![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 20 of 20. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Paulbwell on October 10, 2005, at 15:52:19
Even 20-40mgs Valium doesn't help. what should i do?
I am turning to the booze for relief-what gives?
Cheers
Posted by lynn970 on October 10, 2005, at 17:45:09
In reply to Have sever insomnia help?, posted by Paulbwell on October 10, 2005, at 15:52:19
I dont know enough about meds to give advice. I do know that turning to booze is the wrong thing. I grew up with an alcholic father -- not good.
Do you take naps?
Posted by Declan on October 10, 2005, at 17:47:46
In reply to Have sever insomnia help?, posted by Paulbwell on October 10, 2005, at 15:57:21
Hi Paul
As you would know Valium is pretty hopeless for most insomnias. And alcohol makes it worse, especially for wakeing through the night. Herbs hardly work. Methaqualone doesn't exist. No amount of priapism would make me take Trazodone. Remeron's awful. Barbiturates lower your pain threshold. Amitriptyline's inhumane. APs are the pits.
Temazepam or Ambien then?
Declan
Posted by Sonya on October 10, 2005, at 18:19:44
In reply to Re: Have sever insomnia help? » Paulbwell, posted by Declan on October 10, 2005, at 17:47:46
Declan - why is Amitriptyline inhumane? I took that a couple years ago for depression and insomnia and it was effective but I gained weight so went off of it.
Sonya
> Hi Paul
> As you would know Valium is pretty hopeless for most insomnias. And alcohol makes it worse, especially for wakeing through the night. Herbs hardly work. Methaqualone doesn't exist. No amount of priapism would make me take Trazodone. Remeron's awful. Barbiturates lower your pain threshold. Amitriptyline's inhumane. APs are the pits.
> Temazepam or Ambien then?
> Declan
Posted by rjlockhart98 on October 10, 2005, at 18:30:15
In reply to Have sever insomnia help?, posted by Paulbwell on October 10, 2005, at 15:57:21
I have had SEVERE insomnia, sleep deprivaion before. You feel wired, and not real.
I used to take Ativan 2mg, but that didnt help.
When some nights i have bad insomnia
Temazepam 30mg
Clonazepam 2mgThat usally does it for me, I have taken 4mg of Clonazepam with Restoril, but the only problem you wake up at 5:00 and cannot go back to sleep.
Cheers
Matt
Posted by Paulbwell on October 10, 2005, at 19:11:53
In reply to Re: Have sever insomnia help? » Declan, posted by Sonya on October 10, 2005, at 18:19:44
> > Hi Paul
> > As you would know Valium is pretty hopeless for most insomnias. And alcohol makes it worse, especially for wakeing through the night. Herbs hardly work. Methaqualone doesn't exist. No amount of priapism would make me take Trazodone. Remeron's awful. Barbiturates lower your pain threshold. Amitriptyline's inhumane. APs are the pits.
> > Temazepam or Ambien then?
> > Declan
>
>Valium pretty hopeless-yes, but conbined with some drink, you get a few hours peace-until the drink wears off?. I often wish to God i had a supply of 100mg Nenbutal Caps.
Methaqualone 150-300mg doesn't exist,(Effective medically) pity!! Damn you drug abusers!!-damn you
we'll see.Cheers
Posted by Phillipa on October 10, 2005, at 19:39:38
In reply to Re: Have sever insomnia help?, posted by lynn970 on October 10, 2005, at 17:45:09
I'm still on the l5mg of valium and my doc says it's just physical tolerance. I miss my beer too. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on October 10, 2005, at 19:42:28
In reply to Re: Have sever insomnia help? » Sonya, posted by Paulbwell on October 10, 2005, at 19:11:53
Paul I agree. If only people didn't abuse meds and sell them on the street to get high. Fondly,Phillipa
Posted by Paulbwell on October 10, 2005, at 20:17:11
In reply to Re: Have sever insomnia help?, posted by Phillipa on October 10, 2005, at 19:39:38
> I'm still on the l5mg of valium and my doc says it's just physical tolerance. I miss my beer too. Fondly, Phillipa
I have a gate way of 5-30mgs+ if REALLY NEEDED Valium.
I LOVE being drunk, no doubt about it. i guess it's the 1 drinks to many, 10s not enought situation.
Theres no doubt that a few drinks, helps that ole Valium out!
Cheers
Posted by med_empowered on October 10, 2005, at 21:01:33
In reply to Phillipa!!, posted by Paulbwell on October 10, 2005, at 20:17:11
In terms of meds for sleep...some docs will rx a barbiturate, short-term at least (phenobarbital is the drug of choice I think, but it lasts **forever**, so hang-overs are an issue). Chloral hydrate is another option; its rough stuff, but the pills cause less irritation than the liquid (but the pills are usually very hard to find). Trazadone is pretty worthless anyway, and when you factor in priapism, its just not appealing...I had a doc who tried to get me to take it, and I had to explain that even insomniacs value their reproductive organs...I think I took ambien instead. I guess the pseudo-barbiturates--noludar, placidyl, etc.--might be options, and so could meprobamate. That said...I can't imagine what benefit you could get out of using them. If you're anywhere outside the US, Rohypnol is probably around...its apparently strong stuff, so you might get good results from that. Seroquel is a popular option, but it made my life hell--nightmares, neuroleptic-induced dysphoria, muscle twitches, etc.--so I really wouldn't recommend that. Besides, using antipsychotics for insomnia seems ridiculous--it reminds me of how they used to give people lobotomies because they were "melancholy". Hardcore drinking really isn't going to help you--I grew up with an alcoholic parent; basically, using booze for sleep creates bad sleep, makes you terrible to be around, and makes life hell for you and those around you. Avoid at all costs. Good luck!
