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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 19 to 43 of 43. Go back in thread:
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
>
>
> - ScottDid you get dependent on Halcion? Thought its short halflife would prevent that.
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...
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?
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.
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?
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
klonipinnurses 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.
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
Posted by JohnLA on January 25, 2012, at 22:25:10
In reply to Re: Poll - How do you treat insomnia? » JohnLA, posted by gadchik on January 25, 2012, at 5:13:05
yes...
about 15 pounds. :( first time in my life i am overweight.
but! i have not been working-out or really watching my diet since i was put on the remeron. i did both, before i got depressed almost 2 years ago.
so, i can't blame the weight gain all on remeron.
john
Posted by papillon2 on January 26, 2012, at 3:44:06
In reply to Re: Poll - How do you treat insomnia?, posted by JohnLA on January 25, 2012, at 22:25:10
Not related to medication as such, but very interesting to those of us with sleeping issues: http://www.cet.org/eng/Tools_ENG.html#
Click "Your Circadian Rhythm Type"
My natural bedtime is apparently 1:00am!
Posted by gadchik on January 26, 2012, at 10:24:19
In reply to Re: Poll - How do you treat insomnia?, posted by papillon2 on January 26, 2012, at 3:44:06
I liked that online test.My bedtime:10:45pm.
Posted by Phillipa on January 26, 2012, at 18:42:20
In reply to Re: Poll - How do you treat insomnia? » papillon2, posted by gadchik on January 26, 2012, at 10:24:19
12:45 am and go to sleep at 2:30am? Phillipa I do like the new time
Posted by gadchik on January 26, 2012, at 18:59:51
In reply to Re: Poll - How do you treat insomnia? » gadchik, posted by Phillipa on January 26, 2012, at 18:42:20
We go upstairs at 9pm every night,asleep by 10-10:30!We keep to this schedule even on vacations,and on weekends-but we do get up early,am I a fuddy duddy?!
Posted by papillon2 on January 26, 2012, at 19:49:41
In reply to Re: Poll - How do you treat insomnia? » Phillipa, posted by gadchik on January 26, 2012, at 18:59:51
Nope, in fact having a regular sleep and wake time is one of the best lifestyle things you can do for mental illness.
Posted by Phillipa on January 26, 2012, at 20:54:39
In reply to Re: Poll - How do you treat insomnia? » gadchik, posted by papillon2 on January 26, 2012, at 19:49:41
Gadchik you are smart I used to feel the very best when went to bed at 9-9:30 when working read a bit then lights off. Phillipa
Posted by gadchik on January 27, 2012, at 6:40:36
In reply to Re: Poll - How do you treat insomnia?, posted by Phillipa on January 26, 2012, at 20:54:39
yes, when i got well,i decided my sleep had to be number 1.no sleep due to extreme anxiety,was what led to depression.Luckily,my hubby's ok w/our schedule!
Posted by sigismund on January 27, 2012, at 17:21:29
In reply to Re: Poll - How do you treat insomnia?, posted by b2chica on January 25, 2012, at 14:22:16
I tried trimipramine last night, a very small dose, maybe 12.5mg. I felt kind of zapped when I got up but it certainly helped me sleep and I actually dreamt.
I think benzos are pretty bad for sleep long term. At least I think it's that, but it might be age too.
Posted by novelagent on January 29, 2012, at 15:11:49
In reply to Poll - How do you treat insomnia?, posted by SLS on January 21, 2012, at 15:42:40
I tried everything, until I found combining Ambien with a high quality self-hypnosis mp3 repeated enough times put me out like a light. At first, it doesn't seem to do anything, but if you stick with it and use it enough times, you go deeper and deeper each time. Treated my nighttime teeth grinding, too-- although it did so by transferring tension from my jaw muscle to my thumb and forefinger, giving mild pain there, in my particular mp3.
Most are bad. Look for one that uses old school hypnosis, which should instruct to initially clench up muscles and things before relaxing them. Avoid pop psych hypnosis - use one by someone with a degree. It'll mention one if there is one.
I tried it first with Ambien to condition the Ambien when Ambien wasn't working, and then used it so successfully enough times that I took out Ambien like some well-worn training wheels, flying solo with just the hypnosis.
> 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
Posted by Zatar on February 1, 2012, at 9:21:16
In reply to Poll - How do you treat insomnia?, posted by SLS on January 21, 2012, at 15:42:40
Low dose doxepin: 10 mg generic (cheap), 3-6 mg generic liquid (cheap), or 3 mg or 6 mg Silenor ($$$).
Posted by Zatar on February 1, 2012, at 9:32:30
In reply to Poll - How do you treat insomnia?, posted by SLS on January 21, 2012, at 15:42:40
Low dose doxepin: 10 mg generic (cheap), 3-6 mg generic liquid (cheap), or 3 mg or 6 mg Silenor ($$$).
This is the end of the thread.
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