Posted by Minnie-Haha on March 25, 2005, at 12:18:27
In reply to Re: Why don't benzos help me get to sleep? » jerrympls, posted by Minnie-Haha on March 25, 2005, at 11:43:45
> I had severe insomnia for 15 months. Could fall asleep OK, but woke up every night between 1 and 4 a.m. and then could not get back to sleep. Benzos did very little to help. I found out my cortisol was high and figured out I must have pseudo-Cushing's, which can result from un- or under-treated depression. Started on an antidepressant (in my case, Cymbalta) and was sleeping well within 2-3 weeks.
>
> Are you taking an antidepressant?
I should've added that I also tried Ambien and Sonata. And Benadryl. And chamomile tea. And warm milk. And valerian. And aromatherapy. And meditation/visualization CDs. And calcium and magnesium supplements at bedtime. And strenuous exercise in the morning. (These last two -- the calcium/magnesium supplementation and the exercise -- were the only things that helped a *tiny* bit). I tried a tiny dose of Zyprexa one night -- knocked me out, turned off all the anxious chatter in my head -- but I felt like a zombie the next day. No bueno. I even tried Elavil/Amitriptyline in a low dose at bedtime. The doc thought that since I have some neck and back pain, that might help. Nada. It wasn't until I got onto the Cymbalta that I got some relief.I feel for you man. Insomnia is awful! I was a wreck and felt like no-one in my circle of family and friends really understood.
poster:Minnie-Haha
thread:475165
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050322/msgs/475405.html