Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 338081

Shown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

anyone on midazolam?

Posted by LOOPS on April 20, 2004, at 11:54:41

Hi -

I occasionally take 1/2 a midazolam pill for insomnia - I'm trying not to resort to it, but there we go - usually about twice a week max to avoid dependence and addiction.

Has anyone else been prescribed this? I would like to know how it affected you if so, and if you became dependent on it.

It seems to have a very short half-life (i.e. I can get up and play tennis the next morning without any side-effects.) I am still worried about taking it even twice a week as I become dependent on things very easily.

I also take 5-htp, valerian (NOT if I have to take the midazolam), passiflora, gaba, inositol, niacinamide - the list goes on. This stuff helps, but sometimes the anxiety gets the better of me, and i'll be lying awake at 4am desparate for sleep.

Anyone??

Thanks

Loops

 

Re: anyone on midazolam?

Posted by KathrynLex on April 20, 2004, at 13:23:01

In reply to anyone on midazolam?, posted by LOOPS on April 20, 2004, at 11:54:41

Hi Loops,

I haven't ever taken Midazolam before, but I have taken Xanax, Klonopin and Lorazepam which are all in the same family of meds (benzos) as Midazolam.

Benzos are notorious for dependence. However, as long as they're taken as prescribed it's fairly safe.

K.

 

Re: anyone on midazolam? » LOOPS

Posted by chemist on April 20, 2004, at 19:25:13

In reply to anyone on midazolam?, posted by LOOPS on April 20, 2004, at 11:54:41

> Hi -
>
> I occasionally take 1/2 a midazolam pill for insomnia - I'm trying not to resort to it, but there we go - usually about twice a week max to avoid dependence and addiction.
>
> Has anyone else been prescribed this? I would like to know how it affected you if so, and if you became dependent on it.
>
> It seems to have a very short half-life (i.e. I can get up and play tennis the next morning without any side-effects.) I am still worried about taking it even twice a week as I become dependent on things very easily.
>
> I also take 5-htp, valerian (NOT if I have to take the midazolam), passiflora, gaba, inositol, niacinamide - the list goes on. This stuff helps, but sometimes the anxiety gets the better of me, and i'll be lying awake at 4am desparate for sleep.
>
> Anyone??
>
> Thanks
>
> Loops


hi loops, i assume you are not living in the u.s. as midazolam is not sold here in pill form. i have taken it (i.v.) before a wisdom-teeth removal, and i can honestly say that this is the king of all benzos. you might knock it down a bit to triazolam (halcion in the u.s.)...the amnesia alone from my experience with versed (midazolam in the u.s.) was numbing, to say the least...all the benzos and derivatives will cause anterograde amnesia: versed is used most extensively (in the u.s.) for pre-op sedation and is available in syrup form, although i am not aware of anyone who has ever had this prescribed for them. watch the valerian/midazolam interaction, too! best, chemist

 

Re: anyone on midazolam?

Posted by LOOPS on April 21, 2004, at 10:33:53

In reply to Re: anyone on midazolam? » LOOPS, posted by chemist on April 20, 2004, at 19:25:13

Hi -

yes I live in Chile. My doc who is S African first gave me zolpidem because I was playing in a band at night and couldn't sleep during the day. I only took it occasionally, but found it wasn't enough. Anyway I just put up with not getting enough sleep, and trying to get the band to play earlier! Haha, that was a waste of time!

Anyway I went on 5htp for awhile and found it helped a little, that and valerian, for sleeping at night. When I awoke far too early, I would pop another valerian, and wait 2 hours to go into sleepland again. My husband's an astronomer and has severe allergies, so you can imagine our lifestyle isn't very regular or peaceful at night.

So, then I started on St Johns Wort as I was very depressed at this time. This gave me awful, I mean the worst insomnia ever, but worked as an anti-depressant. Whilst on this, I could survive on about 3 hours of sleep all week, but I hated not sleeping. Nothing worked - valerian mega-doses, kava, you name it. So desperately I went back to doc, said I wanted to continue with SJW as it was the only thing working for depression and NO WAY was I going on regular SSRIs (tried I think it's wellbutrin for smoking before and BAM, no sleep for 2 weeks). Came off this and started smoking again of course.

