![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by leor on July 3, 2002, at 13:08:46
Dear Psycho-babblers
I am sending this message out into cyberspace in the hopes of gaining some advice about using Dexedrine as a treatment for my inattentive ADD in conjunction with my treatments for Cyclothymia and Anxiety disorder. At the same time, it may provide others who are considering using Dexedrine with some cautionary advice.Below I will discuss some of the problems associated with my use of Dexedrine use and pose questions that are related to them.
( 1 ) I suffer from Cyclothymia in addition to ADD. Do some p-docs vary the dosages of Dexedrine that they prescribe on a seasonal basis so as to accommodate their patient's decreased concentration level (resulting from cyclothymia)?
( 2 ) My observation of the affect that Dexedrine has on me is being complicated by my lack of a stable treatment for my Bipolar II. (I have tried various SSRIs and Anti-depressants over the past four years, so far without success). Where does one draw the line between ADD’s detrimental affect on concentration and the detrimental affect on concentration caused by anxiety disorder?
( 3 ) Some background information:
When my dosage was raised to 30mg in March 2002 I had a hypomanic episode within 48 hrs.. As luck would have it, this problem coincided with the end of my university semester – a time of intense stress (because I had to make up for all the learning time lost earlier on owing to my seasonal affective disorder) A vicious cycle ensued. Thanks to the (unrecognised) mania, my expectations for the essay I was than writing morphed from reasonable to super-inflated. 32 of the following 56 days saw me take more Dexedrine than I had been proscribed (my p-doc was foolish enough to have placed monthly refills on my prescription). By the time I Self diagnosed my hypomania and resolved to wean myself off of the extra Dexedrine, I was taking 90mg per day (45 in two doses).About two-thirds of the way through my episode, the following symptoms broke through:
Severe anxiety.
Outbursts of violent hypothermia (at the rate of about one a week)
OCD. (Obsessing without compulsions)
Tolerance to my dosage.
Sped-up heart-rate.On June 12th, with my dosage back to normal, I began a drug holiday, which was to last five days. Since re-starting the Dexedrine (@ 15 mg) I have benefited again from its relief of my ADD. There is still a too-high level of anxiety, however, and this is cause for concern. The scenario leaves me anxious to know:…………..
( 4 Is there a risk that I may start to build up tolerance to Dexedrine again owing to my previous abuse? If this is a possibility, what can I do to break out of that process without having to permanently stop taking Dexedrine?
( 5 ) What makes OCD appear in a person with an OCD tendency who is taking Dexedrine? Is it due to prolonged use or due to the dosage being too high?
I was hospitalised for OCD (along with severe separation anxiety) as a child, ten years ago. At the time I was taking a high dosage of Ritalin, which had been prescribed for treatment of my ADD.
( 6 ) Was five days a long enough drug holiday? As previously noted, my anxiety level remains quite high. Perhaps this just indicates what my p-doc and I already know – that we must find a good anti-anxiety medication ASAP. On the other hand, I know that taking the Dexedrine increases the anxiety level somewhat and wonder whether this indicates that my use of the medication should be discontinued all together.
( 7 ) In order to treat the anxiety I am now taking 250 mg of Lamotragine. We are considering introducing Lithium to serve as a prophylactic for mania and a tricyclic to treat the cyclothymia. In past treatments with SSRI’s and anti-depressants I have experienced problems with fatigue and torpor, hence the shift of focus to these other classes of meds. Does this approach seem to make sense?
-------------------- WORDS OF CAUTION
If any of you are on this medication or are considering using stimulant medications be please be aware that they are potent drugs, with the power to do much help and also much harm. Just as you would work with your family, p-doc and pharmacist to ensure that you were getting the optimum positive affect from a medication you were using, take the time to set up safeguards so you can avoid falling into patterns of abuse and/or experiencing manias.I would have been the last person whom you would think would get into this kind of trouble. I never drink or get high off of dangerous thrills, have a support network and an optimistic disposition. Why me then?
