding the effects on learning, I still >think you are extrapolating unrealistically from >those studies. The minute effects that can be >measured in a laboratory do not usually >translate into gross effects in human life in >the real world.Trimipramine has moderate anticholinergic effects. That's not acceptable. Amitryptiline has rather strong anticholinergic effects. I should have mentioned that Benadryl is an unadvisable sleep aid because of its anticholinergic effects. Anticholinergic drugs have negative effects on learning in humans. You just can't dispute that. I disagree with your statement that I am extrapolating unrealistically from those studies. The prevention of the formation of long term potentiation in the hippocampus is not a "minute effect." Long term potentiation is perhaps the most important factor in the creation of memories. Your memories and experiences lead to the expression of your individuality. That's why this issue matters so much to me. The tricyclics are horrible drugs IMO. I'm always glad to try to convince someone that hasn't been convinced yet.
http://www.fpnotebook.com/NEU162.htm
http://www.fpnotebook.com/PSY173.htmShawn
poster:Shawn. T.
thread:113043
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020718/msgs/113225.html