Posted by pmz on October 14, 2004, at 22:14:44
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by invisiblemanpa on October 14, 2004, at 17:33:45
I too use Ambien at bedtime to fall to sleep. I have trouble getting the wheels of thought inside my head to stop long enough for me to fall asleep. The trouble with Ambien, is that it has a short half life. That means that the effect peaks quickly, and then tapers off quickly. That is why you are wide awake after just a few hours and then do not rest well the rest of the night. Ask your doc about using something that has a longer effect so you will sleep longer. The OTC sleep aids are Benedryl. Ther exact same mediation as in Benadryl which is dyphenhidromine. Benadryl is frequently used in the hospital for a sleep aid for patinets. I use the Ambien, but also take Elavil at bedtime and Xanax. The Xanax is an antianxiety medication. A natural sleep aid is melatonin. It is OTC and you don't have the hang over effect that you do with the Benadryl or the other OTC sleep aids. I have used it before and it did help as a mild sleep aid.
I too have found that the Effexor xr has been quite a life saver. I am able to function on a semi-normal level since I have been on it and not had near as many of the manic episodes with uncontrolled crying as I did before I started it. With my disabilities and and loss of lifestyle and income that caused our family to lose our home and everything we had, it was necessary for me to start on an antidepressant to be able to function at all. I can deal with the minor side effects that I have had in order to be a contributing member of my family. At lease now I can smile and do the laundry and fix the meals unless I am having a physically bad day from the fibromyalgia and the arthritis and residual effects from the crippling illness I had. I have gained 50 lbs. which gives me a poor self image since I was always a woman before who stayed within my normal weight limits, and now weigh more than my husband.
Like I have said before, all medications have side effects. The big question is, are the benefits greater or less than the side effects? When you decide that, then you will know if you should be taking the medication.
poster:pmz
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041012/msgs/403183.html