Posted by Sharon J. on October 18, 2000, at 10:03:42
In reply to PARNATE (again) - continued insomnia, posted by Tori on October 18, 2000, at 5:13:40
Hi, Tori:
I'm no doctor, but I was on Parnate for about 9 years and I can tell you my experience with it surrounding sleep. Sounds like you cannot sleep at night, but are having a terrible time staying awake during the day (?) What I know about Parnate, is that if you take it past, say, noon (it all depends on the patient, of course), that it actually has some agent or whatever that will KEEP YOU AWAKE AT NIGHT!! SO....follow your doctor's orders on when to take Parnate and how much...there is a reason for it. If you start messing around with times to take it etc. on your own...well, I can tell you that I know that you won't get the result you want. However, I do understand that you are miserable with what you experience (I, too, have fallen asleep in the bathroom on the toilet at work), and I know that you are probably desperate to correct this problem and get back to feeling better and in the mainstream of life again. But, my friend, this will take time. I know that might not be what you want to hear, but trust me...I DO know what you are doing through and it is no fun, frustrating, and again I say...it is going to take some time.Something else that I learned about myself that I relate to in what you shared in your letter that may or may not fit: it sounds like your body clock is reversed, and that is complication in itself. You are sleepy during the day, cannot sleep at night...started out because of depression, et. al, and over time, (maybe a long time?) you are where you are. No? Talk to your Dr. (or therapist if you have one) about getting on a rigid sleep-wake pattern to reprogram your body clock to work in conjunction with your medication. They can advise you on the mechanics of it (and it is very simple) -- but -- this is something that you will have to do all by yourself, and believe me, it is hard! But over time (it took me 9 months of work) you CAN do wonders to help your sleep/wake cycle and MAXIMIZE the benefits of your meds! I used to think that if I took these pills...and if we found the right combination and the right dosage and schedule, that one day I'd be all better! Well, I learned that I gotta do more than just take the pills. I have to really work hard, too! And I'm not saying that you aren't working hard...but sounds like this area is something that I've been through and have truimphed over. So, bottom line: I wish you well and really hope that something in what I said here hit home. Good luck!
poster:Sharon J.
thread:46653
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20001012/msgs/46668.html