Reboxetine experiment
Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 4:55 am
I'm tired of begging doctors to let me try things, only to find out that they don't work after all. So I ordered some Reboxetine online, figuring if it does work, I'll beg my doctor for a prescription at that time.
Well, I got it about a week ago, and have been taking it ever since. It's been GREAT. Yes, it has some yucky side effects - hot flashes, sweats, goosebumps, nausea, headache. But overall I have felt great. The very first tablet I took gave me so much energy, I couldn't believe it. I haven't needed a Provigil since; the morning dose wakes me right up and I stay awake. Late afternoon when I start feeling droopy, it's time for the second dose.
Only problem (well not the only one) is trying to figure out how to not take it too late, or too much of it too late, so that I can't sleep. I was up all night feeling absolutely fantastic - like I could have gone out my door and run a marathon. So, uh, yeah. I'm a bit tired and headachy today, but not falling asleep all day long.
I've done some web research and I've found abstracts from studies that show it's usefulness with major depression, chronic pain, and boosting energy and motivation. The other big problem is that it's not approved by the FDA, so I need to order it from Canada or oversees (which is what I did.) But it's easily available, not controlled, and fairly inexpensive, especially considering that it will replace 3 medications, some of which have huge copays - Effexor, Wellbutrin, and Provigil.
I saw my doctor today and brought in information about the med. She was actually happy with me for finding out about it and encouraged me to stay with it. We talked about Strattera, the US-approved counterpart, but she said that it seems that Reboxetine is a much "cleaner" drug, with less side effects and way less drug interactions. (Strattera has a major drug interaction with methadone, so it's a no go. But she says that MN law prohibits her from prescribing a non-FDA-approved medication to fax to a Canadian pharmacy. Sigh. She did encourage me to check out the Upjohn-Pharmacia site to see if there are any studies in the US, so that I could get the meds free.
Anyway, I am so excited about this. In the last few days I have felt like I did when I was younger and stronger and had energy. For the last several years I've felt like I've been trying to claw myself out of a huge black mudhole. And once again, I have some hope of returning to a normal life.
Of course I still have the RLS and the accompanying circadian rhythm disorder. But what if I only need 7-8 hours of sleep, and then can get up and function? Heavenly.
I just wanted to post and let you know my experience with this. I'll keep you posted.
Well, I got it about a week ago, and have been taking it ever since. It's been GREAT. Yes, it has some yucky side effects - hot flashes, sweats, goosebumps, nausea, headache. But overall I have felt great. The very first tablet I took gave me so much energy, I couldn't believe it. I haven't needed a Provigil since; the morning dose wakes me right up and I stay awake. Late afternoon when I start feeling droopy, it's time for the second dose.
Only problem (well not the only one) is trying to figure out how to not take it too late, or too much of it too late, so that I can't sleep. I was up all night feeling absolutely fantastic - like I could have gone out my door and run a marathon. So, uh, yeah. I'm a bit tired and headachy today, but not falling asleep all day long.
I've done some web research and I've found abstracts from studies that show it's usefulness with major depression, chronic pain, and boosting energy and motivation. The other big problem is that it's not approved by the FDA, so I need to order it from Canada or oversees (which is what I did.) But it's easily available, not controlled, and fairly inexpensive, especially considering that it will replace 3 medications, some of which have huge copays - Effexor, Wellbutrin, and Provigil.
I saw my doctor today and brought in information about the med. She was actually happy with me for finding out about it and encouraged me to stay with it. We talked about Strattera, the US-approved counterpart, but she said that it seems that Reboxetine is a much "cleaner" drug, with less side effects and way less drug interactions. (Strattera has a major drug interaction with methadone, so it's a no go. But she says that MN law prohibits her from prescribing a non-FDA-approved medication to fax to a Canadian pharmacy. Sigh. She did encourage me to check out the Upjohn-Pharmacia site to see if there are any studies in the US, so that I could get the meds free.
Anyway, I am so excited about this. In the last few days I have felt like I did when I was younger and stronger and had energy. For the last several years I've felt like I've been trying to claw myself out of a huge black mudhole. And once again, I have some hope of returning to a normal life.
Of course I still have the RLS and the accompanying circadian rhythm disorder. But what if I only need 7-8 hours of sleep, and then can get up and function? Heavenly.
I just wanted to post and let you know my experience with this. I'll keep you posted.