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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by 3 Beer Effect on March 24, 2002, at 0:01:52
Since Chloral Hydrate metabolizes to trichloroethanol does this mean it is basically 'alcohol in a pill' (which benzos definitely are not)?
What is chloral hydrate like, besides being a sleeping pill? Isn't there a sub-sleeping pill/sedative/anti-anxiety/anxiolytic dose?
I wonder if Chloral Hydrate might be a great drug for Social Phobia since Alcohol seems to be the best anxiolytic/social phobia drug out there & is definitely the most popular (even normal people take it to be more sociable!)
Posted by Ritch on March 24, 2002, at 1:13:49
In reply to Chloral Hydrate (Noctec)- anyone ever tried this?, posted by 3 Beer Effect on March 24, 2002, at 0:01:52
> Since Chloral Hydrate metabolizes to trichloroethanol does this mean it is basically 'alcohol in a pill' (which benzos definitely are not)?
>
> What is chloral hydrate like, besides being a sleeping pill? Isn't there a sub-sleeping pill/sedative/anti-anxiety/anxiolytic dose?
>
> I wonder if Chloral Hydrate might be a great drug for Social Phobia since Alcohol seems to be the best anxiolytic/social phobia drug out there & is definitely the most popular (even normal people take it to be more sociable!)
Wow, I haven't heard of that in ages. I tried it once back in the late '70's. It was a little like secobarbitol (felt neat right off-but then you were either asleep or not on the same page as everybody else). Of course, back then, downers were the big deal. I wonder what ever happened to Placidyl (ethchlorvinol)? I think it was along the same line-anxiolyic/hypnotic/sedatives, like methaqualone.Mitch
Posted by BarbaraCat on March 24, 2002, at 2:09:47
In reply to Chloral Hydrate (Noctec)- anyone ever tried this?, posted by 3 Beer Effect on March 24, 2002, at 0:01:52
Is there actually a pill for chloral hydrate these days? For what purpose? I gotta look this one up. It used to come in a bottle and sniffed from a hankerchief, or dropped into someone's drink - the infamous 'slipping someone a Micky'. I believe it was used as an early anesthetic for operations to knock ya out. I tried it years ago. It was like being extremely spaced out and swimmy headed but not really enjoyable. Woke up with a killer headache the next day. Not what I'd call a party drug.
Posted by Jerrympls on March 24, 2002, at 3:43:51
In reply to Re: Chloral Hydrate (Noctec)- anyone ever tried this? » 3 Beer Effect, posted by BarbaraCat on March 24, 2002, at 2:09:47
I tried Chloral Hydrate about 7 years ago (as per a script from my GP) when i was having terrible insomnia and I wasn't responding at all to Restoril , Dalmane or Halcion. It came in liguid form and for all i know I was taking sugar syrup - it did nothing for me...or to me.........
Jerry
Posted by WelshKat on March 24, 2002, at 10:47:20
In reply to Re: Chloral Hydrate (Noctec)- anyone ever tried th » BarbaraCat, posted by Jerrympls on March 24, 2002, at 3:43:51
I am in a clinical drug trial for Topamax. It is to
get Topamax approved by the FDA for use for Bipolar I.
I am getting 500 mg of Chloral Hydrate every night.
It puts me out like a light in about 30 minutes.
It comes in a capsule. My first 7 days in the study, I was in a
treatment center and was give the stuff in a liquid
form. Very nasty tasting. Only works for about 6 or 7 hours.
No after effects at all. No hangover feeling or
headache. I am not drinking alcohol at all right now.
You are not supposed to drink with the stuff.
I don't know if the trial's pdoc will continue with it once I'm out of
this phase of the double blind placebo study. Which will
be in mid May, I believe. I am certainly on Topamax. Either
400 or 500 mg a day. I got up to that level in
one week. I am now in my 5th week. The side effects
are very slowly fading. I am still unable to drive.
