Looking for sleep help for a 'gulf war syndrome' vet
| Mirtazapine is used in the
treatment of major depressive disorder. Efficacy of mirtazapine for the
management of major depression has been established by controlled
studies of 6 weeks’ duration in outpatient settings. Results of these
studies indicate that the antidepressant effect of mirtazapine (5–35
mg daily) is greater than placebo and comparable to that of tricyclic
antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline [40–280 mg daily]). In these
studies, no age- or gender-related differences in efficacy were noted.
The manufacturer states that the efficacy of mirtazapine for long-term
use (i.e., exceeding 6 weeks) has not been established by controlled
studies and that the drug’s antidepressant efficacy in hospital
settings has not been adequately studied to date. However, acute
depressive episodes generally require several months or longer of
sustained antidepressant therapy. (See Dosage and Administration:
Dosage.)
If mirtazapine is used for extended periods, the need for continued therapy should be reassessed periodically. For further information on treatment of major depressive disorder and considerations in choosing the most appropriate antidepressant for a particular patient, including considerations related to patient tolerance, patient age, and cardiovascular, sedative, and suicidal risks, see Considerations in Choosing Antidepressants under Uses: Major Depressive Disorder, in Fluoxetine 28:16.04.20. Since hypomanic or manic attacks have been reported rarely in patients receiving mirtazapine, the drug should be used with caution in patients with a history of hypomanic or manic attacks. Individuals with phenylketonuria (i.e., homozygous genetic deficiency of phenylalanine hydroxylase) and other individuals who must restrict their intake of phenylalanine should be warned that mirtazapine orally disintegrating tablets (Remeron® SolTab®) contain aspartame (NutraSweet®), which is metabolized in the GI tract to provide about 2.6, 5.2, or 7.8 mg of phenylalanine following oral administration of a 15-, 30-, or 45-mg tablet, respectively, of mirtazapine. shared 1-12-05 |
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I got it from Medscape drug info web
page. There is also a Army web site medli-net that has reference
books and a site called up to date allows searches for info. That site
may be restricted however. I am now a civilian army doc.
They have really changed medical screening for the better since I
deployed to Desert Storm with the marines. Could be better in a
perfect world but that is not the world God has given us - John
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| Comments from HuckleB:
licensed in mental health
... it does have a fairly low side effect profile. The big issue in regard to sleep is that some people don't metabolize it fast enough and sleep too much. Still, it can be worth a try for someone who's really struggling with sleep, as it's non-addictive (unlike benzos), and the effect doesn't wear off after a while (unlike with Ambien and its relatives). And it can offer some help with depression, if that's an issue, which it often is when insomnia is an issue. Doses for sleep should be 15 or 30 mg. Mirtazepine has the odd effect of becoming an energizing medication in higher doses, for many people, so it's used in lower doses for insomnia. |
| Anyone dealing with central
nervous system damage is most likely needing long term depression
and sleep help.
The fatigue that would be 'hiding out' with this chemical's harm ... and the common identifying marker is AIHA showing up as 'compensated hemoltyic anemia' most of the time. It is important to track the retic rate, but it is the immature red blood cells and blood in urine that may be the constant 'identifier' 1-28-05
I suspect that the health issues are
primarily one of being
autoimmune
I'm
hoping there will be a study on glyconutrients as immune
helps
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