Well, we know it seems like it could be help with the sleep:) Time will tell about the anxiety and depression. With what you have on your plate from what we talk about I think this is a good try and see no reason not to give it a go. I mean is there a drug without side effects? You may need something right now. I think you could use something to help you get your bearings so you can get a chance to get back to the self care you were doing so well at before. We can't all be without drugs all the time. Everyone is different and how they react to meds is the same thing, we all react different. I look forward to talking to you about how it goes for you. Bigs hugs and thanks for our talk down for each other tonight, I think we both needed it :)

Oh, simply because it is a very powerful drug Bec, and has many uses. There are dozens of medications used specifically for sleep, with fewer side effects, which may help you. However, that advice was contingent upon you having a GP who could prescribe them. If you have no family doctor (which is atrocious!), I do see that you are quite in a bind unless you can convince the psych to give you a straight sleep med. Perhaps try the Remeron in that case. If it doesn't work or makes you ill, you can always go off it once more. Take good care.

I tend to be reserved and convervative in what I say on the forum. I don't know you, your condition, your diagnoses, and your Dr. well enough to just jump in tell you what I think you should do. But you would be welcome to PM me a message, and I'll be helpfull in any way I can. I don't know if I can help or not, but I do have personal experience, and some professional knowledge in this area. Like I said before, good luck with whatever you decide.

Well I tried my first dose last night and have been unconscious since. I'm trying to stay awake currently. Have dizzy spells but that could be from the nasty antibiotic I'm on too, so hard to say. I'm going to cut my dose in half tonight and see if I can get up in the morning. Poor Matt. He brought me breakfast in bed today to bribe me up. LOL I was out again by the time he left for the bus.

I'll keep trying this med and work on getting a new psych in the meantime.

bec

Good luck with it Bec, and keep us informed!

I had to cut my already small dose to half for last night. I managed to get up at 10am today. I think it's a first that I can say I'm getting too much sleep! LOL. Not sure how it is symptom wise as I'm so drugged it's silly. I'll see how this goes for the next week on the tiny dose.

bec

I am pleased you are getting some sleep, I hope it continues!

Well actually the answer is yes, many of the newer medications for sleep have very few if any side effects, as opposed to something like Remeron or Trazadone that can have a myriad of unwanted effects. The only problem here in Canada is, the newer meds are usually not on the drug formulary, so that means if you are low income they are not covered by your drug plan. When I was on assistance there were a couple of sleep aids that worked really well for me but I couldn't afford to take them as they were very expensive and the government would not pay for them.

Bec, I'm really glad the Remeron is working for you. I just wanted to say though, in case your psychiatrist didn't tell you, Health Canada issued a warning in 2004 regarding the strong possibility of behaviour and emotional changes, including the risk of self-harm, in certain medications. Remeron was on that list. That doesn't mean you shouldn't take it, you may not have those effects at all, but it's a good thing to be aware of because Health Canada doesn't issue those kind of warnings lightly. You should be closely monitored while on it. If you start to feel strange mood changes which are not normal for you, it may be the Remeron.

Anyways good luck with it, sorry to be a downer but I thought you should know about that in case your psych didn't inform you.

Thanks Evie. Considering I wasn't told a thing about this drug, I greatly appreciate the information.

I have requested a new psych. I was warned it's not likely. I let the nurse know (she's great) that if I can't get someone else I will stop going to this one as I just can't stand her.

Everyone is rather shocked that I'm not being monitored and was basically told to take it and suck it up. Man I have no luck!

bec

Sorry to thread jack for a moment. So what are any side effect free non addictive sleep aids if there are any? As I am getting my ass kicked and the lack of sleep is making me all the more symptomatic.

OK, Bec, you can have your thread back now ;) Hope you are still doing well on this new drug.