Rozerem (new) & Provigil: Thoughts anyone?

Swordz · Post by **Swordz** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 9:54 am

Has anyone heard any news concering the drug Rozerem?

"Rozerem is the first and only prescription sleep medication that has shown no evidence of abuse and dependence and, as a result, has not been designated as a controlled substance by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). With the exception of Rozerem, all other prescription medications indicated for insomnia are classified as Schedule IV controlled substances by the DEA. Additionally, Rozerem is the first prescription insomnia medication with a new therapeutic mechanism of action in 35 years, and will be available for patients by late September.

Rozerem has a unique therapeutic mechanism of action that selectively targets two receptors located in the brain's suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). The SCN is known as the body's "master clock" because it regulates 24-hour, or circadian, rhythms including the sleep-wake cycle."

I believe I heard something about this drug being related to, or maybe just compared to Melatonin (which the jury is out on).

Anyone got any thoughts on the effectiveness this drug may have towards Insomnia? The new approach of this medicine toward the brain is quite exciting... YAY!

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Swordz · Post by **Swordz** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 9:56 am

Regarding the Provigil, I was thinking of taking this in conjuction with CPAP or TAP/Pillar treatment. What are the side affects of this medicine? Does the medicine help get rid of BRAIN FOG?

I just searched the site for Provigil and found some previous threads, but I'd still be interested in what people think of Rozerem with it being new.
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yawn · Post by **yawn** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 3:54 pm

I don't know anything about Rozerem but I do take Provigil to help me wake up in the morning. When I'm having a really sleepy day, I also take some around noon. For me, it's very mild...I never feel super wide awake or shaky or anything. Sometimes I'm not even sure it's doing anything but I still take it just in case. I'm hoping that once I'm on the cpap for awhile, I'll no longer need the provigil (my pills are 200 mg).
My daughter has narcolepsy and Provigil didn't help her at all. She now takes Metadate CD (10 or 20 mg.). She usually takes 20 mg. but the Dr. told her to take 10 mg. periodically so her body doesn't get used to the dosage and stop working for her. Lately she's telling me that she's even tried as much as 30 mg. and is still having trouble staying awake (I've got a call into the Dr. about this). She's about to go to College and we're worried that she won't be able to get herself up in the morning (I've been waking her up for almost 18 years now). The Doctor has told her to try taking 100 mg. of Provigil at bedtime..he seems to think it will help her wake up in the morning. We'll see what happens.
I hope that was helpful to you....Amy

yawn · Post by **yawn** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 3:56 pm

I forgot to address brain fog. I still deal with brain fog even with the Provigil. My Dr. suggested a little exercise might help eleviate the fog so I'm trying that....just started a few days ago so I'm not sure if it's going to help yet.

snamvar · Post by **snamvar** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 5:08 pm

Besides OSA that I am treating with CPAP, I have delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome where I tend to sleep late (3 am) and wake up late (11 am). I have been interviewing for jobs and had to wake up early in the mornings and be real alert. I tried 200 mg Provigil a few times and it sure helped wake up my brain and be alert.
Another thing that they highly recommend for adjusting circadian rythms (body clock sleep/wake cycle) is bright light exposure in the mornings. I need to spend 1/2 hour outside as soon as you get up. It has helped me a lot not only with making me more awake and alert, but elevating my mood too. I also bought a light-box to use when I don't feel like going out or when it's cloudy.
Good luck.
p.s. I don't know anything about the other sleep med.

WAFlowers · Post by **WAFlowers** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 6:07 pm

When I travel overseas on business I've successfully used melatonin to force my sleep cycle to adjust almost overnight. I've been able to avoid most of the effects of jetlag that plague others I've travelled with.

Not sure how it would work for you though.

snamvar · Post by **snamvar** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 8:58 pm

[quote="WAFlowers"]When I travel overseas on business I've successfully used melatonin to force my sleep cycle to adjust almost overnight. I've been able to avoid most of the effects of jetlag that plague others I've travelled with.

Not sure how it would work for you though.

gracie97 · Post by **gracie97** » Sun Jul 31, 2005 8:23 pm

Has anyone heard any news concering the drug Rozerem?

