What other than Ambien ???

snamvar · Post by **snamvar** » Sun Jan 30, 2005 2:28 am

I have been on Ambien for a while and although it is effective for sleeping, I do get some side effect of depression. Is there any other sleeping pill that is used besdides Ambien?
I was on Dalmane for many years and it is a benzo that stays in your system for a long time.

needsleep · Post by **needsleep** » Sun Jan 30, 2005 6:22 pm

I take 0.50 mg of alprazolam (Xanax) about 30-45 minutes before bedtime. My sleep doctor does not care much for Ambien because it does not last through the night. The alprazolam works for 6-8 hours, and I have no problem with morning sleepiness. Hopefully, this will not be long term but I have been told by three doctors that the potential for addiction at this dosage is minimal.

rock and roll · Post by **rock and roll** » Sun Jan 30, 2005 6:52 pm

You might try light therapy or using Benadril at bedtime in higher doses or both. Ambian will keep losing it's efectiveness until it won't work at all.

gailzee · Post by **gailzee** » Sun Jan 30, 2005 8:30 pm

Ambien 10 mgs, and .5 xanax. Take about a good hr before strapping on the beast when you go to bed. I also use a relaxation tape and count my breaths. After about 1-2 hrs. usually I fall asleep. If anyone has anything else, I'd take it in a minute. Ambien don't like the overslept feeling in the a.m. and yes, xanax can be addictive, but alternative of NO SLEEP is no fun either.
Trust me those on this board who hit the pillow, and sleep in whatever shape, apnea's, hypop, ca's, are lucky. Many of us suffer from the side problem of insomnia or close to it.

Has anyone out thee suffered from this falling asleep, and been aided by the CPAP? PLEASE I HOPE SO...It's my last great hope.

Without med's for me, NO SLEEP WHATSOVER. I once went 2 years without a full nights uninteruppted, fragmented, apnea driven, hormone menopausal causing mess.

Our parents sure never told us this fun stuff as they aged, eh?

Peter · Post by **Peter** » Sun Jan 30, 2005 11:27 pm

Benadryl is a good substitue. However, there is a 'generic' name for it as well, and if you buy it under that name, it's a lot cheaper. That name is dyphenhydramine. Tylenol PM uses it, and so does Unisom. But if you buy it under the Unisom brand name, it's 3-5 times more expensive. Start with 25 mg and see how that works. I've used up to 100mg, but beyond that it can interfere with breathing, litteraly causing the brain to forget to breathe! (Better known as 'central apneas,' or 'centrals' for short. Don't worry though. You won't die unless you take several times that amount. You'll just wake up gasping for air, much like what OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea) does to you anyway. Realize also that any sleep aid WILL make the apnea worse. You just have to find that 'happy medium.' However, in respect to a previous post, Xanax (Alprahzolam) works well in conjuction with either Ambien or dyphenhidramine. An aspirin at bed time (with a couple of crackers or something lite) helps as well. I'd opt for the dyphen and the xanax (alprahzolam) for the 'cocktail.' .25 to .50 mg of the xanaz should be sufficient. Just realize the xanax is habit forming, addictive, etc. I only take it with ambien or dyphenhydramie 2-3x a week. Let us know if you need any more help. We even have a nurse or two on this forum now!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jan 30, 2005 11:46 pm

A cup of hot chocolate or a piece of hard candy. Tell yourself your tired and off to sleep you go. The rise in blood sugar wil cause drowseyness.

Peter · Post by **Peter** » Mon Jan 31, 2005 12:01 am

Works great for folks who can 'stay' asleep, but as soon as glucose levels return to normal, it's wide-eyed and bushy-tailed again. Some folks do amazing well on camomille tea!

meister · Post by **meister** » Tue Feb 01, 2005 12:54 pm

http://www.lunesta.com

gailzee · Post by **gailzee** » Tue Feb 01, 2005 9:03 pm

DO NOT take sugar before you go to bed. It spikes your blood sugars, and the rise and drop are causal for excessive sweating (night sweats). Also anyone who is hyper/hypoglycemic, this is a poor choice. Also in chocolate, there's caffeine, so while these suggestions taste great, are NOT GOOD. Do not suck on any hard candy if you lie down, you could choke! The rise in blood sugar most definitely does not cause sleepiness, it is the sharp rise, you get a rush, and then it bottoms out. IMHO, not a good suggestion. I am not a doctor, but a 10 year insulin diabetic, cpap-er.

Be careful!

Anonymous wrote:A cup of hot chocolate or a piece of hard candy. Tell yourself your tired and off to sleep you go. The rise in blood sugar wil cause drowseyness.

Flatulance · Post by **Flatulance** » Tue Feb 01, 2005 9:55 pm

Remember the Three Stooges show when they were dentists.
Moe said: Nurse, Induce the anesthetic
Larry said: Yes Dr. and produced a large wood mallat and hit the patient on the head.

Laugh but consider this. It probably had less side effects than all those drugs. LOL

CPAPNAP · Post by **CPAPNAP** » Tue Feb 01, 2005 10:02 pm

I would ask your doctor to give you a script for Trazadone. It has been around for ages and is often overlooked. It is non addictive and effective.

Flatulance · Post by **Flatulance** » Tue Feb 01, 2005 10:11 pm

The effective dose of Trazdone increases rapidly for some. Start at 1 pill and before you know it you're at 6. The max. Just a thought. Myself, I'd get off all the meds if I could. Slowly . then you might sleep . Funny how a cup of cocoa or a glass of wine is forbidden but they can take all these drugs..

Sometimes the cure is worse than the disease.

Marty

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 6:37 pm

Remember, just as they give Ritalin (an upper) to calm some children 'down,' sometimes a rise in glucose levels, causes some people to get sleepy. Depends on the individual.

Peter

chrisp · Post by **chrisp** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 6:46 pm

Hey Peter , I'll have a single malt scotch.Straight. That wont raise the old glucose wil it.

Cheers,

Chris

I think I'll have another.

Now I feel really relaxed

ZZzzzzzzzzz

What other than Ambien ???

What other than Ambien ???

Re: What other than Ambien ???

Candy

Trazadone