Posted by sobeit on July 3, 2007, at 0:38:28
In reply to Re: Nardil sleep quality, posted by sobeit on April 17, 2004, at 3:38:58
Well, it's been over 3 years since I posted the previous message re: sleep quality and Nardil. The chronic insomnia continues to be the most disabling side effect I experience on the med - the others I tolerate quite well. I've temporarily discontinued Nardil to prevent any potential complications with anesthesia for an upcoming surgery and now recall how it feels to sleep through a night after years of staring at the ceiling until 4am.
> For years I've benefited from Nardil in the treatment of atypical depression and social phobia/social anxiety. By far, the side effect most troubling for me has been insomnia and disruption of a regular sleep pattern. I did happen to participate in a sleep study (PSG and MSLT) within the past year - the first test while taking Nardil (60 mg.) and the second test after suspending med. for 3 weeks. While on Nardil, REM sleep phase was reduced 95% and Phase 4 reduced 75%, primarily compensated for by greater time spent in phases 1 and 2. Total sleep duration was also reduced, with multiple brief awakenings through the night unrelated to air restriction. Ironically, I thought it was one of my better nights of sleep! The lack of REM sleep certainly seems to have an effect on my opportunity for dreaming and/or recall. I also experience occasional orthostatic hypotension and a yearly EKG confirms bradycardia (as low as 47), but I consider these only mildly bothersome. Added benefit is I rarely have headaches, something that was quite common when social phobia ruled the day. I've temporarily suspended the medication several times in the past and typically experienced a "withdrawl" period of approximately 7-10 days in which I would have mild constant headache and an unusual visual disturbance in which any quick movement of my head would create a secondary "jerking" eye movement (reminds me of nystagmus) and momentary loss of balance. I have a current prescription for Ambien, but use it sparingly. I find Todd's history and experiences similar as mine.
>
> Sobeit
poster:sobeit
thread:336279
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070630/msgs/767322.html