Troubles sleeping

I put this post here because this is where I typically post and this community knows more about me than any other communities.

For the last few months I have been having a heck of a time falling asleep at night. Once I get to sleep I am usually able to stay asleep throughout the night unless I need to use the restroom.

I am so sensitive to medications like Hydroxyzine and Amitriptyline that I actually have them listed on my med list as being allergic to them. So Hydroxyzine is out as an option.

It isn't usually pain that keeps me up at night, but rather racing thoughts.

I have been taking Klonopin for Panic Disorder and it in no way makes me drowsy so I am not sure if any Benzo will ever help me fall asleep.

Is my PM doctor the correct doctor to ask for help with sleeping or should I consult my PCP instead? Thanks!

Hi Mark.

I don't know which doc to recommend. Neither my PCP nor my pain doc has had anything to say about what to take for sleep. They just switch the conversation.

I took Ambien at a low dose for a while and it worked pretty well. Then I noticed I had made some entries about taking medicine in the middle of the night, but I didn't remember being awake at all. That was pretty scary!

The other side effect I noticed was Ambien lasted 10 - 12 hours. I often woke up sleepy.

I switched to 1 mg melatonin, the OTC sleep hormone. That helped for a while, but I had to move up to 3 mg and have stayed there for a year. I don't take it every night. I've read that you can become dependent - stop producing enough or your own hormone - with continuous use. If I'm sleepy I don't take it.

Melatonin doesn't keep you asleep, but it does make you sleepy if taken half an hour before you want to hit the sack. If you stay up a couple of hours it will wear off. That's fine. I want to be able to wake up.

I won't take the other prescription sleep meds because most have an even worse reputation for sleep walking, driving, eating, etc. than Ambien.

Benadryl is the ingredient in most of the OTC sleep meds. I'm not so sure this is a good idea either. Ask one of your doctors.

might be time to think about a mild sleeping tablet before bed. healing thoughts.

sorry if repeated as I didn't read comments. Have you ever tried anything like Trazadone (if you want to go the med route)? It is also a mood stabilizer and could help with he panic/axierty part. Some people take seroquile(sp?) but it made me gain lots of weight, but works for a lot of people. Remron is another one used for mood and sleep. It did make me sleepy, just made me have RLS, but that may not be too common (most drugs make my legs hurt so don't base that SE off my experience)

Naturally, things like melatonin, essential oils, meditation, mindfulness, turning off all computers, phone, tv lights, etc help. I like listening to realaxing music with LOW TONE delta waves too. Having a routine and set bedtime I hear helps (yes it is 1:30 am as I type this) Limiting caffeine, drinking teas like Sleepy Time, camomile, and others can be helpful to some.

I hope you find something that works for you. Sleep is SO very important to actually feeling well and recovering from many things.

sometimes I think narcotics can actually cause some types of "brain hyphens" and if your like me they don't make you sleepy at all. I actually get more hyper and talkative than sedated on most pain meds.

Post Edited (AngMichelle) : 1/6/2015 12:25:47 AM (GMT-7)

HeyMark...I just made a lengthy post on your Fentanyl question thread.  Please read, as I feel most, if not all of these maladies are enmeshed with your pancreas Dx.  You are stressed to the max about your condition and how it's affecting your relationship.  You are afraid of the unknown, understandably.  Identify the enemy...the tumors...erradicate those suckers with surgery NOW.  I have no doubt that within 6 months of surgery, you will be off most of those meds for pain...and onto the rest of a long, loving, productive life.  You will sleep better knowing that you have done all that you can to get the surgery you need, sooner than later.  IMO you are treating the symptoms, not the life-threatening Dx.

Get the surgery, which will alleviate the pain...not to mention the nausea and diarrhea.  It will change your life and give you back your future with your wife and son.  Don't medicate those tumors!  Erradicate them!

Hugs~~Dixie