![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by thinkfast on May 20, 2004, at 5:51:20
ok...i need sleep! currently i'm on Rermeron 45mg, 75mg effexor and can't sleep for more than four hours or so. Neurontin was working for the sleep for a while but it has lost it's effect. I sleep like a rock on lower doses of Remeron, but can't handle the hangover effect the next day. Sonata and ambien just aren't strong enough. Trozadone doesn't work either. Benzo's are probably out of the question in the Pdoc's eyes. Opiates work great, but yeah right!lol... I need something hard core that only lasts for 6-8 hours if such a med exists. Seroquel seems to be an option. I've seen a couple of people on here that take it for sleep...Anyone care to elaborate or suggest something else? let me know...peace
Posted by Buckeye Fan on May 20, 2004, at 6:40:05
In reply to need something extra-strength 4 sleep, posted by thinkfast on May 20, 2004, at 5:51:20
The best sleep I EVER get...and I understand your post, I too struggle with being able to sleep....
is making sure I observe the following;1)Exercise HEAVILY 4-5 hours before bedtime.
2) Drink NO Caffiene or other stimulants after 2-3 in the afternoon3)Drink a soothing herbal tea that Contains alot
of Valarian ( its called "Sleepy Time Extra" in my part of the Country)Try it and let us know how it works for you!~
God bless
Buckeye Fan
Posted by King Vultan on May 20, 2004, at 8:01:02
In reply to need something extra-strength 4 sleep, posted by thinkfast on May 20, 2004, at 5:51:20
Is there any particular reason your doctor won't go for a benzo? I'm not an expert on them but know that there are dependency/tolerance issues. I also know that a whole lot of people in this group have used them successfully. I haven't taken a real benzo myself, but I have tried Ambien, which I've also found to be somewhat inadequate.
I was going to ask my pdoc at my next visit about some of the real benzos used for sleep such as triazolam/Halcion (short half life, similar to Ambien--good for initiating sleep) or temazepam/Restoril (longer half life, better for maintaining sleep). He has also mentioned an atypical antipsychotic such as Seroquel, but I am not at all thrilled with that idea because of the expense, the other possible side effects, and the fact that I am not psychotic to begin with. I know he uses Klonopin for anxiety, so I am hopeful that he will be open to the idea of prescribing a benzo for sleep.
Todd
Posted by Sad Panda on May 20, 2004, at 8:57:29
In reply to need something extra-strength 4 sleep, posted by thinkfast on May 20, 2004, at 5:51:20
> ok...i need sleep! currently i'm on Rermeron 45mg, 75mg effexor and can't sleep for more than four hours or so. Neurontin was working for the sleep for a while but it has lost it's effect. I sleep like a rock on lower doses of Remeron, but can't handle the hangover effect the next day. Sonata and ambien just aren't strong enough. Trozadone doesn't work either. Benzo's are probably out of the question in the Pdoc's eyes. Opiates work great, but yeah right!lol... I need something hard core that only lasts for 6-8 hours if such a med exists. Seroquel seems to be an option. I've seen a couple of people on here that take it for sleep...Anyone care to elaborate or suggest something else? let me know...peace
>
>I'd take the lower does of Remeron & get use to it. There is not a lot of point to using Remeron if you have to take something else for sleep.
Cheers,
Panda.
Posted by Bill LL on May 20, 2004, at 10:11:40
In reply to need something extra-strength 4 sleep, posted by thinkfast on May 20, 2004, at 5:51:20
I agree with Panda. Maybe you could try lowering the Remeron just a little bit at a time until it helps you sleep without making you too drowsy the next day.
Is Remeron a tablet? If it is, you could cut it with a razor knife to try to find the best dose.
Posted by snapper on May 21, 2004, at 15:53:37
In reply to Re: need something extra-strength 4 sleep, posted by Bill LL on May 20, 2004, at 10:11:40
Remeron comes in 15mg , 30,mg and 45mg tabs and all can be split in half...however they also make a 15mg tablet that is call Soltab that dissolves in your mouth so make sure your pdoc does'nt prescribe that version because it wont allow you to play with the dose thats right for your needs.
good luck
snapper
Posted by Teknohead on May 24, 2004, at 9:43:39
In reply to need something extra-strength 4 sleep, posted by thinkfast on May 20, 2004, at 5:51:20
> ok...i need sleep! currently i'm on Rermeron 45mg, 75mg effexor and can't sleep for more than four hours or so. Neurontin was working for the sleep for a while but it has lost it's effect. I sleep like a rock on lower doses of Remeron, but can't handle the hangover effect the next day. Sonata and ambien just aren't strong enough. Trozadone doesn't work either. Benzo's are probably out of the question in the Pdoc's eyes. Opiates work great, but yeah right!lol... I need something hard core that only lasts for 6-8 hours if such a med exists. Seroquel seems to be an option. I've seen a couple of people on here that take it for sleep...Anyone care to elaborate or suggest something else? let me know...peace
Hi there.
Have you tried a sedating anti-histamine. Diphenhydramine is a popular one and there are many others. They should work, at least for a while, and they seem pretty safe with other meds. Please do check with you doc first, in case they are contra-indicated with your other meds.
Also, what time of the day do you take your meds? Try taking your Efexor all in the morning. Or if you must split the dose, why not try the sustained release form instead. Just a sugestion.
And what about your Rermeron? Is that a stimulating med? Have you tried taking this only in the morning?
Some obviouse questions maybe, but hope they help.
Later.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.