Question:
Does anyone know of / have any experience with drugs that suppress REM sleep? I know I fall into the category of those depressed who benefit from sleep deprivation. Sleeping less usually guarantees a happier, more centered and energetic mood the next day for me. I understand from the last time I poked around in medline that it’s the reduction in REM sleep that is thought to be therapeutic, and not necessarily sleep as a whole. I’ve gone through various SSRI’s (now on sertraline) and they didn’t have a noticeable difference on my mood. If anything they made me more lethargic. I’ve tried changing my sleeping patterns but the problem is that when waking up at the hour I want to it just seems insurmountable to get out of bed. I end up laying there and then waking up 4 hours later, feeling drained. Things that screw with sleeping patterns (i.e. alcohol) typically have a positive benefit on my mood the day after. Sleeping more usually leaves me feeling worse. If anyone can offer any help, insight or experience, I’d appreciate it. Thanks.
Response:
I’m taking 40mgs daily of Paxil, which made me very sleepy, so I started to take Mirapex, a Parkinson’s drug that is only being used recently to treat depression. I started on .25 mgs daily, went up to .5, then .75, then 1. The more I took, the more it lessened the effect of Paxil, but the more energy I had. When I hit .75 and 1 mgs a day, I was sleeping about 4 hours a night and was less tired, but my anxiety came back. I also had nightmares. I took Wellbutrin SR for a week, and I was sleeping 6 hours a night and had more energy. KC
Comments