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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by rainyday on March 8, 2004, at 9:14:22
In reply to Is there such an animal as a safe sleep aid???, posted by fayeroe on February 22, 2004, at 11:46:59
I put on a new age cd of recorded natural sounds (I have oceans, wolves, loons, tropical rainforest, lakes and even Niagara Falls). At even low volume they help to put me out. I prefer these to recordings with talking on them because you don't have to concentrate.
Posted by fayeroe on March 8, 2004, at 17:42:00
In reply to Re: Is there such an animal as a safe sleep aid??? » fayeroe, posted by rainyday on March 8, 2004, at 9:14:22
> I put on a new age cd of recorded natural sounds (I have oceans, wolves, loons, tropical rainforest, lakes and even Niagara Falls). At even low volume they help to put me out. I prefer these to recordings with talking on them because you don't have to concentrate.
I'm going to try that. The sleep machine wasn't in so I'm waiting~~~~~~~~I'll go find a CD!! Thanks! Pat p.s. today I purchased melantonin and will try it tonight also.......
Posted by LynneDa on March 16, 2004, at 17:25:17
In reply to Re: Is there such an animal as a safe sleep aid??? » rainyday, posted by fayeroe on March 8, 2004, at 17:42:00
Pat - Has anything worked for you yet? I am so tired of being tired! I have had sleep problems for years, but after being on Lex for 5 months now, it is true insomnia. I frequently take 3mg melatonin & fall asleep just fine - but wake up a few hours later, stay awake til about 6 - then sleep for an hour very soundly! I'm just awake - not so wired like I was before, not anxious, not worried - just awake!
I've tried soft music, lavender essential oils and linen sprays (very nice actually, but didn't keep me asleep all night), chamomile tea, Ambien (loved it, but coming off of it after a week on it was H*@@! P-doc didn't want me on it too long, said it should re-train my body. It did for about a week, then I was back to my old pattern.), Motrin PMS, Benadryl, cough syrup, an herbal mix with kava kava in it (not good - made my heart race and felt wired), calcium supplements, sleeping on a different mattress, a variety of relaxation techniques, feng shui-ing my bedroom, meditation & praying to anyone listening to help me sleep :-)
Hoping you are sleeping better and have found a wondrous solution!
~ Lynne
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
> I'm going to try that. The sleep machine wasn't in so I'm waiting~~~~~~~~I'll go find a CD!! Thanks! Pat p.s. today I purchased melantonin and will try it tonight also.......
>
>
Posted by fayeroe on March 16, 2004, at 18:28:26
In reply to Re: Is there such an animal as a safe sleep aid??? » fayeroe, posted by LynneDa on March 16, 2004, at 17:25:17
> Pat - Has anything worked for you yet? I am so tired of being tired! I have had sleep problems for years, but after being on Lex for 5 months now, it is true insomnia. I frequently take 3mg melatonin & fall asleep just fine - but wake up a few hours later, stay awake til about 6 - then sleep for an hour very soundly! I'm just awake - not so wired like I was before, not anxious, not worried - just awake!
>
> I've tried soft music, lavender essential oils and linen sprays (very nice actually, but didn't keep me asleep all night), chamomile tea, Ambien (loved it, but coming off of it after a week on it was H*@@! P-doc didn't want me on it too long, said it should re-train my body. It did for about a week, then I was back to my old pattern.), Motrin PMS, Benadryl, cough syrup, an herbal mix with kava kava in it (not good - made my heart race and felt wired), calcium supplements, sleeping on a different mattress, a variety of relaxation techniques, feng shui-ing my bedroom, meditation & praying to anyone listening to help me sleep :-)
>
> Hoping you are sleeping better and have found a wondrous solution!
> ~ Lynne
> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>
> >
> > I'm going to try that. The sleep machine wasn't in so I'm waiting~~~~~~~~I'll go find a CD!! Thanks! Pat p.s. today I purchased melantonin and will try it tonight also.......Alas, so far I'm still adrift. Last night I tried something like TylenolPM. I got 5 hours. And for me that's pretty good. But it isn't a peaceful quiet sleep. I dream weird *--* and become very anxious when I awake. I'm going to try to get elavil and take 50mm a night. It's so difficult to get a doc here to prescribe something for sleep. The old bible belt. I guess we are supposed to flog ourselves or something at bedtime.......I've tried that too.:-) One has to be resourceful! Pat p.s did you have vivid dreams with the melantonin?????
