Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 1007993

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Re: Poll - How do you treat insomnia?

Posted by Raisinb on January 21, 2012, at 20:35:45

In reply to Poll - How do you treat insomnia?, posted by SLS on January 21, 2012, at 15:42:40

If I am not on an insomnia causing drug (Wellbutrin was the worst) 2 mg Xanax works like a charm. In three years I have never needed to increase it.

Ambien and Lunesta both worked for me for a few months but not long term. Remeron also works but i did not like feeling lie a zombie. Seroquel only worked for me intermittently. If a med only works some of the time I find the stress of worrying about whether it will work blows sleep out the window anyway.

 

Re: Poll - How do you treat insomnia? » Raisinb

Posted by Phillipa on January 21, 2012, at 21:12:25

In reply to Re: Poll - How do you treat insomnia?, posted by Raisinb on January 21, 2012, at 20:35:45

Last night first night in years did have it do to an incident increased xanax and slept. Didn't feel right today though. And the l0mg of valium. Is it true tolerance next leads to toxicity? Some thread said that? Phillipa

 

Re: Poll - How do you treat insomnia?

Posted by torrid2 on January 21, 2012, at 21:59:01

In reply to Poll - How do you treat insomnia?, posted by SLS on January 21, 2012, at 15:42:40

a really good part of good sleep is eating within 30 minutes of waking to raise blood sugar and not to eat within at least 4 hours of sleeping. I know a lot of people will eat things like cerial before bed but better quality sleep can be gained by eating in the morning and not eating at night. reducing lights and noise in the evening also part of good sleep habbits. Gonna have some frosted flakes and go to bed now goodnight.

 

Re: Poll - How do you treat insomnia? » linkadge

Posted by SLS on January 22, 2012, at 4:51:48

In reply to Re: Poll - How do you treat insomnia?, posted by linkadge on January 21, 2012, at 16:15:36

Nice combination treatment. I know you had been working at it for a long time.

Has the cyproheptadine increased your appetite?

Isn't your insomnia more of a problem with sleep maintenance than it is of sleep initiation?

Are you feeling any better in the mornings now?


- Scott


> The absolute best combination I have taken is the following (I have had severe chronic insomnia for years).
>
> 1) - Time released melatonin 3mg
> 2) - cyproheptadine (0.5mg)
> 3) - lorazepam
>
> I take the meds in that order. Most often the lorazepam becomes unnecessary. Between these 3 you are getting:
>
> benzodiazapine agonist
> mealatonin agonist
> h1 blockade
> 5-ht2a blockade
> calcium channel blockade
>
> (with very little else - all very good insomnia busting mechanisms. Cyprohepdatine is almost like an antipsychotic in nature. There is zero activation like with a TCA, but it still shares the calcium, hitamine and antiserotonin effects.
>
> Linkadge
>
>
>
>
>

 

Re: Poll - How do you treat insomnia? » SLS

Posted by tensor on January 22, 2012, at 16:39:59

In reply to Poll - How do you treat insomnia?, posted by SLS on January 21, 2012, at 15:42:40

> What have you found to be an effective treatment for insomnia?
>
> --------------------------------
>
> In the past, I have used combinations of benzodiazepines and Z-drugs. When I suffered from total insomnia produced by Parnate, I combined Halcion and Ativan. Doctors are afraid of Halcion now, but I think it has a place in treating severe initial insomnia. Ativan is not as good for treating initial insomnia, but is good at maintaining sleep once the Halcion has done its work to put you to sleep. Now, I use a combination of Sonata and Ativan when needed. Sonata puts me to sleep and Ativan keeps me asleep.
>
> 1. Short-acting for sleep initiation: Sonata, Halcion
>
> 2. Medium-acting for sleep maintenance: Ativan, Restoril
>
>
> - Scott

I take Abilify now for depression and it gives me terrible insomnia, most initial. I have taken 20-30mg of zolpidem + 100mg Seroquel IR and it has worked somewhat. I'm quitting Seroquel now because it carries over some sedative effects to the next day.
Funny enough, I was gonna post here now about Halcion. So here I go, is Halcion (at 0.5mg) more effective for initial insomnia than the Z-drugs?
Never tried Sonata, how does it compare to Halcion in terms of knock-out power?
Thanks.

 

Re: Poll - How do you treat insomnia? » tensor

Posted by SLS on January 22, 2012, at 17:42:16

In reply to Re: Poll - How do you treat insomnia? » SLS, posted by tensor on January 22, 2012, at 16:39:59

> Funny enough, I was gonna post here now about Halcion. So here I go, is Halcion (at 0.5mg) more effective for initial insomnia than the Z-drugs?

Halcion (triazolam) is the most potent of the benzodiazepines at producing sleep induction. I find Sonata (zaleplon) to be less helpful, but may still be worth a try. With Halcion, rebound awakenings can occur because the drug has such a short half-life. If this is not a problem for you, then you probably won't need a second hypnotic. I needed Ativan (lorazepam) with its medium half-life to keep me asleep. By itself, Ativan did not do the job. You can use Restoril instead of Ativan. Halcion can sometimes produce amnesia, in much the same way as can Ambien (zolpidem). Less frequently, behavioral disinhibition can occur.

