Posted by JB on March 23, 2001, at 10:10:57
In reply to Luvox and (too much) Sleep, posted by That Dave Guy on March 20, 2001, at 12:13:27
Regarding chronic fatigue,excessive daytime sleepiness, lethargy, etc., your pychiatrist ought to help you determine if these are possible side effects fo your anti-depressant. A number of anti-depressants, particuarly SSRI's, can induce lethargy as a side effect. Wellbutriin is less know to do this. Parnate, and irreversible MAOI, is know to be rather stimulating. I believe Prozac (fluoxetine) can also be somewhat stimulating. So, you should discuss the side effects with your psychiatrist. However, I have found not all psychiatrist are equally expert pharmacologists (expert in drug actions, willing to seeking alternative drugs in combination or augmentation therapy).
Drugs known to help with narcolepsy, lethargy, excessive daytime sleepiness, an so on, include Ritalin (methylphenidate) and Provigil (modafinil). Modafinil is relatively new on the US market.
In managing your symptoms, it's important that your psychiatrist understand all of your symptoms. That way, he or she can either prescribe an alternative anti-depressant, prescribe a combination anti-depressant, or prescribe an augmentation agent (such as Ritalin or Provigil).
My psychiatrist, for example, feels comfortable augmenting (means prescribing a different class of drug, such as a non-antidepressant with an anti-depressant)Serzone with Ritalin. Some psychiatrists, as you will find, are much more conservative, and will not do this. So, change psychdocs if you can find one sufficiently agressive and informed about psychopharmacology to meet your needs.
JB
poster:JB
thread:56981
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010319/msgs/57268.html