Anyone On/tried Nabilone ?

[DarkSideOfTheSoul]

With mental health services severely lacking where I live, the GP's do most of the heavy lifting.
My GP prescribed me Nabilone...a synthetic cannabanoid. I've read research papers that state it lessens the severity of nightmares and flashbacks. Often eliminating them altogether.
I wonder if others have had positive effects...or negative. I also have the concern that, my recent flashblacks are surfacing newly uncovered memories for me. I don't wish to use a drug to bury these, especially since my GP is on the search for a T for me to talk with....(which could take a long time).
I'm on Day 2 of taking Nabilone, and was able to sleep a whole 6 hrs that first night. Of course, I don't remember any dreams. So that nixes any dream journalling, or working with a T who uses that modality.
Any experiences with this, are greatly appreciated.
Darkside

 

[joeylittle]

@DarkSideOfTheSoul - I've read a number of the nabilone studies.

The mechanism of nabilone in re:nightmares is disruption of REM sleep, which (in theory) either interferes with the recollection of, or prevents, nightmare/dreams.

Everything else is peripherally related to arousal: some data on reduced daytime anxiety, reduced startle response, possible relief from hyper vigilance. However, that could also be a result of improved sleep.

Nabilone has not shown any statistical tendency towards lessening the severity or occurance of flashbacks.

In my opinion, sleep is more important than dream journalling. So, if it's working for you, I'd say keep letting it work.

 

[DarkSideOfTheSoul]

Thanks @joeylittle. The sleep aspect sure is great. I've been trying to write down as much as I can remember from my flashbacks & dreams. Although it's difficult if I dissociate with the flashbacks.
I'm told it could take up to a year before I see any counseling.psych. help, and these memories definitely need to be explored. I guess there's pros and cons in everything. I also have to wonder how my GP is going to regulate the dosage. This certainly is not a subject I wish to explore with him.

 

[PTSDbegone]

Hello,

Yes I tried Nabilone for a short while last year when I was having a hard time getting Prazosin which I had been on for over a year. The pharmacies here in town were having a hard time getting Prazosin in stock. It was my GP who prescribed the Nabilone as well. The dose was increased once while I was on it. Honestly I didn't notice a difference on Nabilone with my sleep and/or nightmares. Then again I don't notice a difference on the Prazosin either. I am starting to think medications don't have any effect on me. I did do my research on Nabilone beforehand, and had high hopes for it.

I wish you all the best, and so far it's good to hear it has helped you sleep. One step at a time.

 

[DarkSideOfTheSoul]

Hi @PTSDbegone...
Some folks just don't seem to be effected by many meds, perhaps you're one. There's the flip side, like my mom, who couldn't even tolerate tylenol....every drug she took had to be cut in half, and even then...

I had high hopes for this drug too, but the longer sleep symptoms are wearing off now. My GP increased the dose last week, but my old sleep (or should I say 'awake'),habits have come back.
I suppose we all must resign ourselves to the knowledge that there isn't a cure for this....only management.
Thanks for your input.

 

[PTSDbegone]

Yes I agree @DarkSideOfTheSoul there is no cure for this. I am still trying to accept that I think. It's taking a long time. I'm sure many of us start down this road thinking there are little quick fixes along the way that will help us keep going. Not sure if that makes any sense or not.

Medication has been a struggle for me as nothing seems to help. I also didn't realize how many different meds there were. I don't know if it's best to keep trying different ones, or just forget about it all together. Again it's not a question anyone can answer. Everything about this process of moving through PTSD is frustrating.

 

[DarkSideOfTheSoul]

@PTSDbegone ...Just with all the SSRI's alone, there's so many. Some folks have reported good results on anti-depressants, but of the many I've tried, all left me with horrible side effects.
I completely understand you saying that you don't know if that's best...keep trying different ones. I felt like a lab rat after a while. And you're so right, no one but you can make that decision. We all have our unique experiences with them.
I agreed to give the Nabilone a try, since I may not get proper therapy where I live. I'm entitled to 10 sessions w/ a clinical social worker. Wow.
So, I called my ex psychiatrist in Ont who treats our combat troops. He's retired from civilian, but since he was my therapist for 6 yrs, I know I can trust him. He even wrote a paper on Nabilone and had great success with it.
I'm giving it a fair trial though, and staying on it for 6 wks. No bad side effects so far, and it's not an anti-depressant.
Maybe because it's a fairly 'new' drug being used for PTSD, more will be known about it's efficacy soon.
It's still not the be-all-to-end-all though. Like you say, many of us wish there were quick fixes, and the reality is more stark than that.
I've had my diagnosis long ago, and corroborating ones since, so I resigned myself to knowing I'd be dealing with this for the rest of my life. Some may view that as a hard pill to swallow...me, I have to take comfort in the good days ...ones with less flashbacks, or a sleep without a nightmare. As frustrating as this disorder is, I've come to terms with that notion.
So while I ask if anyone's tried this drug, by no means am I viewing it as an end to PTSD. I wish there were a miracle cure PTSDbegone...I wish. It takes each of us, as long as it has to. My hope is that you find less and less days of frustration, and some measure of peace.

 

[PTSDbegone]

Thank you @DarkSideOfTheSoul I appreciate your note. Glad to hear you've had no bad side effects so far. I hope that continues for you, and you have a little relief. Hang in there.

 

[DarkSideOfTheSoul]

My thanks to you as well PTSDbegone :)
I'm onto week 3 with it, yet I'm still having '3-nighters', where I stay up that long before I finally crash out for a few hours.
Trying to hang in there...I'm finding it very difficult atm.
Hope you are finding relief and some kind of solace in PTSD Hell.