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by LynneDa on March 17, 2004, at 9:47:34
In reply to Re: Is there such an animal as a safe sleep aid??? » LynneDa, posted by fayeroe on March 16, 2004, at 18:28:26
Elavil - is it non-addicting? I'll have to ask my doctor about it. He is very open and sort of gives me anything I ask for, within reason!
Yes, the Melatonin does provide me with really vivid and weird dreams. I'm not sure why, but I guess it has to do with deeper REM cycling or something? Mine haven't been scary - just Alice in Wonderland-like!
I gave in last night and chopped my 10mg Ambien into thirds and took one (I'd previously swore them off!). I was going on 3 nights in a row with only 3 hours sleep. It's almost 10am and I'm still pretty groggy, but boy did I have a nice night's sleep!!!!
Happy St. Paddy's Day! Take care!
~ Lynne
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Alas, so far I'm still adrift. Last night I tried something like TylenolPM. I got 5 hours. And for me that's pretty good. But it isn't a peaceful quiet sleep. I dream weird *--* and become very anxious when I awake. I'm going to try to get elavil and take 50mm a night. It's so difficult to get a doc here to prescribe something for sleep. The old bible belt. I guess we are supposed to flog ourselves or something at bedtime.......I've tried that too.:-) One has to be resourceful! Pat p.s did you have vivid dreams with the melantonin?????
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by Jai Narayan on March 17, 2004, at 18:48:35
In reply to Re: Is there such an animal as a safe sleep aid??? » fayeroe, posted by LynneDa on March 17, 2004, at 9:47:34
My ritual is I go to sleep early 9pm, do 2.5mg sublingual melatonin then when I wake up at 1 or 2 am I take 5mg Ambien and I sleep till 5 or 6 or 7am.....it's so sweet. I love that my eyes close and I sleep and dream....my dreams are sometimes vivid but I dream....I love getting that deep into sleep. REM is so important....I wish all the alternatives worked....I wish.
Posted by fayeroe on March 17, 2004, at 19:06:38
In reply to What's so bad about Ambien?, posted by Jai Narayan on March 17, 2004, at 18:48:35
Okay, I'm going to try to sublingual melantonin.....I'm always so amazed that posters talk about so many different meds. Where I live, it's like pulling hen's teeth to even get an AD! I don't know what century these doctors are living in, but toughing it out ain't working for me. I'm exhausted from lack of sleep! I keep my granddaughter almost every night and I'm getting to the point of no return. It's getting harder and harder to find any joy in anything.........
Posted by ubugarrity on March 19, 2004, at 14:11:34
In reply to sleep sweet sleep, posted by Jai Narayan on February 24, 2004, at 21:50:42
I've had the same sleep problems. Tried several things. Doc tried me on several prescription drugs but the side effects were insane and I couldn't deal with them.
-Ambien gave me a great night sleep but I got real bad head aches and I'm not a headache person. I started and stopped it several times to make sure that was it and everytime...head aches.
-Tylenol PM I sleep all night but not great and groggy next day.
-Valerian besides being the stinkiest stuff ever, would put me out but I would wake after a couple hours and didn't feel good the next day
-camemille- Put me out but not for the night
-melatonin- I sleep great for about four hours and I wake feeling like I slept all night but its only 2 AM. I tried taking more dose and also taking another at 2 am but no good.So now I was so desparate for sleep. Now I don't drink alcohol at all and don't like the taste. But I started forcing down 3oz's of red wine later in the evening. I sleep great. All night. The wine didn't make me tired it calmed my brain down so I wasn't thinking of a million things and I just fell asleep naturally. If I wake in the middel of the night I used to wake right up and my brain started whizzing with a million thoughts and with the wine I was relaxed and fell right back asleep!! and only 3 ounces!!
Last time at the doctor the nurse asked the usual Do you drink? I said I just started. I explained and she said she tried everything too and was going right after work to buy the same brand of wine I got. Then the Doc came in and asked how the last med was working. I said I'm not taking anything but 3 ounces of wine and it is working great. He replyed that's what he does but he couldn't suggest it to me. I've also talked to the nurse and she had great success.
I hate to avocate alcohol but I have to say it works for me. I hope this helps some one else sleep the night.
Posted by LynneDa on March 19, 2004, at 14:16:36
In reply to Re: sleep sweet sleep, posted by ubugarrity on March 19, 2004, at 14:11:34
Hi! Thanks for sharing your story. I'm sort of laughing to hear about your doctor and nurse! Are you taking an anti-depressant or anti-anxiety med? Aren't they counter-productive or is 3 oz. not enough to mess with it? I'm willing to try anything . . . red wine here I come :-)
~ Lynne
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
"I started forcing down 3oz's of red wine later in the evening. I sleep great. All night. The wine didn't make me tired it calmed my brain down so I wasn't thinking of a million things and I just fell asleep naturally. If I wake in the middel of the night I used to wake right up and my brain started whizzing with a million thoughts and with the wine I was relaxed and fell right back asleep!! and only 3 ounces!!
