Posted by JerryPharmStudent on May 2, 2007, at 6:14:38
In reply to high-dose ambien..., posted by med_empowered on May 2, 2007, at 2:16:51
> I imagine high-dose ambien would be kind of like using a benzo drug. Does her vicodin cause insomnia? I agree that maybe a higher-potency pain med would do the trick, or at least adding in something. For instance: instead of the effexor, maybe try ultram (the mix can cause serotonin syndrome). That would probably also help the anxiety.
>
> Anyway, 80mgs/night of ambien is ridiculous; I say, figure out what's causing her to pop so much ambien (is it somehow euphoric? Is she just **that** unable to sleep? Is it the pain meds?) and address it, while also trying something else for sleep. Maybe a straight up BZD drug, like ativan?
>
> Anyway, good luck with all this.It gives her euphoria and melts her anxieties and depression away. I compare it to using alchol to self-medicate and so does she. She does see a very good Pain Clinic who is WANTING to put her on a higher dose/stronger opiate for pain instaead of the pain. However, I know she uses the Vicodin for her depression and anxiety. It does not make her sleepy or "drunk" or whatever - but she runs out of the 120 Vidocodin she gets/week a lot. She spends $400-500/mo on Ambien from the internet and can't pay her bills.
I've told her to get hooked up with a therapist at our Clinic here - who to call, what to say, etc., and she always says she'll do it but then never does. I cannot call for her because they don't work like that. SHE needs to call. BUt I've told her that I am here for her always.
I dunno what else to do. She wants someone else to call for her.
poster:JerryPharmStudent
thread:754575
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070502/msgs/755102.html