what sleep med are you on? do they work?

After much hesitation about using prescription sleep aids, I caved and a dr prescribed Xanax. It didn't work that great, it was better than no sleep. Then a Nurse Practioner got me on Trazonadale (sp?) anti depressant that also makes you sleepy. I could get 30-40 mins (still waking up in the middle of the night) but also gained like 7-8 lbs. Last night I took myself off and I was wide awake.
I need sleep. I've tried melatonin, passion flower, GABA, etc. NONE of it worked not even Benedryl(it used to knock me out cold before I contracted lyme).
Thank you in advance

I went through a phase where I had serious sleep issues. Mine are mostly due to inflammation surrounding a lesion in my midbrain. I tried all sorts of sleep aids. But, they either didn't work or would put me to sleep for only a short time.

After much studying on midbrain function, I came to the conclusion that my brain was having difficulty producing serotonin. I found that 5-HTP aids in this production. And L-Theanine works in the brain to block anxiety and stress. I take 200 mg of L-Theanine and 400 mg of 5-HTP anywhere from an hour to 30 minutes before I plan to go to sleep. It has worked like a charm.

They don't make me feel drowsy or anything. I just feel more calm and relaxed. I have been sleeping throughout the night very well. And I have also noticed my overall mood has been better.

Worked for me, but I have a brain lesion affecting me. Hopefully it can help others on here.

Post Edited (Hoagie) : 2/9/2018 12:38:51 PM (GMT-7)

While not a sleep medication, Low-Dose Naltrexone helps me sleep through the night more than when I don't take it. Generally, I take 3 mg at bedtime.

I started with 0.5 mg each night and increased by 0.5 mg each week. Originally, I tried to reach the maximum prescribed dose of 4.5 mg per night, but, once I got to 3.5 mg, it seemed to have a counterproductive effect. So, I backed-down to 3 mg.

After a while, my sleep started getting restless again, so I added one capsule of the supplement Deep Sleep at bedtime, along with the Naltrexone.

www.herbsetc.com/deep-sleep-softgels-60-ct

My sleep is certainly not perfect. It's been many years, since I slept really well -- and, even longer, since I awoke refreshed. But, until I find something better, this is the best I've been able to manage. My LLPA suggested several pharmaceuticals to help with sleep, but, for better or worse, I've stubbornly declined.

Good Luck!

Before I found out I had Lyme, I tried Xanax, clonazepam, etc and they didn't work (plus they were benzos, so I dropped 'em like a hot potato.) Then I tried all the natural stuff, none of it worked either. Interesting how The Dude's LDN helps him sleep, where as it makes my insomnia worse.

I caved like you did. I take Ambien now. It's been a God send, but I don't take it every night to avoid increasing my dose. Been on the same .5 mg for close to two years. Other than antibiotics and LDN for my Lyme, this is the only other pharmaceutical I take, and I'm ok with it. I can finally sleep

Edit to add: I forgot, I take gabapentin too

The combo that has worked very well for me is the LLMD plan

8 pm 1 Neuro PS
9 pm Gabapentin I have been as high as 2700 mg but weaned down when I thought I no longer needed it (and I read it causes weight gain, and I have bloomed quite a bit lol. Sleep became poor again and I’m back up to 1800 mg, sleep being way more important to me than be thinner now.
10 pm 1 - 5 mg melatonin, 2 Benadryl and 15 mg Restoril.

I sleep great. Wake refreshed.

I hope you are able to find the right combo for you. Sleep really makes such a difference in how well the treatment and healing is tolerated.

VCL

Ambien (Zolpidem) is what I use. Its a benzodiazepene like Xanax but I find it less addictive than Xanax. Long term use of Xanax may promote anxiety and panic attacks. I found out the hard way. It must be weaned off of and I am still trying a year later.

Ambien works well but I need the 10mg dose. I would get the 10mg prescribed and try half to see if it works. I wake without the grogginess and feeling refreshed but I have heard it said that deep REM is not achieved when on this drug.

The key to falling asleep on it is to lie down within 20 minutes of taking it. Dont wait to feel tired as that may not happen.

It produces a very mild hypnotic effect which triggers sleep as long as your eyes are closed and you are comfortable. I take it with Magnesium which helps me relax.

If I feel I can fall aleep without it I take advantage of this to keep from relying on it for sleep.

Use a blue light filter on your phones (twilight) and computers (flux) and turn off the lights a half hour before bed.

I have used trazadone, valium, and OTC sleep meds but wake feeling groggy. A benadryl or two will work when all else fails but the same is true.

If you are prone to sleepwalking then this drug may not be for you.

I had been taking Solgar magnesium citrate around 8 pm and that helped me sleep. Now I have been taking modified citrus pectin instead the last few days as I decided to take that around 8 pm and have noticed increased sleep. The last two nights I slept for 9 1/2 hours which is unusual for me as I usually get around 7-8 hours...

I use LDN and a cannabis tincture. Works very well.

Yes, that is correct. My bad.

OptimisTick said...

Somebody said...
Ambien (Zolpidem) is what I use. It's a benzodiazepene like Xanax but I find it less addictive than Xanax.

Just wanted to clear up that Ambien is not a benzo. It is sedative hypnotic. Z-drugs(like Ambien/zolpidem) are non-benzodiazepines. They act differently on the GABA-a receptor, but have similar effects as a benzo (helps you fall asleep, but doesn't take care of anxiety like Xanax.)