- Because my physician did not indicate to me that I was at risk for hypomania or what the warning symptoms for hypomania are. (All we ever spoke about was hyper-maina, )
- Because I did not do the necessary homework about Dexedrine when I began to use it and therefore could not alert my parents as to the warning signals of abuse or other problems.
- Because I was under crushing stress when I asked for the faithful increase to 30mg. Period of stress are particularly bad times to make dose adjustments if you are at risk of mania.
Good luck on your journeys & thank you so much for responding,
Leor
Posted by fachad on July 3, 2002, at 22:51:06
In reply to Dexedrine and anxiety (HELP please!), posted by Leor on July 3, 2002, at 21:49:44
Loer,
I'm taking some time to digest your post, and I want to offer support and suggestions, but I have one question right off concerning a factual matter in your narrative.
You said: "...my p-doc was foolish enough to have placed monthly refills on my prescription..."
What exactly do you mean by that? Are you in the United States? In the US, Dexedrine is a Schedule II Controlled Substance.
That means all Dexedrine prescriptions must be:
1.) hand written (no phone in), AND
2.) for no more than a one month supply, AND
3.) NO REFILLS ARE PERMITTED.If you turned in a Dexedrine RX to a pharmacist and it had refills on it, that pharmacist would immediately know that it was fake; no MD would ever make this mistake.
I don't mean to be accusatory in a forum meant for support; I just noticed something in your story that seemed impossible.
Maybe you are not in the US; or maybe I am wrong about the Schedule II restrictions. Maybe it's just MY Dexedrine making me jumpy and obsessional about details (grin), but I'd feel better if you'd elaborate on what you meant by the refill thing.
Posted by Ritch on July 3, 2002, at 23:36:49
In reply to The interplay of anxiety, dexedrine cyclothymia, posted by leor on July 3, 2002, at 13:08:46
> Dear Psycho-babblers
> I am sending this message out into cyberspace in the hopes of gaining some advice about using Dexedrine as a treatment for my inattentive ADD in conjunction with my treatments for Cyclothymia and Anxiety disorder. At the same time, it may provide others who are considering using Dexedrine with some cautionary advice.
>
> Below I will discuss some of the problems associated with my use of Dexedrine use and pose questions that are related to them.
>
> ( 1 ) I suffer from Cyclothymia in addition to ADD. Do some p-docs vary the dosages of Dexedrine that they prescribe on a seasonal basis so as to accommodate their patient's decreased concentration level (resulting from cyclothymia)?
>
> ( 2 ) My observation of the affect that Dexedrine has on me is being complicated by my lack of a stable treatment for my Bipolar II. (I have tried various SSRIs and Anti-depressants over the past four years, so far without success). Where does one draw the line between ADD’s detrimental affect on concentration and the detrimental affect on concentration caused by anxiety disorder?
>
> ( 3 ) Some background information:
> When my dosage was raised to 30mg in March 2002 I had a hypomanic episode within 48 hrs.. As luck would have it, this problem coincided with the end of my university semester – a time of intense stress (because I had to make up for all the learning time lost earlier on owing to my seasonal affective disorder) A vicious cycle ensued. Thanks to the (unrecognised) mania, my expectations for the essay I was than writing morphed from reasonable to super-inflated. 32 of the following 56 days saw me take more Dexedrine than I had been proscribed (my p-doc was foolish enough to have placed monthly refills on my prescription). By the time I Self diagnosed my hypomania and resolved to wean myself off of the extra Dexedrine, I was taking 90mg per day (45 in two doses).
>
> About two-thirds of the way through my episode, the following symptoms broke through:
> Severe anxiety.
> Outbursts of violent hypothermia (at the rate of about one a week)
> OCD. (Obsessing without compulsions)
> Tolerance to my dosage.
> Sped-up heart-rate.
>
> On June 12th, with my dosage back to normal, I began a drug holiday, which was to last five days. Since re-starting the Dexedrine (@ 15 mg) I have benefited again from its relief of my ADD. There is still a too-high level of anxiety, however, and this is cause for concern. The scenario leaves me anxious to know:…………..
>
> ( 4 Is there a risk that I may start to build up tolerance to Dexedrine again owing to my previous abuse? If this is a possibility, what can I do to break out of that process without having to permanently stop taking Dexedrine?
