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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 Mimi on April 14, 2003, at 18:47:33
Hi all,
Does anyone know if Ambien causes weight gain? I'm switching off Periactin (for sleep) tonight as I have been rapidly gaining & find it unacceptable. Are there any dangers from Ambien. I've been searching the web, but it seems that detailed med information sites have become scarce. Anyone know of any good med sites besides Psychobabble? Appreciate all answers! Thanks, MIMI
Posted by Lisa P on April 14, 2003, at 20:37:52
In reply to Ambien vs. Periactin weight gain, posted by Mimi on April 14, 2003, at 18:47:33
Mimi,
I took Ambien from Sept 2002 to Feb 2003. I was really stressed out with school and was taking Amantadine to counteract Geodon side effects - but both drugs caused insomnia. Last fall it worked fairly well - I took 20mg/nite almost every nite. After I adjusted to it (couple of nites), I would wake up feeling alert and refreshed. The first few times you take it, make sure you do so right before you go to bed, because it seems to work almost immediately. But I couldn't sleep as well after awhile - it lost its effectiveness somewhat but still worked - sometimes I would have trouble sleeping through the nite. I went off of it over Xmas break and slept on my own, but it was taking me 3 hrs/nite. So I went back on the Ambien until I switched off the Geodon onto the Serequel and have since not had sleep problems.
The Ambien did not change my appetite whatsoever. I actually lost 12lb when I was on it, due to the Amantadine which weight loss is a side effect.
Ambien is a good choice for short term insomnia, but for me, it was not a long term solution since it was addictive and lost effectiveness - felt like I needed more and more. I think that the Rx info only suggests using it short term.
Hope this helps.
Lisa
> Hi all,
> Does anyone know if Ambien causes weight gain? I'm switching off Periactin (for sleep) tonight as I have been rapidly gaining & find it unacceptable. Are there any dangers from Ambien. I've been searching the web, but it seems that detailed med information sites have become scarce. Anyone know of any good med sites besides Psychobabble? Appreciate all answers! Thanks, MIMI
Posted by Mimi on April 14, 2003, at 21:28:16
In reply to Re: Ambien vs. Periactin weight gain, posted by Lisa P on April 14, 2003, at 20:37:52
Lisa,
Thanks so much for your detailed answer to my dilemma. It takes time and consideration to write such an account. MIMI
Posted by Mimi on April 14, 2003, at 21:32:54
In reply to Re: Ambien vs. Periactin weight gain, posted by Lisa P on April 14, 2003, at 20:37:52
>Lisa,
I am familiar with Geodon and Seroquel (I take it) but am curious to know what Amantadine is used for? Is it new?
MIMI
Mimi,
>
> I took Ambien from Sept 2002 to Feb 2003. I was really stressed out with school and was taking Amantadine to counteract Geodon side effects - but both drugs caused insomnia. Last fall it worked fairly well - I took 20mg/nite almost every nite. After I adjusted to it (couple of nites), I would wake up feeling alert and refreshed. The first few times you take it, make sure you do so right before you go to bed, because it seems to work almost immediately. But I couldn't sleep as well after awhile - it lost its effectiveness somewhat but still worked - sometimes I would have trouble sleeping through the nite. I went off of it over Xmas break and slept on my own, but it was taking me 3 hrs/nite. So I went back on the Ambien until I switched off the Geodon onto the Serequel and have since not had sleep problems.
>
> The Ambien did not change my appetite whatsoever. I actually lost 12lb when I was on it, due to the Amantadine which weight loss is a side effect.
>
> Ambien is a good choice for short term insomnia, but for me, it was not a long term solution since it was addictive and lost effectiveness - felt like I needed more and more. I think that the Rx info only suggests using it short term.
>
> Hope this helps.
>
>
> Lisa
>
>
> > Hi all,
> > Does anyone know if Ambien causes weight gain? I'm switching off Periactin (for sleep) tonight as I have been rapidly gaining & find it unacceptable. Are there any dangers from Ambien. I've been searching the web, but it seems that detailed med information sites have become scarce. Anyone know of any good med sites besides Psychobabble? Appreciate all answers! Thanks, MIMI
>
>
Posted by Lisa P on April 15, 2003, at 0:49:43
In reply to Re: Ambien vs. Periactin weight gain » Lisa P, posted by Mimi on April 14, 2003, at 21:32:54
Mimi,
I'm not sure how long the Amantadine has been around for - but it is used to treat influenza A - the flu, parkinsons, and drug side effects. I had muscle problems on the Geodon - they were tightening up causing me back pain due to leaning to the side, which has gotten a lot better once I got off the drug and went back to phys therapy and exercising. The Amantadine caused me to lose some weight - I felt nauseous for the first month on the drug - however it has caused my hair to fall out more than usual so I'm going to get off of it soon - I've dropped down from 300mg to 50mg. After awhile, the Amantadine didn't cover up the Geodon side effects. If you have had weight gain from drugs, Amantadine might help with weight loss - there has been at least one study done showing that it either stopped or reversed weight gain with people taking Zyprexa.
