Posted by zeugma on June 1, 2004, at 20:04:30
In reply to Re: To Zeugma others: Rotting in bed. Please Advise, posted by Mila S on May 31, 2004, at 19:35:03
I don't think TCA's are useful for sleep schedule because they are sedating. The benefit is supposed to result from their actions on the parts of the brain that control sleep/wake cycle- they are mostly noradrenergic reuptake inhibitors, and they potently block REM, and may regulate the overall aleep/wake mechanism. I have always had problems with my sleep/wake cycle- I would fall asleep at a reasonable hour (say 1 a.m.) for a couple of nights, then the total insomnia would return and i'd be up until 7 or or later. It seemed beyond my control so it added to my depression. The few jobs I was able to get, I would lose eventually, because they were daytime jobs and I needed the day to sleep. So I would get less and less sleep until my functioning became completely impaired and I had to be let go.
My sleep/wake cycle is much better now but my energy level is low. I slept about 10 hours last night and maybe I need that much sleep, but it isn't practical for me to get that much sleep since I have a job that entails early morning wakening.
I am exercising, began running about three weeks ago as an attempt to alleviate depression. I would like to use exercise as a means to boost energy but am also considering that I may need a stimulant no matter what. What effects did Adderall etc. have on you? did they help?
Vegetative depression- you've got the right term.
Sleep deprivation is a proven AD mechanism, unfortunately as you say it is not sustainable. What is intriguing is that sleep deprivation and AD's may work by the same mechanism- by preempting REM sleep. Both depressives and narcoleptics have shortened REM latencies, many depressives go into REM early in their cycle (when delta sleep is called for) and narcoleptics often go DIRECTLY into REM from full waking. That is what causes the atonia and hallucinations that accompany narcoleptic phenomena. For many years TCA's were standard treatment for this aspect of narcolepsy since they are potent REM blockers. A new treatment called Xyrem appears promising, however, it appears that it is contraindicated with many meds including benzodiazepines and seems to be prescribed only after a thorough workup by a sleep doc.
I study philosophy of language and mind also. I have been depressed lately, so that's meant I have begun writing philosophy again (there seems to be an inverse relationship between creativity and mood for me). If you'd like to discuss this further please email me at marsaq2@yahoo dot com.
poster:zeugma
thread:349631
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040527/msgs/352834.html