Posted by KaraS on August 3, 2004, at 0:58:50
In reply to Re: Sonata+Ambien problems, need chemistry types input, posted by greenwillow on August 2, 2004, at 23:42:04
> > Forgive me for barging in here but have you ever considered some alternative means of sleep enhancement? I haven't read the rest of your posts so I don't know anything about what you're taking or what you've tried for sleep in the past. In that case I don't know what would be contraindicated for you but I just thought I'd mention some alternative treaments that have helped others get some sleep such as:
> >
> > Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
> > Tryptophan or 5-htp
> > Valerian
> > GABA
> > Taurine
> > Melatonin (in small amount)
> >
> > I've known of people who alternate several different things on different nights. It seems to work for them and prevent tolerance to any one substance.
> > Hope you find something that works for you.
> >
>
> Of these meds, Benadryl 50 mg. does absolutely nothing for me, Valarian hypes me way up!, GABA makes my face feel stiff even at 100 mg. Have not tried 5-htp or Taurine. I used to take melatonin, but developed an auto-immune illness (tests presently being done to id) while on the melatonin, and the sleep doctor thinks that taking melatonin may actually have precipitated it. Also, my cortisol levels were recently high, and if I understand right from the web, that just shuts off your ability to sleep and puts down the gland that normally secretes melatonin. (Anyone?) It is like I am wired to stay awake, and feeling more unwell every day. Among my present dxs are Sjogren's syndrome and atrial fib., so alot of meds are containdicated because of side effects. Extreme sensitivity to benzos. Trazadone, Doxipin, and Remeron are among the drugs with too many side effects and most likely paradoxical outcome. Flexeril used to work but is no longer effective, and is too drying. Hope someone has a suggestion. Regarding the hallucinating idea about the z-meds, no, I am actually up doing things in my sleep such as writing checks, etc. which we find in the morning. Last night it happened on straight Ambien with no Sonata. Help! I need sleep so badly. Greenwillow
>
>
>Wow. No one can say you haven't been trying...
I don't know all of the meds you are taking now. Tryptophan and 5-htp are obviously serotonergic so don't know if they'd be contraindicated for you. (Larry Hoover has a site for ordering high grade tryptophan at a good cost if you're interested.)Maprotiline used to work for me for sleep. It's related to the tricyclics but has less of the side effects. It's only mildly sedating so it's not as effective at getting you to sleep but there's less of a hung over feeling in the morning. It worked for me most of the time but some stressed-out evenings I'd take a shot of vodka with it to get me to sleep. Then the maprotiline would keep me asleep. (Not a great idea but one can get quite desperate.)
I have no experience with taurine though from what others have said it seems to be very subtle so I'm not sure it would work for you. Larry (mentioned above) is trying it for anxiety and sleep purposes but he's on vacation now. I think BarbaraCat is trying it now as well so she may be able to add more info on it also if you're interested.
If you have a sleepwalking problem, then there's a good chance that the tryptophan, 5-htp, maprotiline and taurine might help you get to sleep but you would still have the same problem (as you're probably well aware).
poster:KaraS
thread:373021
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040730/msgs/373463.html