Posted by Elroy on June 8, 2005, at 18:27:11
In reply to Re: Defeated by insomnia, posted by TerraJo on June 8, 2005, at 9:44:13
Well, knowing that I have highly elevated cortisol (actually diagnosed with "Pseudo Cushing's" - which is intertwined with the whole anxiety / depression problem), I spoke with my regular PCP and P-doc about trying Remeron. There are studies that show that Remeron significantly reduces cortisol levels (also that it aids with sleep in many cases and in many cases was statistically more effective than SSRIs). It has been my belief that my HPA Axis is highly dysfunctional and that the cortisol levels start rising too early and rising too highly.
Well, I have taken Remeron two nights now. I was started out on 15mg a day for two weeks and then will go to 30mg daily. I was cautioned to take the 15mg dose in late evening due to its "sedating effect". I was also advised that Remeron is one of those meds where the very noticeable side effects (sedation and hunger pangs) are more noticeable at the lower doses than at the higher doses.
First night, took 15mg pill about 10:30 PM and within about 30 minutes became extremely sleepy. Went to bed and fell immediately asleep. Woke up at 1:30 AM and went to bathroom (usually make sure and go before going to bed, but think that I was so sllepy that I forgot). Was upset at waking up so soon (note that I took no Ambien or Restoril, etc.), but realized that I was still very sleepy and went right back to sleep. Woke briefly at 5:30 AM and went right back to sleep. Then woke up at about 8:30 AM. Unfortunately still quite sleepy and slept off-and-on on the couch until about noon.
Second night (last night) almost exact duplicate, only this time I took one 10 mg Ambien just prior to going to bed... and slept straight through until 7:00 AM. Once again, still quite sleepy thru the morning and napped off-and-on until around noon. Not sure if this is the medication effect or just "catching up" on all that sleep I've missed!!! LOL Actually, felt like it probably was the medication effect as it had that "feeling" to it.
As to hunger pangs, have only noticed a very slight increase in that area.
Am hoping that upping dose to 30 mg will still provide the sleep aid at night while eliminating the daytime tiredness and the few hunger pang symptoms that there are. Beyond that, am hoping that the Remeron does prove effective in controlling the cortisol while "re-setting" the HPA Axis... and hopefully then allowing me to get off of this "Merry-Go-Round"!
Note that I do not believe this to be any type of a cure-all, that I believe that it is of primary effectiveness for those whose disorder includes having elevated levels of cortisol. From what research I have seen, that can include a fairly high percentage of people who suffer from a variety of disorders (from various anxieties to various depressions and what-all inbetween). If your problem involves a non elevated cortisol levels - and especially if it involves LOW cortisol - then this medication likely isn't for you. Cortisol testing is the key.
Anyway, will be interesting to see how this plays out over the long term.
X
X
X
poster:Elroy
thread:500897
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20050519/msgs/509746.html