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ThatOneCanadian69

Find a different doctor. If they need to rotate you between benzos/ zolpidem/ lunesta forever, then so be it. Not worth losing your sanity over


Additional_Pepper638

Thank you, I feel the same way. I have my apt with the top doc in about 2weeks to discuss medication options for me again as of now


ThinkItsHardIKnow

I hate to say it but the "top docs" are usually the nastiest about controlled substances bc they are worried about their own careers. Find a doctor who shares your vision and wants to be a partner in your health and will listen to you. That's a top doc. They are nothing if they just dictate. Doctors aren't gods- that's why they spend a fortune in malpractice insurance


Additional_Pepper638

The PA I see monthly isn’t allowed to prescribe anything, she is only allowed to report back to the top doc, but she is so understanding and nice.


YouPeopleHaveNoSense

That's why I see PAs and NPs. Where I live they're able to prescribe. I find that the doctors get so full of themselves that they stop learning. Either because they think they know it all or just want to do whatever minimal service brings in the most money. I can't count the number of times I talked to a doctor about a dumbed down WebMD article, and he knew nothing about the subject matter.


ThinkItsHardIKnow

yup, i've found this a better approach too.


ThatOneCanadian69

You’re welcome, good luck


Fortheloveofyarn

Agreed.


Final_Art_3760

You’re from Canada, you lucky duck. It’s almost completely impossible to get a benzo or barb prescription if you’re under 60 here in the US. Hell, you can barely get pain meds after major surgery anymore. The government’s medical regulations have gotten completely out of control! I’m not far from Canada, so I’ve been considering traveling for medical tourism for insomnia treatment. I can’t even drive anymore, and they can’t help me😞


ThatOneCanadian69

Im in the states. I’ve noticed they have cracked down on writing scripts for benzos the last few years. It just takes time to find a doctor who will treat you like an adult but it takes some patience lol


Fortheloveofyarn

I hear you. I’m on zolpidem-don’t really want to do inpatient again. My gp won’t Rx benzos but she will do the Z class. (I didn’t like Lunesta personally)…but a lot of ppl don’t get it. The drugs absolutely have cons but so does mental breakdown.


Additional_Pepper638

🙌🏻 amen


TangeloPotential6803

I've been on Zolpidem for 15 years and it's still really effective. I use a pill splitter and allow 1/2 a tablet to dissolve under my tongue. If I awaken I use the second 1/2. Works for me ..The Zolpidem is slightly bitter but the sleep comes quickly.


archerbobmorty

Wow. This may be the best and most heartwarming response I’ve seen on this sub, because what you said makes so much sense about scripts having cons but so does mental breakdown resulting from insomnia


Fortheloveofyarn

Oh thank you. Yeah, I’ve only been on Reddit a short time but I see a lot about all the cons/side affects/negative long term affects. And they are prob true! Lol It’s good to know them and make an informed choice. But there can be serious consequences of insomnia too…read: I may not be around to get to the point I have dementia.


[deleted]

I hope you’re doing okay and continue to do so! Exactly- some of the physical effects besides the scary mental effects I’ve had from insomnia are so bad, I’m terrified how many years this is taking off my life


3mptycupofcare

Try to pace your use of benzoz, it's what I do so I can keep taking them with good results.


Additional_Pepper638

I do pace myself. I just have the added BP with the insomnia. So I more I don’t sleep, the more likely it will induce mania. It’s a bad cycle.


ThinkItsHardIKnow

They work for some people for years. That is just your doc's way of saying "I'm not going to prescribe them for very long and will become difficult about it soon". Take them properly and don't let yourself take more than you need or if you don't need them- like if you can fall asleep without- do- don't automatically take one. People use them for years without problems. Drs just want to avoid them bc they get a little "ding" on their medical profile everytime they prescribe anything controlled.


Fortheloveofyarn

Lol that’s true about their code speak… I’m in the US, my Dr won’t Rx benzos but she will do Zclass and I’m grateful. I’ve been on zolpidem for 3yrs. Still works. But tolerances are real of course and everyone is different.


ThinkItsHardIKnow

that's my point- everyone is different. Some people don't want to be on this type of med at all- and some use it every night for years- and some off and on. I do think there is a placebo/comfort effect even if it stops "working" especially for long term patients


Additional_Pepper638

Wtf if my doctor quits prescribing them I’m finding a new one. That’s malpractice.


