Posted by SLS on November 29, 2006, at 6:24:59
In reply to EMSAM......2 WKS.... Seroquel for imsomnia? /Real, posted by stargazer on November 28, 2006, at 10:05:49
> Real...
>
> I'm taking a very small dose of seroquel (25-50 mg) at night to help with insomnia. Pdoc gave me loads of samples of these.In the past, there was a tendency to be scared of using antipsychotics for fear of developing tardive dyskinesia. More recently, the tendency is to be less scared of using the newer ones, known as the atypicals, particularly Seroquel. Unfortunately, there is still a tendency to be scared of using benzodiazepines. Ativan worked particularly well for me when I had to deal with MAOI-induced insomnia. The fear of benzodiazepines revolves around the word "addiction", when the true issues are of tolerance and dependence. Sometimes you need to adjust the dosage upwards to retain the beneficial effect - big deal. Isn't that what we have to do with the antidepressants? Discontinuing the benzodiazepines often involves a managed tapering of dosage - big deal. Isn't that what we have to do with the antidepressants? What there usually is not is the tendency to compulsively use and crave the benzodiazepines to obtain a psychotropic effect - to get "high". This would be addiction.
I am currently taking an antipsychotic, Abilify, to help mitigate the symptoms of severe bipolar depression. I would not be so afraid to take Seroquel at dosages between 25-50mg for sleep. However, I think I would try a benzodiazepine first. It is a hard decision to make, though. As to which one to choose, there are so many, I can't keep up with them all. I favor Ativan. Restoril isn't quite strong enough for me.
Ed_UK or Yxibow might be able to better help you choose a benzodiazepine for sleep.
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:703921
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20061129/msgs/708523.html