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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by inanimate peanut on December 9, 2009, at 14:28:41
Well, either the day program or the Parnate is helping my depression some. The bad news is that I can take it at 2pm and take Ambien, Benadryl, and Ativan at bed time and still not sleep. I've read the threads-- trazadone, remeron, etc. What seems to work best without the most side effects and will any of it work better than the Ambien? I'm most worried about weight gain. Will this maybe just get better on its own?
Posted by SLS on December 9, 2009, at 14:39:25
In reply to Parnate- depression bit better but can't sleep, posted by inanimate peanut on December 9, 2009, at 14:28:41
> Well, either the day program or the Parnate is helping my depression some. The bad news is that I can take it at 2pm and take Ambien, Benadryl, and Ativan at bed time and still not sleep. I've read the threads-- trazadone, remeron, etc. What seems to work best without the most side effects and will any of it work better than the Ambien? I'm most worried about weight gain. Will this maybe just get better on its own?
It can, but it might not happen right away. It is encouraging that you are feeling better. However, sleep is very important. I am surprised that the combination of Ambien and Ativan isn't doing the trick. Do you think it might be a matter of dosage? You might want to consider using low dosages of Seroquel (25-100mg) as a temporary measure. Trazodone might work, but unless it does so at a relatively low dose, you might feel like you have a hangover the next morning.Whatever you do, try not to let the insomnia beat you. Don't let it be the reason that you give up on an effective treatment. Express to your doctor how aggressive you want him to be in treating the insomnia.
I hope things work out for you.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on December 9, 2009, at 15:46:45
In reply to Re: Parnate- depression bit better but can't sleep » inanimate peanut, posted by SLS on December 9, 2009, at 14:39:25
Could you temporarily raise the ativan? Lunesta 3mg worked for me when had insomnia with valium? Phillipa
Posted by SLS on December 9, 2009, at 16:01:33
In reply to Re: Parnate- depression bit better but can't sleep, posted by Phillipa on December 9, 2009, at 15:46:45
> Could you temporarily raise the ativan? Lunesta 3mg worked for me when had insomnia with valium? Phillipa
The Lunesta is a good idea.
If Lunesta alone is insufficient, it can be combined with Ambien. The Ambien will help initiate sleep while the Lunesta will help maintain it. You would need to work closely with your doctor on this in order to establish appropriate dosing.
In 1987, there was no such thing as Ambien and Lunesta. So, my doctor and I used the same strategy by combining Halcion with Ativan.
- Scott
Posted by JayBTV2 on December 9, 2009, at 17:29:55
In reply to Re: Parnate- depression bit better but can't sleep, posted by SLS on December 9, 2009, at 16:01:33
> > Could you temporarily raise the ativan? Lunesta 3mg worked for me when had insomnia with valium? Phillipa
>
> The Lunesta is a good idea.
>
> If Lunesta alone is insufficient, it can be combined with Ambien. The Ambien will help initiate sleep while the Lunesta will help maintain it. You would need to work closely with your doctor on this in order to establish appropriate dosing.
>
> In 1987, there was no such thing as Ambien and Lunesta. So, my doctor and I used the same strategy by combining Halcion with Ativan.
>
>
> - ScottI've heard horrible things about Lunesta. The weirdest being that it causes your mouth to taste metallic like a 9-volt battery or something...
That being said I've never actually tried it. Seroquel does the trick for me as far as sleep is concerned....
Posted by inanimate peanut on December 9, 2009, at 18:35:33
In reply to Re: Parnate- depression bit better but can't sleep, posted by JayBTV2 on December 9, 2009, at 17:29:55
Seroquel is such a powerful drug that I'm worried about being on it just for sleep. I tried it for mood and it did nothing so I went off it. Plus, I'm worried about the weight gain with Seroquel. I didn't know you could combine Lunesta and Ambien. I'm on the CR version on Ambien now, so it's supposed to help through the night, but it's neither helping me get to sleep nor keeping me that way. I used to be on Lunesta until the insurance decided not to cover it anymore, but maybe I need to write to get an exception and try to go back on it. I didn't have any negative effects with the Lunesta; I just can't afford it without insurance coverage. I hate insurance companies!
