insomnia

[Guest guest]

Dabs...

Some headaches are menehgitis-like in lyme. The brain tissue is inflamed

which causes pressure from the inside-out. Neck also gets tight at the base

of the skull...you might mention this kind of terminology,,,also drink

water...natural anti-inflammatory... candida can release a neurotoxin

similar to formaldehyde as can lyme...anything that detoxes...chlorella,

alfalfa, anti-yeast products, bentonite, green drinks are all useful if that

is the cause...

Best wishes...Byron

Re: [Lyme-aid] insomnia

>From: Dabret22@...

>

>I dont know computer things like how to cut and paste and post part of the

>letter I am responding to ( Sorry ) But Bevs description of her headaches

>grabs my attention.

>I often feel a sense of vibration or motion in my head along with extreme

>pressure and pain.

>I dont drink now, but did in my 20s and this feeling reminds me of a

massive

>hangover.

>Anyone else with bad or unusual headaches, please share details,I need an

>articulate way to tell my LLMD what I am feeling.

>My current " if this headache pain doesnt go away I will put a gun to my

head

> " is probably not the most appropiate manner of expressing my

>distress.............then again................ seriously, anyone else who

>has headaches from hell, I would appreciate hearing from you (lurkers

>included!) thanks, Dabs conn

>

>---------------------------

[Guest guest]

Dabs...

I feel for you and know that you are suffering greatly. With the symptoms

you described I would say that you definetly have inflammation( the bodys

first response to an infection)...fever means their is an infection of some

kind... e-mail me and we can talk in more detail.

Best wishes...Byron

Re: [Lyme-aid] insomnia

>From: Dabret22@...

>

>Thanks for taking the time to reply, Byron,

>I have had memengitis from lyme but that was in 1994. After reading your

post

>I will definitely describe my current headaches in the clesr consise manner

>you did when I see my LLMD on thurs.

>It is quite possible I am developing the meningitis again but because of

lyme

>brain fog have not put it together. The headaches and stiff neck are

>virtually unbearable.

>I also have a fever, am nauseaus and very dizzy.

>I am mega interested in the " potions " you mentioned, but dont quite

>understand what you are saying.

>I'm afraid I need you to explain to me as if I were a 10 year old....go to

>store..buy blah blah swallow it....or steep it in hot h2o and then drink.

>(smile) I'm

>very sorry to be so elemental....I DID have G buy me the book you suggested

>and am LOVING it but i'm not understanding the recommendations you made in

>most recent post.

>I AM STILL DOING THE WATER !!!!!! I am trusting you that it will help ,and

I

>am willing to do almost anything...today (tues) is my 4th day !!

> Thanks so much for your

>patience and kindness in always responding xoxoDabs ct

>

>---------------------------

[Guest guest]

Hi Cyntha...

Sorry you are having a hard time getting support. People do get better in my

experience. I have worked with many Lyme patients who improved and went back

to their lives. I myself went back to a somewhat normal life, but then I

didn't have a normal life before I got sick :-) Its hard to be an advocate

for yourself when you are so ill...

I live on the west coast( California)...feel free to write me.

Take care...Byron

Re: [Lyme-aid] insomnia

>From: " Cyntha Landon " <cyncfs25@...>

>

>

>

>

>>

>>

>>In a message dated 7/27/99 3:00:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

>>Dabret22@...

>>writes:

>>

>><< w

>> I am curious, how many on this list are bedridden or housebound ....only

>> going out of house for Dr or Hospital visit??

>> Any people who WERE bedridden and are now leading fairly normal lives??

>> I know of a few of us and was just wondering about it.

>> Thanks in advance for any responses >>

>>

>>

>>

>>I am new to this list and not one hundred percent sure about it but I

>>believe I have the Lyme's disease or something similiar caused by tick.

>>But I am housebound and go out very little...since car rides aggrevate my

>>pain. I try to keep my stress level down as much as possible...but heck

>>that isn't easy with three really little ones running around......right

now

>>I am diagnosed with CFS...yeah right....but anyway...I too would love to

>>hear from those who have bounced back from Lyme's..I am frustrated...I

>>looked at the support group that was for Western Coast for Idaho....only 4

>>reported cases of Lyme's in Idaho....I wrote to the support group and the

>>things they told me were not encouraging. They told me to find the

nearest

>>University hospital...and see an infection specialist...help that doesn't

>>help...they don't listen. Sigh the closest LLMD I have found is in

>>Cheyenne Wyoming...but if I go there I will have to pay for it out of my

>>pocket...but it would be worth it....if it helps....but anyway.....I have

>>so many odds against me it is so discouraging......If there is anyone from

>>Idaho or really near please let me know...I really doubt it ....but you

>>know I can always hope...any body from the western coast?

