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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by suffragette on October 29, 2004, at 12:47:58
I've been on Effexor for awhile and it has helped my depression. I have had sleep problems forever, and have been on the day depression meds (Prozac/Zoloft) and the night depression meds (Doxepin/Elavil) combo for 2 decades. Still, sleep was the problem. So my dr, in his infinite wisdom, took me off Doxepin and gave me Restoril. I think I am going thru Doxepin withdrawal now. It's been 2 weeks and I've gone from no sleep to sleep periods of 4 hours then wakefullness and walking zombie status all day. The Restoril did not help, neither does Sonata. So I'm going to stop taking night meds altogether and try Valerian at night. I have a job, which thankfully allows me to pretty much make my own hours. I work in the mental health consumer empowerment field, and I'm being forced to look at my mh life now in a more empowered way. All these meds! Is it marketing? Is the idea of Recovery valid with all these meds fighting in our systems? I believe I will always need a chemical boost, but I'm ready now to learn how to sleep as naturally as my husband, who zzz's away while I look at the ceiling. My dr, I believe, made a huge mistake in not weaning me from Doxepin, which I've been on for probably 5 years. His nurse refused to put me back on Elavil, which I asked for, and just had him prescribe Sonata. I want to end this cycle and help my body regulate itself. I guess the whole concept of recovery involves constant monitoring of yourself so that you don't become complacent with your own mh.
Posted by linkadge on October 29, 2004, at 13:07:07
In reply to effexor and empowerment and withdrawal, posted by suffragette on October 29, 2004, at 12:47:58
If the restoril does not work, then valerian will definately not work.
When high potency benzodiazapines do not alleviate insomnia, this is a symptom of an inproperly treated mood disorder.
I would treat this as inadequitely treated depression, and perhaps give a trial of a higher dose of doxepine, or remeron or trazedone.
Which daytime meds are you taking? Could they be contributing to the insomnia?
Linkadge
Posted by fayeroe on October 30, 2004, at 4:17:39
In reply to effexor and empowerment and withdrawal, posted by suffragette on October 29, 2004, at 9:30:08
I don't know if I can be of much help, but I've taken Effexor, Elavil and Prozac. Are you going to a family doctor, internest, etc.? Have you been with this doctor a long time? If you live in a large city, I suggest that you try to find a psychiatrist. That's an awful heavy dose of meds that you've been prescribed. If you are going to a psychiatrist, I'd find another one. I don't know about withdrawal from the fourth drug, but most every thing that we take for depression has some withdrawal effects. I know I didn't tell you anything you probably didn't already know, but I'm thinking of you and I hope you get all the meds straightened out. Pat
Posted by suffragette on October 30, 2004, at 8:44:08
In reply to Re: effexor and empowerment and withdrawal, posted by linkadge on October 29, 2004, at 13:07:07
Hi--I take Effexor 150mg in the am, one dose. I also take a plethora of vitamins.
I've been treated for depression for 15 years, yet I've always suspected that I might be slightly bipolar. What I'm going thru now seems like hypomania and has happened before.
This is the end of the thread.
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