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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by medievil on December 16, 2006, at 17:09:58
i tought this might be of intrest for some ppl
Rapid reversal of tolerance to benzodiazepine hypnotics by treatment with oral melatonin: a case report.* Dagan Y,
* Zisapel N,
* Nof D,
* Laudon M,
* Atsmon J.Sleep Disorders Laboratory, Tel-Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel. dagany@freud.tau.ac.il
A 43 year old woman had suffered from insomnia for the past 11 years and was being treated with benzodiazepines. All attempts to stop benzodiazepine treatment resulted in withdrawal symptoms and a renewal of the insomnia. Treatment with 1 mg of controlled release melatonin enabled the patient to completely cease any benzodiazepine use within two days, with an improvement in sleep quality and no side effects. Examination of urinary 6-sulphatoxymelatonin levels before the melatonin treatment indicated that the levels were very low and lacked the typical circadian rhythm of excretion. Reexamination of 6-sulphatoxymelatonin levels during melatonin treatment revealed the existence of a normal circadian rhythm of excretion. This case may suggest that some of the people suffering from insomnia and addicted to benzodiazepines may successfully undergo withdrawal from these drugs and improve their sleep by means of treatment with melatonin. The results of this single case study warrant further investigation of a larger population by means of a double-blind placebo-drug study.
Posted by Declan on December 16, 2006, at 17:54:37
In reply to reversal of benzo tolerance, posted by medievil on December 16, 2006, at 17:09:58
I'm sorry to say this is not my experience, which is that I have taken melatonin and benzos concurrently for quite a few years and had the greatest difficulty keeping benzo use minimal.
Posted by yxibow on December 16, 2006, at 17:58:46
In reply to reversal of benzo tolerance, posted by medievil on December 16, 2006, at 17:09:58
> i tought this might be of intrest for some ppl
>
>
> Rapid reversal of tolerance to benzodiazepine hypnotics by treatment with oral melatonin: a case report.
One thing the case report does not mention about melatonin is that long term use of melatonin by depressed patients can change hormonal balances and make them more depressed. Its more of an occasional drug from what I have been told, to "reset your clock" and all, jet lag, etc.Nonetheless if people have been taking it with good results, that sounds great.
The only agent that will reverse (antagonize) GABA-BZ is flumazenil, but that is more for extreme overdosage in hospital settings.
Curious case reports -- one has to remember case reports always carry "further investigation" because they only contain non-double blind studies of a few people. Still -- informative.-- tidings
Posted by Phillipa on December 16, 2006, at 18:05:34
In reply to Re: reversal of benzo tolerance » medievil, posted by yxibow on December 16, 2006, at 17:58:46
Jay you're so smart and just when I thought my problems might be over. Love Phillipa
Posted by laima on December 16, 2006, at 22:08:56
In reply to Re: reversal of benzo tolerance » yxibow, posted by Phillipa on December 16, 2006, at 18:05:34
I used melatonin while coming off klonopin, and it didn't seem to help too much. The withdrawal lasted a lot longer than two days for me, unfortunately.
Posted by linkadge on December 18, 2006, at 12:54:07
In reply to Re: reversal of benzo tolerance » medievil, posted by yxibow on December 16, 2006, at 17:58:46
Not everybody experiences depression as as result of melatonin use.
>The only agent that will reverse (antagonize) >GABA-BZ is flumazenil, but that is more for >extreme overdosage in hospital settings.You could also use the BDZ inverse agonists beta carbolines, found in coffee and chocolate.
I have found that taking melatonin with benzo's reduces the need for benzo's and sometimes can put my sleep back on schedule without a benzo the next night.
Another possable mechanism is that melatonin increases GDNF. GNDF injections have shown some promise for reversing tollerance to other adictive substances.
Linkadge
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