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Zyprexa or Seroquel or any sleep aid!!!

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Posted 1/23/2015 1:25 PM (GMT 0)
I havent posted in a while but have been on quite a rollercoaster!!! Took Zoloft for 4 years stopped weaning gradually and 2 months later got horrible insomnia. Reinstated zoloft Dec 3 slowly increasing and am at 125 currently. Original dose was 150. I have been having a horrible time with this drug reinstatement. Doc wants to get me to 175. Been having bad time with sleep. On a good night I get 6 hours otherwise about 4 hours and thats a light sleep. Having to go to the bathroom right away when I wake up (sorry TMI) and aggitation in my chest and hard heartbeat. Doc has been wanting me on Zyprexa or Seroquel in conjunction with Zoloft. I am very very scared to take it. I feel I should never have stopped the Zoloft. All was working so well for me!!! I have had thoughts of ending it all and loneliness. Not a fun time. Im scared to switch meds as well because of all I have already been going through. Been waiting for a psychiatrist for 2 months. Long wait here in Canada. Last night was the worst. I was in a state of being awake and asleep. I take Klonopin .5 in morning and .5 in evening. Been on it a month now and doc wants me to just ditch it and take Zyprexa but I know my body is dependent on the klonopin as the agitation eases a bit once I take it. I have been cutting the Klonopin a bit though so this can be adding to my anxiety. I'm totally at my wits end. I feel so bad my husband and kids have to see me like this. My husband even took a few days off to stay with me this week. I feel like a burden to my family and my friends check in on me but they dont undersand this!!
Posted 1/23/2015 2:02 PM (GMT 0)
Fitness,

I'm so sorry you are having a hard time reinstating Zoloft. I'm sure you know, it sometimes takes a little longer to get the medication working when you have taken it before.

I also know what it's like to seek like a burden on your family. When I was stuggling this summer, I had to have my mom stay with me all the time and my hubby had to switch into super dad mode. It was tough. But we all make it through. Thankfully we all have each other here on the forum. People that really understand what each other is going through.

It is usually better to see a psych for medication, as that is their specialty. But I see where you re in a tough spot, having to wait two more months to see them. Can you be out on a cancellation list or anything? I totally understand being hesitant towards getting on sleeping medication!! Have you tried taking benedryl for sleep?
Posted 1/23/2015 2:36 PM (GMT 0)
I would try benadryl but not sure if it can be mixed with a benzo...
Posted 1/23/2015 3:28 PM (GMT 0)
I know it can be taken safely with xanax, as it was prescribed to me by my doctor while I was taking xanax daily. You could run it past your pharmacist to double check. I don't like mixing medication, so I was a little leary of doing it. But I was desperate. I never took benedryl in my life, so I just took half a tablet and it seemed to work.
Posted 1/23/2015 4:28 PM (GMT 0)
Hi fitnesstrainer,

I take both Klonopin and Zyprexa and find that the Zyprexa works well for me for anxiety and sleep, but there is a trade off. Zyprexa is widely known for weight gain and it messes with your metabolism a lot which makes your body put on weight and keep it on no matter if you exercise a lot of not. This is the problem for me now. I have gained 40 pounds from the Zyprexa, so really it is a trade off on what is important to you.

I have never tried to stop taking Klonopin and have been taking it for years…I don't care if I am addicted or not. It is much better than having to fight with ongoing panic attacks and anxiety 24/7. I know a lot of ppl on here will not agree with me.

I am unsure if taking it for a month will cause withdrawals or not for you. I would definitely discuss this with your Doctor in more depth. Some of these meds you just can't quit cold turkey.

Good luck on your journey,

B.
Posted 1/23/2015 5:07 PM (GMT 0)
So regarding Zyprexa do you take an ssri as well or zyprexa on its own?
Posted 1/23/2015 5:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Fitness trainer,
Just wanted to let you know I've been taking Seroquel for sleep for the past 5 months. It works great for me. I too was hesitant on taking an AAP but I take a fairly low dose and it works for me. Also seems to help with my anxiety as well. Was on Klonopin for 7 years along with Lexapro and I made a great recovery from GAD and Panic. I was recently forced to withdraw off of Klonopin for my job and it sucked horrible. Been looking for the right meds for about 6 months now. Btw I take 150 mg of the Seroquel XR for sleep and anxiety. Hope this helps.
Posted 1/23/2015 6:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hi

I used to be on Seroquel and it will definitely help you sleep as it is very sedating and it will also help with your anxiety. I took it alongside Effexor and found that it worked well but we are all different when it comes to how we react to medications so until you try it you won't really know how well it will work for you.

Hibee
Posted 1/23/2015 6:11 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the input! I'm just scared of withdrawl. Yesterday I was more anxious than usual and am wondering if it was from the valerian root tea I took. Hibee- I see that you take mirtazapine. Is this effective for you? I just hear of horror stories online with these antipsychotics but I am close to caving in. Either that or Trazadone or remeron...
Posted 1/23/2015 7:28 PM (GMT 0)
Hi FT.,

Is your prescribing doctor a GP or a psychiatrist? If you do not have the latter...I am wondering if you should consider switching, as there is a lot of knowledge to be gained from a doctor who specialized in mental health, and Rx's thereof...

