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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by jerrympls on April 25, 2005, at 20:47:23
In reply to seroquel to lunesta experience, posted by mugsy on April 24, 2005, at 0:30:58
> I just tried lunesta desperately hoping to find a gentler but effective alternative to the seroquel I've been taking (was taking 300-400 mg seroquel but tapered to less than 50mg for past couple of months).
>
> The first night (two nights ago) I took 2mg of lunesta and about 25 mg of seroquel. Went to sleep easily but woke up early (maybe got 4 hours or so of sleep) and could not get back to sleep after that. Did not seem to have the munchies as much as with seroquel but felt ok except for this really weird taste in my mouth which lasted through half of the next day. The taste is most noticable when I drink water, lingering bitter taste. The second night on Lunesta I took 2mg lunesta and no seroquel, I slept for a bit and woke up, I took another 2mg of Lunesta and went back to bed, slept a few hours and woke up again not really able to get back to sleep.
>
> So that is my first two nights on Lunesta. Tonight I feel a little weird. I don't know what to take now... but I know I won't sleep without an effective sedative.
>
> I'm bummed that lunesta isn't much better than it seems to me.
>
> This chronic insomnia has been killing me for many years and seroquel is not really very gentle for me. None of my doctors will prescribe benzos on a regular basis but they have been effective and by far the gentlest of them all for for me. The benzo tolerance effect is a pain but with careful dosing I found could be manageable for a long time.
>
> Seroquel makes me hungry and fat, affects my vision in a bad way, dries out and inflames my throat, irritates my sinuses and does other weird physical and mental stuff... but I either take that or friggin die of insomnia the way it is for me now.
>
> I'm disappointed in lunesta. it's hard to believe we can put a man on the moon but can't have a gentle and effective medication for chronic insomnia.WOW - this is the exact stiuation I'm in! I'm finding that Lunesta isn't the great sleep med I'd hoped. I think my lack of response to it is because of too many years on benzos and Ambien....? The Seroquel is the only thing that will knock me out - but I can barely get out of bed in the morning which has caused many absences and tardiness to work = could very well get fired.
I see a sleep doc tomorrow - hopefully he'll have some good news?
Posted by jerrympls on April 25, 2005, at 20:49:29
In reply to Re: seroquel to lunesta experience, posted by mugsy on April 24, 2005, at 0:55:42
> I tried a small amount of ambien a few times. It didn't seem to do much for me so I wrote it off pretty much. I might consider giving that another try sometime. I did try remeron once and it did not agree with me at all but I know a couple of people who found it helpful for them.
Remeron does a great job of reducing my nighttime anxiety - but even at 15mg it makes my appetite OUT OF CONTROL.
Posted by jerrympls on April 25, 2005, at 20:59:57
In reply to Re: seroquel to lunesta experience, posted by Phillipa on April 24, 2005, at 17:22:53
> I tried remeron l5mg and was afraid of wt gain. And since I was taking it with valium I really didn't think it helped. I'm still amazed at the posters who say remeron made them sleep for up to 20hours. Fondly,Phillipa
I've had very similar experiences - it helped with anxiety and relaxed me but doesn't put me out light a light.
Posted by Phillipa on April 25, 2005, at 21:26:14
In reply to Re: seroquel to lunesta experience » Phillipa, posted by jerrympls on April 25, 2005, at 20:59:57
Corona with lime was my vice! Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by awatts on April 26, 2005, at 8:56:50
In reply to Re: seroquel to lunesta experience » jerrympls, posted by Phillipa on April 25, 2005, at 21:26:14
> Corona with lime was my vice! Fondly, Phillipa
Add some chloral hydrate to that and it WILL put you out like a light <grin>. However, I would not advise this.
