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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 metiron on October 19, 2002, at 23:13:26
I have hypersomnia and during the fall, it gets like ten times worse. I feel like a bear about to hybernate. I've heard that there can be some positive results from maoi's and also from that full spectrum lamp that treats SAD. Anyone have the same issues, or tried these treatments? What about sleep studies?
Thanks,
metiron
Posted by judy1 on October 20, 2002, at 3:32:56
In reply to hypersomnia, fall, maoi, and lights, posted by metiron on October 19, 2002, at 23:13:26
Hi,
I was part of one of the first light studies for SAD when I was in college- it was extremely effective for moderate depression in the winter. I sat under the light for about an hour a day (I don't know the length of time used now), but I highly recommend trying it before going the med route. Best of luck- judy
Posted by polarbear206 on October 20, 2002, at 10:48:41
In reply to hypersomnia, fall, maoi, and lights, posted by metiron on October 19, 2002, at 23:13:26
> I have hypersomnia and during the fall, it gets like ten times worse. I feel like a bear about to hybernate. I've heard that there can be some positive results from maoi's and also from that full spectrum lamp that treats SAD. Anyone have the same issues, or tried these treatments? What about sleep studies?
> Thanks,
> metironMetiron,
Mild forms of this disorder can be treated alone with light therapy. Some people need a combination of light therapy and antidepressants. I still was having periods of hypersomnia (atypical features) with both. This disorders is also related to some bipolar depressions as in my case. My symptoms are kept at bay with a mood stabilizer and a low dose of an antidepressant. I no longer use my light. My next option was to go with an MAOI if my present combo wasn't effective. The MAOI's are superior over the others for this type of depression. Many people have been greatly helped by these drugs. Light therapy can benefit more if started mid to late August when the days grow shorter. This will help so it won't hit you like a BRICK when fall arives. A good book to read is "Winter Blues" by Dr. Rosenthal. This is a very informative book on SAD. "Northern Light Technologies", a company out of Canada has one of the best lights used for SAD.
Laura.
Posted by Ritch on October 20, 2002, at 21:34:08
In reply to hypersomnia, fall, maoi, and lights, posted by metiron on October 19, 2002, at 23:13:26
> I have hypersomnia and during the fall, it gets like ten times worse. I feel like a bear about to hybernate. I've heard that there can be some positive results from maoi's and also from that full spectrum lamp that treats SAD. Anyone have the same issues, or tried these treatments? What about sleep studies?
> Thanks,
> metiron
Absolutely. I am close to buying a dawn simulator, or I will rig up something of my own. For about five weeks or so, I have been wanting to sleep later and later... every day. I had troubles back in May and June with waking too early and I covered up my windows tighter and it helped (enforced darkness). Now, I am uncovering them trying to get more light in the room earlier in the day, and I am fighting a losing battle now, and need technology to help. I made the mistake of turning off my alarm at 9:30 this morning instead of hitting the snooze bar a few times and woke up almost at 1PM, despite going to sleep 12 hrs earlier. I am going to check out dawn simulators and post some links.
Posted by Ritch on October 20, 2002, at 21:57:38
In reply to Re: hypersomnia, fall, maoi, and lights » metiron, posted by Ritch on October 20, 2002, at 21:34:08
Ok, here are some links:
http://www.pi-square.com/
http://www.sadlight.com/aj-dawn-sims.htm
http://www.phothera.com/dawn.html
http://www.healthye.com/lib_disp.asp?HID=84
http://www.lighttherapyproducts.com/products.html
http://www.biobrite.com/
http://indoorlight.com/dawnsim.htmlI am going to be sneaky and see if I can just put a "visual alarm clock" in my bedroom (buy a cheap simple timer and plug it into a bright lamp I already own) to wake me up in addition to an audible alarm clock at a consistent time every morning. I would have the lamp turn on at the desired time and then have the audible alarm come on later to make sure I get up when I need to.
Just an afterthought /idea, but I noticed that when I have the worst problem with mixed states is when the foliage on the trees isn't present yet, and the "suntime" is increasing very rapidly starting in late February through mid-April.
