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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by bookgurl99 on June 9, 2003, at 3:49:22
hey guys,
it's been several weeks off zoloft and i'm not getting much sleep.
i've already used valerian for 2 weeks. what's the best course of action here? ask the pdoc for a short-acting sleep aid?
books
Posted by mmcasey on June 9, 2003, at 9:03:10
In reply to horrid insomnia post-zoloft, posted by bookgurl99 on June 9, 2003, at 3:49:22
When I went off Paxil about a month ago, I had really bad insomnia too. It was like I would wake up every half hour, and it also made me sweat buckets, and I would just wish for the night to be over (which is a very unusual thing for me since most of the time I feel like sleeping is the only time I feel okay). Anyway, I already take trazodone and basically I just upped my dose. I really like trazodone as a sleeping med. I currently take about 100mg, sometimes 150. My doctor also suggested Ambien but I decided against it. YOu could give that a try... MMC
Posted by Larry Hoover on June 9, 2003, at 10:23:40
In reply to horrid insomnia post-zoloft, posted by bookgurl99 on June 9, 2003, at 3:49:22
> hey guys,
>
> it's been several weeks off zoloft and i'm not getting much sleep.I understand what you're going through. I'm sorry you understand, too.
> i've already used valerian for 2 weeks. what's the best course of action here? ask the pdoc for a short-acting sleep aid?
>
> booksFour options come to mind:
a) take a small dose of Zoloft, 1/8-1/4 of what you were on. See if that helps. If it does, it indicates that you're still actively in withdrawal, and a prolonged taper (such as 1/8 every four days, then every six, or whatever) may be a solution.
b) try some diphenhydramine (e.g. Benadryl), if sleep initiation is a problem.
c) get a script for a benzo, like temazepam (Restoril) if you waken frequently through the night.
d) try some melatonin. Your pineal gland may have stopped releasing melatonin during this withdrawal phase.Some people find that magnesium makes them sleepy, and it can safely be combined with any of the above options.
I wish you the best of luck in finding a solution. I know how important sleep is.
Lar
Posted by Tree on June 9, 2003, at 17:03:49
In reply to Re: horrid insomnia post-zoloft » bookgurl99, posted by Larry Hoover on June 9, 2003, at 10:23:40
You could try taking an Epsom Salt bath before bed. Put three cups in water as hot as is comfortable for you. The magnesium in it helps you sleep. Apparently, most people have a magnesium deficiency. I tried it, and it gets me an extra hour of sleep.
Tree
Posted by bookgurl99 on June 9, 2003, at 17:08:20
In reply to Re: horrid insomnia post-zoloft, posted by Tree on June 9, 2003, at 17:03:49
> You could try taking an Epsom Salt bath before bed. Put three cups in water as hot as is comfortable for you. The magnesium in it helps you sleep. Apparently, most people have a magnesium deficiency. I tried it, and it gets me an extra hour of sleep.
>
> Tree
Hey, last time I went shopping I wanted Epsom Salt and I couldn't remember why! It's because my mom had told me the same thing -- I had somewhat anticipated the problem.My mom gets bad insomnia too. It must be a familial thing. We must be part vampire.
books
Posted by ace on June 9, 2003, at 20:26:27
In reply to horrid insomnia post-zoloft, posted by bookgurl99 on June 9, 2003, at 3:49:22
> hey guys,
>
> it's been several weeks off zoloft and i'm not getting much sleep.Yeah, same thing happened to me. After 3/4 weeks it was very hard to sleep, used benzos ever second night. One night I remember using 10mg Valium as a single dose - got me to sleep, but awoke at 4am - needed 10mg more. Also, it caused a horrid rebound depression, even though it didn't help my depression! First time I had to go back on it, second time switched to Nardil will stopped any withdrawal symptoms and also killed Zoloft in it's great effects.
> i've already used valerian for 2 weeks. what's the best course of action here? ask the pdoc for a short-acting sleep aid?If you are not intending to go back to any drug, I would personally use many agents over a short period, for however long it takes - that way there is no addiction...for instance
1. For 1 week- Zyprexa a sleep aid
2. 1 week- Mogadon as sleep aid
3. For 1 week - Trazadone as sleep aid
4. For 1 week- Elavil as sleep aid.Of course, you could extend these times, and I doubt very much there will be any withdrawal from a couple of weeks on Zyprexa for instance.
If you plan to change to another med, it's simeple- use one with sedative properties.
> books
>
Hope everything works out for you,Ace.
Posted by bookgurl99 on June 10, 2003, at 14:21:31
In reply to Re: horrid insomnia post-zoloft » bookgurl99, posted by ace on June 9, 2003, at 20:26:27
> 1. For 1 week- Zyprexa a sleep aid
> 2. 1 week- Mogadon as sleep aid
> 3. For 1 week - Trazadone as sleep aid
> 4. For 1 week- Elavil as sleep aid.
>I like this idea, but the pdoc wants me to stick to non-prescription sleep aids. (These guys! :D) So, I'm thinking of switching off per day, like:
1. Night caps (Benadryl)
2. Valerian
3. 5-HTP (pdoc suggested 5-HTP)maybe i'll toss a little epsom salt bath into the mix, too. :D
Posted by ace on June 11, 2003, at 1:42:24
In reply to Re: horrid insomnia post-zoloft, posted by bookgurl99 on June 10, 2003, at 14:21:31
> > 1. For 1 week- Zyprexa a sleep aid
> > 2. 1 week- Mogadon as sleep aid
> > 3. For 1 week - Trazadone as sleep aid
> > 4. For 1 week- Elavil as sleep aid.
> >
>
> I like this idea, but the pdoc wants me to stick to non-prescription sleep aids.I am just worries they may not be potent enough. Please let us know how you go.
Ace.
(These guys! :D) So, I'm thinking of switching off per day, like:
>
> 1. Night caps (Benadryl)
> 2. Valerian
> 3. 5-HTP (pdoc suggested 5-HTP)
>
> maybe i'll toss a little epsom salt bath into the mix, too. :D
>
>
This is the end of the thread.
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