Posted by Minnie-Haha on February 3, 2005, at 18:31:23
In reply to I Don't Understand?, posted by Phillipa on February 3, 2005, at 17:43:33
> How come everybody can fall asleep on ambien, seroquel{low dose}, klonopin, etc,. How come the pdoc puts me on a "cocktail of meds" and still I'm awake after 4 hours for more benzos? Is it because I've taken them for so many years {30), and have a tolerence to them? What can I do about it? Could it be because I have so many worries right now, and stresses? I know you have answered my other Posts on sleep, but I am getting desperate. Changing pdocs etc, and even putting myself in the hospital. Thanks Phillipa
I went through 15 months of what you've described. I would go to sleep, but ALWAYS wake up 3-4 hours later and not be able to get back to sleep. I would awaken with high anxiety (a few times even close to a panic attack). ***I tried Ativan, Ambien, Flexerall, Elavil, Sonata and Klonopin*** They all might help me get to sleep (which usually wasn't the problem anyway), but I would always wake up 3-4 hours later. I went to my FP, a gastroenterologist (there was also nausea involved) and finally an endocrinologist. I also had a sleep study done. All I did was confirm that I have GERD (reflux), discover that I have thyroid nodules (but they don't appear to be cancerous or causing any trouble -- I guess a lot of people have nodules) and lastly, that I had high urinary cortisol. I wondered if I might have Cushing's disease, even though I don't have most of the typical Cushing's symptoms. Then I heard about pseudo-Cushing's, which is often related to untreated anxiety and depression. I finally reached a point where I couldn't stand the always being fatigued, anxious, crying, so I let my pdoc RX Cymbalta. I am sleeping MUCH better now, so I think the pseudo-Cushing's is a likely culprit.
I know you've had bad luck finding the right meds for you, but I think when you do, you're likely to start sleeping better. (My personal opinion is that the benzos help with sleep at first, but eventually interfere with it. They also seemed to contribute to my depression, so I'd try to get off those if I were you. I'd also suggest -- if you haven't already done so -- seeing some specialists and ruling out some medical conditions, like I tried to do.)
FWIW: The sleep study indicated *possible* PLMD (periodic limb movement disorder), but that hasn't really panned out. I could've tried levadopa, but I was leery about doing that.)
Don't give up hope. Be kind and patient with yourself. Get counseling/psychotherpy to see you through, and try to get a little exercise and sunshine everyday until you find the answers.
Good luck!
poster:Minnie-Haha
thread:452590
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050202/msgs/452616.html