I'm eagerly awaiting Rozerem as it sounds like it may have potential to treat advanced sleep phase syndrome.

Melatonin helps many, but I (and others) have experienced depression on it.

Provigil, BTW, seems to have considerable abuse potential.

A meth-addicted friend regards it as the best (e.g. the most meth-type high producing) of the stimulant prescription drugs: It would probably be his drug of choice, over meth, if he could get it reliably and inexpensively.

Another friend whom I've not known to abuse drugs started abusing Provigil soon after being prescribed it. I don't think she is aware of how 'tweaky' her behavior is on it as the drug clouds her self-awareness.

(It might be a good idea to get a opinion on how one behaves on such meds from friends or relatives before taking it in one's workplace. Excessive and overly-rapid talking, excessive giggling, excessive attention to detail on stimulant drugs can really be irksome to others.]

Doctors seem to be very incautious in prescribing this drug.

All stimulant meds seem to eventually require ever higher doses to achieve the same effect. And one can go into a very dark depression when withdrawing from the stuff.

[Note: I'm not saying Provigil is a "bad" drug. It has legitimate uses, and there are people -- albeit not any of my friends! -- who can use it responsibly ]

snamvar · Post by **snamvar** » Sun Jul 31, 2005 9:32 pm

gracie97 wrote:
Has anyone heard any news concering the drug Rozerem?
I'm eagerly awaiting Rozerem as it sounds like it may have potential to treat advanced sleep phase syndrome.

...

Provigil, BTW, seems to have considerable abuse potential.

A meth-addicted friend regards it as the best (e.g. the most meth-type high producing) of the stimulant prescription drugs: It would probably be his drug of choice, over meth, if he could get it reliably and inexpensively.

....

[Note: I'm not saying Provigil is a "bad" drug. It has legitimate uses, and there are people -- albeit not any of my friends! -- who can use it responsibly ]

Hi gracie,
Thank you for sharing your opinion. I heard on the "night-owl" forum that there is a new sleeping pill that affects the Melatonin reseptors in the brain. Is this what you are refering as a treatment for ASPS? BTW, Do you have Advanced or Delayed sleep phase syndrome? I have DSPS which my sleep/wake cycle is later than normal.
I have taken Provigil a few times that I had to have job interviews in the mornings (eg 10 am). It has helped be to be more alert and clear headed, but I also felt somewhat anxious and jittery. I will take your advise and only take it occasionally if I have to.
I also think that there is potential for abuse for Stimulants as well as benzos. I just wished that the doctors did not prescribe them so readily, but that's another story
Best wishes.

gracie97 · Post by **gracie97** » Sun Jul 31, 2005 11:34 pm

Thank you for sharing your opinion. I heard on the "night-owl" forum that there is a new sleeping pill that affects the Melatonin reseptors in the brain. Is this what you are refering as a treatment for ASPS? BTW, Do you have Advanced or Delayed sleep phase syndrome? I have DSPS which my sleep/wake cycle is later than normal.

Oh you're right! I do have sleep phase problem where my sleep onset is DELAYED, not advanced. If it weren't for my day job, I'd have a 4:00 a.m. bedtime and get up about noon -- like any civilized creature IMHO!

How can I find the night-owl forum you refer to? I'd really like to discuss the problem with others who have it.

(Do you ever feel bitter that the morning people are running the world and setting the schedules? How did THEY get control? Who decreed 8:00 AM as a reasonable work start time? Have you ever noticed that most morning people seem to think those who sleep later are somehow morally deficient?)

snamvar · Post by **snamvar** » Sun Jul 31, 2005 11:57 pm

gracie97 wrote: Oh you're right! I do have sleep phase problem where my sleep onset is DELAYED, not advanced. If it weren't for my day job, I'd have a 4:00 a.m. bedtime and get up about noon -- like any civilized creature IMHO!

How can I find the night-owl forum you refer to? I'd really like to discuss the problem with others who have it.

(Do you ever feel bitter that the morning people are running the world and setting the schedules? How did THEY get control? Who decreed 8:00 AM as a reasonable work start time? Have you ever noticed that most morning people seem to think those who sleep later are somehow morally deficient?)