Posted by Phillipa on October 10, 2005, at 21:19:27
In reply to Sleeping Pills, posted by med_empowered on October 10, 2005, at 21:01:33
Med, Paul needs to know that chloral hydrate with alchohol is a mickey finn. Don't think this a good choice for him as he does like his alchohol. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Declan on October 10, 2005, at 21:21:39
In reply to Re: Have sever insomnia help? » Declan, posted by Sonya on October 10, 2005, at 18:19:44
Ignore me Sonya. Rotten nights sleep and general bile speaking. It is how I feel though.
Declan
Posted by Paulbwell on October 10, 2005, at 21:42:45
In reply to Re: Sleeping Pills » med_empowered, posted by Phillipa on October 10, 2005, at 21:19:27
> Med, Paul needs to know that chloral hydrate with alchohol is a mickey finn. Don't think this a good choice for him as he does like his alchohol. Fondly, Phillipa
Thanks -I think
I am nearly 33 ans drink sprodacly,-only lately. Chl Hyd is not available to me. only strong Cider and Valium,. the problem with alcohol is it causes night awakeawakenings.
Cheers
Posted by Phillipa on October 10, 2005, at 22:21:50
In reply to Re: Sleeping Pills, posted by Paulbwell on October 10, 2005, at 21:42:45
Paul that's great! Good luck in your quest. I guess we both have the same sleep issues. But my pdoc won't prescribe above l5mg of valium. Hope I didn't insult you. Didn't mean to if I did. Love your friend Phillipa
Posted by UgottaHaveHope on October 11, 2005, at 0:21:20
In reply to Re: Sleeping Pills » Paulbwell, posted by Phillipa on October 10, 2005, at 22:21:50
its over the counter and should knock you out.
otherwise, if you want a prescription, try 25mg of SEROQUEL and you will become Rip Van Winkle.
i know one thing: when i dont get my sleep, it makes everything 100 times worse.
Posted by Paulbwell on October 11, 2005, at 0:36:03
In reply to Re: Take Benedryl, posted by UgottaHaveHope on October 11, 2005, at 0:21:20
> its over the counter and should knock you out.
>
> otherwise, if you want a prescription, try 25mg of SEROQUEL and you will become Rip Van Winkle.
>
> i know one thing: when i dont get my sleep, it makes everything 100 times worse.I have no Seroqual-only Valium and Stelazine 5mgs tabs (given to me by afriend) but these COMPLETKYnegat the effects of the Ritalin.
who knows, i'm f*cked?
Posted by gardenergirl on October 11, 2005, at 8:47:05
In reply to Re: Take Benedryl, posted by Paulbwell on October 11, 2005, at 0:36:03
Perhaps someone already commented on this...but if you are having insomnia, could it be because you are getting too much stimulant effects from your meds? Is it time to cut back?
And fwiw, benadryl makes me restless. I'm an oddball with that med.
gg
Posted by Tom Twilight on October 11, 2005, at 16:03:23
In reply to Re: Take Benedryl » Paulbwell, posted by gardenergirl on October 11, 2005, at 8:47:05
Benedryl used to work OK for my insomnia
Its cheap and freely available, unfortunatly I've used it so much I've developed complete tolerance to its effects, even at really high doses.
I don't think its a good me for hardcore insomnia
Although its so easy to get hold of its worth a try.
Posted by yxibow on October 16, 2005, at 1:02:18
In reply to Have sever insomnia help?, posted by Paulbwell on October 10, 2005, at 15:52:19
> Even 20-40mgs Valium doesn't help. what should i do?
>
> I am turning to the booze for relief-what gives?
>
> CheersAlcohol just creates hangovers, a lack of REM sleep, and lasts for only about 4 hours in my opinion.
Chloral Hydrate is really just like downing a lot of alcohol.
Temazepam does work, sometimes scarily well depending on the dose, in my opinion.
I agree that Trazodone is a no go, the priapism occurs more than is stated. That reminds me of an (after the fact) amusing episode with um, that disorder... I sat on my head and the blood well.. went there, so thats a possible solution to those afflicted with it mildly. (sorry for the TMI)
I'm one in favour more of any of the actual sleeping aids... whether they be Restoril or Halcion, or better the modern ones Ambien, Sonata, and Lunesta (or its Canadian relative). The modern ones can be taken more long term without too much acclimation whether the PDR says so or not.
Hope you get better sleep. I know insomnia is really annoying. Except for periods of benzo adjustment or something like that I don't think I've found myself with a book on my face 8 hours later just naturally. I envy those who can.
Posted by ADDfazed on October 18, 2005, at 22:37:30
In reply to Have sever insomnia help?, posted by Paulbwell on October 10, 2005, at 15:52:19
Here is what I recommend:
Take one orgasm and call me in the morning.
Oops, somehow my thoughts spoke out loud on the page.Let me try again,
I have Sonata sitting right beside my bed
I've used it - but I won't take it anymore.
I take Bedtime Tea from Yogi Tea
http://www.yogitea.com/Herbal-Tea/Tea.asp?Tea_ID=HF01If you haven't tried it I would try it.
Mostly it is skullcap.Let me know if you do try it how it works okay?
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.