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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Ilene on January 20, 2003, at 17:52:49
I take the provigil for 2 reasons: to compensate for the dragginess that comes from being depressed, and to help w/ a sleep disorder called "delayed sleep phase syndrome". If I don't work very hard at it I go to sleep later and later and sleep forever. I also use a high-intensity light in the morning and take neurontin and elavil when I go to bed.
I take 200 mg. When I took 300 I got jittery. I'm not quite as inert as I used to be, so I suppose it's working. I don't really notice it; I've even taken naps when I haven't felt well.
My pdoc gets lots of free samples. You might ask.
I had problems w/ wellbutrin at first, but I took XR or SR or whatever they call the extended release form, and that was okay. Then I went back to the regular stuff because it's a bit more of a boost and you can take a slightly higher dose. Counteracted some of the sexual problems of SSRIs.
Posted by Ritch on January 21, 2003, at 0:16:43
In reply to Provigil (answering Mitch from other thread), posted by Ilene on January 20, 2003, at 17:52:49
> I take the provigil for 2 reasons: to compensate for the dragginess that comes from being depressed, and to help w/ a sleep disorder called "delayed sleep phase syndrome". If I don't work very hard at it I go to sleep later and later and sleep forever. I also use a high-intensity light in the morning and take neurontin and elavil when I go to bed.
>
> I take 200 mg. When I took 300 I got jittery. I'm not quite as inert as I used to be, so I suppose it's working. I don't really notice it; I've even taken naps when I haven't felt well.
>
> My pdoc gets lots of free samples. You might ask.
>
> I had problems w/ wellbutrin at first, but I took XR or SR or whatever they call the extended release form, and that was okay. Then I went back to the regular stuff because it's a bit more of a boost and you can take a slightly higher dose. Counteracted some of the sexual problems of SSRIs.
Thanks for replying. Hmmm. "delayed sleep phase syndrome". Honestly never heard of that one. Neurontin and Elavil? My pdoc has been bugging me about going back on a little Neurontin just for sleep. I've noticed an "advancing" and "retarding" effect with when I feel sleepy at different times of the year (with bipolar disorder-seasonal affective). In the spring when the hypomanias return I start to have this advancing phenomena, when I go into depressive phases in the winter (esp.), I start yawning earlier and earlier and have difficulty staying awake towards a normal bedtime. Well.. going to have to find the means and time to get a real sleep study done...
Posted by Ilene on January 21, 2003, at 15:40:27
In reply to Re: Provigil (answering Mitch from other thread) » Ilene, posted by Ritch on January 21, 2003, at 0:16:43
Sorry, I got your name wrong. Part of the depression package.
I never had a sleep study. A previous pdoc advised me to get the kind of light used for SAD. It was very expensive and I never submitted the bill to the insurance company (inertia--another part of the package). However, there are few other downsides and it works.
I do not have SAD, and I have been trying more light (up to 4 hours) without any effect.
Posted by Ritch on January 21, 2003, at 23:42:25
In reply to Re: Provigil (answering Mitch from other thread), posted by Ilene on January 21, 2003, at 15:40:27
> Sorry, I got your name wrong. Part of the depression package.
>
> I never had a sleep study. A previous pdoc advised me to get the kind of light used for SAD. It was very expensive and I never submitted the bill to the insurance company (inertia--another part of the package). However, there are few other downsides and it works.
>
> I do not have SAD, and I have been trying more light (up to 4 hours) without any effect.So, is the light therapy "working" only at the original level, and additional light isn't helping-is that what you mean?
Posted by Ilene on January 22, 2003, at 9:33:47
In reply to Re: Provigil (answering Mitch from other thread) » Ilene, posted by Ritch on January 21, 2003, at 23:42:25
> > Sorry, I got your name wrong. Part of the depression package.
> >
> > I never had a sleep study. A previous pdoc advised me to get the kind of light used for SAD. It was very expensive and I never submitted the bill to the insurance company (inertia--another part of the package). However, there are few other downsides and it works.
> >
> > I do not have SAD, and I have been trying more light (up to 4 hours) without any effect.
>
> So, is the light therapy "working" only at the original level, and additional light isn't helping-is that what you mean?
Yes. The light therapy helps me sleep at night and be awake during the day. I have hardly any insomnia anymore.It has *not* helped w/ the depression, even with up to 4 hours a day of intense light.
I wonder about the relationships among my various symptoms and disorders. I can sleep at night but I am more depressed than I was when I started the light therapy (about 2 years ago). At least I don't lie awake or rattle around the house at 4 a.m.
This is the end of the thread.
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