>
> ( 5 ) What makes OCD appear in a person with an OCD tendency who is taking Dexedrine? Is it due to prolonged use or due to the dosage being too high?
>
> I was hospitalised for OCD (along with severe separation anxiety) as a child, ten years ago. At the time I was taking a high dosage of Ritalin, which had been prescribed for treatment of my ADD.
>
> ( 6 ) Was five days a long enough drug holiday? As previously noted, my anxiety level remains quite high. Perhaps this just indicates what my p-doc and I already know – that we must find a good anti-anxiety medication ASAP. On the other hand, I know that taking the Dexedrine increases the anxiety level somewhat and wonder whether this indicates that my use of the medication should be discontinued all together.
>
> ( 7 ) In order to treat the anxiety I am now taking 250 mg of Lamotragine. We are considering introducing Lithium to serve as a prophylactic for mania and a tricyclic to treat the cyclothymia. In past treatments with SSRI’s and anti-depressants I have experienced problems with fatigue and torpor, hence the shift of focus to these other classes of meds. Does this approach seem to make sense?
>
> -------------------- WORDS OF CAUTION
> If any of you are on this medication or are considering using stimulant medications be please be aware that they are potent drugs, with the power to do much help and also much harm. Just as you would work with your family, p-doc and pharmacist to ensure that you were getting the optimum positive affect from a medication you were using, take the time to set up safeguards so you can avoid falling into patterns of abuse and/or experiencing manias.
>
> I would have been the last person whom you would think would get into this kind of trouble. I never drink or get high off of dangerous thrills, have a support network and an optimistic disposition. Why me then?
>
> - Because my physician did not indicate to me that I was at risk for hypomania or what the warning symptoms for hypomania are. (All we ever spoke about was hyper-maina, )
>
> - Because I did not do the necessary homework about Dexedrine when I began to use it and therefore could not alert my parents as to the warning signals of abuse or other problems.
>
> - Because I was under crushing stress when I asked for the faithful increase to 30mg. Period of stress are particularly bad times to make dose adjustments if you are at risk of mania.
>
> Good luck on your journeys & thank you so much for responding,
>
> Leor
Leor,So, you have mixed symptoms of ADD, hypomania, and anxiety? Sounds like my troubles (with seasonal major depressions thrown in). You might try a long-acting sustained release stimulant at a lower dosage (say Adderall 10mg in the AM) combined with a first-line antimanic agent like Depakote (say 250-500mg at bedtime). You could try adding on low-dose Neurontin to help with anxiety during the day (say 100mg 2x-3x daily). Just some thoughts.
Mitch
Posted by Leor on July 3, 2002, at 23:38:42
In reply to Re: Dexedrine and anxiety (HELP please!) » Leor , posted by fachad on July 3, 2002, at 22:51:06
Dear Fachad
I live in Ontario, Canada. The rules differ from those in force in the USA. The controls here are less rigorous. P-docs are permitted to perscribe all manner of meds by telephone.
My p-doc is based in Guelph Ontario whenas I live in Ottawa (we communicate over the telephone.) He placed the monthly refills in order to insure that I never ran out of the medication (as he is often away at conferences and is, by his own admission, absent-minded it was feared that he might forget to issue the refilled)
There is another bizarre nuance: there were 2 prescriptions open at one time - one for 15mg spanasules and the other for 10 mg. (I needed the both of them when I was taking 25mg per day.) How I wish we had discontinued the 10 mg one after the dosage was raised to 30mg. Doing so would have averted the problems that later ensued.
I am not offended by your inquiry & realize that further explanation on my part was wanting. I trust that you will understand that (as God is my witness) I never stretch the truth in matters pertaining to my illness (with the possible exception of certain times when I have been manic). I know that to do so would be
nothing but detrimental to the resolution of my
current problem.I will be most grateful for your advice.
Blessings.
Leor
> Loer,
>
> I'm taking some time to digest your post, and I want to offer support and suggestions, but I have one question right off concerning a factual matter in your narrative.
