Meds
Ok, what is the big deal about taking meds? I know a few people who are very nervous about taking medication to help with their Asperger’s Syndrome. And I honestly don’t know why. The drugs do not suppress the Asperger’s or autism - they just help with certain aspects of it. Anyway, to allay people’s nerves about taking medication, I thought I would tell you about my experience of it.
Currently I am on Prozac for depression and anxiety; melatonin to help me sleep. Prozac (Fluoxetine hydrochloride) seems to conjure up negative connotations in peoples minds. And yes, it is a dangerous drug if you are stupid with it. But if you stick to what your doctor says, you should be ok.
When I started it, I admit, it was rather unpleasant, after about 2 days of taking it, my digestive system decided to expel everything and not let anything back in for three days. But that cleared up, and I haven’t had anything like that happen again. I don’t know how long it took for it to take effect, I didn’t notice it in myself, but everyone else said I seemed better, more relaxed, and when you have come off it, you can see the difference.
For a while, I went off Prozac, because I had fewer environmental pressures and I didn’t need it, but I went back on it because of exam pressure. When I went back on it, I didn’t have the stomach trouble I had the first time. Coming off it is rather unpleasant. I became grouchy, more easily stressed – basically I became a younger Victor Meldrew. I also had quite a few headaches for a while, but that died down after a few weeks.
Long story short, Prozac isn’t bad. It does its job, and the side effects I have experienced are minimal, although it can be unpleasant to come off. I take 20 mg a day which is the smallest dose, and that has been more than enough for the past three years. In my experience it isn’t one of those drugs which starts to lose its effectiveness after a time – but maybe that’s just me.
The other medication I am on is melatonin. I take 3 mg a night, and it is a lifesaver. Our bodies naturally synthesize melatonin on a daily basis. It is one of the factors which regulate our body clock. In short, it makes you sleepy (but does not make you sleep). However, it seems I don’t make as much melatonin as the average person, and so don’t feel sleepy unless I supplement it with synthetic melatonin. I take my dose every night, about 45 mins to an hour and a half before I want to go to sleep.
Because it only causes tiredness, it isn’t a failsafe way of getting to sleep – I have at times taken my dose, and become absorbed in something and missed its effective time, and then just felt like I did before I took it. However, if you want to go to sleep, and your problem is like mine – shutting off your mind, stopping thinking, just trying to relax – then it may well work for you.
In the States, you can get it across the counter. However, over here, you have to get a doctor’s prescription. And your pharmacy may take a while getting it, as it is not their most common item. Side effects? When I first took it, I vomited and felt ill for about 12 hours. But apart from that, I haven’t had any side effects.
I should point out that there is not as much research on melatonin as a medication. Some people say it could cause your brain to produce less natural melatonin, and I cannot rule that out. But I have been on 3 milligrams for a very long time, and I have not needed to increase it. Before I started taking it, I would be up until the early hours, and I had not had a good night’s sleep in years. After taking it, my quality of sleep improved a lot, and I felt so much better for it
Anyway, I hope that has quelled some of your fears. As usual, if you have any questions, comments etc, please feel free to post a comment or go to my website www.mugsy.org/josh, and e-mail me. I should also point out that I am not a doctor or pharmacist. This is just my experience of Prozac and Melatonin. If you think Prozac or melatonin could be useful for you or your child, see your doctor and ask for their opinion.
Josh – heading off to sleep
Currently I am on Prozac for depression and anxiety; melatonin to help me sleep. Prozac (Fluoxetine hydrochloride) seems to conjure up negative connotations in peoples minds. And yes, it is a dangerous drug if you are stupid with it. But if you stick to what your doctor says, you should be ok.
When I started it, I admit, it was rather unpleasant, after about 2 days of taking it, my digestive system decided to expel everything and not let anything back in for three days. But that cleared up, and I haven’t had anything like that happen again. I don’t know how long it took for it to take effect, I didn’t notice it in myself, but everyone else said I seemed better, more relaxed, and when you have come off it, you can see the difference.
For a while, I went off Prozac, because I had fewer environmental pressures and I didn’t need it, but I went back on it because of exam pressure. When I went back on it, I didn’t have the stomach trouble I had the first time. Coming off it is rather unpleasant. I became grouchy, more easily stressed – basically I became a younger Victor Meldrew. I also had quite a few headaches for a while, but that died down after a few weeks.
Long story short, Prozac isn’t bad. It does its job, and the side effects I have experienced are minimal, although it can be unpleasant to come off. I take 20 mg a day which is the smallest dose, and that has been more than enough for the past three years. In my experience it isn’t one of those drugs which starts to lose its effectiveness after a time – but maybe that’s just me.
The other medication I am on is melatonin. I take 3 mg a night, and it is a lifesaver. Our bodies naturally synthesize melatonin on a daily basis. It is one of the factors which regulate our body clock. In short, it makes you sleepy (but does not make you sleep). However, it seems I don’t make as much melatonin as the average person, and so don’t feel sleepy unless I supplement it with synthetic melatonin. I take my dose every night, about 45 mins to an hour and a half before I want to go to sleep.
Because it only causes tiredness, it isn’t a failsafe way of getting to sleep – I have at times taken my dose, and become absorbed in something and missed its effective time, and then just felt like I did before I took it. However, if you want to go to sleep, and your problem is like mine – shutting off your mind, stopping thinking, just trying to relax – then it may well work for you.
In the States, you can get it across the counter. However, over here, you have to get a doctor’s prescription. And your pharmacy may take a while getting it, as it is not their most common item. Side effects? When I first took it, I vomited and felt ill for about 12 hours. But apart from that, I haven’t had any side effects.
I should point out that there is not as much research on melatonin as a medication. Some people say it could cause your brain to produce less natural melatonin, and I cannot rule that out. But I have been on 3 milligrams for a very long time, and I have not needed to increase it. Before I started taking it, I would be up until the early hours, and I had not had a good night’s sleep in years. After taking it, my quality of sleep improved a lot, and I felt so much better for it
Anyway, I hope that has quelled some of your fears. As usual, if you have any questions, comments etc, please feel free to post a comment or go to my website www.mugsy.org/josh, and e-mail me. I should also point out that I am not a doctor or pharmacist. This is just my experience of Prozac and Melatonin. If you think Prozac or melatonin could be useful for you or your child, see your doctor and ask for their opinion.
Josh – heading off to sleep
posted by Joshua at
11:54 AM
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