Posted by Phillipa on April 26, 2005, at 17:53:04
In reply to Re: seroquel to lunesta experience, posted by awatts on April 26, 2005, at 8:56:50
That's why I had to quit drinking my pdoc put me on chloral hydrate. Eight years later I am finally off it and now on valium. But I'm afraid to drink! Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Lieutenant McNasty on April 28, 2005, at 2:08:07
In reply to Re: Lunesta, Has Anyone Tried It?, posted by awatts on April 10, 2005, at 13:33:21
I just took Lunestra 3mg righ tnow. forgive my sypeing, it'ms so freaking dizzy right wnow I cant controlmyself as all. but other than the dizziness which id kind of cool (I'm an ex druggie), I explain it's symptoms as making you slightly stoned or tipsy. I'm abott to go to sleep now, so I'll let you know how it goes.
oh yeah...ther's this ungodly metallic taste in my mouth. and again, with the drug refereces, it feels like drainage from cocaine. a terrible silvery taste that you can't wash out. I should sleep well tonight though, it's allready konking me out.
sorry for grammer and drug references. sometimes the y help. I ;ll let you know hos things work out in the morningp.s - that taste goesn't go away so far, but it is getting bettetr. it too me 30 minutes to register for this site, and now I feel like I'm totally tipsy or stoned - very diszzy, equilibrium is off. but now, time for bed. wooooo
I'll update later, folks
> > From reading the Threads I know the pdocs are Rxing Lunesta, but so far I don't know that anyone has been able to obtain it. Have the pharmacies gotten it in? Anyone tried it yet at all? No samples? Thanks Phillipa
>
> Same here. Please, people who are trying Lunesta, what are your experiences?
>
> I can never sleep for more than 2 hours at a time, and I think that might be contributing to my major depression.
>
> I would expecially like to hear from people who suffer from major, disabling depression who have (or have not) been helped by Lunesta.
>
>
Posted by Phillipa on April 28, 2005, at 18:06:39
In reply to Re: seroquel to lunesta experience » awatts, posted by Phillipa on April 26, 2005, at 17:53:04
Okay, saw my pdoc today. She agreed with what everyone has been saying about lunesta. All the mixed reviews. The only thing I forgot to mention was the aftertaste. But, she was out of samples and when I told her how expensive the tablets were she gave me a voucher for 4 free 3mg tabs to try. I'll have to wait til tomorrow. But she did say it was nonaddictive, and she's an addiction specialist. Search Judith S Yongue. She has quite an impressive list of papers, and reviews she does. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by MissOphelia on April 30, 2005, at 1:15:58
In reply to Re: seroquel to lunesta experience » jerrympls, posted by Phillipa on April 25, 2005, at 21:26:14
This will be my second night of Lunesta.
The taste that it leaves is HORRIBLE, BEYOND HORRIBLE.
I HAVE HAD THE TASTE FOR OVER 24 HOURS. IT IS NOT EVEN DESCRIBABLE!!!
I like Ambien the best , by far.
Posted by Liverhead on April 30, 2005, at 17:50:21
In reply to 2nd night of Lunestra, posted by fachad on April 21, 2005, at 1:11:18
I'm a long time Ambien user and was really anxious to try Lunestra. I've followed it for about 2 years.
What a disappointment!
Took 3 mg last night. I started yawning like a maniac afer 40 min, figured that was that and turned off the light. Nothing. An hour later I took Melatonin and Neurontin, which almost did the trick, however 5 mg of Ambien was needed (normally chicken feed for me). Finally, 2 hrs after the whole experience started I fell asleep, but not before the bitter taste in the back of my throat and sinuses started, No biggie.
But by this morning, it was UNSPEAKABLE. And hasn't quite worn off, nearly 21 hours after taking it for the 1st (and last time).
I could have dealt with the taste (maybe) had it been more effective than Ambien, which is was not.
BTW- I've been seeing a new doc lately (she wrote the Lunestra Rx, her first) and I was doing better before I even tried the Lunestra. Pre-loading with melatonin and 1200 mg Neurontin really makes the Ambien work better. I can get away with 10 mg!Good luck guys. I hope you experiences are better than mine, although from what I've read so far, they are not.
