Posted by Larry Hoover on May 17, 2003, at 10:40:47
In reply to most troublesome SSRI side effect, posted by linkadge on May 17, 2003, at 4:21:15
> For people here, what do you consider the
> most troublesome SSRI side effect. I can tolerate
> the sexual dysfunction just fine, but its the insomnia that kills me. Do people here get over the insomnia. It seems to be persistent with me.
>
> LinkadgeMy personal experience, and what drove me to try and find alternatives, was also insomnia on SSRI meds. I recall a gradually decreasing sleep duration, first six hours, then five, four, and so on, right down to zero sleep. My doctors wouldn't listen to me, claiming that I slept but just was not conscious of it. I drank (after years of abstinence), and for a little while, that helped. I got to the point where five bottles of wine after supper did not put me out. After about a week at zero sleep, I began to hallucinate (horrid, horrid). I lost the ability to speak, at times, as my mind was way faster than my mouth. I tried to call an ambulance, but I could not get words out. I just kept my faith that "this too would pass", as my doctors assured me that I would eventually become tired enough to sleep. During that time, I lost the ability to self-assess. In hindsight, it is so freakin' obvious that I should have stopped the med, but I just kept taking it, as per doctor's instructions.
It took Mellaril at 200 mg/day to bring me down. I also had to enter an inpatient addiction treatment facility, once I'd regained my ability to recognize my situation.
Your brain may vary.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:227179
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030514/msgs/227222.html