Maybe you need an add on/augmentation Rx) for example...Abilify, Lamictal, Wellbutrin and Deplin are all used along with other meds...and a P-doc could give you the best combination plans for consideration.

I hope that you find the answers that you need to feel your best soon! Keep us posted and we'll keep you in support.:)

S.C.
Posted 1/23/2015 8:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hi fitnesstrainer,

I take generic Effexor XR alongside the Zyprexa. Effexor in the am and Zyprexa in the pm. I take Klonopin twice a day.

My husband takes Serequel for sleep and finds it helps him a lot.
Posted 1/23/2015 11:05 PM (GMT 0)
Hello fellow Canadian,
I know that feeling of being in a state of being awake ands asleep. I see gp that specializes in mental health, but I might ask him if I can get in to see a psychiatrist. I am on remeron which is supposed to help you sleep, but I can't. Last night was bad and I feel awful today. As for the remeron or mirzapine, I did not find it difficult to go on. I tried to go back on paxil but could not take the anxiety. I see that there are a few people that take seroquel for sleep. I am going to ask the Dr. I have to take a sleeping pill lately in order to sleep
Canada questions c
Posted 1/24/2015 12:18 AM (GMT 0)
i refused to take the antiphys also. have a script for abilify but wont take it. best otc sleep aid i found is a combo of melantonin and valerian root. add benadryl if needed. this will put most to sleep. there is a new otc sleep aid called alteri that works extremly well but you cant take it if on anti depressants. i took trazadone once and it knocked me out with ease. i am a vet at insomnia but best is a script for ambien cr
Posted 1/24/2015 2:09 AM (GMT 0)
It is so nice to get so many supportive answers and knowing that I am not alone in this. It has been such a tough couple of months. I see my doctor on Monday. Since my original dose was 150 Zoloft I will probably have to get to 175 or 200 mg. this afternoon I took a nap which I am so greatful for but now when will I go to sleep tonight lol! Getting even a psychotherapist appointment has been very difficult. Hopefully I won't have to wait too long to see a psychiatrist .
Posted 1/24/2015 2:33 AM (GMT 0)
If I take klonopin at night it knocks me out. However, if I still am having trouble I'll take melatonin.
Posted 1/24/2015 12:37 PM (GMT 0)
Hi

Yes I found the Mirtazipine to be very helpful for me especially for treating my depression I take 30mg at night as it can make you feel sleepy so also aids sleep which is good. I take it along with Prozac 40mg and 2mg of Haloperidol (Haldol) which is an antipsychotic.

Hibee
Posted 1/25/2015 2:35 AM (GMT 0)
hey, i have had some exp. with Zyprexa for sleep and intractable pain and it caused weight gain, a lot of it. i then tried low dose Seroquel for sleep, 25mg or 50mg maybe the best sleep aid there is without habit forming properties, maybe. the Zyprexa did not even have any sleep enhancing properties for me. i would think low dose Seroquel would help you sleep but anxiety would not be greatly helped by it, so if you can keep the 0.5mg Klonopin i would and maybe take second one after dinner or late afternoon. that combo would offer broad coverage for anxiety/panic disorder. melatonin can be added at night but probably will not need it. inositol and omega-3s are a good nutracuetical synergistic backing, maybe with Rhodiola rosea extract which has not shown any medication interactions and is a great stress reaction modulator. good luck, Nick
Posted 1/27/2015 3:43 PM (GMT 0)
Been wondering how you're doing, Fitness. Don't have any experience with Zyprexa. I've mentioned before that I'm taking trazodone for sleep. It works well for me. It is non-addictive, so the only concern with long term use is possible rebound insomnia after quitting. But you have to address the sleep issue. It will make a significant difference. Re: the Zoloft, you may still be adjusting since you are ramping up the dosage over time. All the best.
Posted 1/27/2015 3:52 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Wolverine, I have been sleeping but it has been up and down with the dose increases. Saw my doc yesterday and he gave me a seroquel script. It too sure what I will do with that... As for Trazadone have you had to increase your dose? Does it relax you or make your heart pound ? I know we all react differently to meds. I upped my dose to 150 today that was the dose I was at originally. Thx for replying. Hope u r doing well! I have started working a bit ever so slowly so this is progress! I told my husband if I don't sleep I can work at a 24 hour coffee shop at least make some extra cash lol
Posted 1/28/2015 4:12 PM (GMT 0)
I've stayed at 50mg. on trazodone since I started on it about 6 weeks ago. No heart pounding. The effects for me are subtle. Slight drowsiness, once I'm asleep I stay asleep except to get up and go to the bathroom. Usually get back to sleep with no problem. Anxiety waxes and wanes now, but not nearly as bad as it was. I'm sure the paxil helps, too. I have the same reluctance to take sleep meds. I mentioned to my therapist that I hoped to get off the trazodone at some point, and he pointed out that my concern was worrying about the future instead of taking care of the present. So I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. I like your sense of humor. That's a good sign. Supportive spouse is also so important. Glad that you're working a bit. This is a rebuilding process, and resuming your normal activities will be both a distraction and a confidence booster. You were doing well before; so you have the capacity to feel well again. I've learned a few things that I hope will help me stay in a good place once I get there.
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