>

>Cyntha Landon and very desperate....

>

>PS...docs won't even give me something for pain...can you believe it...gave

>me medicine for depression...does that say anything....?? Yeah I am just

>another poor nut *NOT* amongst the misdiagnosed crowd...personally I think

>CFS was just to try and get me to shut up...well they are going to be

>suprised...

>

>

>---------------------------

[Guest guest]

marta

would vicoprofen be good for headache/pressure problems that I have? I

haven't tried that yet.

Bev

[Guest guest]

Hi Sharon,

Your letter is a week old today, but I saved it to respond to when I had

some time. Sadly it took a whole week....

-

>From: " melillo " <mellillo1@...>

>

>Had to say that I had terrible insomnia but now it is just the reverse, I

>sleep all the time, 24x7. I have no energy, have gained weight and don't

>think clearly and my temper is getting bad. Don't know why the change but

>after 10 years maybe I just have too much garbage in my body.

I know what you mean, but since I have been off abx one month, I feel

much more lethargic and fatigued, sleep is bad too, I have my days and

nights mixed up. I got much more restful sleep while on the abx, so think

twice before you stop. Maybe you need a change of meds.

>Are you guys on painkillers? Maybe there is something in them

>related to caffeine or stimulants.

I take either darvocets or Vicoprofen, I alternate them, and find that

works for me. I would die without them, I must admit that, they really help

me function, and when they wear off, I really know it.

>

>This is the scary part and would like some feedback. Dr. suggested that he

>might want to take a drug holiday, he has been on drugs almost constantly

>since 1996. The only time he was off abx was when they misdiagnosed him as

>schizophrenic and he was on antipsychotics for 9 months. ANyway, he

decided

>to try and has been off since Friday. I am so afraid he will relapse and

>get sicker. BUt he is determined to clean out his body, he says he feels

so

> " full " and believes it is all the yeast and toxins. He wants to take a few

>herbal cleanses , go to the colonic lady, etc. With his history of high

>LUATs I am wondering what will happen. SO, any thoughts.

I can certainly understand where he is coming from, wanting to stop and

see what happens, it is good that he is under doctor supervision while he

tries this, please keep us posted and let us know how he is doing and how he

is managing his job too.

Hugs,

Marta (NJ)

[Guest guest]

Bev,

I also have severe headaches and that feeling of pressure in my head that is

so difficult to explain.

sometimes my neck is so stiff and my head hurts so much it feels like it

might explode.

I take fiorecet /codeine and percocet as a last resort but the pressure

feeling often stays. Any advice or recommendations???This is really driving

me crazy.

These headaches come and go..... Thanks, Dabs conn

[Guest guest]

In explaining the pressure for those who don't understand, the top of my

head feels like someone who weighs 300lbs is standing on it. sometimes i

have pressure in my ears but mostly the top of my head. Off and on I also

get pulsating sensations that feel like an electrical current is poking me -

crazy eh? My fioricet that i take does not contain codine so now i am

wondering if the additional drug would help. I guess i'll think about that

for next time. Our state has had a lot of high pressure storm like weather

and boy does that make my head go crazy too. Oh well, at least I do sleep

well so as a lymie can't have everything. Trial and Error guys.

Bev MI

[Guest guest]

Sorry 'Dabs

Can't offer much help. also, my neck doesn't bother me. So I guess I am

lucky.

Be Well

Bev MI

[Guest guest]

Hi Bev,

I don't know if it would help you or not, I don't know what you mean

when you refer to pressure headaches. I get sinus headaches, which hurt in

the front of my head, and it does help that. Won't hurt to try, if you can

get your doctor to rx them, ask your pharmacist to only dispense about 10 of

them, that way if they don't work you haven't wasted too much money.

They do contain ibuprofen, which helps with inflammation type pain, great

for menstrual cramps too. You must take them with food.

Let me know if you get them and they help you.

Hugs,

Marta NJ

>From: B56G@...

