![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by linkadge on March 25, 2010, at 17:39:04
Quality sleep is probably the most important thing to recovery from any mental illness.
I still havn't found the ideal sleep med that:
1) Works consistently when needed
2) Doesn't interfere with daytime cognative
performance or mood3) Doesn't give you excruciating withdrawl.
For me, the following hold:Seroquel: No, Yes (generally), No
Trazodone: No, Yes (generally), No
Zopiclone: Yes, Yes, No
Klonaz: Yes, No, No
Lorazepam: Yes, Yes, Yes (with exception)
Remeron: No, No, No
Olanzapine: Yes, No, NoFrom my reflection, lorazepam seems like a good choice, although it does leave me a little blah.
Linkadge
Posted by jms600 on March 25, 2010, at 17:54:02
In reply to sleep meds - such an important topic, posted by linkadge on March 25, 2010, at 17:39:04
Have you tried Valdoxan? It ticked all three boxes with me. Not a great antidepressant - in fact it was pretty rubbish; however, it did work consistently for sleep when I took it each night.
jms
> Quality sleep is probably the most important thing to recovery from any mental illness.
>
> I still havn't found the ideal sleep med that:
>
> 1) Works consistently when needed
>
> 2) Doesn't interfere with daytime cognative
> performance or mood
>
> 3) Doesn't give you excruciating withdrawl.
>
>
> For me, the following hold:
>
> Seroquel: No, Yes (generally), No
> Trazodone: No, Yes (generally), No
> Zopiclone: Yes, Yes, No
> Klonaz: Yes, No, No
> Lorazepam: Yes, Yes, Yes (with exception)
> Remeron: No, No, No
> Olanzapine: Yes, No, No
>
> From my reflection, lorazepam seems like a good choice, although it does leave me a little blah.
>
> Linkadge
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Posted by Phillipa on March 25, 2010, at 20:08:10
In reply to Re: sleep meds - such an important topic, posted by jms600 on March 25, 2010, at 17:54:02
Seriously glad you liked ativan as switching to that due to change in meds. Phillipa
Posted by g_g_g_unit on March 25, 2010, at 21:00:29
In reply to sleep meds - such an important topic, posted by linkadge on March 25, 2010, at 17:39:04
yeah the lack of decent sleep medication is inhumane, imo.
what about natural alternatives? anything you rate? i've been using a formula that contains phenibut on-and-off and that works well, but of course, the manufacturers strictly recommended you use it no more than 4 nights in succession. otherwise i use time-release melatonin, which is pretty hit-and-miss
Posted by orbital on March 25, 2010, at 21:34:38
In reply to Re: sleep meds - such an important topic, posted by Phillipa on March 25, 2010, at 20:08:10
> Seriously glad you liked ativan as switching to that due to change in meds. Phillipa
Phillipa, I noticed your thread about a med change. FWIW, in my experience Ativan is the best benzo out there. It's extremely smooth, and seems to lack the brutal Xanax rebound. Regarding cognition etc, I agree with Linkadge, it's very benign.
By the way, I once found a Pubmed paper in which the author proposed the existence some sort of natural "lorazepam receptor" in the brain, as this drug is found (in small amounts) in certain food products. Speculation, I know, but I wish I'd bookmarked it.
The only reason I discontinued it was because I required very high doses to control my anxiety, versus my relatively low dose of Klonopin. The crossover was completely uneventful.
Good luck :)
Posted by Phillipa on March 25, 2010, at 22:02:34
In reply to Re: sleep meds - such an important topic » Phillipa, posted by orbital on March 25, 2010, at 21:34:38
Thanks for noticing. So you feel I can dc the l.5mg of xanax and 2.5mg valium and add lmg ativan and soma and an antibiotic? Or what's your recommendation? I've taken ativan about l0 years ago. Thanks the older I get seems the less I need. I haven't been taking any during the day. Not to say not anxious but tired and no energy. Love Phillipa
Posted by orbital on March 25, 2010, at 22:38:42
In reply to Re: sleep meds - such an important topic » orbital, posted by Phillipa on March 25, 2010, at 22:02:34
Well, here are some thoughts... barring any interactions with your antibiotic (doxycycline?):
- Soma is a strong anxyolitic in its own right, as its main metabolite is meprobamate aka Miltown, a first generation tranquilliser.
- I'd definitely lower the Xanax gradually as, in my experience, getting off even a small dose gives me some mild withdrawal symptoms, even if I have another benzo on board - of course this might not be the case for you.
- Getting off the Valium shouldn't be too much of a hassle, due to your low dose and its long half life. As a side note, you might even find that some of your tiredness and lack of energy might improve once you're off this med.
- I'm not sure if 1 mg Ativan will cut it, as it's a very low dose compared to your current cocktail. However, it's a very "clean" drug, so you'll probably be able to adjust it as necessary very easily. The Soma might help in this dept. too.