Anyway, I said to the doc, I need something heavier for emergencies. I said I know about the dangers of benzos, and I don't want to have to take them, but this is dire. My doc is very pill happy, but is also herbal happy, so she understood about the SJW. She said to take the midazolam, and that I should take it every night (I was thinking no, but there we go).

The Midazolam really worked. Too well in fact, which I recognized at once. It knocked me out, and when I woke up, I had no 'hangover', and could immediately get up. What a pain it is a benzo! I didn't take it as she prescribed (one whole pill every night - she gave me two big packets of the things) - I was too terrified.

No I never mix midazolam with anything. Once I took some kava, and then woke up very upset and took some ambien, forgetting to not mix them. Man I had the king of hangovers the next morning. I was VERY irritable and didn't feel right for half the day. However once by accident I mixed valerian and 1/2 zolpidem (separate - 4 hours apart I think) with no problems. Just seems to be the kava.

Loops

 

Re: anyone on midazolam? » LOOPS

Posted by cubbybear on April 21, 2004, at 11:07:29

In reply to Re: anyone on midazolam?, posted by LOOPS on April 21, 2004, at 10:33:53

With Midazolam, you're playing with fire! Have you looked at websites about it? This stuff is the most potent benzo in existence and any doctor who dishes it out in any quantity probably has no regard for the safety of his/her patients. Whether the Rx restrictions in Chile are more lenient or not, is not the issue. Take a look at some of the precautions and possible side effects described on the websites.

As for me, I live in Thailand, and during severe depression/anxiety in 2002, the GP doctor at a local hospital decided to give me a tab of Midazolam since an injection of Valium did nothing to sedate me. The Midazolam knocked me out all right, and she gave me 3 or 4 additional tabs to take home. When I read how dangerous this stuff can be, I decided to do a slam dunk into the toilet. Now, of course, everyone's got a different level of desire to take certain risks. I've been willing to try many different drugs as needed, but I sure drew the line at midazolam.

 

Re: anyone on midazolam? » LOOPS

Posted by chemist on April 21, 2004, at 13:10:20

In reply to Re: anyone on midazolam?, posted by LOOPS on April 21, 2004, at 10:33:53

> Hi -
>
> yes I live in Chile. My doc who is S African first gave me zolpidem because I was playing in a band at night and couldn't sleep during the day. I only took it occasionally, but found it wasn't enough. Anyway I just put up with not getting enough sleep, and trying to get the band to play earlier! Haha, that was a waste of time!
>
> Anyway I went on 5htp for awhile and found it helped a little, that and valerian, for sleeping at night. When I awoke far too early, I would pop another valerian, and wait 2 hours to go into sleepland again. My husband's an astronomer and has severe allergies, so you can imagine our lifestyle isn't very regular or peaceful at night.
>
> So, then I started on St Johns Wort as I was very depressed at this time. This gave me awful, I mean the worst insomnia ever, but worked as an anti-depressant. Whilst on this, I could survive on about 3 hours of sleep all week, but I hated not sleeping. Nothing worked - valerian mega-doses, kava, you name it. So desperately I went back to doc, said I wanted to continue with SJW as it was the only thing working for depression and NO WAY was I going on regular SSRIs (tried I think it's wellbutrin for smoking before and BAM, no sleep for 2 weeks). Came off this and started smoking again of course.
>
> Anyway, I said to the doc, I need something heavier for emergencies. I said I know about the dangers of benzos, and I don't want to have to take them, but this is dire. My doc is very pill happy, but is also herbal happy, so she understood about the SJW. She said to take the midazolam, and that I should take it every night (I was thinking no, but there we go).
>
> The Midazolam really worked. Too well in fact, which I recognized at once. It knocked me out, and when I woke up, I had no 'hangover', and could immediately get up. What a pain it is a benzo! I didn't take it as she prescribed (one whole pill every night - she gave me two big packets of the things) - I was too terrified.
>
> No I never mix midazolam with anything. Once I took some kava, and then woke up very upset and took some ambien, forgetting to not mix them. Man I had the king of hangovers the next morning. I was VERY irritable and didn't feel right for half the day. However once by accident I mixed valerian and 1/2 zolpidem (separate - 4 hours apart I think) with no problems. Just seems to be the kava.
>
> Loops

hi loops, seems like a lot of things in your system! if the midazolam helps, so be it...still, i'd give triazolam a shot, just because it's a little easier on the brain than midazolam...but then again, if it's doing the job, so be it....all the best, chemist

 

Re: anyone on midazolam?