>

>marta

>

>would vicoprofen be good for headache/pressure problems that I have? I

>haven't tried that yet.

>

>Bev

[Guest guest]

I dont know computer things like how to cut and paste and post part of the

letter I am responding to ( Sorry ) But Bevs description of her headaches

grabs my attention.

I often feel a sense of vibration or motion in my head along with extreme

pressure and pain.

I dont drink now, but did in my 20s and this feeling reminds me of a massive

hangover.

Anyone else with bad or unusual headaches, please share details,I need an

articulate way to tell my LLMD what I am feeling.

My current " if this headache pain doesnt go away I will put a gun to my head

" is probably not the most appropiate manner of expressing my

distress.............then again................ seriously, anyone else who

has headaches from hell, I would appreciate hearing from you (lurkers

included!) thanks, Dabs conn

[Guest guest]

Thanks for taking the time to reply, Byron,

I have had memengitis from lyme but that was in 1994. After reading your post

I will definitely describe my current headaches in the clesr consise manner

you did when I see my LLMD on thurs.

It is quite possible I am developing the meningitis again but because of lyme

brain fog have not put it together. The headaches and stiff neck are

virtually unbearable.

I also have a fever, am nauseaus and very dizzy.

I am mega interested in the " potions " you mentioned, but dont quite

understand what you are saying.

I'm afraid I need you to explain to me as if I were a 10 year old....go to

store..buy blah blah swallow it....or steep it in hot h2o and then drink.

(smile) I'm

very sorry to be so elemental....I DID have G buy me the book you suggested

and am LOVING it but i'm not understanding the recommendations you made in

most recent post.

I AM STILL DOING THE WATER !!!!!! I am trusting you that it will help ,and I

am willing to do almost anything...today (tues) is my 4th day !!

Thanks so much for your

patience and kindness in always responding xoxoDabs ct

[Guest guest]

Hi Bev,

That does sound really painful, I guess in my nefarious Lyme history I

have had one or two like that, but fortunately not as often as you do. I

definitely think you should try to get some other type pain med.. I

suffered for over a year before I thought to ask my doctor for something!!!

How dumb is that!? I was just not used to taking pain meds other than

Tylenol or the Disalcid and Carafate I used to take for my tendinitis pain.

I also wasn't used to taking abx or antidepressants on a daily basis either,

but there comes a time when we have to realize this disease is bigger than

we are, and we cannot fight it all alone. I was kicking myself silly when I

finally got some pain relief and was able to function better.

Hugs,

Marta (NJ)

>From: B56G@...

>

>In explaining the pressure for those who don't understand, the top of my

>head feels like someone who weighs 300lbs is standing on it. sometimes i

>have pressure in my ears but mostly the top of my head. Off and on I also

>get pulsating sensations that feel like an electrical current is poking

me -

>crazy eh? My fioricet that i take does not contain codine so now i am

>wondering if the additional drug would help. I guess i'll think about that

>for next time. Our state has had a lot of high pressure storm like weather

>and boy does that make my head go crazy too. Oh well, at least I do sleep

>well so as a lymie can't have everything. Trial and Error guys.

>

>Bev MI

[Guest guest]

Oh Dabs,

You must really be hurting to consider that desperate scenario.

Remember suicide is a permanent fix to a temporary problem! I hope you read

the post I wrote before this one to Bev with the same heading, I suffered

awful all over pain including headaches early in my Lyme disease only

because I was too dumb to ask for something! I am going to assume you have

tried all the over the counter type medicines and found no relief. Ask your

doctor for something to help you deal with these headaches, there has to be

something available. Please tell me you don't get these awful headaches

every day??

Maybe someone who also has AOL will be willing to give you a quick lesson

on the art of cutting and pasting or forwarding other text on email. But if

not, no problem, you don't have to be a computer expert to belong to

Lyme-aid.

Feel good today,

Hugs,

Marta (NJ)

>From: Dabret22@...

>

>I dont know computer things like how to cut and paste and post part of the

>letter I am responding to ( Sorry ) But Bevs description of her headaches

>grabs my attention.

>I often feel a sense of vibration or motion in my head along with extreme

>pressure and pain.

>I dont drink now, but did in my 20s and this feeling reminds me of a

massive

>hangover.

>Anyone else with bad or unusual headaches, please share details,I need an

>articulate way to tell my LLMD what I am feeling.

