Xyrem Side Effects

[daisys]

Andrea, if you ever get the time to check back---thank you! You shared helpful insight into the drug Xyrem.

I too have found that "less is more" with xyrem. If I take too high of a dose, I wake up too alert to sleep again, and end up feeling sleep deprived but unable to sleep (but not as bad a state as before Xyrem). I was given klonopin to take before taking xyrem for that reason, and find that taking less xyrem has allowed me to lower the dose of klonopin.

I have taken "xyrem breaks" in the past, and all I do is stay awake all night, even with 3-4 other drugs to help me sleep. So, what's the point?

I can be wakened at any time when sleeping on xyrem. When I first started taking it, I asked to be shook awake so that I could get an idea of how deep my sleep would be. I found it the same as waking someone in a natural deep sleep--it takes a couple of shakes and even then, they need a few seconds to get alert. I have been awakened by the fire alarm when it went off. Actually, I sometimes don't even get to sleep at all on the first dose. It just sets me up for the second dose to do it's thing. About half the time, I wake up often, but eventually get enough sleep to feel rested.

I realize Xyrem is highly addictive. That's why I never have, or will ever, take more than the 2 nightly doses. When I have gone a night without xyrem, I haven't felt any effects from going off it other than sleeplessness that matches my state pre-Xyrem.

I know it isn't for everyone, but it sure made a huge difference in my life--I feel it gave my mind back to me. I was in a misable fog for years, and am very thankful that I found a doctor who was willing to go through the process of getting the prescription for it for me.