Posted by jay on August 27, 2002, at 22:44:44
In reply to Other meds I have tried, posted by Jaded on August 27, 2002, at 19:34:02
> I have tried other non-controlled drugs since then. I have taken trazodone, Remeron, Zyprexa, Vistaril, & Benadryl. Unfortunately, I have been unable to take antidepressants recently as they have provoked several hypomanic and one full-blown manic episode. I stopped taking Zyprexa because (1) I had gained 50+ pounds, and (2) I lost my insurance and I can't afford it. And besides that, none of them really helped.
Hi:
I feel for you and your situation, because I went through a similar thing. So, I went and did a ton of research. I came up with a couple of things that may help.
You are likely having a nasty 'REM rebound'...stuck in that REM phase of sleep. I also know (from personal experience and research) that Depakote really intensifies the REM stage. Also...atypical antipsychotics like Zyprexa will do so..and I have heard some mixed things on Remeron..nothing too positive regarding REM. Trazadone is the same..and Benadryl doesn't last long enough through the night.
First off, it is "hell-ishly" uncomfortable...and I think can cause many further problems. There are a few options to *majorly* reduce the REM phase of sleep. (Which is actually shown to be rather extended in depressives.)
I take Effexor XR, close to bed, at 150mg's, which seems to knock down *majorly* the amount of REM sleep I have. Very few *vivid* nightmares...or weird dreams that just make me feel horrible. A Medline search showed Effexor also to be the most powerful REM supressor available.
The thing is..it can really cause problems with insomnia for awhile until you get used to it. Your pdoc can put you on a *temporary* high dose of say temazepam (another sleeping pill) with the Effexor, say for a month, until you get the sleep straigtened out. Also, you may want to try *permanent* Clonazepam with the Effexor. (Or whatever you choose...it is a good REM supressor.)
If you want to add to your Prozac (and not switch the drug), adding either Nortriptyline (first) or Imipramine (second) is an option, as at good doses, they are REM supressors. The other tricyclics aren't as strong REM supressors, and even the metabolite of Imipramine, Desipramine actually *increases* REM (or phase of) sleep.
I spent a few years trying to desperately find a reason why I was having the type of sleep you are, as it was just making me horrible. I've not only done the research, but tried most of the *experiments* above...and have had the best of luck.
I hope this info can and will help you..and anyone else with similar problems. You don't want to completely *rid* REM sleep..as we need it...but it is likely all out of whack due to your depression. (Plus..again..drugs like Depakote don't help...but can still be used with others that tame the REM phase of sleep.)
Good luck...and please post any questions you have! Relief is near..believe me...:-)
jay
poster:jay
thread:117949
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020821/msgs/118000.html