I'm selling all my Sepracor stock Monday. This is gonna bomb, IMHO.
Posted by Chad_b234 on May 2, 2005, at 0:55:53
In reply to This is a BAD drug » fachad, posted by Liverhead on April 30, 2005, at 17:50:21
I have been using Ambien for about a month now with EXCELLENT results! I've suffered from problems falling asleep and general sleep deprivation for years. I've only recently began searching for help with the problem. I started out with Zoloft, thinking it was depression related. After a couple months of treatment with Zoloft I really wasn't sleeping any better so my Dr gave me some Ambien to try. I have also scheduled a sleep study, but the earliest I could get in is June. For the first time in a very long time I am able to function normally throughout the day, I never realized how bad I felt till I had a good night of sleep with the Ambien. Its hard to describe how excited I have been lately to feel so great! I'm almost 30 and I truly can't remember feeling this good since I was in my early teens. Here is the problem... After my first 15 Ambien my Dr will not refill my prescription. No matter how much I begged for them, even just enough to get me to my sleep study he wouldn't refill it. Now he gave me Doxepin, I took it about an hour ago and here I sit typing on the computer at 1 am. I would like to try the Lunestra, I have been following it a bit lately, but he hadn't even heard of it. How hard is it to get Ambien for anyone else? Is it just my Dr or is it really that strictly limited? I guess for the meantime I'll just suffer till I find out what my real problem is. I'd appreciate any help from anyone who has been through the same thing.
Thanks,
Chad
Posted by Sadaiyappan on May 2, 2005, at 11:37:21
In reply to Re: This is a BAD drug, posted by Chad_b234 on May 2, 2005, at 0:55:53
i have a question...
Are you people natural insomniacs ? How did your sleeping problems arise ?
I read about people that are on sleeping meds for years.. Can't they just ween off of their meds and sleep med free ?
I'm not psychotic in any way, but i am on geodon now for sleep... I am hoping to ween off of it within two months.
Posted by Maxime on May 2, 2005, at 12:42:46
In reply to Re: This is a BAD drug, posted by Chad_b234 on May 2, 2005, at 0:55:53
Ambien isn't meant to used every night. You are suppose to use for 3 night or so until you get into a normal sleep pattern ... to break the insomnia. I'm sorry about your insomnia, but I am glad that there is at least one wise doctor out there.
BTW, I am the Queen of Insomnia, so I do know what it's like to go without sleep ... sometime for days.
Maxime
> I have been using Ambien for about a month now with EXCELLENT results! I've suffered from problems falling asleep and general sleep deprivation for years. I've only recently began searching for help with the problem. I started out with Zoloft, thinking it was depression related. After a couple months of treatment with Zoloft I really wasn't sleeping any better so my Dr gave me some Ambien to try. I have also scheduled a sleep study, but the earliest I could get in is June. For the first time in a very long time I am able to function normally throughout the day, I never realized how bad I felt till I had a good night of sleep with the Ambien. Its hard to describe how excited I have been lately to feel so great! I'm almost 30 and I truly can't remember feeling this good since I was in my early teens. Here is the problem... After my first 15 Ambien my Dr will not refill my prescription. No matter how much I begged for them, even just enough to get me to my sleep study he wouldn't refill it. Now he gave me Doxepin, I took it about an hour ago and here I sit typing on the computer at 1 am. I would like to try the Lunestra, I have been following it a bit lately, but he hadn't even heard of it. How hard is it to get Ambien for anyone else? Is it just my Dr or is it really that strictly limited? I guess for the meantime I'll just suffer till I find out what my real problem is. I'd appreciate any help from anyone who has been through the same thing.
