No, you have been helpful! I am only on 4mg...and only for the past week...so I feel like a baby for complaining. I'm also on 60mg Cymbalta in the AM (for 1 mon), 10mg Ambien PRN (off an on for a couple years). Do you mind if I ask what is your diagnosis? Or rather, what symptoms is the perphenazine prescribed for in you? The reason I ask is most of what I've found online says its used for hallucinations, delusions, mania, or agitation. I've never had issues with those (unless this new Dr suspects something he isn't telling me, but my insurance sheet said PTSD and depression for my diagnoses, which is consistent with past diagnoses).....This was the 1st time seeing this particular Dr, and I just find it odd him prescribing me something that's fairly uncommon AND for an off-label use. (I mean, I could understand one of the more common old antipsychotics, like thorazine, but why this particular one?) He said that it may help with my feelings of emptiness and abandonment issues (how a med can help with that, i'm not sure), and that it can help with sleep. Well, so far, I have felt tired after taking it in the PM and then tired the next morning, but have had trouble actually falling asleep....i feel simultaneously restless AND fatigued; it's like i'm in that awful half-asleep/half-awake state for at least an hour before finally falling asleep; my mind is going but my body can't really move.

I'm not really sure what the whole point of this post was. I guess I want the support of someone who's taken it to encourage me to stick with it. What were your experiences starting it? Did it take awhile to get a positive benefit from it? I tend to give up on meds very easily, which may be why I've tried all the antidepressants (and never for more than 2 mos!). Thanks!

Sam