>
> Last time at the doctor the nurse asked the usual Do you drink? I said I just started. I explained and she said she tried everything too and was going right after work to buy the same brand of wine I got. Then the Doc came in and asked how the last med was working. I said I'm not taking anything but 3 ounces of wine and it is working great. He replyed that's what he does but he couldn't suggest it to me. I've also talked to the nurse and she had great success.
> I hate to advocate alcohol but I have to say it works for me. I hope this helps some one else sleep the night.
Posted by ubugarrity on March 19, 2004, at 15:06:11
In reply to Re: sleep sweet sleep » ubugarrity, posted by LynneDa on March 19, 2004, at 14:16:36
He did try me on a couple different anxiety meds. The side effects were horrible. Plus, they generally cause insomnia. I'm just using the wine. And not every night anymore and I'm sleeping on those nights as well.
Posted by LynneDa on March 19, 2004, at 15:09:08
In reply to Re: sleep sweet sleep, posted by ubugarrity on March 19, 2004, at 15:06:11
Great - congratulations! The French & Italians swear by red wine, guess they're right :-)
~ Lynne
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>He did try me on a couple different anxiety meds. The side effects were horrible. Plus, they generally cause insomnia. I'm just using the wine. And not every night anymore and I'm sleeping on those nights as well.
Posted by GabaGirl on March 28, 2004, at 16:45:32
In reply to Re: sleep sweet sleep » ubugarrity, posted by LynneDa on March 19, 2004, at 15:09:08
Hey:
I'm diagnosed with bipolar, and I either sleep too much or too little, or the inbetween which is what I aim for.
For restful sleep and to relax at night I just started drinking "Nighty Night" tea by Traditional Medicinals. Hate the name, but it seems to help me sleep better and wake more rested. It has passionflower, chamomile, catnip, hops, and a lemony/minty blend of other herbs. I like it and feel better waking up on the mornings afterwards. Melatonin just did not work for me at all, but anything with passionflower seems to help with restful and relaxing sleep, less grogginess, etc...
Best,
GABAgirl
Posted by sexylexy on April 3, 2004, at 23:58:10
In reply to Re: Is there such an animal as a safe sleep aid??? » fayeroe, posted by LynneDa on March 17, 2004, at 9:47:34
Hey Ya'll
I normally post on social babble and psycho babble but I have a vitamin related question so I thought I would shoot your ya'll expertiese.
I am wondering if anyone has ever had an adverse reaction to calcium. I started taking calcium along with 20mg of lexapro, a daily vitamin complex, fish oil, B6 and B12. Yesterday I had a two hour crying spree for no known reason. I remember when this all first started I was taking the same vitamins minus the calcium and lexapro. I took calcium one day went to work out and came home in tears. I know I have weird reactions to things, diet drinks, caffiene and the stupid birth control pill which is why I am on lexapro in the first place.
I have done a little research on calcium and depression but have not come up with much. Also has anyone ever used magnesium for a alt.therapy??? Just wondering, I would LOVE some responses!!!
Thanks and God Bless,
Lexy
Posted by simus on April 4, 2004, at 0:53:24
In reply to Wondering... Pls Respond, posted by sexylexy on April 3, 2004, at 23:58:10
Hi Lexy,
I am so glad you are here!
I have never heard of a reaction to calcium like that. Perhaps you have a mineral imbalance, and adding calcium is aggrivating it. ??? Your reaction to calcium is very interesting, and has me curious now.
But I have heard of bad reactions to fish oil and B vitamins. You have to be careful with the B vitamins, because they can interfere with each other in various ways. Overdoing one B can deplete you in another B that you could already be low in.
Magnesium can't be used as an alternate therapy to calcium. But magnesium could be worth taking anyway. It is extrememly beneficial to the body. I was apparently very depleted in magnesium when I started taking it - I noticed same-day results. It not only improved my mood, but I no longer have the seasonal allergies I have suffered from all my life. I used to get WEEKLY shots - very expensive and time consuming. Now I not only don't need shots or meds for allergies, but I have no symptoms at all.
Keep investigating the natural remedy approach. My best advise is to take supplements with care after much research, whether it is vitamins, minerals, Omega oils, amino acids, herbs, etc.
Good luck and God bless.
