Posted by JohnX2 on March 3, 2002, at 18:57:22
In reply to Re: Treating INSOMNIA with SERZONE, now GABITRIL » JohnX2, posted by beardedlady on March 3, 2002, at 6:15:59
I've been on 20+ medications. I'm desperate.
I have an excellent pdoc. It took him a few days
to research Serzone before OKing it. The original
intention was to use it to help me to taper off
a last mg of Klonopin that I am trying to quit, so
I don't know what his take is on taking it long
term. I think his number 1 concern is mental health.
I have balked at taking medicines like Lithium and
Zyprexa because they can really screw up your organs
(lithium) and Zyprexa can give you a life long movement
disorder (tardive dyskinesia). But I have also struggled
with obssesive thoughts of suicide and have even planned
it out. So I have to assess the risk/rewards in light of
this. Not getting my mental health resolved can result
in my death much more likely than getting a liver problem
. Frankly I'd rather get mentally healthy and squeeze in
20 good yrs (I'm 29), even if that meant that I died at
an early age from some organ disorder. Living with depression
is just as good as being the living dead.Best wishes. Good luck getting some sleep.
-John
> I'd still have that test if I were you. It's just a simple blood test. At least it will tell where you are. Meanwhile, tell me what other drug interactions you know about? (There are a few allergy meds, like hismanil(?), there's Cisapride, there's Xanax, etc.) What did I leave out?
>
> I was trying to come off meds altogether, thought my insomnia was pretty well under control after six months of really good sleep. I was down to 250mg of Serzone and a Sonata once a month.
>
> I know my doctor is worried about lawsuits, but I am also worried about death. Sure, it's a slim chance, but I think it's a bigger one than most people know. The liver thing is a problem with almost any pills.
>
> Does Remeron do essentially the same thing as Serzone? If it's as sleep-inducing as many say, I may only need a low dose, since I'm not on for depression.
>
> Thanks for your help, John.
>
> Oh, I slept okay last night--no sleeping pill--on 4 mg. Gabitril, but I'm still on the 250 of Serzone! (I've had some opening night jitters with the new meds.) I slept because I took a 1.5 hour nap late yesterday afternoon. They tell those with chronic insomnia not to nap, but it works the opposite with me. It restores my confidence that I can sleep, without taking a pill first, so I'm able to go right to sleep at night.
poster:JohnX2
thread:95956
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020301/msgs/96225.html