Posted by polarbear206 on October 21, 2002, at 19:08:02
In reply to dawn simulator links, posted by Ritch on October 20, 2002, at 21:57:38
>
>
> Just an afterthought /idea, but I noticed that when I have the worst problem with mixed states is when the foliage on the trees isn't present yet, and the "suntime" is increasing very rapidly starting in late February through mid-April.
Rich,This same pattern also happens to me. Our internal clocks are very sensitive to the time change. I'll be anxious to see how I will do in February next year. Now on Lamictal since this past March. I had a timer on my SAD light a few years back. It drove my husband nuts!! I never wore sun glasses in the fall and winter too since I had light hunger. Are you taking a mood stabilizer?
Laura
Posted by Ritch on October 21, 2002, at 23:56:15
In reply to Re: dawn simulator links RICH , posted by polarbear206 on October 21, 2002, at 19:08:02
> >
> >
> > Just an afterthought /idea, but I noticed that when I have the worst problem with mixed states is when the foliage on the trees isn't present yet, and the "suntime" is increasing very rapidly starting in late February through mid-April.
>
>
> Rich,
>
> This same pattern also happens to me. Our internal clocks are very sensitive to the time change. I'll be anxious to see how I will do in February next year. Now on Lamictal since this past March. I had a timer on my SAD light a few years back. It drove my husband nuts!! I never wore sun glasses in the fall and winter too since I had light hunger. Are you taking a mood stabilizer?
>
> Laura
Laura, I'm taking Depakote (250-500mg) for plain and mixed(grouchy) hypomania. I'm a 3-week rapid cycler, otherwise the seasonal stuff is a major depression starting in mid-Nov. through mid-Jan. (which has atypical symptoms), then an intermittent (the 3-week thing comes into play here) mild mixed state from late-Feb through late-March, then 'plain' intermittent hypomanic periods from April-mid-June, then another major depressive episode with *sometimes* mixed features, then another stretch of 'plain' intermittent hypomania in the fall, with a return to major depression symptoms in November. I have just noticed recently that the rapid decrease in morning daylight has caused my sleep times to become 'advanced'. I want to stay up later and want to sleep-in later every morning. Did the SAD lights work for you? I am spooked about Lamictal because of the rash thing (I have had several mild skin reactions to other meds). I've had success with Adderall+Neurontin for seasonal depression before. I am now on Depakote+Ritalin.
Posted by polarbear206 on October 23, 2002, at 8:38:52
In reply to Re: dawn simulator links RICH » polarbear206, posted by Ritch on October 21, 2002, at 23:56:15
> > >
> > >
> > > Just an afterthought /idea, but I noticed that when I have the worst problem with mixed states is when the foliage on the trees isn't present yet, and the "suntime" is increasing very rapidly starting in late February through mid-April.
> >
> >
> > Rich,
> >
> > This same pattern also happens to me. Our internal clocks are very sensitive to the time change. I'll be anxious to see how I will do in February next year. Now on Lamictal since this past March. I had a timer on my SAD light a few years back. It drove my husband nuts!! I never wore sun glasses in the fall and winter too since I had light hunger. Are you taking a mood stabilizer?
> >
> > Laura
>
>
> Laura, I'm taking Depakote (250-500mg) for plain and mixed(grouchy) hypomania. I'm a 3-week rapid cycler, otherwise the seasonal stuff is a major depression starting in mid-Nov. through mid-Jan. (which has atypical symptoms), then an intermittent (the 3-week thing comes into play here) mild mixed state from late-Feb through late-March, then 'plain' intermittent hypomanic periods from April-mid-June, then another major depressive episode with *sometimes* mixed features, then another stretch of 'plain' intermittent hypomania in the fall, with a return to major depression symptoms in November. I have just noticed recently that the rapid decrease in morning daylight has caused my sleep times to become 'advanced'. I want to stay up later and want to sleep-in later every morning. Did the SAD lights work for you? I am spooked about Lamictal because of the rash thing (I have had several mild skin reactions to other meds). I've had success with Adderall+Neurontin for seasonal depression before. I am now on Depakote+Ritalin.
