question about meds combinations and fatigue/sleepiness

[bertha katzenengel]

I take Cymbalta, 40mg, at bedtime. Gabapentin (Neurontin) 300mg, one in the morning and one at bedtime. They help tremendously.

Two weeks ago my psychiatrist, because I still cannot concentrate worth a crap, prescribed Ritalin (I forget the dosage) three times a day.

I've also been smacked w/ anxiety attacks for a week. On Monday my psych. called in 30 Xanax (.5 mg) for me and said if I go through it all w/in a couple of weeks, he must see me.

Yesterday I took a Ritalin when I arrived at work. At about noon I took a Xanax. That was all I took all day. Then I had a terrible time staying awake as I drove home. When I got home I did a couple of things that took about ten minutes, then hit the sack. This was at 7:30. I woke up at around 11:30, took my meds, and went back to bed and didn't get up until 9:00 this morning.

I have had this unbearable fatigue all freaking week. On Wednesday I fell asleep at my desk. That hasn't happened since before I first got help twenty years ago.

I have had my meds this morning, my breakfast and some caffeine. No Ritalin, no Xanax. And right now I feel like I could fall asleep where I sit. In fact, all I want to do is to go back to bed, but I can't. Much to do today.

WTF is going on? Anyone else have stuff like this happen? Is it meds-related, or am I just too damned depressed and don't know it?

[Digit]

1. I was taking Xanax, too after being terminated from my job

I only take it when a panic attack begins to happen, and then only a half. I found the whole .5 knocked me out. At first, I needed it more often, but now, I don't seem to need it.
I haven't had to take any for about two weeks now.
At least, this is what I did.
Good luck!

[bertha katzenengel]

2. I'm sorry to hear about your job.

Any good leads out there?

[Digit]

3. Not so far, but I am not giving up

I found I had to take a half xanax for one of the interviews. My stomach began turning flipflops and I felt like I could not breathe.
I took a half (.25) and did fine on the interview. I have not had to take it since, but would again if I had those same symptoms.

I don't know why they say it is so addictive.

[_TJ_]

5. some folks have to take it every day

You get very dependent in about 6 weeks apparantly.

[bertha katzenengel]

6. It IS addictive. I've been addicted to it.

I hoarded it for about a year back in the early nineties, afraid I would run out. Had to take three bottles full of the purple ones (1.0 mg?) with my therapist to the bathroom during a session and flush them. She didn't make me; I went there w/ them in my bag and told her I had them because I needed help to do it.

My first psychiatrist, the one foisted upon me when I was in a psych hospital in 86, told me "it's not addictive" in order to get me to take it. I used to wish him evil.

I take it now only under very close supervision, and I've learned my limits.

Best of luck on the job search, Digit. Do trust yourself w/ the drug; you'll be okay.

[Digit]

7. Wow, you have opened my eyes

Apparently, I wasn't taking enough over a long enough period to become addicted. The drug did the trick during the short amount of time it was required.
Why don't they prescribe valium or librium anymore. Is Xanax the drug of choice? I was prescribed valium when in high school after my boyfriend and I split up. I don't remember how it made me feel, just that it allowed me to get through it. That was more than 35 years ago.

[_TJ_]

4. xanax can make ya pretty darn sleepy.

until you get used to it. This seems to almost certainly be a
drug related thing. I'd talk to the doc about it.

I was on Doxepin for my panic attacks and all I did was zzzzzzzzz...

[Droopy]

8. Hi Bertha

Yes, meds can make you tired. I was on a combination of meds that made me feel like a slug before they found the right stuff for me. The drugs could be interacting with each other to make you tired or it could be just one drug that's doing that. This is something that you need to talk to your psychiatrist about asap as it is affecting your quality of life. There are usually several different drugs out there that can treat the same symptoms. Anti-anxiety drugs are notorius for the side affect that you have, but you said that you still feel tired without the Xanax. I don't know anything about any of the other drugs you are taking so I'm of no help there. The most important thing is that you should talk to your doctor right now, especially seeing as how you are probably being treated for something that is severe. Don't go off your meds before you get the ok from your doctor. The consequences could be very harsh.

[rockedthevoteinMA]

9. Neurontin used to knock me out. I don't know if that helps, but

I bet the combo of the xanax and neurontin isn't helping. What's cymbalta? Do you take it at bed to help you sleep? Some of the antidepressants that help people sleep can cause a drug hangover of sorts. Good luck.

[Maraya1969]

10. I take Cymbalta

The doctor told me it is like a combination of Wellbutrin and Prozac. It seems to work very well but if I miss a dose and go to sleep I have terrible vivid nightmares. It scares the shit out of me to think I may run out sometime and have to go through that again. Maybe everyone does not have that particular withdrawal symptom. I certainly hope not.

[ernstbass]

11. I think it may be the Neurontin

Could you take the Nuerontin in one big dose at bedtime?

[Blue_Roses]

12. My husband just starting taking

Strattera for ADHD and he said he couldn't stay awake. Maybe it's just the adjustment of the meds...hang in there and don't hesitate to talk to your doctor if it persists. :)

[hang a left]

13. I am on Cymbalta.

I don't know how long you have been on it. I am on 60 mg. Yes it does make some people tired. It makes me tired. I drink coffee all day long. I have only been on Cymbalta for about 11 weeks. I have read at a depression forum I visit that some people augment with Adderal or Wellbutrin for the sleepiness. I was thinking that if that side effect didn't go away I would ask for one of these meds. I have never taken Neurontin (mood stabilizer?) but I have read that this med also makes some people sleepy.

Ritalin is a stimulant and is probably what has caused your recent anxiety. You might try halving the dose until you adjust to this medication. If you do this you may not have to take the zanax which will excasberate your fatigue.

I feel for you. Getting the right combination is rough sometimes. I wish you luck.

[no name no slogan]

16. I just started Cymbalta a couple weeks ago in the hospital

I had been taking Effexor for seven (!) years, and it stopped working for me.

I've also heard that Cymbalta is a bit like Effexor, too, in that both of them work on seratonin and norapinephrin (sp?).

Interestingly enough, I was on Wellbutrin before the Effexor, and it did not work for me at all. I had major reactions to the side effects-- in fact, I was out of work for over a month because of it.

Just goes to show that brain chemistry is an inexact science to say the least.

[mopinko]

14. neurontin

afaik, has not been proven to be effective for any mood disorders. merck was sued over off label marketing of this drug. they were pushing it for eveything but bee stings. i think the only thing it is actually proven to work for is epilepsy. i would have a hard time trusting a shrink that is still prescribing it.

[rockedthevoteinMA]

15. They had me on 4800 mg/day, and couldn't figure out why

I was still manic, but drooling. I think 60 Minutes did a special on it, and I about lost it. I was in and out of the hospital three times in two months thanks to that new "wonder" drug. :eyes: