Posted by JohnX2 on October 27, 2001, at 11:18:50
In reply to Effexor, Wellbutrin, and No Sleep, posted by galtin on October 26, 2001, at 19:53:31
Sleeplessness is a very common side effect on
high dose Effexor and especially Wellbutrin.Had the same experiences on Wellbutrin and Zoloft.
Would operate on 6 hrs sleep (normally sleep 10).I think you should address the manic issue.
Maybe its time to dose in an anti-convulsant
like Depakote or Neurontin. Lamictal is a good
stand-alone anti-convulsant but is more likely
to be stimulating. Depakote,Trileptal,Neurotin
may be more sedating. Another *good idea* is to add
in a low dose of Zyprexa, this is very good for
anxiety,mania,and sleep.good luck,
john
>
> Well, not quite NO sleep, but not much sleep. But this is not what concerns me most.
>
> I have taken Effexor for six years. It has been effective and the side effects,for me, minimal. Over two years ago, my psychiatrist added Wellbutrin to pull me out of a relapse. I am now taking 375mgs of Effexor XR and 300 mgs. of Wellbutrin. I have always taken half of each in the morning and the other half in the mid to late afternoon. The combination has worked well for me.
>
> Here's the sleep part. I normally need around eight hours a night. If I get six and a half or less on any given night I make it up either later in the day or the following night. Otherwise I am drowsy and foggy. However, for the last six nights I have slept only between three and four hours. And although I feel fatigued now and then, I am not sleepy and my mind is as alert as it ever gets to be. I have taken no naps. I get to sleep OK but then awaken well ahead of sunrise and can't return to sleep no matter how long I lie in bed. before the sun comes up and can't get back to slumberland. I am norally a good sleepera and am rarely sleep deprived for more than one day. So, something is going on,but I don't know what it is.
>
> This past week reminds me of an experience I had about 15 years ago. At that time my psychiatrist was shifting me from med to med in search of one that would work. In June of that year I started taking yet another tricyclic. I don't remember which one. Within several days my need for sleep decreased dramatically. I was never tired or sleepy and was full of creative energy and enthusiasm for every aspect of life. This lasted for about three months and then I returned to normal, or at least to the way I was before. I spent most of this three months writing a stunningly brilliant doctoral thesis. At least, so it seemed at the time. When I returned to it in the fall of that year for some light editing, I was shocked to find that it was not a bit brilliant. Most of it was muddled, carelessly conceived, and poorly written. I had to completely rewrite most of it.
>
> Anyway, years later I recognized that I had experienced a mild manic period that was surely medication induced. This last week has been similar in that I have been cruising along on half my normal sleep ration, feeling only occasionally tired and never sleepy. The diffence is that I have not experienced the mania I did 15 years ago. But I am nervous about it.
>
> I am wondering whether my sleeplessness is a temporary and idiocyncratic reaction to my meds even though this has never happend before on my regimen of Effexor and Wellbutrin.
>
> Has anybody had any experiences like this, or have any ideas about what might be causing it? I will be grateful for any help. Thanks.
>
>
> galtin-
poster:JohnX2
thread:82394
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011025/msgs/82433.html