Posted by Lorraine on August 29, 2001, at 10:59:03
In reply to Re: Parnate stuff » Lorraine, posted by Elizabeth on August 29, 2001, at 9:04:39
Hi elizabeth:
> > > > That sounds promising. You might try them during a washout if your pdoc is willing.
> > >
> > > Washout?
> >
> > Periods between drugs when switching. Like if I switch from Parnate to Nardil, I will have a 4 day washout from the time I stop taking Parnate to the time I can start on Nardil.
>
> Ahh. I'm not taking MAOIs anymore, so I really don't need to worry about washout periods. What I am wondering is whether stimulants might be helpful to me (also since I'm no longer using MAOIs, I have a chance to find out).Washouts apply to other drugs as well though...Is there not washout TCA to TCA?
>
> > But, I assume you had no mood support? Anyway--sounds like they may be a good augmenting strategy for you--not necessarily with Desipramine.
>
> I wasn't taking an AD with it. I was doing better -- not well, but better than I was without it. I think it might be a good addition to desipramine.
>Sounds like it.
> > It's been about a month, although I increase my dosage about 2 weeks ago.
>
> How much are you taking now?15 mg.
>
> > Yes, the earthy colors give me comfort.
>
> I can see that. I'd love to see pictures when you're done. :-)I'll see what I can do.
> > > I took my blood pressure at various times. I wasn't able to find any pattern -- it was generally lower than normal, particularly the first thing in the morning. I don't think it got lower in the afternoon when I started feeling tired.
>
> > Sleep meds are definately on the agenda? Is Sonata the place to start. I read it is short acting and you can take it again if you wake up in the middle of the night. Last night I fell asleep at 12:30 am and woke at 2, stayed awake until 5:00, then back to sleep until 8. This is not a good sleep schedule for me:-(
>
> No, it's not. I've had problems with ireegular, fragmented sleep all my life, and it's a big hassle! Sonata seems like a good thing to try. I actually find Ambien short-acting enough that I can usually use it the way you're supposed to use Sonata. What I would suggest is that you start out trying Ambien at bedtime, and if it's too short-acting and you wake up in the middle of the night, try taking Sonata and see if that gets you through the rest of the night. It's not ideal, but it's better than nothing.
Thanks for this input on sleeping meds, elizabeth. I really wanted your take on this. Actually, my hunch is if I keep taking 600-800 Neurontin at bed and use Ambien to sleep, I'll make it through the night. I've read that long term use shouldn't be a problem with these (at least in terms of withdrawal or addiction). But what do you think of the habituation issue--ie that you lose the ability to go to sleep without them.
Lorraine
poster:Lorraine
thread:67742
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010828/msgs/76810.html