>My current " if this headache pain doesnt go away I will put a gun to my

head

> " is probably not the most appropiate manner of expressing my

>distress.............then again................ seriously, anyone else who

>has headaches from hell, I would appreciate hearing from you (lurkers

>included!) thanks, Dabs conn

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/27/99 9:20:47 AM, lyme-aidonelist writes:

<<It is quite possible I am developing the meningitis again but because of

lyme

brain fog have not put it together. The headaches and stiff neck are

virtually unbearable. I also have a fever, am nauseaus and very dizzy.>>

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hi Dabs

Could you be having a " herx " reaction??? Or maybe a flare?

I am so new to all this I don't even know what is " Lyme " and

what is " Herx " !

BTW we ARE neighbors, I am in Stmfd. My neurologist is in Stmfd.

as well. I am going for an " open " MRI tomorrow morning.

If you want a lesson in cut and paste let me know. I would be

happy to help when I return from FL. Don't be too jealous of

my trip... Three and a half days of it is going to classes.

Take Care!

Jane

[Guest guest]

I just read the post from Jane, and she brings up a good point, for me at

least.

I cant seem to tell what is a herx. what is a flare up, what is because of

100 degree weather etc.

I do keep track of symptoms but have breakthrough horrible days like

yesterday that dont seem to make any sense(to me)

Im not responding as I had hoped to IV rocephin and oral cipro.

I see LLMD on thurs and will hope for some direction or something.

Marta, I shouldnt write things like the " gun to my head " comment. I hurt so

much sometimes I go almost mental . I dont REALLY mean it, I just feel so

desperate.

I will ask for big time pain killers on thurs.

Btw

I am curious, how many on this list are bedridden or housebound ....only

going out of house for Dr or Hospital visit??

Any people who WERE bedridden and are now leading fairly normal lives??

I know of a few of us and was just wondering about it.

Thanks in advance for any responses. Dabs conn ( day 4 of h2o !! )

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/27/99 3:00:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time, Dabret22@...

writes:

<< w

I am curious, how many on this list are bedridden or housebound ....only

going out of house for Dr or Hospital visit??

Any people who WERE bedridden and are now leading fairly normal lives??

I know of a few of us and was just wondering about it.

Thanks in advance for any responses >>

Dabs,

I was very sick in 1989-1991. I was only 16 and I was bedridden the first

year and housebond the second. A year later I regained my life back. I

relasped last year due to stress and working too many hours. But I was

functioning for 6 years. It does happen!!! I think each person has to find

there magic bullet with antibotics. I also think vitamins, good food, water,

Physcial thearpy, and exercise has alot to do with recovery. In Dr. B's

guidelines it states that taken antiboitics alone will not get you better.

We need to do many other things in addition to antibotics. I'm bad about

exercise.. I try, but I usally have a set back. This time I think I will

try again but slower. Does anyone swim in a heated pool?

[Guest guest]

>

>

>In a message dated 7/27/99 3:00:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

>Dabret22@...

>writes:

>

><< w

> I am curious, how many on this list are bedridden or housebound ....only

> going out of house for Dr or Hospital visit??

> Any people who WERE bedridden and are now leading fairly normal lives??

> I know of a few of us and was just wondering about it.

> Thanks in advance for any responses >>

>

>

>

>I am new to this list and not one hundred percent sure about it but I

>believe I have the Lyme's disease or something similiar caused by tick.

>But I am housebound and go out very little...since car rides aggrevate my

>pain. I try to keep my stress level down as much as possible...but heck

>that isn't easy with three really little ones running around......right now

>I am diagnosed with CFS...yeah right....but anyway...I too would love to

>hear from those who have bounced back from Lyme's..I am frustrated...I

>looked at the support group that was for Western Coast for Idaho....only 4

>reported cases of Lyme's in Idaho....I wrote to the support group and the

>things they told me were not encouraging. They told me to find the nearest

>University hospital...and see an infection specialist...help that doesn't

>help...they don't listen. Sigh the closest LLMD I have found is in

>Cheyenne Wyoming...but if I go there I will have to pay for it out of my

>pocket...but it would be worth it....if it helps....but anyway.....I have

>so many odds against me it is so discouraging......If there is anyone from

>Idaho or really near please let me know...I really doubt it ....but you

>know I can always hope...any body from the western coast?

Cyntha Landon and very desperate....

