I started taking Xyrem in October 2010. A few months prior to taking this medication, I joined a gym because I was putting on some unwanted weight. I am 40 years old and in July 2010, I weighed 198 pounds. At 5′ 8″ tall I felt that was just too heavy and I was not feeling as good as I would have liked.
I went to the gym irregularly from July through September and never really saw any improvements. Keep in mind that my anxiety and depression were at their peak during this same time. In late July I had scored 28 on the Beck Depression Inventory, which is very high, approaching clinical depression.
In October, I started taking Xyrem and within a few days I had the energy that was necessary to get back in the gym and start working out. Here is where some of the Xyrem side effects actually pay a dividend. The appetite suppression and the HGH (Human Growth Hormone) release make getting into good physical condition a pleasure. I have practically ZERO post workout muscle pain, because (I believe) when I sleep my muscles are so completely relaxed that they have the opportunity to heal properly. This lack of muscle pain might also be attributed to the HGH release. Perhaps the increase of growth hormones is promoting muscle growth and healing and that eliminates the post workout pain that I have always known.
In short, in October I was still weighing about 195 pounds and as of this writing I weigh 165 and am feeling better every day. I am not going to call Xyrem (GHB) the fountain of youth, just yet. I still have some research to complete, but initial observations suggest that my insomnia, or at least the drug that treats it, may save my body, mind, life and health.