For me, Halcion was a very clean drug. I didn't have a single side effect. I was able to discontinue it using a taper. I guess if it were necessary, you could use Ativan to help with this.


- Scott

 

Re: Poll - How do you treat insomnia?

Posted by bleauberry on January 22, 2012, at 17:58:35

In reply to Poll - How do you treat insomnia?, posted by SLS on January 21, 2012, at 15:42:40

Gosh I hate the little bit of a hangover the next day but super low dose remeron....1mg to 7.5mg....which was much more sedating than any of the higher doses. For as needed situations I've found combos of skullcap, lemon balm, valerian and passionflower to work good enough on their own for mild to moderate situations and they make a good base for serious situations. I never used benzos much but when I did I slept good. The best quality sleep I ever had was on zyprexa.

 

Re: Poll - How do you treat insomnia? » bleauberry

Posted by gadchik on January 22, 2012, at 18:28:52

In reply to Re: Poll - How do you treat insomnia?, posted by bleauberry on January 22, 2012, at 17:58:35

A cup of coffee,followed by 2 cups green tea,always takes away that morning hangover from remeron,for me.problem w/remeron is i get used to it if used too often.but it provides me a deep,restful sleep,at a low,low dose when i use it sparingly.

 

Re: Poll - How do you treat insomnia?

Posted by jono_in_adelaide on January 22, 2012, at 18:55:18

In reply to Poll - How do you treat insomnia?, posted by SLS on January 21, 2012, at 15:42:40

When I cant sleep, I take one of my 1mg alprazolam combined with 25mg doxylamine (Restavit in Australia, Unisom Sleeptabs in the US)

 

Re: Poll - How do you treat insomnia?

Posted by Abby Cunningham on January 22, 2012, at 19:26:39

In reply to Poll - How do you treat insomnia?, posted by SLS on January 21, 2012, at 15:42:40

I take 1mg xanax and 5mg Melatonin. And recently was prescribed 25mg. Hydroxine HCL

 

Re: Poll - How do you treat insomnia? » SLS

Posted by phidippus on January 22, 2012, at 22:46:12

In reply to Poll - How do you treat insomnia?, posted by SLS on January 21, 2012, at 15:42:40

Go to for severe insomnia: Seroquel @ 200 mg.
Got to for light insomnia: Rozerem 16 mg

Other medications that have helped:

Gabitril
Ativan
Clonidine

Eric

 

Re: Poll - How do you treat insomnia? » phidippus

Posted by SLS on January 23, 2012, at 7:26:20

In reply to Re: Poll - How do you treat insomnia? » SLS, posted by phidippus on January 22, 2012, at 22:46:12

> Go to for severe insomnia: Seroquel @ 200 mg.

Interesting that you should find 200 mg more effective than 50-100 mg. I was under the impression that higher dosages of Seroquel were less effective for treating insomnia.

I like your idea of combining clonazepam and Seroquel that you proposed in another thread.


- Scott

 

Re: Poll - How do you treat insomnia? » SLS

Posted by phidippus on January 23, 2012, at 13:16:28

In reply to Re: Poll - How do you treat insomnia? » phidippus, posted by SLS on January 23, 2012, at 7:26:20

I find Seroquel to be activating at 300 mg and above.

Ativan with Seroquel also works well.

As for staying asleep I would really recommend Gabitril, as it improves stage 4 sleep.

Eric

 

Re: Poll - How do you treat insomnia? » phidippus

Posted by SLS on January 23, 2012, at 13:25:43

In reply to Re: Poll - How do you treat insomnia? » SLS, posted by phidippus on January 23, 2012, at 13:16:28

> I find Seroquel to be activating at 300 mg and above.
>
> Ativan with Seroquel also works well.
>
> As for staying asleep I would really recommend Gabitril, as it improves stage 4 sleep.


I tried Gabitril once. If anything, it disrupted my sleep. Gabitril is a weird one from what I can see. Some people experience an anxiolytic effect with it while others become agitated.


- Scott

 

Re: Poll - How do you treat insomnia?

Posted by Morgan Miller on January 23, 2012, at 13:32:07

In reply to Re: Poll - How do you treat insomnia? » linkadge, posted by SLS on January 22, 2012, at 4:51:48

Timed release melatonin-Source Naturals spray
Low dose zyprexa-i dont think I will ever need this again
Bacopa

 

Re: Poll - How do you treat insomnia?

Posted by Morgan Miller on January 23, 2012, at 13:33:16

In reply to Re: Poll - How do you treat insomnia? » linkadge, posted by SLS on January 22, 2012, at 4:51:48

Timed release melatonin-Source Naturals spray
Low dose zyprexa-i dont think I will ever need this again
Bacopa

 

Re: Poll - How do you treat insomnia? » SLS

Posted by phidippus on January 23, 2012, at 13:37:31

In reply to Re: Poll - How do you treat insomnia? » phidippus, posted by SLS on January 23, 2012, at 13:25:43

Gabitril is a gaba reuptake inhibitor and like benzodiazapines has the risk of paradoxical effects.