PS...docs won't even give me something for pain...can you believe it...gave

me medicine for depression...does that say anything....?? Yeah I am just

another poor nut *NOT* amongst the misdiagnosed crowd...personally I think

CFS was just to try and get me to shut up...well they are going to be

suprised...

[Guest guest]

Hi Dabs,

I hope things go well for you at your LLMD appt. Thurs. Make sure that

the Doc understands how much your head hurts, and how miserable that

makes you feel. We have enough to deal with...we shouldn't have to deal

with sx that can be helped with meds.

To answer your ?, I am housebound. I cannot drive, and most of the time

I am even too exhausted to be driven anywhere, except for Doc and test

appts. I also have alot of stress, because I am in charge of all the

paperwork, taxes, deposits, etc. for our business. More than half the

time I just watch the papers pile up...It may not sound like much, but I

get ALOT of enjoyment out of playing with my 3 dogs and 5 cats (I

know-ticks), this list, and eating (OH NO!). E-mail me anytime you want

to talk: Namkrats3@... Take Care, Joan LI, NY

[Guest guest]

Dear Dabs

Have some faith.It will get better ! I live in New Canaan and have been

diagnosed since sept 95.I have been bedridden for two years at the beginning

and slowly have worked up to good and bad days.For instance I now have more

good days than bad.A good day means I function and spend time with my

kids,friends,shop,etc,a bad day means in bed,sleeping or in alot of pain and

miserable. I am still pretty impaired from what I was before I got sick but I

have learned to adapt and use the medications I need to help me

function.Riddlin is the best so far for focusing and letting me " feel "

productive again.I would be glad to talk by phone or E-mail as you are right

near by.Hang in there! Who is your LLD here?Take care,

Serenabee

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/28/99 6:01:04 AM, SerenaBee@... writes:

<< .I have been bedridden for two years >>

Hi,

your letter was great encouragement. I know I will get better , I just feel

soo bad right now.I too got better and had good and bad days.....but then I

overdid and relapsed . I have heard from others on list who are bedridden

and we all have so much in common!!!

I am amazed at the toll this disease takes on our lives.

I hope I am not facing ANOTHER two years of being bedridden, but you know

what???If thats what it takes, fine.......I hope I can do it with some grace .

thanks for your kind thoughts.... Dabs Wspt. Conn

[Guest guest]

Thanks Sharon,

I'm AWAKE~!! at 10:30 am. I am so amazed that I could do it. So I'm going to

try to keep busy today so I can sleep tonight. But even this weekend when my

husband forced me out of bed early, as soon as I went to bed (exhausted!) I

couldn't sleep still. I'm afraid to take a nap for fear of sleeping too

late. The antidepressant I'm on is Effexor (says on the sample package

" Venlafaxine HCI Effexor XR). I read the enclosure and it said only 1% of

trial studies had insomnia. I took the ambien (Sleeping pill - and sometimes

it works and sometimes it doesn't) I wondering if it is not working due to

the effexor. Do you ever take a sleeping pill, and if so what kind?

Thanks

Vicki

[ ] insomnia

>From: " melillo " <mellillo1@...>

>

>Vicki, what antidepressant are you on? Some do cause insomnia, others just

>make you so tired.

>I had trouble in the beginning with not sleeping on Celexa, now I sleep but

>have wild dreams and wake up exhausted. Have to nap most days for a bit

>around 4 before the kid comes home or else I fall asleep over dinner and

>homework. Maybe try the napping during the day and see if you can stay up

>more with that kind of refreshment. Just a thought. If you sleep all day

>you won't sleep at night.

>Best to you.

>Sharon

>

>

[Guest guest]

Elavil and Trazadone on low doses are good to take w/ many SSRI

antidepressants that tend to keep people awake. Ask your doc.

> Vicki, what antidepressant are you on? Some do cause insomnia, others

just

> make you so tired.

