Lunesta (Sleep, stay asleep aid)

[fdw]

Been having issues going back to sleep after waking in the middle of the night.

Is anyone taking Lunesta with any success, and at what dosage for this problem......Is it working?

I've been taking Alprazolam 0.5 mg for about 3 months, but hasn't worked very well for a couple of weeks now.........Plus I need to get OFF this addictive drug.

Thanks

[Krelvin]

My understanding of Alprazolam (Xanax) is that it is not supposed to be used for more than 30 days at a time and that it will like many drugs start to lose its benefit over time requiring an increase in dosage.

You really should talk to your prescribing doctor about this as he is supposed to be monitoring it's use. He should also be advised and should advise on the correct way to wean off of it.

As for Lunesta (eszopiclone), there have been recent alerts about using it as well. Ref: http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm397260.htm

A lot of time, waking up can be dealt with using good sleep hygiene and not lying in bed after you wake for any signification period of time, instead getting out of bed and then going back to be when ready.

There have been many threads about this on this forum...

[LadyWolf79]

A word about both Lunesta and Ambien....both have been known to make me sleep less, and I usually end up in the kitchen with sharp objects in my hands. Since I suffer from OSA along with serious sleep maintenance insomnia, I prefer to use melatonin to fall asleep. It is actually much less dangerous. Note: my husband already thinks I am an axe murder...but I refuse to provide him with the proof.

[49er]

Been having issues going back to sleep after waking in the middle of the night.

Is anyone taking Lunesta with any success, and at what dosage for this problem......Is it working?

I've been taking Alprazolam 0.5 mg for about 3 months, but hasn't worked very well for a couple of weeks now.........Plus I need to get OFF this addictive drug.

Thanks

Hi fdw,

Even though I took a Temazepam last night to get back to sleep which I only take on a PRN basis, I am not convinced any meds work long term although there are probably exceptions. One book you might want to try is Sound Sleep, Sound Mind by Barry Krakow. It is very detailed but I have found it has some very helpful information. It hasn't solved my problem with sleep but that is definitely not the fault of the book as I have some medical issues I will be exploring.

[palerider]

Note: my husband already thinks I am an axe murder...but I refuse to provide him with the proof.

I think I like this one...

[jaycee2]

fdw, Lunesta comes in three different strengths. It's recommended to start with the lowest (1mg) and then increase dosage if you need more. Work with your doctor on this. You can even cut the 3mg tablet in half or quarters. We all react differently to medications so be careful.

[fdw]

The doctor prescribed Ambien 10 mg and not the Lunesta. He said nothing about weening off the Xanax, it was only 0.5 mg so I don't see a problem. He did say not to take both Ambirn and Xanax together.

[Bbecker223]

Yikes! I take Xanax PRN for a couple different issues. For a lot of folks .5 is a big dose. I tried all the sleep aid meds years ago and Lunesta was the least effective. Xanax should only be used as needed- you will build up a tolerance to it quick. I use melatonin and with great success.