Posted by Hal on March 17, 2002, at 18:41:39
In reply to Prozac - Early Awakenings and Ambien caused... » Hal, posted by fachad on March 17, 2002, at 18:06:25
Hey,
So it sounds like your insomnia is medication induced. Ambien is a good medication for difficulty falling asleep, but poor for maintaining sleep throughout the night (half life too short). I was going to recommend a more sedating SSRI like paxil, but your almost off prozac. I believe benzos restore sleep to a fairly normal pattern, just decrease stage IV to a minor degree. Trazadone/serzone are good for restoring sleep patterns. I would stay away from antihistamines (benadryll, TCA, atarax) because althought they are excellent at inducing sleep, they destroy individuals sleep cycles, and you wake up not feeling refreshed. Some people take 5 mg of ambien at bedtime and 5 mg half way through the night when they awake.
And of course good sleep hygiene is the most important thing you can do (the rule of 2's-no caffiene after 2 pm, no exercise 2 hours before bedtime, etc.)
I hope this didn't put you to sleep, if so-just read this post before bedtime!
Hal
poster:Hal
thread:98391
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020313/msgs/98504.html