>
> Thanks,
> Chad
Posted by Maxime on May 2, 2005, at 12:56:06
In reply to Re: This is a BAD drug, posted by Sadaiyappan on May 2, 2005, at 11:37:21
What is a natural insomniac? Do you mean someone who requires less sleep to function than most? If that is the case, then I would be one of those people. I only need 4 hours of sleep. For me, insomnia is no sleep. There isn't really such a thing as a "natural insomniac" as insomnia means "abnormally prolonged inability to sleep". I don't have an inability, it's simply my body does not require 8 hours of sleep.
But most people here, myself included, suffer from depression, bi-polar illness, psychosis, or anxiety etc. and insomnia is part of the package.
Oh and don't worry, many people take
anti-psychotics to help them sleep. Seroquel is the most popular. Your sentence made me laugh it was like "I'm not psychotic ... but some of my best friends are .... (looks to crowd assuringly with a little nervous laugh).Maxime
> i have a question...
>
> Are you people natural insomniacs ? How did your sleeping problems arise ?
>
> I read about people that are on sleeping meds for years.. Can't they just ween off of their meds and sleep med free ?
>
> I'm not psychotic in any way, but i am on geodon now for sleep... I am hoping to ween off of it within two months.
>
>
Posted by Phillipa on May 2, 2005, at 18:28:48
In reply to Re: This is a BAD drug » Sadaiyappan, posted by Maxime on May 2, 2005, at 12:56:06
I have been an insomniac since my first child was born over 39yrs ago. I couldn't sleep because I was afraid she wouldn't breath and would die. I've always required something for sleep. No I don't abuse sleep meds. But all the pdocs I've seen over the years recognize that this is my biggest problem so I've always been given something for sleep. Now it's valium. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Maxime on May 2, 2005, at 20:13:24
In reply to Re: This is a BAD drug, posted by Phillipa on May 2, 2005, at 18:28:48
> I have been an insomniac since my first child was born over 39yrs ago. I couldn't sleep because I was afraid she wouldn't breath and would die. I've always required something for sleep. No I don't abuse sleep meds. But all the pdocs I've seen over the years recognize that this is my biggest problem so I've always been given something for sleep. Now it's valium. Fondly, Phillipa
Boy, you are older than I thought! LOL :-)
Maxime
Posted by wendy0006 on May 4, 2005, at 14:56:29
In reply to Re: This is a BAD drug, posted by Chad_b234 on May 2, 2005, at 0:55:53
I take 300 mg of Serouqel as an anti-psychotic. Also, if you have anxiety, which sometimes causes Restless Leg Syndrome - drs may prescribe Klonopin for this - they give me 1mg/nght. This pretty much gets me to sleep and doesn't cause any hangover.
wendy
Posted by TABob on May 8, 2005, at 15:07:09
In reply to 2nd night of Lunestra, posted by fachad on April 21, 2005, at 1:11:18
I had no luck with it. The doctor gave me 2 - 3mg tablets. I took the first one about 11 pm. At 12:30 , I hadn't felt a thing, so I took the second one. Still nothing. I finally fell asleep on my own about 5 in the morning, I only sleep about 4 hours but did have some vivid dreams.
Posted by Phillipa on May 8, 2005, at 17:13:37
In reply to Re: Didn't Work, posted by TABob on May 8, 2005, at 15:07:09
Darn! There's a new Thread. A lot of the others are saying they like it. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by irishwolf on May 8, 2005, at 23:36:44
In reply to Re: Didn't Work, posted by TABob on May 8, 2005, at 15:07:34
Geeze, I've been bouncing off the walls this entire week after trying Lunesta. First night, 2 mg was just a big nothing. I called the very uninformative and uninterested pharmacy of the drug company...their advice is that they can't give advice. Took 4 mg last two nights...nothing, I really don't have any sensation except that nasty metallic taste. My pharmacist told me that Ambien becomes no more effective than a placebo after long term use, so that was why I asked to try the Lunesta. Well, give me that placebo any day over this dud of a drug! I do have to chase Ambien with 50 mgs. of benadryl which I hate, because I was afraid of going over the 10 mg limit of Ambien. Ambien was becoming less effective, I didn't realize that others were tolerating higher doses, but the docs don't prescribe it higher and the insurance won't pay for it, right? The shorter duration of sleep doesn't bother me as much as the inability to hit the pillow and go to sleep without all the anxiety wheels spinning. Lunesta doesn't make me want to go to sleep..so I've stayed up two nights reading books instead of going to bed. I would appreciate any insights on how to manage, tolerate or maintain effectiveness on Ambien. Thanks, this has been the first "real" discussion I have found on the net that specifically addresses individual's reactions to these two drugs. (I'm taking Ambien tonight...hope I don't self-combust ha!)