Eric

 

Re: Poll - How do you treat insomnia?

Posted by Peter Heuer on January 23, 2012, at 15:08:51

In reply to Poll - How do you treat insomnia?, posted by SLS on January 21, 2012, at 15:42:40

Hi,

I have tried almost every drug for sleep the last 40 years,
but now I'm on Remeron and Lyrica.

This is a good combo that I can recommend.

I take 45 mg of mirtazapine and 100 mg of pregabalin.

I'm also on Wellbutrin, Buspar and Fluanxol.

Best regards,
Peter Heuer

 

Re: Poll - How do youk treat insomnia? » SLS

Posted by tensor on January 23, 2012, at 15:38:18

In reply to Re: Poll - How do you treat insomnia? » tensor, posted by SLS on January 22, 2012, at 17:42:16


> Halcion (triazolam) is the most potent of the benzodiazepines at producing sleep induction. I find Sonata (zaleplon) to be less helpful, but may still be worth a try. With Halcion, rebound awakenings can occur because the drug has such a short half-life. If this is not a problem for you, then you probably won't need a second hypnotic. I needed Ativan (lorazepam) with its medium half-life to keep me asleep. By itself, Ativan did not do the job. You can use Restoril instead of Ativan. Halcion can sometimes produce amnesia, in much the same way as can Ambien (zolpidem). Less frequently, behavioral disinhibition can occur.
>
> For me, Halcion was a very clean drug. I didn't have a single side effect. I was able to discontinue it using a taper. I guess if it were necessary, you could use Ativan to help with this.
>
>
> - Scott

Did you get dependent on Halcion? Thought its short halflife would prevent that.

 

Re: Poll - How do you treat insomnia?

Posted by JohnLA on January 24, 2012, at 20:50:07

In reply to Poll - How do you treat insomnia?, posted by SLS on January 21, 2012, at 15:42:40

hey scott.

i am on 30mg remeron and 1 to 2mg of klonopin a night.

i have never slept better in my life. (i have mild sleep apnea.)

wicked nasty dreams though sometimes. very vivid and emotionally draining when i wake-up and remember them.

i've been on this combo for over a year. actually trying to reduce the klonopin...

 

Re: Poll - How do you treat insomnia? » JohnLA

Posted by gadchik on January 25, 2012, at 5:13:05

In reply to Re: Poll - How do you treat insomnia?, posted by JohnLA on January 24, 2012, at 20:50:07

any weight gain from the remeron?

 

Re: Poll - How do you treat insomnia?

Posted by papillon2 on January 25, 2012, at 8:40:23

In reply to Re: Poll - How do youk treat insomnia? » SLS, posted by tensor on January 23, 2012, at 15:38:18

I find it interesting to see the evolution of what works over time.

Years ago, 25-50mg of short-acting Seroquel would knock me out in under 30mins. Now, doses of Seroquel and Zyprexa which would knock out people 4 times my size don't do much at all. My weight hasn't changed, just my brain!

Despite this, little granny doses of Temazepam brought some slumber until I developed a tolerance and started downing handfuls when my anxiety was through the roof. So I thought it best not to have the temptation.

Currently I take 3mg of Melatonin (compounded). I have experimented with 3-6mg doses and did not perceive any increase in benefit. I like that it feels like normal sleep, which I suppose it is. I still struggle with insomnia though. I believe it is anxiety related.

 

Re: Poll - How do you treat insomnia?

Posted by gadchik on January 25, 2012, at 14:17:19

In reply to Re: Poll - How do you treat insomnia?, posted by papillon2 on January 25, 2012, at 8:40:23

I wonder if melatonin works well w/klonopin? Anyone mentioned those 2 together yet?

 

Re: Poll - How do you treat insomnia?

Posted by b2chica on January 25, 2012, at 14:22:16

In reply to Poll - How do you treat insomnia?, posted by SLS on January 21, 2012, at 15:42:40

have tried
remeron
ativan
xanax
seroquel
zyprexa
inderol to help calm with combo
sonata
ambien
gabapentin
klonipin

nurses in hospital thought once my strattera was supposed to help with sleep...ha, what a joke.
so lets not even count that one.

mmm my brain foggy now but thats all i can think of right now.

i think what worked best were always combo's.
not much is working now. i kinda am playing a dangerous doctor with mixing my benzo's with yummy grape smirnoff drinks. that not eveen working well, i get to sleep but i keep waking up.
yes i know alcohol interferes and can cause premature awakanings. but i'm afraid to take too much.
sometimes i mix klonipin and xanax, some xanax and gabapentin, sometimes all three. trying desperately to get and stay asleep.
if i get enough in my system it works but then i cant hardly get up to go to work.
so i'm following close this thread...

any short acting hard hitting to 'get' to sleep pills out there? that i can mix with the gabapentin.

b2c.

 

forgot perphenazine (nm)

Posted by b2chica on January 25, 2012, at 14:31:19

In reply to Re: Poll - How do you treat insomnia?, posted by b2chica on January 25, 2012, at 14:22:16


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