>
> You said: "...my p-doc was foolish enough to have placed monthly refills on my prescription..."
>
> What exactly do you mean by that? Are you in the United States? In the US, Dexedrine is a Schedule II Controlled Substance.
>
> That means all Dexedrine prescriptions must be:
>
> 1.) hand written (no phone in), AND
> 2.) for no more than a one month supply, AND
> 3.) NO REFILLS ARE PERMITTED.
>
> If you turned in a Dexedrine RX to a pharmacist and it had refills on it, that pharmacist would immediately know that it was fake; no MD would ever make this mistake.
>
> I don't mean to be accusatory in a forum meant for support; I just noticed something in your story that seemed impossible.
>
> Maybe you are not in the US; or maybe I am wrong about the Schedule II restrictions. Maybe it's just MY Dexedrine making me jumpy and obsessional about details (grin), but I'd feel better if you'd elaborate on what you meant by the refill thing.
Posted by jay on July 3, 2002, at 23:57:40
In reply to Dexedrine and anxiety (HELP please!), posted by Leor on July 3, 2002, at 21:49:44
Hello:
I am deeply sorry you had such a bad experience. What is really important is 'here and now'...where you are today. You can't change the past, but I do appreciate you trying to warn others what to look out for. Hypomania can be horrid to many of us, especially when it is a dysphoric type of mania. I think hypomania caused by any medication is something many doctors are grossly ignorant about.
Try to look at symptoms, rather than the diagnosis, as I have found this to be a lifesaver. If anxiety is bad, quite simply a benzodiazepine will do wonders. Maybe one of the more norepinephrine-enhancing antidepressants will help you along with a benzo. Say nortriptyline or desipramine, along with a benzo, may do wonders. It will take a few weeks to build up to a proper dose, but likely will be more suited to your need for long-term use. (Especially if you built up tolerance to the stimulants.)
Along with a benzo...I think the lithium and, if needed, another mood stabalizer, might be very helpful. It will take time, though, to find the 'right' combo, or one that just feels the best for you.
Good luck..and your persistance is really the best thing here, as you demonstrate. Take good care.
Jay
Posted by fachad on July 4, 2002, at 4:20:32
In reply to Dexedrine and anxiety (HELP please!), posted by Leor on July 3, 2002, at 21:49:44
Leor,
First, thanks for explaining about the refills. I was just concerned because sometimes trolls make up stories to malign psych meds, and pstims are a favorite target of these misguided crusaders.
Anyway, here are a few ideas on your post.
Leor: ...32 of the following 56 days saw me take more Dexedrine than I had been proscribed...I was taking 90mg per day...
fachad: Whew, that's a lot of dex. Can you retrace the thought process(es) that led you to decide to take more than 30mg the first time? The next time? How did you justify to yourself tripling your dose?
I guess what I am thinking is that you made a poor decision at some point, and kept making more incrementally worse decisions.
By becoming aware of how you came to take that action, you could prevent a future occurrence or at least be aware of what is happening before it gets so out of hand.
Leor: Since re-starting the Dexedrine (@ 15 mg) I have benefited again from its relief of my ADD. There is still a too-high level of anxiety...
fachad: Well, the drug holiday was a good idea. How did that go?
As to the anxiety, and other side effects, I think that once you become aware of a side effect from a med, you are much more inclined to experience it. It's like you always had that side effect, but it was below your threshold of conscious perception. After you notice it, you cannot not notice it. And anxiety feeds on itself anyway.
Leor: ...Is there a risk that I may start to build up tolerance to Dexedrine again owing to my previous abuse? If this is a possibility, what can I do to break out of that process without having to permanently stop taking Dexedrine?
fachad: I have a pretty strong opinion on this. I think this is totally related to why you increased your does and what you like or want to get from the medication.
If you are craving the speed feeling, or the euphoria, yes, you will develop tolerance and repeatedly need to increase the dose to get the same level of those effects. That is obviously a dead end, and is not a sustainable long term treatment strategy.