Posted by SLS on December 10, 2009, at 8:24:53
In reply to Re: Parnate- depression bit better but can't sleep, posted by inanimate peanut on December 9, 2009, at 18:35:33
You could try using Rozerem (ramelteon) to help with sleep induction and combine it with Lunesta for sleep maintenance.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on December 10, 2009, at 19:13:49
In reply to Re: Parnate- depression bit better but can't sleep » inanimate peanut, posted by SLS on December 10, 2009, at 8:24:53
Scott how you doing? Love Phillipa
Posted by SLS on December 10, 2009, at 19:38:19
In reply to Re: Parnate- depression bit better but can't sleep » SLS, posted by Phillipa on December 10, 2009, at 19:13:49
> Scott how you doing? Love Phillipa
I'm doing okay. I am preparing myself to feel worse, though. Maybe it won't be so bad. We'll see.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on December 10, 2009, at 21:16:12
In reply to Re: Parnate- depression bit better but can't sleep » Phillipa, posted by SLS on December 10, 2009, at 19:38:19
Scott you must keep posting that's an order I still haven't given up on the three day blip. Love Jan
Posted by inanimate peanut on December 11, 2009, at 17:12:44
In reply to Re: Parnate- depression bit better but can't sleep » SLS, posted by Phillipa on December 10, 2009, at 21:16:12
Dr. had me take Seroquel last night (cut so it wasn't XR). Wow, did I sleep well! I didn't have trouble with a hangover today either. I'm just worried about taking such a powerful drug with a high weight gain profile just for sleep. I'm still going to look into Lunesta as another option, but Seroquel will work for now I guess.
Posted by Phillipa on December 11, 2009, at 21:28:27
In reply to Re: Parnate- depression bit better but can't sleep, posted by inanimate peanut on December 11, 2009, at 17:12:44
Fabulous you slept you must feel better now. Phillipa
Posted by mtdewcmu on December 11, 2009, at 22:40:59
In reply to Re: Parnate- depression bit better but can't sleep, posted by inanimate peanut on December 9, 2009, at 18:35:33
> Seroquel is such a powerful drug that I'm worried about being on it just for sleep. I tried it for mood and it did nothing so I went off it. Plus, I'm worried about the weight gain with Seroquel. I didn't know you could combine Lunesta and Ambien. I'm on the CR version on Ambien now, so it's supposed to help through the night, but it's neither helping me get to sleep nor keeping me that way. I used to be on Lunesta until the insurance decided not to cover it anymore, but maybe I need to write to get an exception and try to go back on it. I didn't have any negative effects with the Lunesta; I just can't afford it without insurance coverage. I hate insurance companies!
Here's a little trick with Ambien CR: if you chew it up and kind of swish the mush around in your mouth for a while, all 12.5 mg hits you immediately. That might help you get to sleep. I don't know why they make sleep meds so weak. It always takes me 2 of the strongest dose to overcome insomnia.
Posted by floatingbridge on December 12, 2009, at 4:39:29
In reply to Re: Parnate- depression bit better but can't sleep, posted by inanimate peanut on December 11, 2009, at 17:12:44
> Dr. had me take Seroquel last night (cut so it wasn't XR). Wow, did I sleep well! I didn't have trouble with a hangover today either. I'm just worried about taking such a powerful drug with a high weight gain profile just for sleep. I'm still going to look into Lunesta as another option, but Seroquel will work for now I guess.
Yay! Glad you're feeling better! I use sonata (in generic) as well. Can you get that?
fb
Posted by inanimate peanut on December 12, 2009, at 11:23:22
In reply to Re: Parnate- depression bit better but can't sleep » inanimate peanut, posted by floatingbridge on December 12, 2009, at 4:39:29
I did feel better from the sleep, thanks. I didn't sleep quite as well last night, but I think that's because I went to bed at 8pm. As much as I want something that will make me sleep for 15 hours, that's probably not reasonable or healthy. I have a pdoc appt. in a week and will talk more about the sleep thing there. I just hope the Seroquel keeps working for my sleep until then. By the way, I've never heard of Sonata, so I'll ask about that.
This is the end of the thread.
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