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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 texas gal on May 20, 2008, at 12:27:01
I've suffered from atypical depression (oversleeping, overeating, "leaden paralysis" and extreme interpersonal rejection sensitivity) as long as I can remember. I've been on almost every SSRI that exists as well as Provigil to no avail (Paxil worked for a little while but washed out).
EMSAM has been a LIFE SAVER. I started out on 6mg for 1 month- no effect. Switching to 9mg was like switching on a light- EVERYTHING CHANGED. I no longer felt suicidal (vs. feeling that way every 10 mintues for years) unless something very stressful happens.
I've been on 9 mg for at least a month now and haven't slept more than 3 hours in a night in that time. Many nights I only sleep 2 hours. Here's the weird part- I don't feel tired AT ALL. Maybe a bit mellow/lightheaded but not at all sleepy. This is from someone who slept upwards of 14 hours per night during the weekends and 6-8 during the week- so that's a big change.
Since I'm not at all tired, I'm hesitant to be concerned about it; however, all that awake time give me too much time to worry about things. I'd love to have a break from anxiety. Anxiety is a MILLION times better than abject depression, though. Also, I don't think it's good for the brain to go without sleep for so long. But considering how good I feel I don't want to complain!
My overeating has stopped (I've lost weight and look GREAT) and I have the energy to do the things I want to do on the weekends. It's a completely different life. I'd call it a miracle.
Posted by Phillipa on May 20, 2008, at 12:45:46
In reply to Another EMSAM insomniac- but feeling better!, posted by texas gal on May 20, 2008, at 12:27:01
Maybe take the patch off at night a lot have done that? Do you take a med to sleep? Phillipa
Posted by texas gal on May 20, 2008, at 12:59:23
In reply to Re: Another EMSAM insomniac- but feeling better! » texas gal, posted by Phillipa on May 20, 2008, at 12:45:46
I haven't really done anything yet. I'm so happy with the effects that I'm hesitant to take the patch off for any amount of time.
No drugs either. I'm sure doc is hesitant to give me a sleeping pill script for fear that I'll gobble 'em all in one sitting. I used to use Tylenol PM but it doesn't work now- even if I take two (which used to be waaay to strong).
Given that I'm not tired, I'm not in hurry to do anything about it, really!
> Maybe take the patch off at night a lot have done that? Do you take a med to sleep? Phillipa
Posted by bulldog2 on May 20, 2008, at 16:29:49
In reply to Another EMSAM insomniac- but feeling better!, posted by texas gal on May 20, 2008, at 12:27:01
> I've suffered from atypical depression (oversleeping, overeating, "leaden paralysis" and extreme interpersonal rejection sensitivity) as long as I can remember. I've been on almost every SSRI that exists as well as Provigil to no avail (Paxil worked for a little while but washed out).
>
> EMSAM has been a LIFE SAVER. I started out on 6mg for 1 month- no effect. Switching to 9mg was like switching on a light- EVERYTHING CHANGED. I no longer felt suicidal (vs. feeling that way every 10 mintues for years) unless something very stressful happens.
>
> I've been on 9 mg for at least a month now and haven't slept more than 3 hours in a night in that time. Many nights I only sleep 2 hours. Here's the weird part- I don't feel tired AT ALL. Maybe a bit mellow/lightheaded but not at all sleepy. This is from someone who slept upwards of 14 hours per night during the weekends and 6-8 during the week- so that's a big change.
>
> Since I'm not at all tired, I'm hesitant to be concerned about it; however, all that awake time give me too much time to worry about things. I'd love to have a break from anxiety. Anxiety is a MILLION times better than abject depression, though. Also, I don't think it's good for the brain to go without sleep for so long. But considering how good I feel I don't want to complain!
>
> My overeating has stopped (I've lost weight and look GREAT) and I have the energy to do the things I want to do on the weekends. It's a completely different life. I'd call it a miracle.One person on babble used trazadone at night with emsam.
Posted by bleauberry on May 20, 2008, at 18:10:49
In reply to Another EMSAM insomniac- but feeling better!, posted by texas gal on May 20, 2008, at 12:27:01
That is so awesome you are feeling better. Very cool indeed. I absolutely do not want to rain on the party, but it deserves mention that no human body, including yours, can go indefinitely on 3 hours sleep. The price will be paid. It might be wise to take the issue seriously so as to prevent a future catastrophy, such as severe hormonal imbalances and resulting depression that even Ensam can't fix, or some physical breakdown or disease. Maybe you don't need sleep, but your body does.
Might be an idea to look into things like Lunesta, restoril, very low dose amitriptyline, or low dose seroquel. Even if you could get to 5 or 6 hours of sleep, that would be heap better than where you are now.
In the meantime, cheers! :-)
This is the end of the thread.
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