On the other hand, if you are able to derive and appreciate the benefits of dex in terms of relief of symptoms, but not try to create or maintain an artificial emotional high or an unnaturally high level of functioning, you should be able to benefit from the same dose for a long time.
So I guess I am saying that if you want to avoid tolerance and abuse, set realistic expectations for what this med is going to do for you, and realize that if you try for more, you will end up getting less in the long run because your "real" dose will not benefit you anymore.
Take a look at this post I did on this idea a few months ago:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020215/msgs/94906.html
Leor: ... What makes OCD appear in a person with an OCD tendency who is taking Dexedrine? Is it due to prolonged use or due to the dosage being too high?
fachad: Dex can create problems like anxiety or OCD, and it can magnify them if they are already present in a mild form. Lab animals that are given dex show "stereotyped behavior" like repetitive grooming or licking. It's just a normal biological response to amphetamines.
And dex stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, which means you always have a little "fight or flight" going on at a physical level when you are taking it.
Both anxiety and OCD symptoms are very dose related and increase dramatically as the dose goes up.
Leor: ...Was five days a long enough drug holiday?
fachad: What was the purpose of the drug holiday? If it was to reduce tolerance, then if 30mg worked again, it was long enough.
Leor: ...As previously noted, my anxiety level remains quite high. Perhaps this just indicates what my p-doc and I already know – that we must find a good anti-anxiety medication ASAP. On the other hand, I know that taking the Dexedrine increases the anxiety level somewhat and wonder whether this indicates that my use of the medication should be discontinued all together.
fachad: Well, there are several alternatives. You could try a lower dose of dex. Or, better yet, you could wait for tolerance to develop and see if the anxiety decreased as the tolerance developed.
Hopefully, you would still get benefit from it for your ADD, just less stimulation and anxiety. That way, you could actually be glad to have developed tolerance!
Another alternative to consider is Ritalin, especially the Concerta type. It is less prone to abuse for several reasons. First, it is released gradually, so there is no "rush". Second, you only get 1 tablet per day, so there is less temptation to "chip" small doses and increase your dose, "just for this (whatever) special need". Also, for me ritalin is much less anxiety provoking than dex.
Another alternative is to try a stimulating AD instead of a conventional pstim. Wellbutrin is often used to treat ADD in people with substance abuse history, and it is also less likely that other ADs to trigger hypomania in BP pateints.
I think that trying to lower the dose, or develop tolerance to the dose, or trying Ritalin or Wellbutrin are much better alternatives than adding another med to combat the anxiety created by the dex.
Treating anxiety in people with innate anxiety disorders is one thing, but treating anxiety that is caused by a medication is different. You can quickly end up on lots of meds, and it just feels a little too "Elvis" to me.
Speed to get going and tranks to cut the anxiety from the speed. Next thing you know, you'll be wearing white sequined jumpsuits and eating fried PB & banana sandwiches!
Leor: ...In order to treat the anxiety I am now taking 250 mg of Lamotragine. We are considering introducing Lithium to serve as a prophylactic for mania and a tricyclic to treat the cyclothymia. In past treatments with SSRI’s and anti-depressants I have experienced problems with fatigue and torpor, hence the shift of focus to these other classes of meds. Does this approach seem to make sense?
fachad: Yes, lamotragine, lithium, etc. seem like a good direction to go. Those meds reduce anxiety and prevent mania.
Tricyclics have been known to shift BP patients into manic episodes.
SSRI's can cause horrid torpor and fatigue. If you are prone to this, stay away from them unless you are really suffering from an acute depression. Again, Wellbutrin may be worth trying.
Leor: ...I suffer from Cyclothymia in addition to ADD. Do some p-docs vary the dosages of Dexedrine that they prescribe on a seasonal basis so as to accommodate their patient's decreased concentration level (resulting from cyclothymia)?
fachad: I don't know what pdocs do, but I've never heard of this approach.
My thinking is that since you have had a problem with dose escalation and abuse, you should not think of dex as a PRN med. In other words, you should not consider that it is taken as needed, or that the does can be adjusted according to need.
Rather, you should mechanically and rigidly stick to the same dose so increasing it for this or that "need" does not even enter your mind as an option.