The nite-owl is a yahoo group:
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/nite-owl/
There is another yahoo group for support mainly:
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/delayedsleepers/
basic DSPS info:
http://www.sleepdisorderchannel.net/dsps/
I hear you about the "normal" ones and how they rule. DSPS is often misunderstood as being lazy etc. Best to know about the condition and others are coping really. I dealt with this for 20 years and never new what it was. IHMO, it's much worst than OSA. OSA has a treatment, DSPS does not. There is plenty of history on nite-owl forum.
Good luck.

WAFlowers · Post by **WAFlowers** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 8:05 am

What's the difference between advanced and delayed sleep phase syndrome?

About 12 hours.

(This sleep deprivation is making me giddy like I'm drunk! Wheeee!!!)

christinequilts · Post by **christinequilts** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 3:43 pm

My sleep doctor and I discussed Rozerem last week and he wants me on it as soon as it comes out (they get samples before it gets to pharmacies so he is hoping to have some by mid-September). My situation is different then most- I have treatment resistant CSA (BiPAP ST only reduces my central apneas 50% leaving me at 30+ per hour) and Alpha Wave Intrusion. Because I still have so many apneas I have a lot of problems getting to a deep enough sleep- too many nights I wide awake after drifting in and out of sleep for an hour or more even with Ambien/Sonata/Lunesta. My sleep doctor and I hope Rezerem will help enough that I don't need other sleep medications every night like I do now.

I also take Provigil during the day to help with daytime sleepiness caused by lack of good sleep. I take 200mg though I can take 400mg if I need to. It has made a difference in how awake/alert/productive I am during the day but not as much as BiPAP ST has.

gracie97 · Post by **gracie97** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 6:45 pm

Ambien/Sonata/Lunesta. My sleep doctor and I hope Rezerem will help enough that I don't need other sleep medications every night like I do now.

WHY does your doctor think Rozerem will be superior to the others in terms of helping you get enough sleep? Is it just that it may be safer over the long run?

What do you think of Lunesta?

Seemed like a wimpy sleep med to me (but maybe I didn't take enough).

Have heavy-duty alpha intrusion also. Sleep testing shows that even when I think I slept hard (i.e. when I was really knocked out with drugs) there was still lots of alpha intrusion through all stages of sleep.

I take about .5 mg of Ambien/night boosted with 1/8 mg of Xanax and some RLS med (which is slightly sedating) and some 5HTP. Am hoping that Rozerem will be effective enough to allow me to at least varying my sleep med routine so I don't have to take Ambien every night.

christinequilts · Post by **christinequilts** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 7:32 pm

The goal is for Rozerem to get me to a sound enough sleep to stay asleep without Ambien/Sonata/Lunesta or the like every single night. Of course my goal is to get off all the meds (but my sleep doc keeps saying something about being realistic). I was taking 10mg Ambien per night (I assume you meant 5mg not .5) and a few nights per month I would take 10mg Sonata (we found a break from Ambien nightly helped it work better). On really bad nights I would end up taking either a second Ambien or a Sonata depending on how much longer I needed to sleep. I've been taking 2 mg of Lunesta but I may have to go up to 3 mg- I've only been on it for 3 nights, 2 of which were not great...last night I may have slept better just because I was so tired from not sleeping the previous two nights.

The plan is for me to try both Lunesta & Rozerem out and see my sleep doctor again the first of November. Its been 2 years since my original sleep study but he wants to wait to do another study until we've done everything we can medication wise. Its so hard when nurses/doctors ask how well I sleep- what is a 'good' night for me would be unacceptable to most people. I hope the Rezerem can help some- I've given up on finding a complete cure/fix with my sleep problems but I want/need to get better quality sleep then I am now.

Rozerem (new) & Provigil: Thoughts anyone?

Rozerem (new) & Provigil: Thoughts anyone?

Re: Rozerem (new) & Provigil: Thoughts anyone?

Re: Rozerem (new) & Provigil: Thoughts anyone?

Re: Rozerem (new) & Provigil: Thoughts anyone?

Re: Rozerem (new) & Provigil: Thoughts anyone?