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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by shadowmon on November 4, 2004, at 8:02:24
I dont think the ambien is working for my sleep, it's leaving me somewhat relaxed and rested, but no sleep. I find that during the times I am on ambien I have all these great thoughts of things that I wouuld like to do, I have contacted my ex husband (without any real reason to) but I feel like I havent really had any restful sleep to speak about. I take a pill and go lie in bed for 2,3,4 hours waiting for me to fall asleep, it doesnt come. It finally gets to the point inwhich I get up and take my daily dose of paxil,and that helps me get at least a nap. While I dont mind taking the ambien, I really would like to work.
Since I have taken ambien, I've also taken remeron and trazodone for sleep. What others are there for me to try next?
Posted by King Vultan on November 4, 2004, at 11:27:05
In reply to ambien, posted by shadowmon on November 4, 2004, at 8:02:24
> I dont think the ambien is working for my sleep, it's leaving me somewhat relaxed and rested, but no sleep. I find that during the times I am on ambien I have all these great thoughts of things that I wouuld like to do, I have contacted my ex husband (without any real reason to) but I feel like I havent really had any restful sleep to speak about. I take a pill and go lie in bed for 2,3,4 hours waiting for me to fall asleep, it doesnt come. It finally gets to the point inwhich I get up and take my daily dose of paxil,and that helps me get at least a nap. While I dont mind taking the ambien, I really would like to work.
>
> Since I have taken ambien, I've also taken remeron and trazodone for sleep. What others are there for me to try next?
I use Halcion/triazolam, which is a true benzodiazepine that seems to be viewed by some people as more powerful than Ambien. It has a short half life a little longer than that of Ambien, but isn't necessarily able to be taken every night, which is something many doctors will allow people on Ambien to do. My pdoc originally said I could use the triazolam 3-4 times a week, so I've been using it every other night and filling in with OTC antihistamines the other nights. They don't work nearly as well as the triazolam, and on my last appointment, he said that I could perhaps try the triazolam every night. In the anecdotes I've read, some people are able to get away with this, taking it every night for 15 years, while others develop tolerance using it every night. So I'm a bit reluctant to try that, given that I can get a good night's sleep at least every other night right now.Doxepin is an extremely powerful sedating TCA that might be worth trying, but you might have some hangover and/or increased appetite from it. The same is also true of Surmontil/trimipramine, but this probably has fewer negative effects than does Doxepin and is supposed to provide very high quality sleep. Some of the atypical antipsychotics are also prescribed for sleep, but they can be expensive and may also have some other side effects.
Todd
Posted by King Vultan on November 4, 2004, at 13:57:54
In reply to Re: ambien, posted by King Vultan on November 4, 2004, at 11:27:05
>
>
> Doxepin is an extremely powerful sedating TCA that might be worth trying, but you might have some hangover and/or increased appetite from it. The same is also true of Surmontil/trimipramine, but this probably has fewer negative effects than does Doxepin and is supposed to provide very high quality sleep. Some of the atypical antipsychotics are also prescribed for sleep, but they can be expensive and may also have some other side effects.
>
I was babbling on about Paxil enzyme interactions in another post and didn't even think about it in this case. Combining Paxil with a tricyclic AD such as Doxepin or Surmontil should only be done with the greatest of caution and starting with very small doses of the tricyclic, as the Paxil is going to essentially "amplify" the effects of the tricyclic. In fact, it is probably not a good idea at all, all things considered.
There are some older sleeping meds still available such as chloral hydrate and meprobamate, but these are fraught with problems and should only be considered as a last resort IMO. My pdoc just prescribed me hydroxyzine as an alternative to the OTC antihistamines I've been using. It is a relatively innocuous antihistamine that is often used as a sedative before surgery. I started out at a low dose last night and cannot recommend it as of yet, as it was almost completely ineffectual. Perhaps it will be more effective as I work up to higher doses.
Todd
Posted by holymama on November 4, 2004, at 15:33:33
In reply to Re: ambien, posted by King Vultan on November 4, 2004, at 11:27:05
Hi Shadowmon, I too dislike ambien. I toss and turn all night when I take it, and it also hits me in a very weird way right after I take it, and I feel woozy and feel like I can't walk straight.
Lorazapam is what I take to sleep when I need to. It's actually used for anxiety, but it works really well to calm me and make me feel ready to sleep, and then I sleep like a rock and wake up 8 hours later feeling refreshed. It's a perfect sleeping pill for me in many ways, but becomes addictive (I don't know how any sleeping pill wouldn't, used for any length of time).
Posted by jboud24 on November 5, 2004, at 14:34:11
In reply to Re: ambien, posted by holymama on November 4, 2004, at 15:33:33
As for ambien, possibly sonata would be better since it lasts a bit longer. My vote, although without speaking from experience, may be for ProSom. There was another thread where I was discussing ProSom with another poster, and ProSom looked like it may have some advantages.
Just some ideas for you to consider. I can relate to you, I've had insomnia all my life and also taken Remeron (currently) for it.Good luck with your insomnia,
Justin
Posted by King Vultan on November 5, 2004, at 23:55:45
In reply to Re: ambien, posted by jboud24 on November 5, 2004, at 14:34:11
> As for ambien, possibly sonata would be better since it lasts a bit longer. My vote, although without speaking from experience, may be for ProSom. There was another thread where I was discussing ProSom with another poster, and ProSom looked like it may have some advantages.
> Just some ideas for you to consider. I can relate to you, I've had insomnia all my life and also taken Remeron (currently) for it.
>
> Good luck with your insomnia,
> Justin
Actually, Ambien has a longer half life than Sonata, with a mean half life of approximately 2.6 hours, compared to 1 hour for Sonata.Todd
Posted by jboud24 on November 6, 2004, at 6:54:20
In reply to Re: ambien » jboud24, posted by King Vultan on November 5, 2004, at 23:55:45
This is the end of the thread.
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