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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Crazy Horse on July 29, 2006, at 11:07:18
I had Emsam insomnia with the 6 mg. patch, then i (and my Pdoc) increased my dose to 9 mgs. for needed more antidepressant help. At 9 the insomnia was the same as 6. I was taking trazodone 200 mgs. at bedtime and it helped some but i was only getting 3-4 hrs. a night :( . Then my Doc put me on Lyrica 500mgs in the a.m. and 50 mgs. at bedtime and it works beautifully. The insomnia/early morning wakening is gone! I sleep like a baby and get a solid 7-7 1/2 hours a night and that is perfect for me. I wake up refreshed and full of energy. I take my 500 mgs. all at once ( of Lyrica) in the morning..and so far (cross my fingers..i hope it lasts) i feel great on a combination of Lyrica 550. mgs., Emsam 9 mgs. and klonopin 2 mgs ( i have lowered Klonopin from 3 mgs to 2 mgs without a problem) i plan to continue to lower the klonopin as Lyrica is eliminating my anxiety. Since adding Lyrica and increasing the dose, i feel much more social, energetic, relaxed and happy..can really enjoy life right now. Will it last is the big question, seems they (meds) never do. Sure hope and pray it does last, because life is good for me right now. :)
Monte
Posted by Jost on July 30, 2006, at 20:49:29
In reply to EMSAM insomnia solution, posted by Crazy Horse on July 29, 2006, at 11:07:18
What, if any, is the relationship between pregabalin and gabapentin?
I'm so interested that you take so much in the morning and only 50 mg at night.
How does it work, and what's the theory behind the dosing?
Jost
Posted by Crazy Horse on July 30, 2006, at 21:19:54
In reply to Re: EMSAM insomnia solution, posted by Jost on July 30, 2006, at 20:49:29
> What, if any, is the relationship between pregabalin and gabapentin?
>
> I'm so interested that you take so much in the morning and only 50 mg at night.
>
> How does it work, and what's the theory behind the dosing?
>
> Jost
>
>
Lyrica (pregabalin) is like a new improved Neurontin..works slightly differently and has a longer half life. For me i could never "feel" neurontin doing anything for me. Lyrica..oh yea, i can feel it working! Studies ( i don't have any references..sorry) indicate high dose Lyrica 500 mgs. plus acts as a mild stimulant. My Pdoc says a large dose all at once in the morning(for me 500 mgs.) works better than spreading it out throughout the day. Some go as high as 1200 mgs. It has a pro gabenergic effect at 500 mg plus. FOR ME, at 500mgs. built up over a couple of weeks increases my energy, stabilizes my mood, has made me very pro-social, and eliminated (perhaps along with EMSAM 9mgs.) my depression. And 50 mgs w/200 mgs. of Trazodone at night works great for sleep..for me anyway (before adding the lyrica, Traz alone wasn't enough). I just feel so damn good right now..it's really almost unbelievable. BUT, this has only been for 3 days, and i have had other meds work really well at first i.e.,Parnate, then poop out, so i'm being cautious and don't want to claim "i am healed!" just yet because it is WAY TO EARLY to see if this is going to last. Anyway that's my story :) I'm just hoping and praying it lasts!!Monte
p.s. as far as sleep..taking small dose Lyrica makes most people sleepy (me included) so this is why the low dose at night. High dose as i stated is stimulating..strange, but true for me.
Posted by Jost on July 31, 2006, at 2:47:38
In reply to Re: EMSAM insomnia solution, posted by Crazy Horse on July 30, 2006, at 21:19:54
Thanks, Monte. I'll speak to my pdoc about this. Sounds really promising, esp. since I take small dose of neurotin for shoulder pain, which has responded well.
This could be really helpful.
Jost
Posted by Crazy Horse on July 31, 2006, at 7:00:02
In reply to Re: EMSAM insomnia solution » Crazy Horse, posted by Jost on July 31, 2006, at 2:47:38
> Thanks, Monte. I'll speak to my pdoc about this. Sounds really promising, esp. since I take small dose of neurotin for shoulder pain, which has responded well.
>
> This could be really helpful.
>
> JostYou are more than welcome. Also, i forgot to mention it is used for chronic pain issues as well; Arthritis, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and sore muscles. It stabilizes electrical energy in the brain..reduces over stimulation. It actually calms nerve activity in the brain, A natural 'calming' agent that mimics GABA. Plz babblemail to let me know what your Doc says. Good Luck!
Monte
Posted by Jost on July 31, 2006, at 19:36:54
In reply to Re: EMSAM insomnia solution, posted by Crazy Horse on July 31, 2006, at 7:00:02
I'll let you know, Monte.
BTW, I was checking on Pregabalin, and your dose sounds kind of high. Did I get that right?
Is there any reason your pdoc has you on relatively high levels? Had you tried less, or was this your first time?
Jost
Posted by Jost on July 31, 2006, at 19:39:35
In reply to Re: EMSAM insomnia solution, posted by Crazy Horse on July 30, 2006, at 21:19:54
PS. I reread your message-- The info I looked at suggested that 600 mg was the highest "safe" dose== at 300 mg twice a day.
maybe it's old info.
I really do have to look into this.
Jost
This is the end of the thread.
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