Posted by mystic on April 4, 2004, at 21:59:49
In reply to Re: Wondering... Pls Respond » sexylexy, posted by simus on April 4, 2004, at 0:53:24
Simus...where ya been??..we have missed you!!!...Did you stop taking the lexapro??..Hope you are doing well and hope to talk to you soon...take care Mystic
Posted by simus on April 4, 2004, at 23:23:02
In reply to RE:: Simus, posted by mystic on April 4, 2004, at 21:59:49
Hi Mystic!
I'm doing pretty good! How are you?
I took a couple of breaks from "Babbling". But I started coming back to look up side effects, etc, and got drawn in to posting again.
My doctor took me completely off Lexapro and started me on a low dose of Wellbutrin XL (150mg). Aside from insomnia, I did really good for almost two weeks, then my feet and legs started swelling up - edema. And my lower back started hurting pretty bad about the same time. I am not sure if this is related to the ADs or not. I am going to the doctor's on Tuesday.
LOL I finally get the mental symptoms in line, and now I am puffy and achy. Sigh...
Take care!
Posted by mystic on April 5, 2004, at 19:25:24
In reply to Mystic, posted by simus on April 4, 2004, at 23:23:02
Wow Simus..hope that tomorrow you figure out what is going on...So you feel better on the wellburtirn that was fast...Was your problem mostly with anxiety or depression..I'm sure glad to hear from you and hope that you consider coming back to Redirected Lexaproers site...I know that we had a rough patch but we all miss you sooo much...Take care and please keep me posted wherever you end up...Thanks..Mystic
Posted by sexylexy on April 5, 2004, at 19:41:55
In reply to Re: Wondering... Pls Respond » sexylexy, posted by simus on April 4, 2004, at 0:53:24
Simus!
It was really good to hear from you. We miss you a lot over at the social poster board. Thanks for all the info on vitamins. I think I am going to try magnesium. I had been doing really well on my 20mg of lexapro and then had a break down on Friday...yuck. I am trying to build back up now and get back to where I was. How are things on Wellbutrin, I am thinking of adding that..who knows, I graduate in 19 days then move back home to my support system so hopefully that will allieviate the situational stuff! Well please keep in touch!!! God Bless,
Lexy
Posted by simus on April 5, 2004, at 23:24:53
In reply to RE:: Simus, posted by mystic on April 5, 2004, at 19:25:24
> Wow Simus..hope that tomorrow you figure out what is going on...So you feel better on the wellburtirn that was fast...Was your problem mostly with anxiety or depression..I'm sure glad to hear from you and hope that you consider coming back to Redirected Lexaproers site...I know that we had a rough patch but we all miss you sooo much...Take care and please keep me posted wherever you end up...Thanks..Mystic
Thank you, Mystic. The biggest problem lately was with depression. But I continually battle OCD, and have occasional bouts of anxiety and panic attacks. It sure is nice to have the dark clouds part once in a while. =) It's a tough fight, and my heart goes out to everyone on this site. Thank you for caring so much, and I as always wish you the best. God bless.
Posted by simus on April 6, 2004, at 0:03:54
In reply to Re: Wondering... Pls Respond, posted by sexylexy on April 5, 2004, at 19:41:55
Lexy,
I am glad that there is a stress reduction in your future! That will make a big difference. When you are home and have a chance to catch your breath, I have some suggested reading for you: "The Mood Cure" by Julia Ross, and "Depression-Free, Naturally" by Joan Mathews Larson. Perhaps the suggestions in these books may never replace the medications permanently for you...or maybe they will. If nothing else, they may improve your life while on medications. They have for me. You know how priceless even a little improvement is!
I don't know if I said before, but my doctor took me off Lexapro (25-30mg) and put me on 150mg Wellbutrin XL (a low"ish" dose) in one day. No transition time! I was not thrilled to say the least, and I tried to talk him out of it. I am not afraid of much, but mention a med change even over the course of a month and it will send a shiver down my spine. But it went EXTREMELY well, considering. The depression did lift immediately on Wellbutrin. I had some managable anxiety the first couple of weeks. The insomnia got really bad about day 3-5 but it subsided to a reasonable level after a couple of weeks. I have life and energy and enthusiasm again. =) I forgot what that was like, LITERALLY, because it had been soooo long. Now if I could just get rid of this newly obtained back pain and leg swelling, I would feel like I could take on the world!
I wish I could recommend Wellbutrin for you, but I know how everybody is so very different and I don't want to lead you down a bad path. However, before you suffer too long on Lex, it may be worth a try to check out at least adding a low dose of Wellbutrin.
