Posted by JKL on April 15, 2005, at 17:28:52
In reply to LAMICTAL INSOMNIA: any advice?????????, posted by qbsbrown on April 15, 2005, at 13:56:05
I remember lamictal insomnia. My sleep was pretty bad with it and got worse with dosage increases. My doctor said it was because lamictal actually has some action on dopamine.
If lamictal is helping you in a way that is meaningful to you, then I would say you'll probably have to think about a sleeping med to go along with it. If lamictal is not helping, then I would say switch to something else. No sense in trying to battle insomnia if the med isn't helping much anyway.
The good thing about hunting for the best sleep med is that you don't need any long trials. Just one or two nights trial is all you need. So you could theoretically try out a lot of options in a short time if your doctor will help.
The antidepressants remeron and trazodone can work, but usually come with a morning hangover and bizarre dreams. The atypical antipsychotics can work great, zyprexa is my favorite...deep restful sleep and no hangover. There are the benzos and sleeping pills too. Amitriptyline very low dose is good.
I doubt increased exercise, cutting back on coffee, adding sedative herbs or supplements would have enough effect to overcome the lamictal insomnia.
poster:JKL
thread:484715
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050413/msgs/484803.html