Posted by GS on August 8, 1999, at 21:27:09
In reply to Re: Benzos - Dr. Bob - too contoversial ?, posted by me on August 8, 1999, at 11:10:20
> I've taken low doses of benzo's for sleep for years without any problems.
>
>
> > > > I don't know if Dr. Bob will agree but my pdoc agrees and I have been looking for collaborative documentation to alleviate the fears of family members re. benzos for insomnia and anxiety.
> > > --------------------------------------------------
> > > Susan,
> > >
> > > For short term insomnia benzos are OK but long term not so OK. Also, higher dosages of Benzos can interfere with sleep architecture or QUALITY of sleep, not the quantity. This is one of the larger problems that I find with benzos - not the dependence or tolerance threshold problem.
> > >
> > > Again, a mood stabilizer such as Gabapentin (Neurontin) helps in this department a little. Actually for insomnia, Trazadone, an antidepressant, works well alone without benzos at lower than theraputic doses ...25 - 50mgs for instance at bedtime. Or a low dosage of the other sedating antidepressants such as Elavil, or for some people Serzone or Remron.
> > >
> > > Dr. Bob?
> > >
> > > GS
> >
> > Controversial subject in the profession Dr. Bob?
> >
> > GS
***************************************************************************************************
LOW dosages of course wouldn't disrupt the natural sleep archetecture but when treating anxiety disorders at higher dosages, it can. Treating sleep disorders with low dosages of benzos is safe and common as I understand it...as long as there is not another underlying problem causing the insomnia - either psychological or physiological.GS
poster:GS
thread:9160
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990914/msgs/9778.html