Posted by Questionmark on September 11, 2003, at 14:16:31
In reply to Re: Xyrem-- clearing up the daytime use bunk » Questionmark, posted by utopizen on September 10, 2003, at 20:59:36
> > Nah yeah i dont really find myself that much less anxious after restful sleep or whatever. i'm not on Klonopin. Just Nardil right now. So Xyrem's only good for anxiety & depression for like an hour or so while it's working? (Thanks.)
> >> I wouldn't even think of it if you're on Nardil. Alcohol, at all, is a no-no. Klonopin, or any benzo, is something you couldn't be on at all. Not even "as needed." I'm assuming that you've tried Klonopin at least "as needed" before trying Nardil, unless your depression is more of an issue. No CNS depressants (and the majority of meds mentioned on this board are, including Nardil) should be used with Xyrem.
>
> Unfortunately for me, I spent a good 18 mos. trying everything from Buspar to ADs to Neurontin to Gabitril (which made me psychotic for a night) to antihistamines to geez...
>
> I believe I exausted everything, except Straterra b/c it's new. Klonopin worked great for my social anxiety, but I can't use it anymore b/c I'd rather focus on my idiopathic hypersomnolence than social anxiety. (What's so great about being social if you slur your speech b/c you're so tired?)
>
> Today is like Day 4 for me on Xyrem. I feel awake all day long.
>
> To answer your question, yes, Xyrem is basically 90 minutes in its duration. About 1 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours is when one must re-dose on it during the night, typically using an alarm clock to do so. It's commonly reported that it awakens patients early so they only receive 6 hours of sleep, yet it's so effective as inducing restorative sleep that they feel better than if they slept for twice as long.
>
> As far as daytime use, even if it were available in a 6-8 hour time-release formulation in a few years... I don't think it's a good idea. Dosing is not the issue, the side effect profile is. Vomitting, incontinence, etc. are common side effects (and are thought to be dose related, so one typically can adjust their dose accordingly).
>
> Not to mention it's still a sedative/hypnotic, so think about the implications on one's driving, etc.-- it ain't no tranquillizer, this is a sedative at any dose, I don't care what Internet bunk is out there claiming otherwise. It's just as stupid to drive a car drunk, if not worse, no matter how smart one thinks they are about dosing.Thanks for your reply.
i don't disagree that Xyrem is a full-fledged sedative and more than just a tranquilizer. That's a good point to make. But i have to somewhat disagree or at least question some of your other statements. For instance, it's probably not a good idea to use Klonopin with Nardil, but i have heard of it being done and it's not necessarily particularly dangerous (unless you already have excessive hypotension or something). i personally probably couldn't handle that combo but, yeah. (i have tried Klonopin alone in the past). Also, alcohol is not contraindicated with Nardil-- only certain ones, mostly tap beer. i mean they probably say that it's best NOT to use alcohol, especially in excess, with Nardil, but they say the same with SSRIs (why is this by the way? is it becuz it can reduce the effectiveness, or can overload the serotonin system, or just because it sounds good and safe to say that?). Whatta you think on that? But i think stimulants would be more of a danger to use with MAOIs than depressants, and even they are cautiously used in low doses. But i'm sure youre probably right that it's not a good idea to combine Xyrem with Nardil. i was mostly just curious about Xyrem alone or soemthing though. Anyway, there's my 2 cents. Sorry/thanks. Take care.
poster:Questionmark
thread:257050
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030907/msgs/259103.html