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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by linkadge on October 19, 2014, at 19:56:57
I have had some nasty, chronic insomnia.
I have posted this before, but I have found a combination of meds that really helps.
1) magnesium 25-50mg
2) melatonin time release 2.5mg
3) remeron 3.75mg
4) lorazepam 0.125 - 0.25mg
The doses are obviously not set in stone. It seems that the lower the remeron dose the better.But I did want to share since chronic insomnia has to be one of the worst illnesses.
My insomnia would range from sleeping every other night, difficulty falling asleep to difficulty staying asleep (waking up every 30 min).
Linkadge
Posted by Phillipa on October 19, 2014, at 22:09:42
In reply to My insomnia cure, posted by linkadge on October 19, 2014, at 19:56:57
I find all your doses are low. Lucky less it best. Phillipa
Posted by oceansun on October 19, 2014, at 22:40:59
In reply to My insomnia cure, posted by linkadge on October 19, 2014, at 19:56:57
Thanks! I've been there. I should try magnesium then. I take melatonin and Xanax but it's not perfect. How does magnesium affect your sleep, other than helping you get to sleep? More refreshed, sleep longer, etc?
> I have had some nasty, chronic insomnia.
>
> I have posted this before, but I have found a combination of meds that really helps.
>
> 1) magnesium 25-50mg
> 2) melatonin time release 2.5mg
> 3) remeron 3.75mg
> 4) lorazepam 0.125 - 0.25mg
>
>
> The doses are obviously not set in stone. It seems that the lower the remeron dose the better.
>
> But I did want to share since chronic insomnia has to be one of the worst illnesses.
>
> My insomnia would range from sleeping every other night, difficulty falling asleep to difficulty staying asleep (waking up every 30 min).
>
> Linkadge
>
>
>
>
>
Posted by SLS on October 20, 2014, at 3:23:11
In reply to My insomnia cure, posted by linkadge on October 19, 2014, at 19:56:57
> I have had some nasty, chronic insomnia.
>
> I have posted this before, but I have found a combination of meds that really helps.
>
> 1) magnesium 25-50mg
> 2) melatonin time release 2.5mg
> 3) remeron 3.75mg
> 4) lorazepam 0.125 - 0.25mgVery nice.
At what time do you take the melatonin?
Occasionally, I use lorazepam for sleep. I take 1 - 2 mg at bedtime if necessary. If I fall asleep without taking lorazepam, I sometimes wake up at 3:00 AM. At this point, I take 0.5 mg.
- Scott
Posted by Christ_empowered on October 20, 2014, at 7:28:51
In reply to Re: My insomnia cure, posted by oceansun on October 19, 2014, at 22:40:59
I'm impressed by your combo. My sleep probs got better w/ adding anticonvulsants (1200/Trileptal and 100/Lamictal to 30/Abilify) and changing my Orthomolecular line up. I now take 9 grams/day niacinamide, in time release for (4.5 grams x 2 daily), plus 4 grams/ taurine (2 grams x 2). Adding strictly PRN, low-dose neurontin and risperdal (100-300mgs and 2+mgs, taken together at night) helped me, too.
Posted by Phil on October 20, 2014, at 8:24:39
In reply to My insomnia cure, posted by linkadge on October 19, 2014, at 19:56:57
My doctor told me to take Melatonin three hours before bedtime. Whether he's right is a different story.
Posted by SLS on October 20, 2014, at 8:55:26
In reply to Re: My insomnia cure » linkadge, posted by Phil on October 20, 2014, at 8:24:39
> My doctor told me to take Melatonin three hours before bedtime. Whether he's right is a different story.
Believe it or not, there is some variability as to what time is best to take melatonin for improving sleep. Some people respond best to it when they take it in the early afternoon. There are actually quite a few internal "clocks" that are essential to maintain healthy circadian rhythms. (endocrine, neural, intracellular, etc.). These clocks interact with each other. Although the hypothalamic suprachiasmic nucleus is generally referred to as the "master clock", the timing of neuroendocrine release and suppression might be desynchronized in mood illness. I don't see anyone taking Rozerem (ramelteon), though. It acts as an agonist (fake melatonin) at M1 and M2 melatonin receptors. Perhaps the ratio of M1/M2 agonism is not properly balanced by Rozerem. It is conceivable, but I have not seen anything that would indicate this.
Lithium is unique as a psychotropic medication in that it can help correct the intracellular clocks that ultimately regulate biological cycles. It is thought that this might explain some of its therapeutic activity in bipolar disorder (and perhaps schizoaffective disorder).
But I digress...
- Scott
Posted by joe f on October 20, 2014, at 11:21:51
In reply to Re: My insomnia cure » Phil, posted by SLS on October 20, 2014, at 8:55:26
is luvox considered the best ssri for sleep because of its melatonin properties?
Posted by Phillipa on October 20, 2014, at 20:10:12
In reply to Re: My insomnia cure, posted by joe f on October 20, 2014, at 11:21:51
I feel it is with a benzo. When went off the luvox I could have swallowed a whole bottle of benzos and not slept. Added back the low dose of luvox and slept again
Posted by babbler20 on October 21, 2014, at 23:08:31
In reply to My insomnia cure, posted by linkadge on October 19, 2014, at 19:56:57
If you try taking the Remeron without the lorazepam, you would sleep even better. The lorazepam or any other benzo is going to prevent you from getting REM sleep. I'm not sure if Remeron will override the effect or not, but if there is a chance it doesn't, you should give it a shot. Remeron made me gain 60 lbs before I stopped. I have since lost all the weight and then some, but it has messed my body up permanently. I'm 6 feet and weight 145 lbs now which is the lowest you can basically weight without doing damage to your body at my height. Unfortunately, I have a beer belly because the weight didn't come off properly. I basically look like one of those starving african children. I'm glad it's working for you and I hope it's not causing weight gain. Best of luck.
Posted by Beckett on October 22, 2014, at 14:57:10
In reply to My insomnia cure, posted by linkadge on October 19, 2014, at 19:56:57
Insomnia, besides inducing cycling, taxes my psyche. In retrospect, insomnia was the first indication of my mood disorder. I rotate sleep meds, including Sonata and trimipramine.
This is the end of the thread.
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