God bless, and I will stop by in "Social" and say hi sometime soon. So many sweet people there...I smile to think about you all. I was in the heat of the Lexapro/Wellbutrin thing at the time I left, and things just hit me harder than they usual would. God bless and best of luck over the next month.
Posted by Dr. Bob on April 6, 2004, at 20:07:21
In reply to Re: Wondering... Pls Respond » sexylexy, posted by simus on April 6, 2004, at 0:03:54
> I have some suggested reading for you: "The Mood Cure" by Julia Ross, and "Depression-Free, Naturally" by Joan Mathews Larson.
I'd just like to plug the double double quotes feature at this site:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#amazon
The first time anyone refers to a book without using this option, I post this to try to make sure he or she at least knows about it. It's just an option, though, and doesn't *have* to be used. If people *choose* not to use it, I'd be interested why not, but I'd like that redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20020918/msgs/7717.html
Thanks!
Bob
Posted by sexylexy on April 6, 2004, at 20:27:54
In reply to Re: Wondering... Pls Respond » sexylexy, posted by simus on April 6, 2004, at 0:03:54
Hi all
I wrote a few nights ago wondering if depression was helpped along by calcium. I found this article and found it very interesting.
Posted by simus on April 6, 2004, at 22:08:14
In reply to Calcuim does cause depression, posted by sexylexy on April 6, 2004, at 20:27:54
> I wrote a few nights ago wondering if depression was helpped along by calcium. I found this article and found it very interesting.
> http://naturalhealingdr.com/articles/calcium.html
Lexy,I'm glad you found your answer. I had never heard of this before. It would be interesting to know what the calcium is actually doing in the body to produce those results in some people. You should be careful with antacids too then, huh? And what about calcium fortified foods and drinks, like the new fortified orange juice?
The cause of our chemical imbalances can be such an elusive thing. You are very fortunate to have found an answer. Let us know how it goes.
Posted by david smith2 on April 23, 2004, at 8:13:18
In reply to Wondering... Pls Respond, posted by sexylexy on April 3, 2004, at 23:58:10
> Hey Ya'll
> I normally post on social babble and psycho babble but I have a vitamin related question so I thought I would shoot your ya'll expertiese.
> I am wondering if anyone has ever had an adverse reaction to calcium. I started taking calcium along with 20mg of lexapro, a daily vitamin complex, fish oil, B6 and B12. Yesterday I had a two hour crying spree for no known reason. I remember when this all first started I was taking the same vitamins minus the calcium and lexapro. I took calcium one day went to work out and came home in tears. I know I have weird reactions to things, diet drinks, caffiene and the stupid birth control pill which is why I am on lexapro in the first place.
> I have done a little research on calcium and depression but have not come up with much. Also has anyone ever used magnesium for a alt.therapy??? Just wondering, I would LOVE some responses!!!
> Thanks and God Bless,
> LexyFor info about nutrition and nutrition-related depression see:www.acu-cell.com :biopsychiatry.com/dhaomega.htm and :biopsychiatry.com/zinc.html
Posted by LOOPS on April 23, 2004, at 20:17:07
In reply to Re: Wondering... Pls Respond » sexylexy, posted by david smith2 on April 23, 2004, at 8:13:18
> > Hey Ya'll
> > I normally post on social babble and psycho babble but I have a vitamin related question so I thought I would shoot your ya'll expertiese.
> > I am wondering if anyone has ever had an adverse reaction to calcium. I started taking calcium along with 20mg of lexapro, a daily vitamin complex, fish oil, B6 and B12. Yesterday I had a two hour crying spree for no known reason. I remember when this all first started I was taking the same vitamins minus the calcium and lexapro. I took calcium one day went to work out and came home in tears. I know I have weird reactions to things, diet drinks, caffiene and the stupid birth control pill which is why I am on lexapro in the first place.
> > I have done a little research on calcium and depression but have not come up with much. Also has anyone ever used magnesium for a alt.therapy??? Just wondering, I would LOVE some responses!!!
> > Thanks and God Bless,
> > Lexy
>
> For info about nutrition and nutrition-related depression see:www.acu-cell.com :biopsychiatry.com/dhaomega.htm and :biopsychiatry.com/zinc.htmlHiya -
I used to take all the orotates (magnesium orotate, potass orotate, lith orotate, calc oroate, zinc orotate) - now I only take lith, potassium and magnesium and occasionally zinc. The calcium orotate actually acts as a stimulant when you take it on an empty stomach.
I'd just go with the magnesium if I were you. I've had weird reactions to other 'supplements' before, so I think it's quite possible the calcium might do something, despite common opinion (?).
Loops
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