Posted by LOOPS on April 21, 2004, at 13:38:37

In reply to Re: anyone on midazolam? » LOOPS, posted by chemist on April 21, 2004, at 13:10:20

Hi -

yes I think I will leave the midazolam alone from now on. I did take a trip to Brazil recently and went 2 weeks without a dose, so hopefully I am not addicted in any way. I'll stick to the zolpidem I think only in emergency and try to do without.

Yes it is a lot of things. I don't take all these things the same days. Right now I'm taking niacinamide, 5htp, lithium orotate, various minerals and the stuff for night. Insomnia has been a gruesome battle all my life, with intermittent periods where it hasn't been a problem (when I'm happy I guess). It can get so desperate not sleeping. I never even see my husband anymore as he is always working, and then can't even sleep in the same room anymore! Yes I know, usual gripes in the world.

On a more positive note, I am planning to take 1 valerian early on in the evening, and then maybe one split open and swallowed (gelcaps) later on. The thing is, I take this stuff, but it takes a good 1-2 hours for it to take effect. I know the taste is foul, but if it works faster I'm willing to give it a shot.

Another positive note - my husband is very understanding and patient, even if he isn't around that much. He has never had problems sleeping, but he knows how upset I am and is always there to listen. The good thing about being married to an astronomer is that when he is working up the mountain nights, I can call him if I have insomnia.

Thanks for the advice.

Loops

 

Re: anyone on midazolam? » LOOPS

Posted by chemist on April 21, 2004, at 23:09:43

In reply to Re: anyone on midazolam?, posted by LOOPS on April 21, 2004, at 13:38:37

> Hi -
>
> yes I think I will leave the midazolam alone from now on. I did take a trip to Brazil recently and went 2 weeks without a dose, so hopefully I am not addicted in any way. I'll stick to the zolpidem I think only in emergency and try to do without.
>
> Yes it is a lot of things. I don't take all these things the same days. Right now I'm taking niacinamide, 5htp, lithium orotate, various minerals and the stuff for night. Insomnia has been a gruesome battle all my life, with intermittent periods where it hasn't been a problem (when I'm happy I guess). It can get so desperate not sleeping. I never even see my husband anymore as he is always working, and then can't even sleep in the same room anymore! Yes I know, usual gripes in the world.
>
> On a more positive note, I am planning to take 1 valerian early on in the evening, and then maybe one split open and swallowed (gelcaps) later on. The thing is, I take this stuff, but it takes a good 1-2 hours for it to take effect. I know the taste is foul, but if it works faster I'm willing to give it a shot.
>
> Another positive note - my husband is very understanding and patient, even if he isn't around that much. He has never had problems sleeping, but he knows how upset I am and is always there to listen. The good thing about being married to an astronomer is that when he is working up the mountain nights, I can call him if I have insomnia.
>
> Thanks for the advice.
>
> Loops

hi loops, it seems that the midazolam scare might have been premature, given your holiday in brazil (run into ronnie biggs, by the way?)...i waver on the insomnia, depending on life events - breakups, deaths, etc. - and it sounds as if your husband is more than in tune with your situation. heck, try zolpidem, see if it gets yo uto where you need to be. if not, midazolam it is. clearly, you are not mixing and matching, although i would caution the supplements you are taking....can i have a fullist with dosage, if you don't mind? all the best, chemist

 

Re: anyone on midazolam?