If you do it that way, you'll never have to worry about abuse again, or try to second guess yourself if you are wanting to increase the dose for a legitimate seasonal variation or is it the start of another bender.
Leor: ...My observation of the affect that Dexedrine has on me is being complicated by my lack of a stable treatment for my Bipolar II. (I have tried various SSRIs and Anti-depressants over the past four years, so far without success). Where does one draw the line between ADD’s detrimental affect on concentration and the detrimental affect on concentration caused by anxiety disorder?
fachad: Well, BPII and anxiety have some overlapping symptoms, but they are not the same thing.
If you have BPII, you should focus on getting that under control, so you have a stable foundation to work from as you try to resolve the residual anxiety and ADD.
If you have predominantly ADD, the benefit of dex for concentration will outweigh the distraction of the dex caused anxiety. In that scenario, I would expect an anxiety med to worsen your concentration, even though the anxiety is alleviated. (That’s how it works for me.)
On the other hand if you have predominantly an anxiety disorder, I would expect your concentration to be worsened by the anxiety of dex, and helped by a BZD.
Sometimes response to meds really is the most valuable diagnostic tool.
Well, I hope these ideas are useful to you. Good luck on your quest and keep us posted as to how things are going.
-fachad
Posted by Dr. Bob on July 5, 2002, at 2:10:02
In reply to The interplay of anxiety, dexedrine cyclothymia, posted by leor on July 3, 2002, at 13:08:46
[Posted by Christina333 on July 4, 2002, at 7:30:16]
> I have cyclothymia and my pdoc put me on effexor xr 150mg, soon to be 225mg. A lot of people say it makes them tired. It took my anxiety away, and haven't had one attack since on the med. BUT I STILL CAN"T SLEEP!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by leor on September 29, 2002, at 23:48:24
Greetings!
I am searching for a sleep-inducing substance (for lack of a better term) which will carry me off to dreamland without directly acting on my serotonin levels.
MY A.D.D. PROBLEMS AND THE TREATMENTS CURRENTLY BEING USED
Presently I am being treated for four subtypes of A.D.D. ( In the Amen terminology these are termed ‘classic', ‘limbic' and ‘ring of fire'). In biochemical terms these equate to deficiencies of serotonin and dopamine. The medications I am taking are:efffexor (regular format). 17.85mg in two doses
Dexedrine XR 15 mgMY INSOMNIA
My insomnia involves an inability to sleep fitfully (I will wake up in the morning feeling so unrested that I can scarcely believe I just slept for eight hours).NATURAL REMEDIES
I am researching natural remedies for my insomnia because I have frequently encountered problems with sleep medications. Although my p-doc does not claim any expertise in perscribing natural remedies he will allow me to try using them provided they are not of the type that would directly act on my serotonin level (e.g. not Saint John's Wort) & that I research them well before I start to take them.SLEEPING MEDICATIONS
Below I have listed the sleeping medications I have used in the past in the problems that ensued.Trazadoone Need gradually increased while effectiveness decreased
Imovaine Impairs focus during the morning
Clonodine High degree of anxiety in the morningIn general I have an acute sensitivity to medications, which ensures I can easily become ‘over medicated'
I would appreciate suggestions about mild yet effective medications or natural remedies. Also helpful would be citations of websites and-or literature about sleeping remedies for people with A.D.D.
Many thanks for your help,
Leor
Posted by Jaynee on September 29, 2002, at 23:52:25
In reply to Needed: a natural sleeping remedly (help please!), posted by leor on September 29, 2002, at 23:48:24
I swear by passion flower tincture. There is some literature about it in PUBMED.
Posted by shar on September 30, 2002, at 0:09:48
In reply to Needed: a natural sleeping remedly (help please!), posted by leor on September 29, 2002, at 23:48:24
I have heard from some reliable source that I've now forgotten, that a combo of calcium and magnesium taken about an hour before bedtime helps. There should be at least twice as much calcium as magnesium is my understanding. Mine is 333 calcium and 133 mag. and I take two of them (it is a cal-mag combo, not calcium separately and magnesium separately). Plus, it couldn't hurt......that I know of.