Posted by Phillipa on May 9, 2005, at 0:16:20
In reply to Re: Didn't Work, posted by irishwolf on May 8, 2005, at 23:36:44
Irishwolf, I started a new Thread further down the Board the other day on Lunesta since this Thread seemed to die. Some people are having good results. It seems like a mixed bag at the moment. Welcome to PBabble, it's a great place with a lot ot experts to answer questions you may have about medications. Start your own Thread. I promise you will get a lot of responses. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by awatts on May 9, 2005, at 13:17:35
In reply to Re: Didn't Work » irishwolf, posted by Phillipa on May 9, 2005, at 0:16:20
> Irishwolf, I started a new Thread further down the Board the other day on Lunesta since this Thread seemed to die. Some people are having good results. It seems like a mixed bag at the moment. Welcome to PBabble, it's a great place with a lot ot experts to answer questions you may have about medications. Start your own Thread. I promise you will get a lot of responses. Fondly, Phillipa
Phillipa,
You are one of the very few, fortunate people for whom a sleep aid works long term (Valium).
For the vast majority of us, ALL sedatives (benzo and none-benzo) loose their effectiveness in a few weeks, or at most, months. Lunesta is not suppost to do that.
Lunesta may not work as well as the others and may have a bad taste and other side effects. However, it may be the only drug that can be used as a sedative long term. It's going to take many months of real life trials to determine this.
Posted by mugsy on May 9, 2005, at 20:14:17
In reply to Lunesta, Has Anyone Tried It?, posted by Phillipa on April 10, 2005, at 13:06:33
I've given up on Lunesta. It helps me sleep but I wake up in about 3-4 hours and can't get back to sleep. Also after I wake up from Lunesta it causes my blood pressure to increase to an uncomfortable level. Also that taste is pretty bad to me and lasts almost a whole day. If Lunesta gave me the sleep I needed I would probably put up with the taste but the blood pressure effect is definitely too hard on my body.
In the past I had tried GHB for sleep but had the same high blood pressure problem upon awakening from it. Makes me wonder if there is a common cause of that high blood pressure effect. According to what I had read about GHB, when the sedative effect wears off it causes a large spike in dopamine which would explain the high blood pressure rebound. For me that is too much. I might have been able to tolerate that when I was younger but now it would beat me up too much.
Anyway just wanted to give you an update on how Lunesta affected me.
As much as I don't like seroquel it's all I got right now. I would prefer a long term benzo/seroquel alternating treatment but doctors around here treat benzos like they are heroin or something (unless you're a female then for some strange reason that's ok with the docs it seems).
Maybe I need to dress in drag before I go see a doc for benzo rx.
Posted by Phillipa on May 9, 2005, at 20:54:37
In reply to Lunesta, Seroquel, and other stuff, posted by mugsy on May 9, 2005, at 20:14:17
Ahhh, back to the 70's valium "mother's little helper". Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by wingsofhope on May 10, 2005, at 11:53:41
In reply to Re: 15-20 mg of Ambien per night? Does insurance cover, posted by jerrympls on April 13, 2005, at 1:47:49
For anyone who's gotten a Rx for lunesta filled... Did your insurance cover it? What insurance plan do you have? What was the copay? Thanks so much!!
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