Posted by LOOPS on April 22, 2004, at 12:24:04

In reply to Re: anyone on midazolam? » LOOPS, posted by chemist on April 21, 2004, at 23:09:43

> > Hi -
> >
> > yes I think I will leave the midazolam alone from now on. I did take a trip to Brazil recently and went 2 weeks without a dose, so hopefully I am not addicted in any way. I'll stick to the zolpidem I think only in emergency and try to do without.
> >
> > Yes it is a lot of things. I don't take all these things the same days. Right now I'm taking niacinamide, 5htp, lithium orotate, various minerals and the stuff for night. Insomnia has been a gruesome battle all my life, with intermittent periods where it hasn't been a problem (when I'm happy I guess). It can get so desperate not sleeping. I never even see my husband anymore as he is always working, and then can't even sleep in the same room anymore! Yes I know, usual gripes in the world.
> >
> > On a more positive note, I am planning to take 1 valerian early on in the evening, and then maybe one split open and swallowed (gelcaps) later on. The thing is, I take this stuff, but it takes a good 1-2 hours for it to take effect. I know the taste is foul, but if it works faster I'm willing to give it a shot.
> >
> > Another positive note - my husband is very understanding and patient, even if he isn't around that much. He has never had problems sleeping, but he knows how upset I am and is always there to listen. The good thing about being married to an astronomer is that when he is working up the mountain nights, I can call him if I have insomnia.
> >
> > Thanks for the advice.
> >
> > Loops
>
> hi loops, it seems that the midazolam scare might have been premature, given your holiday in brazil (run into ronnie biggs, by the way?)...i waver on the insomnia, depending on life events - breakups, deaths, etc. - and it sounds as if your husband is more than in tune with your situation. heck, try zolpidem, see if it gets yo uto where you need to be. if not, midazolam it is. clearly, you are not mixing and matching, although i would caution the supplements you are taking....can i have a fullist with dosage, if you don't mind? all the best, chemist

Yeah sure -

lithium orotate 120mg 3 x daily
magnesium orotate 500mg (33mg elemental mag) 2 x
potassium orotate 500mg (99mg) 1x
B-50 complex 1x
Solotron multi (incl. 30mg B complex) 1x
niacinamide (just dropped from 250mg 4x to 100mg 2x)
siberian ginseng extract before sport
alternate with ashwagandha extract
Dang gui extract 1 week per month

midazolam - 7.5 mg (half of 15mg tablet) - no more than twice a week, have decided to drop now
Zolpidem - 5mg (half of 10mg tablet) - about 3 times a week, but not if can help it
Valerian - 500mg standardized extract before bed, more if wake up in the night (not mixed).

Oh yes, and up until yesterday 5-htp 100mg 1x

Well that's it. I have tried all kinds of supplements, never too many at one time, and have recently decided to return to concentrating more on herbs, as these seem to build me up a bit more. There used to be a period where I took a few different Chinese formulations and was actually sleeping relatively well.

Do you think the high dose of niacinamide would be contributing to the insomnia in any way?? That is why I am really cutting back to 200mg a day (which is 280 including other multi and B-complex), to see if too much is not helping.

Last night I had a bit of a nightmare as I took the valerian, went to bed at midnight, slept like a rock until 3.00am, totally woke up very suddenly, took another dose of valerian, stayed awake until 6.00am and finally fell into a wild dream state until woke myself up trying to scream at 9.00am. It wasn't a really bad experience as I am usually happy to be dreaming - I usually have dreams of running away from evil people or wolves etc so I'm used to it. I didn't have to do anything much today so at least I could sleep in a bit. I did feel a bit strange this morning.

I'm definitely stopping the 5-htp as well. It seemed to help to start with, but now it just seems to make things worse. I think it best not to mess with my serotonin.

