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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by femlite1 on February 2, 2004, at 12:38:00
I know there are individuals here who have expereince with Xyrem. I am nervous about the listed side effects, headaches, nausea, dizziness, depression, or vomiting...I have been taking Ambien for sleep. My doctor is concerned (rightly so) that while a benzo might help put me to sleep, it is not a deep or restoritive level of sleep and adversely effecting my health. But nor have I had any side effects. Is it worth the trade? (not to mention having to wake up in the middle of the night to take a second dose) Any feed back would be great
Posted by utopizen on February 2, 2004, at 13:35:44
In reply to Xyrem Dilema, posted by femlite1 on February 2, 2004, at 12:38:00
If you only have insomnia, it's not worth it. I've been titrating on Xyrem since December now, and will be on my target dose in a week from now, and then I need to wait 6-8 weeks to notice a difference in my daytime sleepiness according to the studies.
The dose you start at is too low to incude sleep, which means you need to combine it with Ambien in many cases if you have insomnia, which apparently wouldn't work for you anyhow.
The side effect profile is actually very tolerable... all I got was a stuffy nose, but I had sinusitus anyway.
Benzos are better than no sleep, but Xyrem was a nightmare for me just to get-- I've had 4 sleep studies, a dozen docs, consults, appts., appts., and more appts., and I have narcolepsy. Trust me, you will not get it. It's hard to get with documented narcolepsy as it is, and titrating the dose takes forever.
Try these first before trying a benzo.
1. Increasing your dose of Ambien. Likely, your doc will say no, even though it's very safe.
2. Getting a Polysomnograph (PSG) overnight study ordered to examine your sleep patterns.
3. Light therapy.
4. Seeing a sleep doc. You may have like delayed phase sleep syndrome, or anxiety. Treating the anxiety, for instance, would help your insomnia.
Posted by jerrympls on February 2, 2004, at 22:27:47
In reply to Re: Xyrem Dilema, posted by utopizen on February 2, 2004, at 13:35:44
What about Chloral Hydrate? Anyone been on it recently? I took it along time ago and it really didn't help me sleep.....but we're running out of sleep meds....?
Jerry
Posted by utopizen on February 2, 2004, at 23:05:24
In reply to Re: Xyrem Dilema » utopizen, posted by jerrympls on February 2, 2004, at 22:27:47
> What about Chloral Hydrate? Anyone been on it recently? I took it along time ago and it really didn't help me sleep.....but we're running out of sleep meds....?
>
> JerryTrust me, Xyrem is not convienient unless your life is so messed up you're tired all day long. If you simply need rest, and are fine after you sleep, there's plenty of things out there. Soma, I haven't tried... or any tranquillizer.
Some high-tech sleep drugs will be out by 2005, one's on the way later this year.
Posted by jerrympls on February 2, 2004, at 23:07:17
In reply to Re: Xyrem Dilema, posted by utopizen on February 2, 2004, at 23:05:24
> > What about Chloral Hydrate? Anyone been on it recently? I took it along time ago and it really didn't help me sleep.....but we're running out of sleep meds....?
> >
> > Jerry
>
> Trust me, Xyrem is not convienient unless your life is so messed up you're tired all day long. If you simply need rest, and are fine after you sleep, there's plenty of things out there. Soma, I haven't tried... or any tranquillizer.
>
> Some high-tech sleep drugs will be out by 2005, one's on the way later this year.I've never felt rested - ever. Ambien has been the best - but I grow atolerance after 5 months or so and have to switch to something else. I;m supposed to have a sleep study done - but I've been too lazy to schedule it......
Jerry
Posted by femlite1 on February 3, 2004, at 6:37:42
In reply to Re: Xyrem Dilema, posted by utopizen on February 2, 2004, at 13:35:44
I have a number of issues besides insomnia. My doc believes that the intense pain I live with is, in part, a result of my sleep disorder. If I dont sleep routinely I also end up manic. I have never slept. Even when I finally fall asleep I wake through out the night.
I have been content to take Ambien and tolerance is managable, by taking holidays. Her concern is that Im not getting stage 3 or 4 sleep taking a benzo, and that my ongoing daily pain is a result of deep sleep deprevation.
I have recieved the video and litrature for Xyrem. My doctor contacted my insurance for pre-approval. It seems a go.
I am happy to hear about your experience. Im not sure if it is worth it. Has it helped you in any other ways, besides sleep?
> If you only have insomnia, it's not worth it. I've been titrating on Xyrem since December now, and will be on my target dose in a week from now, and then I need to wait 6-8 weeks to notice a difference in my daytime sleepiness according to the studies.
>
> The dose you start at is too low to incude sleep, which means you need to combine it with Ambien in many cases if you have insomnia, which apparently wouldn't work for you anyhow.
>
> The side effect profile is actually very tolerable... all I got was a stuffy nose, but I had sinusitus anyway.
>
> Benzos are better than no sleep, but Xyrem was a nightmare for me just to get-- I've had 4 sleep studies, a dozen docs, consults, appts., appts., and more appts., and I have narcolepsy. Trust me, you will not get it. It's hard to get with documented narcolepsy as it is, and titrating the dose takes forever.
>
> Try these first before trying a benzo.
>
> 1. Increasing your dose of Ambien. Likely, your doc will say no, even though it's very safe.
> 2. Getting a Polysomnograph (PSG) overnight study ordered to examine your sleep patterns.
> 3. Light therapy.
> 4. Seeing a sleep doc. You may have like delayed phase sleep syndrome, or anxiety. Treating the anxiety, for instance, would help your insomnia.
This is the end of the thread.
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