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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Zandy on August 24, 2010, at 6:41:25
Hi everyone!
I have been on Ativan for years. Take 2 mg each night and added 3 mg melatonin but still can't sleep. Now I found out the Ativan might be what is causing my HPA axis to be supressed and have to stop benzos.
My pdoc was talking about putting me on a hypnotic. Does anyone know about hypnotics? What are they? Is there a good one with few side effects and no next day drowsiness?
He also wants to wean me off Ativan by switching me to Valium for the wean down because it has a longer half life.
Here are my fears about Valium:
1)I cannot afford to be a zombie during the day, will the Valium make me a zombie?2)I have bad reactions to many medications. If I try the Valium and have a bad reaction how many days will I suffer through it because of Valiums long half life?
3)If I have a bad reaction can I stop it an resume the Ativan the next night?
You guys are so knowlegeable, I hope some one can help answer these questions. I would be so very greaful! Thanks!
Posted by tensor on August 24, 2010, at 8:08:44
In reply to Anyone know of a good non-benzo sleep aid?, posted by Zandy on August 24, 2010, at 6:41:25
> Hi everyone!
>
> I have been on Ativan for years. Take 2 mg each night and added 3 mg melatonin but still can't sleep. Now I found out the Ativan might be what is causing my HPA axis to be supressed and have to stop benzos.
>
> My pdoc was talking about putting me on a hypnotic. Does anyone know about hypnotics? What are they? Is there a good one with few side effects and no next day drowsiness?
>
> He also wants to wean me off Ativan by switching me to Valium for the wean down because it has a longer half life.
>
> Here are my fears about Valium:
> 1)I cannot afford to be a zombie during the day, will the Valium make me a zombie?
>
> 2)I have bad reactions to many medications. If I try the Valium and have a bad reaction how many days will I suffer through it because of Valiums long half life?
>
> 3)If I have a bad reaction can I stop it an resume the Ativan the next night?
>
>
> You guys are so knowlegeable, I hope some one can help answer these questions. I would be so very greaful! Thanks!Hypnotics like (es)zopiclone and zolpidem are great, no hangover. Try it.
/Mattias
Posted by Phillipa on August 24, 2010, at 10:32:03
In reply to Re: Anyone know of a good non-benzo sleep aid? » Zandy, posted by tensor on August 24, 2010, at 8:08:44
I've always been under the impression that valium is the weakest benzo. Also I've always been able to even take two at a time as do now. I'm not sure what the HPA axis is though. Phillipa
Posted by Zandy on August 24, 2010, at 12:00:57
In reply to Re: Anyone know of a good non-benzo sleep aid? » tensor, posted by Phillipa on August 24, 2010, at 10:32:03
> I've always been under the impression that valium is the weakest benzo. Also I've always been able to even take two at a time as do now. I'm not sure what the HPA axis is though. Phillipa
The HPA axis is the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis, so called because they all influence each others outputs. Thanks for the info!
Posted by Phillipa on August 24, 2010, at 20:48:17
In reply to Re: Anyone know of a good non-benzo sleep aid? » Phillipa, posted by Zandy on August 24, 2010, at 12:00:57
No thank-you as was going to google. Jeez feel stupid as was an RN but so much was not taught to us even in practice. How did you learn it out of curiosity. Phillipa
Posted by ed_uk2010 on August 25, 2010, at 15:41:35
In reply to Anyone know of a good non-benzo sleep aid?, posted by Zandy on August 24, 2010, at 6:41:25
I find temazepam (a benzo) to be the best med for sleep. Zolpidem (Ambien) makes me very unwell, very quickly. It is a very dangerous drug for me.
Posted by Phillipa on August 26, 2010, at 0:10:12
In reply to Re: Anyone know of a good non-benzo sleep aid?, posted by ed_uk2010 on August 25, 2010, at 15:41:35
Really ambien what does it do if you don't mind sharing. Love PJxx
Posted by ed_uk2010 on August 26, 2010, at 13:50:05
In reply to Re: Anyone know of a good non-benzo sleep aid? » ed_uk2010, posted by Phillipa on August 26, 2010, at 0:10:12
> Really ambien what does it do if you don't mind sharing. Love PJxx
It causes severe drowsiness the following morning, followed by intense anxiety by the afternoon. After only two or three doses, I feel a sense of despair, like I'm falling apart. I also find that it causes dependence within about 5 days. Withdrawal symptoms include severe tension and panic. I have not taken it for years - and I will never take it again. For me, it is very unsafe. To make it ever worse, it also causes me to do strange things shortly after taking it.
Posted by floatingbridge on August 26, 2010, at 14:16:31
In reply to Anyone know of a good non-benzo sleep aid?, posted by Zandy on August 24, 2010, at 6:41:25
Flexeril or zanaflex (available as generics)?
Posted by Evil Weevil on August 26, 2010, at 17:56:24
In reply to Re: Anyone know of a good non-benzo sleep aid?, posted by floatingbridge on August 26, 2010, at 14:16:31
Doxepin perhaps? It's a TCA, but worked very well for me in the 25-75 mg range. Did give me a hangover for about a week, but that went away.
Good luck in your search!!
Posted by Phillipa on August 26, 2010, at 20:23:39
In reply to Ambien isn't always so great » Phillipa, posted by ed_uk2010 on August 26, 2010, at 13:50:05
Ed a neighbor does very strange things during the night on ambien. I understand. Love PJxx
Posted by floatingbridge on August 27, 2010, at 0:44:36
In reply to Anyone know of a good non-benzo sleep aid?, posted by Zandy on August 24, 2010, at 6:41:25
When I was reconsidering sleep aides, I came across a few references suggesting that sonata disturbed deep sleep and sleep architecture in general less than ambien, lunesta, and others. Benzos apparently trash sleep architecture, and since you're interested in preserving the integrity of your hpa axis, I thought I'd mention this. Zanaflex (muscle relaxant, anti-spasmatic) is supposed to be least harmful and in fact helpful in creating deep stage sleep in people with chronic illness like fibromyalgia. Chronic lack of deep sleep seems to be implicated in an inability to restore and repair muscle, nerve, and ...?
All of this found on Google and interpreted by an unscientific mind w/o references for what it's worth.
Posted by Maxime on August 28, 2010, at 16:52:24
In reply to Anyone know of a good non-benzo sleep aid?, posted by Zandy on August 24, 2010, at 6:41:25
I like using old anti-psychotics like Thorazine/Largactil and Nozinan. I switch them around so that my body doesn't develop a tolerance for them.
This is the end of the thread.
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