How long have you been on the Serequel? I've been on it for 6 weeks so far - 200mg. I got on it so slowly that I never felt drugged up which was great. Have you had problems with it causing weight gain, an increase in appetite, or a slowing of metabolism? Any other bothersome side effects? I haven't had anything yet which is good, since I've tried a lot of drugs where I couldn't tolerate the side effects - most often, weight gain or feeling like a zombie. I'm really worried about the Serequel causing weight gain after I get of the Amatadine, so I am reluctant to do so.
Have a good nite/morning.
Lisa> >Lisa,
>
> I am familiar with Geodon and Seroquel (I take it) but am curious to know what Amantadine is used for? Is it new?
>
> MIMI
>
>
>
> Mimi,
> >
> > I took Ambien from Sept 2002 to Feb 2003. I was really stressed out with school and was taking Amantadine to counteract Geodon side effects - but both drugs caused insomnia. Last fall it worked fairly well - I took 20mg/nite almost every nite. After I adjusted to it (couple of nites), I would wake up feeling alert and refreshed. The first few times you take it, make sure you do so right before you go to bed, because it seems to work almost immediately. But I couldn't sleep as well after awhile - it lost its effectiveness somewhat but still worked - sometimes I would have trouble sleeping through the nite. I went off of it over Xmas break and slept on my own, but it was taking me 3 hrs/nite. So I went back on the Ambien until I switched off the Geodon onto the Serequel and have since not had sleep problems.
> >
> > The Ambien did not change my appetite whatsoever. I actually lost 12lb when I was on it, due to the Amantadine which weight loss is a side effect.
> >
> > Ambien is a good choice for short term insomnia, but for me, it was not a long term solution since it was addictive and lost effectiveness - felt like I needed more and more. I think that the Rx info only suggests using it short term.
> >
> > Hope this helps.
> >
> >
> > Lisa
> >
> >
> > > Hi all,
> > > Does anyone know if Ambien causes weight gain? I'm switching off Periactin (for sleep) tonight as I have been rapidly gaining & find it unacceptable. Are there any dangers from Ambien. I've been searching the web, but it seems that detailed med information sites have become scarce. Anyone know of any good med sites besides Psychobabble? Appreciate all answers! Thanks, MIMI
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by ace on April 15, 2003, at 3:03:15
In reply to Re: Ambien vs. Periactin weight gain, posted by Lisa P on April 15, 2003, at 0:49:43
Posted by Mimi on April 15, 2003, at 21:15:47
In reply to Re: Ambien vs. Periactin weight gain, posted by Lisa P on April 15, 2003, at 0:49:43
>Lisa,
Glad to receive your post. I've been on Seroquel for about one year. I currently take 50mg. at night though I started out at 100mg. per night.
No, I have not had any bothersome side effects with Seroquel. It has not caused my weight gain as I only started to rapidly gain weight after I began Periactin five months ago.I searched many years before I found a med I could tolerate. I have a low threshhold for side effects, even the rare side effects. First, I was on Risperdal which worked very well although I had to combine it with Bromocryptine to reverse elevated prolactin levels(common side effect) which caused me to lactate (strange, I know). Briefly, I was on Zyprexa (about 6 months). It caused a definite slowing of metabolism. Prior to taking psychotropic meds I had always had a quick metabolism and never any overweight problems. Risperdal did cause my hair to fall out (not all of it, just thinning).
Thank you for the info on Amantadine. Ritalin also causes weight loss in some people. About a year and 1/2 ago I got into trouble from taking Ritalin. That is, it depressed my appetite horribly and I became too thin without trying to do so.
Seroquel is the most benign of the three antip's that I've tried. As I said, my weight remained stable until I added Periactin for sleep. You may find that you can decrease your dosage with time.
Good luck. I would be glad to respond to more med questions. I've tried a few and have done so with my eyes wide open.
