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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 2 of 2. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by galtin on October 26, 2001, at 19:53:31
Well, not quite NO sleep, but not much sleep. But this is not what concerns me most.I have taken Effexor for six years. It has been effective and the side effects,for me, minimal. Over two years ago, my psychiatrist added Wellbutrin to pull me out of a relapse. I am now taking 375mgs of Effexor XR and 300 mgs. of Wellbutrin. I have always taken half of each in the morning and the other half in the mid to late afternoon. The combination has worked well for me.
Here's the sleep part. I normally need around eight hours a night. If I get six and a half or less on any given night I make it up either later in the day or the following night. Otherwise I am drowsy and foggy. However, for the last six nights I have slept only between three and four hours. And although I feel fatigued now and then, I am not sleepy and my mind is as alert as it ever gets to be. I have taken no naps. I get to sleep OK but then awaken well ahead of sunrise and can't return to sleep no matter how long I lie in bed. before the sun comes up and can't get back to slumberland. I am norally a good sleepera and am rarely sleep deprived for more than one day. So, something is going on,but I don't know what it is.
This past week reminds me of an experience I had about 15 years ago. At that time my psychiatrist was shifting me from med to med in search of one that would work. In June of that year I started taking yet another tricyclic. I don't remember which one. Within several days my need for sleep decreased dramatically. I was never tired or sleepy and was full of creative energy and enthusiasm for every aspect of life. This lasted for about three months and then I returned to normal, or at least to the way I was before. I spent most of this three months writing a stunningly brilliant doctoral thesis. At least, so it seemed at the time. When I returned to it in the fall of that year for some light editing, I was shocked to find that it was not a bit brilliant. Most of it was muddled, carelessly conceived, and poorly written. I had to completely rewrite most of it.
Anyway, years later I recognized that I had experienced a mild manic period that was surely medication induced. This last week has been similar in that I have been cruising along on half my normal sleep ration, feeling only occasionally tired and never sleepy. The diffence is that I have not experienced the mania I did 15 years ago. But I am nervous about it.
I am wondering whether my sleeplessness is a temporary and idiocyncratic reaction to my meds even though this has never happend before on my regimen of Effexor and Wellbutrin.
Has anybody had any experiences like this, or have any ideas about what might be causing it? I will be grateful for any help. Thanks.
galtin-
Posted by JohnX2 on October 27, 2001, at 11:18:50
In reply to Effexor, Wellbutrin, and No Sleep, posted by galtin on October 26, 2001, at 19:53:31
Sleeplessness is a very common side effect on
high dose Effexor and especially Wellbutrin.Had the same experiences on Wellbutrin and Zoloft.
Would operate on 6 hrs sleep (normally sleep 10).I think you should address the manic issue.
Maybe its time to dose in an anti-convulsant
like Depakote or Neurontin. Lamictal is a good
stand-alone anti-convulsant but is more likely
to be stimulating. Depakote,Trileptal,Neurotin
may be more sedating. Another *good idea* is to add
in a low dose of Zyprexa, this is very good for
anxiety,mania,and sleep.good luck,
john
>
> Well, not quite NO sleep, but not much sleep. But this is not what concerns me most.
>
> I have taken Effexor for six years. It has been effective and the side effects,for me, minimal. Over two years ago, my psychiatrist added Wellbutrin to pull me out of a relapse. I am now taking 375mgs of Effexor XR and 300 mgs. of Wellbutrin. I have always taken half of each in the morning and the other half in the mid to late afternoon. The combination has worked well for me.
>
> Here's the sleep part. I normally need around eight hours a night. If I get six and a half or less on any given night I make it up either later in the day or the following night. Otherwise I am drowsy and foggy. However, for the last six nights I have slept only between three and four hours. And although I feel fatigued now and then, I am not sleepy and my mind is as alert as it ever gets to be. I have taken no naps. I get to sleep OK but then awaken well ahead of sunrise and can't return to sleep no matter how long I lie in bed. before the sun comes up and can't get back to slumberland. I am norally a good sleepera and am rarely sleep deprived for more than one day. So, something is going on,but I don't know what it is.
>
> This past week reminds me of an experience I had about 15 years ago. At that time my psychiatrist was shifting me from med to med in search of one that would work. In June of that year I started taking yet another tricyclic. I don't remember which one. Within several days my need for sleep decreased dramatically. I was never tired or sleepy and was full of creative energy and enthusiasm for every aspect of life. This lasted for about three months and then I returned to normal, or at least to the way I was before. I spent most of this three months writing a stunningly brilliant doctoral thesis. At least, so it seemed at the time. When I returned to it in the fall of that year for some light editing, I was shocked to find that it was not a bit brilliant. Most of it was muddled, carelessly conceived, and poorly written. I had to completely rewrite most of it.
>
> Anyway, years later I recognized that I had experienced a mild manic period that was surely medication induced. This last week has been similar in that I have been cruising along on half my normal sleep ration, feeling only occasionally tired and never sleepy. The diffence is that I have not experienced the mania I did 15 years ago. But I am nervous about it.
>
> I am wondering whether my sleeplessness is a temporary and idiocyncratic reaction to my meds even though this has never happend before on my regimen of Effexor and Wellbutrin.
>
> Has anybody had any experiences like this, or have any ideas about what might be causing it? I will be grateful for any help. Thanks.
>
>
> galtin-
This is the end of the thread.
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