Meds, Depression and Anxiety

[Chip]

I have been on Effexor XR 225 mg./night since last August.  For six months, it worked really well. Beginning in late February, the beneficial sleep effects stopped working and I began to get less than 5 hours sleep per night.  I am in therapy and have taken Oxazepam.  Yesterday my physician added Risperdal (15 mg.) and suggested that I try aderal.  Have read on the web that these drugs are very addicting and there may be difficulty in withdrawal.  But I really need a good night's sleep.  I can handle the depression if I can get 7 hours sleep.  What are the longer acting benzodiazepenes?  Will there be difficulty in withdrawing?  What antidepressant would you suggest adding to Effexor?  Thanks.

[HFHS-M.D.-HG]

Dear Chip

Medications such as Benzodiazepines (Restoril Oxazepam) and stimulants (eg: adderall, Ritalin) have the potential to be abused. Benzodiazepines are helpful in the treatment of insomnia. Low doses of these medications can be withdrawn with no serious side effects. Long acting Benzodiazepines such as Klonopin is usually used at low doses for short periods of time for people with insomina. Medications such as Ambien and a new medication Sonata are non habit forming medications with limited side effects that are shown to be effective in the treatment of people with sleeping difficulties. I would recommend that you talk to your Psychiatrist in detail about your concerns.

Sincerely
HFHS-M.D.

[barbara to pain and lortab]

Klonopin is one of the longer lasting benzos and is very effective for me. I of course am on a high dose for alcohol withdrawal. You would only need a small dose just before bedtime.

Yes, it can be addicting but a low dose should not be so dangerous for getting into withdrawal troubles. You may want to ask your psychiatrist about that to be taken with your Effexor rather than three or four different things.

[Chase YC]

I meant 15 mg. of restoril rather than risperdal.