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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jsarirose on December 25, 2002, at 4:47:09
I was on fairly steady meds, including Trazodone to help me sleep (because of the Parnate). I was taking 25mg. I recently started on Lamictal (as an augmentor) and am now at 100mg, but we'll be continuing to increase it. I also started taking various vitamins and Omega Fish Oil capsules. I think I've read that sometimes the fish oil can make it difficult to sleep, but I'm just trying to figure out if it's most likely the fish oil or the Lamictal that is causing my insomnia. I sleep for about 3-4 hours and then I'm wide awake.
Tonight I'll increase the Trazodone to 50mg, but I'd still like to know the source. Especially since I'm continuing to increase the Lamictal and want to know whether to count on the need to increase the Trazodone again.
Thanks,
Jessica
Posted by jimmygold70 on December 25, 2002, at 11:39:44
In reply to Insomnia: Lamictal or Omega Fish Oil?, posted by jsarirose on December 25, 2002, at 4:47:09
Lamictal is causing insomnia. DON'T mix Trazodone and Parnate. Move to Nardil if it makes you too alert.
> I was on fairly steady meds, including Trazodone to help me sleep (because of the Parnate). I was taking 25mg. I recently started on Lamictal (as an augmentor) and am now at 100mg, but we'll be continuing to increase it. I also started taking various vitamins and Omega Fish Oil capsules. I think I've read that sometimes the fish oil can make it difficult to sleep, but I'm just trying to figure out if it's most likely the fish oil or the Lamictal that is causing my insomnia. I sleep for about 3-4 hours and then I'm wide awake.
>
> Tonight I'll increase the Trazodone to 50mg, but I'd still like to know the source. Especially since I'm continuing to increase the Lamictal and want to know whether to count on the need to increase the Trazodone again.
>
> Thanks,
> Jessica
Posted by BeardedLady on December 25, 2002, at 15:06:43
In reply to Insomnia: Lamictal or Omega Fish Oil?, posted by jsarirose on December 25, 2002, at 4:47:09
I'm taking fish oil because it's supposed to IMPROVE sleep. I have never heard that it disrupts it. I have had two months of of an insomnia relapse and just started fish oil three weeks ago. I've had more days off sleeping pills than on since starting the oil.
beardy
Posted by jsarirose on December 25, 2002, at 15:31:42
In reply to Re: Insomnia: Lamictal or Omega Fish Oil? » jsarirose, posted by BeardedLady on December 25, 2002, at 15:06:43
> I'm taking fish oil because it's supposed to IMPROVE sleep. I have never heard that it disrupts it. I have had two months of of an insomnia relapse and just started fish oil three weeks ago. I've had more days off sleeping pills than on since starting the oil.
>
> beardyI appreciate the feedback from both posters. I looked up Lamictal again and this time found a site that mentioned insomnia as a possible side effect. I was actually on it years ago at a semi-low dose and didn't remember that as a side-effect. But perhaps with the combo of Parnate and Lamictal I'm having an increased effect. At least I know which med it is.
Regarding Trazodone & Parnate, I know they are contraindicated, however it's not uncommon to prescribe them together if you are keeping track of your stats like blood pressure. I've never had any problems on Trazodone and have been taking the combination of Parnate and Trazodone for over a year. There are many drugs that the pharmaceutical companies say one shouldn't take with Parnate, but with a doctor's care and some research as to actual effects, I think some are just fine. I do appreciate the warning though as usually that is correct.
-Jessica
Posted by cybercafe on December 25, 2002, at 15:37:20
In reply to Insomnia: Lamictal or Omega Fish Oil?, posted by jsarirose on December 25, 2002, at 4:47:09
hey jess, i was writing to that fellow chad_3 or action_jackson a while back, and i think he mentioned that lamictal increases the dopaminergic effect of MAOIs (though i havn't been able to verify this)
so are you doing much better?
Posted by jsarirose on December 25, 2002, at 15:46:45
In reply to Re: Insomnia: Lamictal or Omega Fish Oil?, posted by cybercafe on December 25, 2002, at 15:37:20
> hey jess, i was writing to that fellow chad_3 or action_jackson a while back, and i think he mentioned that lamictal increases the dopaminergic effect of MAOIs (though i havn't been able to verify this)
>
> so are you doing much better?I feel a little silly, but wouldn't 'dopaminergic' make me more sleepy? Or does it mean the opposite?
I'm feeling better on a steady dose of 60mg Parnate, now that I've gotten my finances & insurance in line I'm not going up and down. The Lamictal hasn't really effected me yet, but I'm only up to 100mg. Still increasing (but, wow, is it expensive!).
-Jessica
Posted by cybercafe on December 25, 2002, at 22:34:02
In reply to Re: Insomnia: Lamictal or Omega Fish Oil?, posted by jsarirose on December 25, 2002, at 15:46:45
> I feel a little silly, but wouldn't 'dopaminergic' make me more sleepy? Or does it mean the opposite?
dopamine is primarily an excitory neurotransmitter
for example, drugs like coke and speed work on dopamineglad to hear you're doing better
Posted by jsarirose on December 25, 2002, at 22:38:35
In reply to Re: Insomnia: Lamictal or Omega Fish Oil?, posted by cybercafe on December 25, 2002, at 22:34:02
> > I feel a little silly, but wouldn't 'dopaminergic' make me more sleepy? Or does it mean the opposite?
>
> dopamine is primarily an excitory neurotransmitter
> for example, drugs like coke and speed work on dopamine
>
> glad to hear you're doing better
>
>Thanks for the clarification!
-Jessica
Posted by Merci on December 26, 2002, at 13:26:47
In reply to Re: Insomnia: Lamictal or Omega Fish Oil? » jsarirose, posted by jimmygold70 on December 25, 2002, at 11:39:44
do you take it at bedtime?
Posted by jsarirose on December 26, 2002, at 14:22:20
In reply to Re: Fish Oil: Potentially DUMB question, posted by Merci on December 26, 2002, at 13:26:47
> do you take it at bedtime?
The Trazodone? I take it before bed. I upped it to 50mg and I'm sleeping much better. The annoying part is I think about 40mg would be ideal, but of course it's much too difficult to do that. So I seem to be a little tired when I wake, but perhaps I'll get used to it.
The Lamictal I've been splitting into two doses and taking one in the morning and one at night. I'm not sure if this was to help avoid rash as I was starting it or it it's because the med has to be spread out. I was thinking of giving my doctor a call and asking if I could take it all in the morning, but she won't be back in town until after next week. (It's not urgent enough for me to bother the on-call doc.)
Can you take Lamictal all at once in the morning?
I'm also having some increased dizziness from the Lamictal, so I'm not sure if I bunched up the dose if it would make the dizziness worse. Parnate makes me occasionally dizzy, but it's nothing that bothers me. The Lamictal seems to increase the effect though, hopefully that's a symptom that will fade over time.
Thanks,
Jessica
Posted by johnj on December 26, 2002, at 15:49:47
In reply to Re: Fish Oil: Potentially DUMB question, posted by jsarirose on December 26, 2002, at 14:22:20
I did feel ok the first few days on fish oil and actually slept better, but after awhile(can't quite remember) I started waking up and feeling spacey. Some have suggested I continue to take it and maybe it would improve, but I stopped taking it and things went back to "normal". I am not the only one that has had sleep disruption from fish oil here.
take care
johnj
Posted by jsarirose on December 26, 2002, at 15:55:24
In reply to Fish oil and insomnia » jsarirose, posted by johnj on December 26, 2002, at 15:49:47
> I did feel ok the first few days on fish oil and actually slept better, but after awhile(can't quite remember) I started waking up and feeling spacey. Some have suggested I continue to take it and maybe it would improve, but I stopped taking it and things went back to "normal". I am not the only one that has had sleep disruption from fish oil here.
> take care
> johnjThat's what I've heard. I've also heard that if you can stick it through that symptom goes away. I'm going to stick with it, but perhaps I'll try taking them in the morning. (The only reason my Nutritionist gave for taking them at night is so if you burp, you won't taste fish.)
-Jessica
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