I have some major cognative problems, but can function
better with each day. Thank goodness. Let me know
if you have any other questions. I can still type
most of the time. lol Kat
Posted by BarbaraCat on March 24, 2002, at 14:35:18
In reply to Re: Chloral Hydrate (Noctec)- anyone ever tried th, posted by WelshKat on March 24, 2002, at 10:47:20
Dear Kat,
Your experiences are VERY interesting and pertinent to this group. There are many of us who have Topamax questions, so your reports on your results in this study would be very important to us. Also, do you think your severe insomnia was the result of the Topamax or the mania? Also is Cl Hydrade addictive? Keep us informed, please. - Barbara
Posted by WelshKat on March 24, 2002, at 18:06:16
In reply to Re: Chloral Hydrate (Noctec)- anyone ever tried th » WelshKat, posted by BarbaraCat on March 24, 2002, at 14:35:18
> Dear Kat,
> Your experiences are VERY interesting and pertinent to this group. There are many of us who have Topamax questions, so your reports on your results in this study would be very important to us. Also, do you think your severe insomnia was the result of the Topamax or the mania? Also is Cl Hydrade addictive? Keep us informed, please. - BarbaraThis has been a very rough 5 weeks. I am very lucky to have a very
supportive family and an internet business I run from home. I think the
insomnia has been caused by both my mania and the Topamax. :-) But I
have never slept much in my life. I am also taking about 1 1/2 mg of Ativan a day.
I take 1 mg at bed time. And about 1/4 mg at least once a day. Sometimes twice a day.
I find I get extremely irritable and aggitated on the
Topamax about 2 or 3 hours after my morning dose. I don't know how much
I am taking, of course. The trial pdoc lowered my morning dose about 2 weeks ago.
That was a huge help. She may lower my evening dose this week.
Not being able to drive is a real pain in the arse. During parts of
the day it is all I can do to simply get around my
house. :-) I am finding it easier to find my words. Thank goodness.
My typing and spelling is improving. The tingling in my feet is going
away. I still can't drink anything with carbination. That's no biggie.
I have lost about 10 pounds. The best side effect, IMHO. lol
I do think the Topamax is helping with my very serious
mood swings. I am finally coming out of a very bad
depression. No mania at the moment. I am having a real
problem going into public places. But I have had some problems
with social phobias and GAD all my life. Except
during my good manias. Right now I am simply very tired. I've been
trying to get caught up on work on my web site.
I find the Topamax just exhausts me.As for the Chloral Hydrate, I feel like I could skip it tonight and
forever with no problem. I just wouldn't sleep. :-) But lets see what happens come the middle
of May. I will talk to the study pdoc about the
addictive properties of it. According to what research I've done, it is
addictive. But so is Ativan according to people who are scared
of the benzos which I can't imagine living life
without. The way I look at it, I have Bipolar I
for the rest of my life. I'm not that terribly concerned
about what is addictive. I just know that I will
have to be careful about how I go off things that
my body becomes used to having in its system.Let me know if I can answer any other questions.
I do find that I feel a little better every day.
This is the hardest thing I've ever done. My whole life is
being turned upside down. My family is finally having
to deal with the realities of my illness. For the
first time in my 40 years of life. It's not always
very pretty, to say the least. But it is a good
thing! I was first diagnosed about 6 years ago. My
marriage ended the same year. I gave up medications
about four years ago. Not a smart move. I feel
that I am paying a high price for those four years.
I spent the last two years in an isolated depression.
Until last Fall when I flew into a crazy mania which
caused all sorts of havoc in my life. Then down
into the horrible black hole. Which finally
sent me looking for help. I had read of Topamax
and thought it might work for me. Learned of this
study and here we are. I have no insurance so
it really is a godsend. Though I don't recommend
going up to such a high dose in one week.
No way ~ No how! But I figure it's for a good cause.
Take care, Kat
Posted by Zo on March 26, 2002, at 18:02:40
In reply to Chloral Hydrate (Noctec)- anyone ever tried this?, posted by 3 Beer Effect on March 24, 2002, at 0:01:52
Posted by BarbaraCat on March 26, 2002, at 18:18:17
In reply to Re: Chloral Hydrate (Noctec)- anyone ever tried th » BarbaraCat, posted by WelshKat on March 24, 2002, at 18:06:16
Dear Kat,
What a ringer to go through. I can relate to much of what you've been through. This mood disorder has ripped a black hole through my life. What I've found out about Chloral hydrate is that it is very addictive and will stop working after a few weeks. I'm taking Ambien for sleep and it's worked pretty well in that I'll be able to go to sleep if I've managed my stress level throughout the day. If not, I'll lay awake for a few hours and then give up and take another.I wonder if you're also on an antidepressant besides the Topomax? I realize you're in a study and are limited to what you can take, however, has your pdoc mentioned anything about your need for something else to control the depression? Anyhow, hang in there - from one Kat to another. - BCat
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