>Rich,
Light therapy can be very helpful, but you have to dicipline yourself to stick with it. I have a very active lifestyle and always on the go. I do get outside every day and walk my dogs and often go to the gym to work out. You probably know that you need to stick with a strict sleep/wake cycle to keep your symtoms at bay too. It's a struggle to get up eary on my days off, but I feel better if I do this! You mention only the depakote and Ritalin. Why not a low dose of an antidepressant? The Maoi's are very helpful for atypical derpession. I was headed in this direction if my current cocktail didn't work. I was on lithium and depakote in the past. Didn't have the great results I am having now with lamictal. I hope you decide to give it a try in the future. I am a fair skin blonde and have a hisory of rashes from drugs. I broke out in hives several times after strenuous exercise when on antiderpessants. I got a rash with initial start of lamictal. This subsided. I got some ithching when I would increase the dose. I'm up to 100mg/day now. My other meds are, imipramine 50mg and paxil 7.5mg.
Laura.
Posted by Ritch on October 23, 2002, at 12:57:14
In reply to Re: dawn simulator links RICH, posted by polarbear206 on October 23, 2002, at 8:38:52
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Just an afterthought /idea, but I noticed that when I have the worst problem with mixed states is when the foliage on the trees isn't present yet, and the "suntime" is increasing very rapidly starting in late February through mid-April.
> > >
> > >
> > > Rich,
> > >
> > > This same pattern also happens to me. Our internal clocks are very sensitive to the time change. I'll be anxious to see how I will do in February next year. Now on Lamictal since this past March. I had a timer on my SAD light a few years back. It drove my husband nuts!! I never wore sun glasses in the fall and winter too since I had light hunger. Are you taking a mood stabilizer?
> > >
> > > Laura
> >
> >
> > Laura, I'm taking Depakote (250-500mg) for plain and mixed(grouchy) hypomania. I'm a 3-week rapid cycler, otherwise the seasonal stuff is a major depression starting in mid-Nov. through mid-Jan. (which has atypical symptoms), then an intermittent (the 3-week thing comes into play here) mild mixed state from late-Feb through late-March, then 'plain' intermittent hypomanic periods from April-mid-June, then another major depressive episode with *sometimes* mixed features, then another stretch of 'plain' intermittent hypomania in the fall, with a return to major depression symptoms in November. I have just noticed recently that the rapid decrease in morning daylight has caused my sleep times to become 'advanced'. I want to stay up later and want to sleep-in later every morning. Did the SAD lights work for you? I am spooked about Lamictal because of the rash thing (I have had several mild skin reactions to other meds). I've had success with Adderall+Neurontin for seasonal depression before. I am now on Depakote+Ritalin.
> >
>
>
>
> Rich,
>
> Light therapy can be very helpful, but you have to dicipline yourself to stick with it. I have a very active lifestyle and always on the go. I do get outside every day and walk my dogs and often go to the gym to work out. You probably know that you need to stick with a strict sleep/wake cycle to keep your symtoms at bay too. It's a struggle to get up eary on my days off, but I feel better if I do this! You mention only the depakote and Ritalin. Why not a low dose of an antidepressant? The Maoi's are very helpful for atypical derpession. I was headed in this direction if my current cocktail didn't work. I was on lithium and depakote in the past. Didn't have the great results I am having now with lamictal. I hope you decide to give it a try in the future. I am a fair skin blonde and have a hisory of rashes from drugs. I broke out in hives several times after strenuous exercise when on antiderpessants. I got a rash with initial start of lamictal. This subsided. I got some ithching when I would increase the dose. I'm up to 100mg/day now. My other meds are, imipramine 50mg and paxil 7.5mg.
>
>
> Laura.Laura, I'm taking 12.5 mg of Effexor in the mornings, too. I was trying higher-dose wellbutrin with it and I just can't handle the anxiety/grouchiness from the WB, so I have been tapering it down and have stopped it today. MAOI's my pdoc won't write for, or T4 either. Lamictal *sounds* like such a good fit though. Depakote has been the only thing that really knocks out my hostility spells, so it looks like a keeper. I have a strong feeling that Depakote and Nardil probably would be the simplest best combo for me, but oh well....
I'm all too familiar with the need for regular sleep/wake cycles oh boy! The alarm clock is a MUST. It is set for the same time every day regardless. If I have an appointment that requires me to wake even one hour earlier it messes me up for two-three days. Lately, if I forget to set the alarm I will sleep 12 hrs. I think the dawn simulator idea would be the best one-that way I wouldn't have to park myself in front of a light on a schedule.
This is the end of the thread.
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