Loops

 

Re: anyone on midazolam? » LOOPS

Posted by chemist on April 22, 2004, at 22:31:25

In reply to Re: anyone on midazolam?, posted by LOOPS on April 22, 2004, at 12:24:04

> > > Hi -
> > >
> > > yes I think I will leave the midazolam alone from now on. I did take a trip to Brazil recently and went 2 weeks without a dose, so hopefully I am not addicted in any way. I'll stick to the zolpidem I think only in emergency and try to do without.
> > >
> > > Yes it is a lot of things. I don't take all these things the same days. Right now I'm taking niacinamide, 5htp, lithium orotate, various minerals and the stuff for night. Insomnia has been a gruesome battle all my life, with intermittent periods where it hasn't been a problem (when I'm happy I guess). It can get so desperate not sleeping. I never even see my husband anymore as he is always working, and then can't even sleep in the same room anymore! Yes I know, usual gripes in the world.
> > >
> > > On a more positive note, I am planning to take 1 valerian early on in the evening, and then maybe one split open and swallowed (gelcaps) later on. The thing is, I take this stuff, but it takes a good 1-2 hours for it to take effect. I know the taste is foul, but if it works faster I'm willing to give it a shot.
> > >
> > > Another positive note - my husband is very understanding and patient, even if he isn't around that much. He has never had problems sleeping, but he knows how upset I am and is always there to listen. The good thing about being married to an astronomer is that when he is working up the mountain nights, I can call him if I have insomnia.
> > >
> > > Thanks for the advice.
> > >
> > > Loops
> >
> > hi loops, it seems that the midazolam scare might have been premature, given your holiday in brazil (run into ronnie biggs, by the way?)...i waver on the insomnia, depending on life events - breakups, deaths, etc. - and it sounds as if your husband is more than in tune with your situation. heck, try zolpidem, see if it gets yo uto where you need to be. if not, midazolam it is. clearly, you are not mixing and matching, although i would caution the supplements you are taking....can i have a fullist with dosage, if you don't mind? all the best, chemist
>
> Yeah sure -
>
> lithium orotate 120mg 3 x daily
> magnesium orotate 500mg (33mg elemental mag) 2 x
> potassium orotate 500mg (99mg) 1x
> B-50 complex 1x
> Solotron multi (incl. 30mg B complex) 1x
> niacinamide (just dropped from 250mg 4x to 100mg 2x)
> siberian ginseng extract before sport
> alternate with ashwagandha extract
> Dang gui extract 1 week per month
>
> midazolam - 7.5 mg (half of 15mg tablet) - no more than twice a week, have decided to drop now
> Zolpidem - 5mg (half of 10mg tablet) - about 3 times a week, but not if can help it
> Valerian - 500mg standardized extract before bed, more if wake up in the night (not mixed).
>
> Oh yes, and up until yesterday 5-htp 100mg 1x
>
> Well that's it. I have tried all kinds of supplements, never too many at one time, and have recently decided to return to concentrating more on herbs, as these seem to build me up a bit more. There used to be a period where I took a few different Chinese formulations and was actually sleeping relatively well.
>
> Do you think the high dose of niacinamide would be contributing to the insomnia in any way?? That is why I am really cutting back to 200mg a day (which is 280 including other multi and B-complex), to see if too much is not helping.
>
> Last night I had a bit of a nightmare as I took the valerian, went to bed at midnight, slept like a rock until 3.00am, totally woke up very suddenly, took another dose of valerian, stayed awake until 6.00am and finally fell into a wild dream state until woke myself up trying to scream at 9.00am. It wasn't a really bad experience as I am usually happy to be dreaming - I usually have dreams of running away from evil people or wolves etc so I'm used to it. I didn't have to do anything much today so at least I could sleep in a bit. I did feel a bit strange this morning.
>
> I'm definitely stopping the 5-htp as well. It seemed to help to start with, but now it just seems to make things worse. I think it best not to mess with my serotonin.
>
> Loops

hi loops, sorry for the delay in getting back...the 5-htp is the precursor for serotonin, so if you have made the decision not to mess with your serotonin levels, probably a good idea to knock it off the list. niacinamide, as far as i know, is not indicated to interfere with sleep. at worst, a deficiency will lead to pellagra. now, there is one far-fetched malady (hartnup disease) in which the absorption of ingested tryptophan (among others) is impaired, and a urine test for tryptophan by-products (such as 5-HTP) that shows abnormally high levels can be treated with niacinamide. doubtful that this is your problem, in that you've been taking plenty of 5-HTP and niacinamide. sorry i cannot be of help on this one - i default to stress and perhaps some of the herbs (of which i am ignorant), and hope you report feeling better if you unclutter your system and maybe start anew...all the best, chemist


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