> I had trouble in the beginning with not sleeping on Celexa, now I

sleep but

> have wild dreams and wake up exhausted. Have to nap most days for a

bit

> around 4 before the kid comes home or else I fall asleep over dinner

and

> homework. Maybe try the napping during the day and see if you can

stay up

> more with that kind of refreshment. Just a thought. If you sleep all

day

> you won't sleep at night.

beth

SF, CA

[Guest guest]

Hi Vicki,

I hear a fibromyalgia doctor speak this weekend. She said we need to get to

stage 4 sleep and Ambien is the only one that does it. We also need to find

out why we aren't sleeping, leg jerks, sounds, pain. Also it took me over 2

years to get my sleep pattern back. Did the Kava, cammomile, passion flower,

valerian, all of it. It took quite a while. also said that about 10 at

night our body goes into an upswing and if we don't rest before then we will

be up all night. Even if I have insomnia, which isn't too often now, I do

not get up and do anything, I may read, but no computer, no stimulation

whatsoever. Try not to sleep in the day. I do rest, but try not to sleep

long. it really truly helps. This lady was an excellent speaker on FMS, she

linked it to lyme and all kinds of things.

Hugs and hang in there, Ambien is the best for stage 4 sleep. Your body

will not do any repair if you do not get to stage 4 sleep. So keep trying.

It took me a long time. Good luck and pleasant dreams,

Connie, MI

[Guest guest]

Insomnia in the Psychiatric Context

Vernon M Neppe MD, PhD, FFPsych, MMed, FRCPC, BCFE

Director, Pacific Neuropsychiatric Institute, Seattle;

Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior,

St Louis University School of Medicine and Clinical Faculty,

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences,

University of Washington, Seattle.

Educational Objectives

To educate in the area of sleep and insomnia and to discuss classifications,

causes, diseases and differentiation of conditions.

To discuss the clinical implications with regard to management options and

problems.

The development of a broader theory of innovative psychopharmacotherapy and

the understanding of concepts such as receptor complexes.

To educate in the nonpharmacologic management of insomnia.

To discuss the clinical and theoretical frameworks for the current hypnotic

agents.

To develop a profile of the ideal insomnia management compound based on a

pharmacologic and clinical model.

Of all the problems in psychiatry, possibly the most common is the

nonspecific symptom of sleep disturbance. One out of three people has

occasional sleep difficulty, and one out of every six have chronic insomnia.

Disorders of sleep can be hypersomnia, insomnia or parasomnia with insomnias

classified under DIMS, Disorders of Initiating and Maintaining Sleep in

which etiologies vary: psychophysiologic, e.g. 'jet lag' or shift work. ;

psychiatric, e.g., depression, mania or anxiety; drugs e.g. caffeine,

alcohol, cigarettes and nicotine, " pleasure drugs " , certain medications;

other medical conditions and toxic and environmental conditions e.g.

respiratory compromise, urinary or pain syndromes; childhood onset disorder

of initiating or maintaining sleep; and other associated conditions, not

specified. The treatment of these is the treatment of the causes. There are

a variety of other confounding variables. Common are the perception of

disturbed sleep may be different from objectively disturbed sleep; increased

difficulties with age; and disruption by ones partner.

Our society perceives great credit and great relevance to sleeping less than

one needs to. The negative impacts in psychomotor responsiveness and

cognitive awareness are enormous. The chronic insomnia patient particularly

is at risk in relation to these kinds of phenomena.

There are three fundamental facets to insomnia - difficulty falling asleep,

initial insomnia, difficulty maintaining one's sleep, so called fragmented

sleep or paroxysmal awakenings, and early morning awakening, terminal

insomnia as opposed to the first phase of initial insomnia. These reflect

different symptom complexes but overlap. The nonpharmacologic approach to

better sleep hygiene are highly relevant.

The pharmacologic aspects of insomnia is particularly important in medicine.

A sedative antidepressant such as amitriptyline or trazodone differs

markedly from an activating antidepressant such as fluoxetine or sertraline.

Some drugs actually cause depression - e.g. alpha-methyldopa, reserpine,

steroids. Various treatment options are now of limited suitability because

of reasons - lack of maintained efficacy (e.g. chloral hydrate), to

anticholinergic and other side-effects ( e.g. antihistamines), to bizarre

responses in the second half of the night (e.g. controversially triazolam),

to possible psychomotor impairments during the day because of maintained

effects (e.g. flurazepam), to potential dependence, addiction, withdrawal,

abuse and craving (e.g. benzodiazepines). The emergence of a rapid onset,

effective, safe, short acting, low side-effect profile, apparently

non-addictive drug which seems to have maintained efficacy over time and

which works selectively on only part of the benzodiazepine receptor complex

is an exciting advance. The first such drug is zolpidem tartrate which seems

to be a valuable advance.

