Dear Manysilver: I am in much the same situation as you, except I have dry eye instead of MS. I’m on clonazepam but no anti-depressants, and don’t have the desire to do anything. But I wanted to make some suggestions, rather than blather on about myself. Have you tried taking the herb Valerian for sleeping? I have taken it as a tincture or as pills and despite its aroma (it smells like Parmesan cheese and/or smelly feet!) it helps me to fall asleep and stay asleep and awaken feeling somewhat refreshed. As with any drug you should read up on it in the literature or the internet and MUST consult with your physician before you take it. It IS a powerful herb and has interactions with other drugs and herbs. One place I know you can purchase it by mail is at http://www.swansonvitamins.com. I’m sure there are equally reputable sources for it at other companies and stores–this is just the one I know.

Another thing you could try for sleep is Melatonin. I take the dose recommended on the bottle, but it doesn’t work for me. It messes up my sleep, waking me fully up in the middle of the night and making me super-tired the next morning, so I fall asleep THEN when I should be getting out of bed, but some people find it useful. I don’t know much about it, so again, you should read up on it and talk to your doctor BEFORE taking it, even though it is over the counter at all the pharmacies I visit, looking all innocent in its little bottle.

I’m still working on getting through the withdrawal effects of going off Cymbalta 3 weeks ago (having tapered according to the doctor’s plan). I don’t even know who I am right now, and whether I can trust a thought, or believe something my brain is telling me. I am hanging in there though, will wait out the withdrawal symptoms, and start fresh when they are gone. I keep fantasizing that one day I will simply wake up, and ha, ha, (“poof”) the real me will be back again! No matter what has happened in the past to me EVERYDAY IS A FRESH START. I try to remember that but can’t always.

I hope some of my comments and suggestions are worthwhile. Most of the statements you made could have come out of my mouth, so I truly know how you feel.

Best regards,

Warren

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