Hope this helps, good luck =) xo
Matt
> Thanks for noticing. So you feel I can dc the l.5mg of xanax and 2.5mg valium and add lmg ativan and soma and an antibiotic? Or what's your recommendation? I've taken ativan about l0 years ago. Thanks the older I get seems the less I need. I haven't been taking any during the day. Not to say not anxious but tired and no energy. Love Phillipa
Posted by Netch on March 26, 2010, at 7:08:34
In reply to Re: sleep meds - such an important topic, posted by jms600 on March 25, 2010, at 17:54:02
> Have you tried Valdoxan? It ticked all three boxes with me. Not a great antidepressant - in fact it was pretty rubbish; however, it did work consistently for sleep when I took it each night.
>
> jms
>I had same experience, zero AD effect but quite nice sleep aid except from a 60 minutes subtle agitation.
Posted by manic666 on March 26, 2010, at 13:44:10
In reply to Re: sleep meds - such an important topic » jms600, posted by Netch on March 26, 2010, at 7:08:34
ativan is short term, i am addicted to 4mg aday english docs are very very reluctant to prescibe it,//you dont want to hear about withdrawl//its your worst nightmare an more///
Posted by morganator on March 26, 2010, at 14:45:07
In reply to sleep meds - such an important topic, posted by linkadge on March 25, 2010, at 17:39:04
I would suggest trying some natural remedies. These would include:
Melatonin
GABA
Glycine
Skullcaps
Passionflower
Valerian
Magnesium-Glycinate is best form
Niacin-get a flush a few hours before bed
Phosphatidyl Serine
Bacopa
AshwagandhaAll of these could be combined for maximum benefit though it would be best to try one at a time to see if they provide benefit.
Posted by linkadge on March 26, 2010, at 21:43:20
In reply to Re: sleep meds - such an important topic » Phillipa, posted by orbital on March 25, 2010, at 21:34:38
clonazepam definately worsened my depression. It was subtle but noticable. Lorazepam seems neutral in this regard, perhaps some improvement too.
Melatonin like you say is hit and miss for me too, but one thing I've noticed is that even when it doesn't work on its own, when I take it in conjunction with another sleep med, my sleep markedly improves the next night (often no need for a sleep med).
Linkadge
Posted by linkadge on March 26, 2010, at 21:46:42
In reply to Re: sleep meds - such an important topic, posted by manic666 on March 26, 2010, at 13:44:10
For some reason, when I take lorazepam (a single dose for sleep) I don't get a rebound withdrawl if I don't take it the next night.
Zopiclone and temazepam give me a nasty rebound even after one tablet. Zopiclone withdrawl especially really distorst my thinking.
Linkadge
Posted by manic666 on March 27, 2010, at 4:54:12
In reply to Re: sleep meds - such an important topic, posted by linkadge on March 26, 2010, at 21:46:42
loz the genic ativan , i would say if you must try //chose the ativan, its the same price as the original,loz done work like ativan beleave me im a 20year plus veteran/// i have it to a fine art but it takes years an real streath,not to over indulge///when i first had ativan i would not take them at night //this sounds a little nuts i no///but the hit from ativan was so cool i didnt want to waste it being asleep//does that make sence,you fall into this habit of pop there goes another. o sh*t im wound up ,pop another ,get my drift, but remember i had no AD so i was in a trap.///when i got an AD that worked i was able to cut down on the ativan,then i had a breakdown an really abused it.//now im down to 2mg inthe morniNg with my AD to chill the start of the day,then i can go 15 hours to the next 2mg now i use for sleep,//normally anyone on ativan would be in bits after a 15 hour last hit,but no its mind over matter with me///sleep an start up i programed myself to two 2mg at the same time every day///not many ativan addicts can say that.//but i had to go through the way to high frightning addiction an unbelievable detox to achieve that//.they say if you make it alive you cool //screwed in the head but cool
Posted by g_g_g_unit on March 28, 2010, at 4:08:45
In reply to Re: sleep meds - such an important topic, posted by linkadge on March 26, 2010, at 21:46:42
link, do you find fish oil interferes with your sleep? i can't really tell.
Posted by manic666 on March 28, 2010, at 4:49:44
In reply to Re: sleep meds - such an important topic » linkadge, posted by g_g_g_unit on March 28, 2010, at 4:08:45
what the f***, do you mean like splash,s is tail in your face in bed. i just disect ativan an you hit uf with a fish at tea time// cool an whacky
Posted by morganator on March 28, 2010, at 14:09:51
In reply to Re: sleep meds - such an important topic, posted by manic666 on March 28, 2010, at 4:49:44
Manic, that didn't make much sense. Maybe I just didn't get it.
Fish oil has been known to interfere with sleep for some if it is taken late in the day or at night.
Posted by manic666 on March 28, 2010, at 14:29:31
In reply to Re: sleep meds - such an important topic, posted by morganator on March 28, 2010, at 14:09:51
i didnt no that about fish oil,no it just sempt a compleat turn of topic , i tried to make a joke of it as thought it a little weird, sorry no prob,s
Posted by morganator on March 28, 2010, at 15:39:16
In reply to Re: sleep meds - such an important topic, posted by manic666 on March 28, 2010, at 14:29:31
Gotchya. I get it now. Sorry if I made you feel as though you had done something wrong.
It was a bit off topic btw.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.