Medication

paradise · Post by **paradise** » Sun May 20, 2007 9:31 pm

Okay after having horrible sleeping patterns for forty years (using cpap for 15) and trying every sleep hygiene thing that there is- I give up. It's obvious that I will need help in the form of a sleeping pill. My greatest dream in life is going to bed at a reasonable hour and getting up 8 hours later -somewhat consistently. Basically I sleep 1-4 hours a night until I'm exhausted then pass out for 10-15 hours once a week. I can't go on like this...

Which medication should I seek, as a long term solution. I've used Ambien short term and it worked well- now that it is available generic low cost I thought that would be good.

Any advice?

blarg · Post by **blarg** » Sun May 20, 2007 10:49 pm

You're going to hate me, but have you talked with a psychologist that specializes in treating circadian rhythm disorders? This isn't just someone who sits there and tells you, "Well, just maintain a schedule." like so many like to. They evaluate your specific situation and how things are working for you to give you solutions.

It's better than being on pills in the long term I think.

roster · Post by **roster** » Mon May 21, 2007 5:02 am

My opinion after trying many drugs: There is none that works well long term. See also Consumer Reports article last fall - they came to the same conclusion.

You need a good doctor who will discuss all potential physical problems that could be causing your insomnia. Such a doctor can be hard to find.

Good luck.

krousseau · Post by **krousseau** » Mon May 21, 2007 9:41 am

This is not a problem with one answer-you need to eliminate or reduce the effect of anything that interferes with sleep. After any medical problems are addressed; there are lifelong habits, stress, nutrition and timing of meals, exercise and timing of exercise. And you could end up being one of the people who will need medication or combination of medications-if you are that doesn't get you off the hook for taking care of all the other aspects mentioned. I'll second blarg's suggestion of a sleep psychologist. Try a sleep center-they are most likely to have a the variety of care providers to treat your insomnia from different angles.
PS-Sleeping 15 hours once a week is NOT good sleep hygiene. But then you did say you had given up.
PPS-When did Ambien become generic?

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Mon May 21, 2007 9:47 am

I use melatonin and have for the past 15 years. When you compare side effects from it to Ambien, Lunesta is pretty easy to figure it out.

It is OTC and cheap by comparison.

SleepySandy · Post by **SleepySandy** » Mon May 21, 2007 11:54 am

I completely get the dream of going to bed and sleeping 8 hours. Your description sounds like insomnia, which I also have. So, I understand your frustration. My insomina myself, but it's getting better. The solution is complicated.

I realize you asked about medications specifically, but since I am seeing an improvement in what my insomnia I would like to ask some questions first. You very well may need medication, but medication as a long-term solution isn't really ideal. The ideal situation would be to get to the root of the insomnia if that's possible. Believe me, I never thought there was a root to my insomnia, but it's turned out there is.

Here are my questions:

Have you talked to your doctor and what does (s)he say?
Do you have trouble falling asleep?
Do you have trouble staying asleep? If you wake up, do you know what wakes you?
When you wake up after the 1-4 hours do you feel totally awake and just can't fall back asleep? How long do you try to go back to sleep before you get up? Are you ever able to fall back to sleep?
Do you nap? (be honest
What's a weekly sleeping pattern for you?

I'm asking these in relation to my own experiences. If yours are similar maybe some things that have worked for me will work for you.

Also, you've been using CPAP for 15 years (WOW - I bet you could tell some stories about the early machines), when was your last sleep study?

Regarding sleep hygeine - my very favorite thing to do in bed is read. My first sleep doc said if I followed sleep hygeine rules perfectly (obviously not reading in bed) things would get better for me. HAH! I followed those rules exactly and I never felt better and still had trouble falling asleep. I got so frustrated I went back to reading in bed - why give up my favorite thing for something that just doesn't work?

krousseau · Post by **krousseau** » Mon May 21, 2007 2:57 pm

When I compare the side effects of ambien, lunesta etc and melatonin-melatonin does win hands down. But when I compare them for the desired effect-sleep-FOR ME ambien wins-hands down.
I did take my own advice-went to a sleep center-have seen sleep physicians, neurologist, ENT, cardiologist, pulmonologist, and the psychologist. 16 months later I still do most of the sleep hygiene stuff, relaxation, exercise, timing of meals, etc. plus take ambien most nights. I follow the "rules"/precautions in taking it. I gave up my evening glass of wine in favor of Ambien. If you needed insulin-you would probably take it. If you needed heart medication-you would probably take it. I'm not advocating the use of Ambien without trying other avenues. When the other avenues do not provide adequate sleep-it is an alternative that works for some people-even long term. You have to look at all the medications you use, whether or not you use recreational drugs and alcohol in any amount, whether or not you have a history of problem drug use. It should not be an easy decision-it should be given careful, informed consideration. And if you decide to use it long term-know how to maximize safe use. And know how to stop it.

elliejose · Post by **elliejose** » Mon May 21, 2007 4:11 pm

Melatonin works well for me and I have been a "bad sleeper" all my life - even as a child - my mom always said.