[Guest guest]

Sharon,

Thanks, I can use all the advice I can get. I meant to tell you how sorry I

was about your friend (it was your email about losing a friend to cancer,

right?). The other stories, helped me to put my problems in perspective. We

need that every now and then, I know others have worse problems then mine.

But reminders are needed during rough times, thanks again, and I know you

know that your friend is in a better place looking out for you.

Did you stop taking the Effexor? I really can't stand the thought of my

libido getting even worse. My husband is Italian, very understanding, but I

think Italian men blame themselves more than most. I'm one of the lucky ones

though, my husband is so very understanding. He said he feels guilty even

touching me. Sometimes he can't, because it hurts, but I asked him to be

persistent (like the old days, when he wouldn't take no for an answer). He

says he feels guilty trying. Poor guy.

Today I did good, I went back to sleep after putting my son on the bus at

6:30, woke up at 10:30, your note about being on the couch helped, I didn't

go back to my comfy warm waterbed, I stayed on the couch. Then every time I

felt like sleeping I got up and did something, even went shopping tonight

for my son. Went to bed at 11:00, exhausted, and at 12:00 gave up! But I

just took an ambien, since I'm so tired, I expect it should kick in. It

seems to only work if I'm already very tired, a lot of good that does! BTW -

I do snore on occasion - usually only if my allergies are bothering me and I

can't give up my morning coffee, although I've cut back to two cups and its

half decaf. Its funny, I used to make sure I drank something at night to

force me up in the morning, I used to be able to sleep anywhere anytime, no

matter what! I miss my dreams. I do have lots of vivid horrible nightmares

when I do manage to sleep more than four hours, I guess that's about when I

go into REM.

One more thing, and I'll stop rambling, I had blood drawn today and fainted

(after it was over, and I was lying down), I have a history of doing this,

but haven't in a very long time. The nurse said she turned to get a band-aid

and heard a sound like snoring, and saw I was ghost white, sweating, and

shaking all over. It took me a long time to come out of it and I was very

confused for a long time. That's never happened to me before - think its the

lack of sleep?

Well - sweet dreams all - or at least get some sleep everyone!

Vicki

[Lyme-aid] insomnia

>From: " melillo " <mellillo1@...>

>

>Dear Vicki,

>No, I don't take a sleeping pill because they make me groggy the next day

>and act like alcohol to me. I wake up before reaching REM and then sleep

>restlessly all night. Do you snore? Ask your hubbie to see if you do.

>That can make sleeping disruptive and mess up your whole cycle. Sometimes

I

>do take Tylenol PM for the pain in the joints but that seems to be becoming

>ineffective lately.

>What does help is the following routine. I don't go on the computer for

>atleast an hour before bed if I can help it. THen I massage my feet with

>cream really hard, especially the instep area. I then roll my feet on this

>wooden dowel that has ridges in it. Got it at one of those bath shops. I

>make sure I spend some time on the toilet, excuse me for being crude, but

>not having anything to digest all night helps me sleep better. I don't eat

>after 7pm and avoid all caffeine all day. I don't drink much before bed to

>make sure my bladder doesn't wake me. Then I turn on a sound machine that

>makes white noise, open the window a bit, make sure my sheets are not

>bunched up, wear clean pjs every night, say my prayers, kiss my hubbie (or

>more sometimes!) and find that I do sleep now. Even though my dreams are

>wild, I don't wake up anymore and sleep through til 6am when I have to get

>up. If after getting my son off to school at 7 I still feel tired I do go

>back to bed but make myself get up by 9. Then I don't sleep although I

will

>sit and relax, as hard as that is not to sleep sometimes, until 4pm. At

>that time I lie down on the coach or in the recliner and nap for 20-30

>minutes. It is refreshing and allows me to make it til 11.

>Sure, I'd like to sleep all day but the guilt of it makes it restless

sleep.

>I move slowly, don't have great stamina but the forcing of myself to do

>things makes my mind more peaceful then watching the dirt accumulate. Sure

>the house is no where near the old standards, but tough luck! Do what I

can

>to be active and alive. It helps the depression.

>Hope this helps you in some way. It has been trial and error to find out

>what my own personal habits are but I think I have it now and just have to

>make myself live within the box of what is NOW normal. Guilt is

>destructive.

>Effexor did not work for me, it killed my libido and I was still weepy.

>This celexa has its bad points but is the best so far for me personally.

>Hope the effexor works for you.

>Take care, Sharon

>

>