Posted by beardedlady on April 14, 2002, at 6:48:01
Janelle:
I have a bunch of suggestions for you, but this is the most important. Try one thing at a time; this way, you'll know what works. I don't know when you are getting off Effexor, but I don't think the B vitamins will hurt you in any way. Maybe it's a similar action to what Iso was talking about--stimulants having a calming effect. Anyway, rather than trying all these things (and the things that others suggest), you should sit with your pdoc and get a plan.
You need to sleep, though. I don't know if you've ever tried Sonata (prescription), but it works well for me. It's a hypnotic, so it sort of stops your mind so you can sleep. Sometimes, though, if your mind is wild, it takes a long time to work. You only sleep four hours on it, so it might help you with going to be early. If I'm not asleep by midnight, I often take it then and sleep for six or more hours.
But I'm on Serzone, which is a sedating AD (at my low dose--250 mg.).
Ask your pdoc about it. It was very successful for quieting my mind. Make sure you tell him you'd like to take it at night before bed (the whole thing--about an hour apart, if necessary). Taking it in the morning will make you groggy all day. The side effects are grogginess and dry mouth almost always. But they go away quickly. There are no sexual side effects (though I do have a lot of sleep orgasms, but that's another story).
(Okay, Janelle, since you asked, I'll post it on PSB.)
Anyway, the one final thing to try--a Tums before bed. Calcium deficiencies are often culprits in insomnia. Tums is pretty harmless. The body can only absorb 400 mg. of calcium at a time, and it usually needs magnesium to be effective, but I'm not fixing what ain't broke in me, so the Tums will have to do it. (I have a standby container of Calmax, just in case.)
I think the first thing you should do is try to replace the Effexor. Find folks with problems similar to yours, and see what works for them. Take a list to the pdoc and ask if any are right for you. Then add these other bits.
But do try to meditate. I used to hate that old saying, "God helps those who help themselves," but it's true, when you think about it (especially if you're an athiest!). The God in you can only be helped by your actions, not your inactions. I know you feel hopeless right now, but you have to help yourself--by practicing meditation or adding exercise or finding a hobby you enjoy that will focus your mind on ONE TASK.
(Sitting at the computer, hanging out at PSB doesn't count!)
I hope you don't see this as a lecture. I really care. I feel a kindred spirit with folks who have insomnia, and I have to help because I know how very painful it is.
beardy : )>
P.S. It is 7:48, and I am off for my 4-mile race walk, which I do in about 50 minutes.
poster:beardedlady
thread:103025
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020408/msgs/103025.html