Posted by Elizabeth on May 17, 2002, at 22:33:37
In reply to Re: ZO, ELIZABETH, ANYONE: How much Ativan for Sleep?, posted by callie on May 16, 2002, at 9:32:59
Hi, and welcome.
> Remeron was great for sleep but I gained weight like crazy--ate everything that didn't eat me first--I have never experienced such an appetite.
I didn't have that problem with Remeron, but Nardil turned me into a junk food eating beast -- I know how it feels. Out of curiosity, did you get especially hungry at night?
> Don't let that discourage those of you who haven't tried it.
"Everyone reacts differently" is one of the cardinal rules of this board -- sometimes expressed as "YMMV," meaning "your mileage may vary." Really it goes without saying, but people say it often anyway. :-)
> The best thing I've found, after much trial and error, has been Xanax (I take the generic kind). I have been taking a total of 1.25 mg at night and that does the trick for me.
You take it every night? How long have you been on it?
> I also take Permax because of movements in my sleep.
What sort of movements? RLS/PLMS?
> I used to take less Xanax but that was when I was taking Serzone which also helped with sleep.
(You probably know that Serzone augments Xanax by inhibiting its metabolism.)
> Due to recent concerns re: Serzone and liver problems, I'm off that now and had to increase the Xanax.
Did you switch to a new antidepressant?
> Ambien does not work for me. On Ambien, I go to sleep, but then wake up, plus, I don't get the restful sleep I need.
I'd be thrilled if some drug company came up with an Ambien-like drug with about twice the duration of action! But I do find that I get restful sleep on it -- it feels more "natural" than benzo- or antihistamine-induced sleep.
> Remember, everyone reacts differently to different medications. Don't give up until you find something that works for you. Have you had a sleep study?
Sleep studies aren't always indicated in insomnia; the main thing they can do for you is rule out sleep apnea. The result, interesting though it may be, seldom affects treatment choice.
-elizabeth
poster:Elizabeth
thread:101973
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020517/msgs/106830.html