![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by g_g_g_unit on March 15, 2012, at 0:07:54
Since short-acting benzos produced excessive depression and rebound stimulation the next day, I asked my psychiatrist if I could try Prazosin for sleep. He wasn't entirely comfortable prescribing it, since he'd never heard of it before, but gave me clonidine instead. I should thank this board, since I came up with the idea based on Chairman_MAO's recommendation.
I've actually found that 15mg of Valium at night curbs the excessive irritability and overstimulation I experience on Parnate, but also cancels out any anti-ADHD benefits, so it's not ideal..
Given clonidine has a shorter half-life, I'm hoping it might allow me to reach a higher dose of Parnate, as insomnia is the biggest obstruction right now.
Posted by SLS on March 15, 2012, at 6:35:17
In reply to Prescribed Clonidine for Parnate insomnia, posted by g_g_g_unit on March 15, 2012, at 0:07:54
> Since short-acting benzos produced excessive depression and rebound stimulation the next day, I asked my psychiatrist if I could try Prazosin for sleep. He wasn't entirely comfortable prescribing it, since he'd never heard of it before, but gave me clonidine instead. I should thank this board, since I came up with the idea based on Chairman_MAO's recommendation.
>
> I've actually found that 15mg of Valium at night curbs the excessive irritability and overstimulation I experience on Parnate, but also cancels out any anti-ADHD benefits, so it's not ideal..
>
> Given clonidine has a shorter half-life, I'm hoping it might allow me to reach a higher dose of Parnate, as insomnia is the biggest obstruction right now.I should think that clonidine is better for insomnia than prazosin. Clonidine is a more potent sympatholytic (anti-flight-or-flight) than prazosin. They work on different parts of the nervous system.
clonidine = NE alpha-2 agonist
prazosin = NE alpha-1 antagonistAlthough I am not the drug's biggest fan, Gabitril (tiagabine) is sometimes used to treat insomnia. It enhances slow wave sleep and sleep maintenance. Gabitril is unique as a reuptake inhibitor of GABA. Personally, I think the drug is unpredictable interindividually. It can be agitating for some people. However, if it works well for a given individual, it should keep working well.
Please keep us updated. I am very interested to see how clonidine affects you.
Good luck.
- Scott
Posted by g_g_g_unit on March 15, 2012, at 7:04:58
In reply to Re: Prescribed Clonidine for Parnate insomnia » g_g_g_unit, posted by SLS on March 15, 2012, at 6:35:17
Thanks Scott. I realize it's mostly the stimulant effect at play, but I've noticed some interesting improvements in cognition and ADD symptoms (more so than any other AD), so I'd like to find a way to continue with the Parnate. I understand, though, that tolerance will (?) develop to those effects.
Anyway, I'm hopeful about clonidine. My psych thinks it might even act synergistically with the Parnate to improve ADD. I just hope I don't experience an increase in depression on it.
> I should think that clonidine is better for insomnia than prazosin. Clonidine is a more potent sympatholytic (anti-flight-or-flight) than prazosin. They work on different parts of the nervous system.
>
> clonidine = NE alpha-2 agonist
> prazosin = NE alpha-1 antagonist
>
> Although I am not the drug's biggest fan, Gabitril (tiagabine) is sometimes used to treat insomnia. It enhances slow wave sleep and sleep maintenance. Gabitril is unique as a reuptake inhibitor of GABA. Personally, I think the drug is unpredictable interindividually. It can be agitating for some people. However, if it works well for a given individual, it should keep working well.
>
> Please keep us updated. I am very interested to see how clonidine affects you.
>
> Good luck.
>
>
> - Scott
>
Posted by kagome on March 15, 2012, at 10:21:23
In reply to Re: Prescribed Clonidine for Parnate insomnia » SLS, posted by g_g_g_unit on March 15, 2012, at 7:04:58
Hi, I'm curious too as to how the Clonidine works for you. It's interesting that your doctor thinks it may work synergistically with Parnate for ADD, was there any particular rationale behind that? I've always thought that ADD was a big part of my depression (makes it hard to put together a life worth living when your mind is a muddle) and I think my small improvements from Parnate have mostly been in that area...
I also notice that in another post you talk about OCD. I don't have it, but I've noticed on Parnate that I seem to have what you described as increased concentration and alertness, which helps with ADD but also translates for me into compulsive cleaning and some obsessive thoughts. It makes me wonder if ADD and OCD are two sides of the same coin? Hmmm...
Anyway, I'm glad to hear that Parnate's been helpful and I hope Clonidine works well. Good luck!
Posted by phidippus on March 17, 2012, at 20:09:40
In reply to Prescribed Clonidine for Parnate insomnia, posted by g_g_g_unit on March 15, 2012, at 0:07:54
Clonidine is often prescribed to augment stimulant therapy in ADHD.
What have you tried for sleep?
Eric
Posted by g_g_g_unit on March 19, 2012, at 6:11:37
In reply to Re: Prescribed Clonidine for Parnate insomnia » g_g_g_unit, posted by phidippus on March 17, 2012, at 20:09:40
> Clonidine is often prescribed to augment stimulant therapy in ADHD.
>
> What have you tried for sleep?
>
> EricSeroquel, Neurontin, Xanax, Temazepam, Valium, Zopiclone, OTC anti-histamines.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.