Also, there is some substance, I've heard, to the old home remedy of milk (I don't know if it has to be warm or not), and you probably know about avoiding hot shower or bath too close to bedtime, regular bedtime, no exercise just before, no sugar, and all that.
I used to take Melatonin (melantonin?) then it got a bad rap about something--some side effect I think. I took it sublingually, and it did, indeed, seem to help. I stopped that when I started taking klonopin.
Good luck with solving your problem. I have looked up 'home remedies' on the internet before with good success, but it was for nausea, not insomnia. I believe lots of the old fashioned 'home remedies' can work without harming us, but these days we tend to ignore them.
Shar
Posted by Bill L on September 30, 2002, at 8:43:06
In reply to Needed: a natural sleeping remedly (help please!), posted by leor on September 29, 2002, at 23:48:24
Valerian is good.
Posted by BrittPark on September 30, 2002, at 11:30:25
In reply to Needed: mild natural sleep remedy , posted by leor on September 30, 2002, at 0:20:25
I can think of three possibilities, valerian (but it might not be wise if your taking any benzos), kava kava (again I'm not sure how it would interact with your other meds) and Chamomile Tea (I know of no interactions and its very relaxing).
Hope you find the right herb,
Britt
Posted by jaby on September 30, 2002, at 16:33:10
In reply to Needed: a natural sleeping remedly (help please!), posted by leor on September 29, 2002, at 23:48:24
I didn't read all hte replies, but valerian root in great. For meds, I like a half tab of ambien if I'm having trouble.
Posted by leor on September 30, 2002, at 16:39:55
In reply to Re: Needed: a natural sleeping remedly (help please!), posted by jaby on September 30, 2002, at 16:33:10
Jaby:A couple of follow up questions for you:
( 1 )
What format do you take the valerian root in?( 2 )
How much valerian root do you take before bed?OR
If it is based on some sort of calculation -
than how does one calculate how much to take?Thanks!
Leor
Posted by kitt on September 30, 2002, at 22:15:54
In reply to Re: Needed: mild natural sleep remedy » leor, posted by BrittPark on September 30, 2002, at 11:30:25
I am quite happy with Melatonin. It doesn't make me drowsy exactly, it just makes it easier to make the transition to sleep. It doesn't make me groggy in the morning. It can't combat early morning anxiety attacks all the time but for the most part it helps me get a rested sleep.
Posted by Leor on October 1, 2002, at 14:57:52
In reply to Re: Needed: mild natural sleep remedy, posted by kitt on September 30, 2002, at 22:15:54
> I am quite happy with Melatonin. It doesn't make me drowsy exactly, it just makes it easier to make the transition to sleep. It doesn't make me groggy in the morning. It can't combat early morning anxiety attacks all the time but for the most part it helps me get a rested sleep.
Kitt - could you please tell me what other meds you are on currently (if you are comfortable saying so). This might help me better understand whether Melatonin would work with the various medications that I am using now.
Thanks!
Leor
Posted by kitt on October 2, 2002, at 22:13:02
I'm not sure how to post back under your thread so I opened a new post. Melatonin is a natural hormone ... the warning label reads ... Not for use by pregnant or lactating women, persons with nerve or organ diseases, or persons consuming drugs that are psychoactive, neuroactive, antihistamines, anticonvulsants, sedatives or narcotics. and that note that says ask your doctor, which would be my best advice too. It is very mild to me and I only take one at bed time ... but that doesn't mean that it wouldn't put the kick in there with other meds. In the US I can buy it at the dollar store for $2.00 a bottle of 75 300MCG tabs. Hope that helps ... kitt
Posted by Dr. Bob on October 3, 2002, at 20:19:56
In reply to leor, posted by kitt on October 2, 2002, at 22:13:02
> I'm not sure how to post back under your thread so I opened a new post.
I try to keep things together, so I've moved it there...
If you want to respond to a post, go to that post and either click "Post follow-up" at the top or scroll down to "Post a new follow-up". Then click the "Go to form" button and enter your post. Hope that helps,
Bob
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
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