Oh, first night with Ambien went swimmingly. No bad effects.
MIMI
Mimi,
>
> I'm not sure how long the Amantadine has been around for - but it is used to treat influenza A - the flu, parkinsons, and drug side effects. I had muscle problems on the Geodon - they were tightening up causing me back pain due to leaning to the side, which has gotten a lot better once I got off the drug and went back to phys therapy and exercising. The Amantadine caused me to lose some weight - I felt nauseous for the first month on the drug - however it has caused my hair to fall out more than usual so I'm going to get off of it soon - I've dropped down from 300mg to 50mg. After awhile, the Amantadine didn't cover up the Geodon side effects. If you have had weight gain from drugs, Amantadine might help with weight loss - there has been at least one study done showing that it either stopped or reversed weight gain with people taking Zyprexa.
>
> How long have you been on the Serequel? I've been on it for 6 weeks so far - 200mg. I got on it so slowly that I never felt drugged up which was great. Have you had problems with it causing weight gain, an increase in appetite, or a slowing of metabolism? Any other bothersome side effects? I haven't had anything yet which is good, since I've tried a lot of drugs where I couldn't tolerate the side effects - most often, weight gain or feeling like a zombie. I'm really worried about the Serequel causing weight gain after I get of the Amatadine, so I am reluctant to do so.
>
> Have a good nite/morning.
>
>
> Lisa
>
>
>
> > >Lisa,
> >
> > I am familiar with Geodon and Seroquel (I take it) but am curious to know what Amantadine is used for? Is it new?
> >
> > MIMI
> >
> >
> >
> > Mimi,
> > >
> > > I took Ambien from Sept 2002 to Feb 2003. I was really stressed out with school and was taking Amantadine to counteract Geodon side effects - but both drugs caused insomnia. Last fall it worked fairly well - I took 20mg/nite almost every nite. After I adjusted to it (couple of nites), I would wake up feeling alert and refreshed. The first few times you take it, make sure you do so right before you go to bed, because it seems to work almost immediately. But I couldn't sleep as well after awhile - it lost its effectiveness somewhat but still worked - sometimes I would have trouble sleeping through the nite. I went off of it over Xmas break and slept on my own, but it was taking me 3 hrs/nite. So I went back on the Ambien until I switched off the Geodon onto the Serequel and have since not had sleep problems.
> > >
> > > The Ambien did not change my appetite whatsoever. I actually lost 12lb when I was on it, due to the Amantadine which weight loss is a side effect.
> > >
> > > Ambien is a good choice for short term insomnia, but for me, it was not a long term solution since it was addictive and lost effectiveness - felt like I needed more and more. I think that the Rx info only suggests using it short term.
> > >
> > > Hope this helps.
> > >
> > >
> > > Lisa
> > >
> > >
> > > > Hi all,
> > > > Does anyone know if Ambien causes weight gain? I'm switching off Periactin (for sleep) tonight as I have been rapidly gaining & find it unacceptable. Are there any dangers from Ambien. I've been searching the web, but it seems that detailed med information sites have become scarce. Anyone know of any good med sites besides Psychobabble? Appreciate all answers! Thanks, MIMI
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by Elizabeth on April 16, 2003, at 15:16:51
In reply to Ambien vs. Periactin weight gain, posted by Mimi on April 14, 2003, at 18:47:33
I've been taking ambien for a long time. I have stopped for a few months if the sleep seemed to be better, but then I went back on it when it got worse again.
Could you remind me again what periactin is? Some antihistamine type thing?
I don't think there are any serious dangers from Ambien -- except if you try to operate a motor vehicle after taking it!
> I'm switching off Periactin (for sleep) tonight as I have been rapidly gaining & find it unacceptable.
Posted by Mimi on April 17, 2003, at 22:48:50
In reply to Re: Ambien vs. Periactin weight gain » Mimi, posted by Elizabeth on April 16, 2003, at 15:16:51
>Elizabeth,
Periactin (cyproheptadine hydrochloride) is an antihistamine, sometimes used to stimulate appetite in underweight persons. MIMII've been taking ambien for a long time. I have stopped for a few months if the sleep seemed to be better, but then I went back on it when it got worse again.
>
> Could you remind me again what periactin is? Some antihistamine type thing?
>
> I don't think there are any serious dangers from Ambien -- except if you try to operate a motor vehicle after taking it!
>
> > I'm switching off Periactin (for sleep) tonight as I have been rapidly gaining & find it unacceptable.
This is the end of the thread.
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