Posted by dove on January 11, 2001, at 11:08:16
In reply to Re: options for sleep meds, posted by super on January 10, 2001, at 8:01:40
I've had a few different battles with the sandman versus the red-eyed insomniac. I've used Melatonin, in sublingual form when nothing else was working, but I prefer to use other meds on a daily basis.
The best med I've found that enables me to fall asleep faster and does something wonderful to the quality is Amitriptyline (Elavil). It has the dry-mouth effects, and the slow-down of internal processing (to include bowels, and metabolism), but, when taken in small amounts (nothing near anti-depressant doses) it can really help. Another important aspect of this med, at least for me, was the fact that it combatted the SSRI's (Prozac in my case) very negative effects on my sleep quality.
I've used Amitriptyline in doses ranging from 25mgs to 200mgs, depending on the meds I was currently taking. This month I'm taking 100mgs of Amitriptyline and 300mgs of Serzone one half hour before bed. This combo initially caused morning hang-over effect, but that ended after 2-3 weeks.
Serzone: Some people find this med very sedating, and initially I think this is true. I take 75% of my dosage during the day without negative or sedating effects. It quiets my mind at bedtime, which has been my biggest struggle sleep-wise, shutting my brain down. Serzone actually has great effects on my libido, which was a wonderful surprise after my term with Prozac!
Klonopin: I've only used this med a handful of times before bed, and I didn't find it helpful, though I find it very beneficial calming my moodiness during the day. So, no real comment on this one, other than to say that it's supposedly addictive and very beneficial for many sleepless people.
Neurontin: A newer AED with mood-calming or mood-brightening effects, depending on which abstract one reads and who one asks. Initially, I found Neurontin sedating, and was instructed to initiate the med in one dose near bedtime. This did nothing beneficial for me during the day, but did knock me out at night. I no longer take it at bedtime but throughout the day, and it no longer sedates me unless I take 150mgs with my Serzone (300mgs) and the Amitriptyline (100mgs) before bed. They seem to work synergistically and I usually sleep quite well, though I find myself a little groggy in the morning.
I always keep Melatonin (sublingual form only) on hand for any emergencies. When nothing else works, Melatonin always pulls through.
Best wishes,
dove
poster:dove
thread:51274
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010111/msgs/51449.html