Posted by Elizabeth on January 26, 1999, at 10:33:56
In reply to selegiline and sleep, posted by Chris A. on January 25, 1999, at 12:39:14
Hi there. I have delayed sleep phase syndrome and selegiline definitely made it worse. I think insomnia is probably a major side effect of this drug.
Selegiline isn't less "activating" per se than other antidepressants, but MAOIs in general seem to have a good record in regards to not causing hypomania in susceptible folks. (I'm bipolar III, BTW, and Paxil and Effexor both induced hypomanias. Do you take a mood stabilizer? I've found that I don't need one when I'm taking an MAOI (Parnate now).) MAOIs do tend to be stimulating in some senses, though. In my experience, selegiline > tranylcypromine > phenelzine in this regard. While I didn't feel stimulated or jittery on phenelzine, my sleep was greatly decreased. Well anyway, before the SSRIs came along, MAOIs were regarded as a good choice over TCAs if a "stimulating" effect was desired (though there may have been a tendency to try desipramine or protriptyline first).
I had quite a bit of jitters and appetite suppression on selegiline, some other stimulant-type effects. (BTW two of its active metabolites are l-amphetamine and l-methamphetamine - watch out if you ever have to have a drug test.)
Unfortunately, 15mg doesn't seem to be adequate for depression. I took 40 and it was only marginally helpful (probably it seemed less helpful because on that dose I was so anxious).
I use Ambien and occasional Klonopin for the sleep disorder BTW. I hadn't thought of the light box idea. What's the rationale behind that?
Well anyway, good luck with things.
poster:Elizabeth
thread:2659
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990101/msgs/2678.html