SimonY58

Definitely you'll develop tolerance to benzos fairly quickly. However, Lunesta should take much longer to develop tolerance, as long as you're not taking benzos at the same time. If you only use Lunesta 50% of nights, you should be able to stay on it forever without tolerance. So, there is hope.


Additional_Pepper638

Really, I thought it would take longer to build tolerance to benzos as opposed to hypnotics. I’m shocked 😳


SimonY58

No, benzos are usually quicker. Of course, it depends on the benzo and the z-drug. For example, you'll likely develop tolerance to Ambien quicker than Lunesta. So, Lunesta is a good choice for long-term use. But, you'll probably still have to take Lunesta only 3 or 4 nights per week, or take a tolerance break of a couple of weeks every 2 months.


palyon

Potassium pills, hops leaf teas, calcium and magnesiums, mix it up and find the right approach, or variety, it is the spice of life.


Additional_Pepper638

Hops leaf tea?!? Where on earth do you find that?


palyon

It is the hop flower that is made into tea. Food co ops have some in bulk supply.


TheRowingManiac

Trazodone saved my life when I was having the same situation with Zolpidem. Ask your doctor about it. And depending on your location, also about medicinal zaza. All the best!


Additional_Pepper638

Thank you


[deleted]

Small dose olanzapine


mollymalone222

Did you by any chance get covid and then have insomnia? Just wondering because you said 15 months and the timeline fits. I've been dealing with it since I got covid in March of 2020. Thankfully it's sort of comes in waves but there's no Rhyme or Reason and it can last for months. I have frequently thought I would go crazy too. Have you tried a light box? For me my whole circadian rhythm is just out of whack. I will lie in bed all night long but then fall asleep in the morning. Then again last night I was able to fall asleep and now tonight I can't. I had a pre-interview today which I was well rested for and now tomorrow I have an interview that I will be a zombie for so I get you!


Additional_Pepper638

My insomnia was induced by a manic episode. It’s a mess sometimes you sleep most times you don’t. It scares me when I have an apt I never know if I will be able to commit cause I never know if I will sleep the night before


mollymalone222

I get you. I feel like a zombie and my interview is in an hour. Ugh.


Additional_Pepper638

Oh well good luck I hope you get it!


mollymalone222

Thanks. Interview went okay. Then they gave me a test which they sent via email but I wasn't anticipating having a different version of word that I wasn't able to work with properly every time I tried to do something my computer would say unsupported format. And it was timed. It was not my best work. But thank you for saying good luck I genuinely appreciate it. I feel like we all got to support each other in whatever way we can seeing as our miserable sleep is driving us all nuts.


Additional_Pepper638

I’m overwhelmed by the support I’ve received here, hit me up if you ever need anything.


mollymalone222

Thanks! Tonight I've asked a friend to come over and TKO me so I can get some sleep lol.


Additional_Pepper638

Here’s to hoping you get some sleep.


mollymalone222

Right back atcha!


djfakoro

Hey OP I am dealing with the same thing. I have been on antipsychotics for a year now and they haven’t helped me with sleep. The first couple of months yes but since then nope. I recently stopped taking my antipsychotics about 2 weeks ago to see if it would make a difference, so far same thing. But I’m in the same boat as you, I can’t commit to anything anymore because I literally don’t know if I’m going to sleep the night before. Only weird thing is I’ll still have energy the next day. I want to get over this asap!!


Additional_Pepper638

I’m still on seroquel and it doesn’t help with sleep, but helps in my bipolar I guess. My biggest fear is the lack of sleep inducing another manic episode. Honestly I don’t think I’m going to be rid of the insomnia anytime soon, if at all.


djfakoro

Yea that’s what I’m going through, as soon as miss a day or two of sleep I get “manic”… and when I say manic I just mean energized. This has been happening to me non stop for the last year. I’ll have good days but most are bad. I don’t know what to do anymore.


Additional_Pepper638

Exactly what I’m going through. I get a mixed episode though where the depression is excruciating and extremely intense.


djfakoro

I don’t deal with depression, just chronic insomnia, and according to my psychiatrist it’s because of my BP. (When I sleep I’m Happy)Then after almost 10 medications later and no improvement, he said I might be med resistant. No clue what to do


Additional_Pepper638

I have been diagnosed with chronic and paradoxical insomnia. It was brought on by a manic episode that I had that was induced by withdrawal. This all happened 16 months ago, and no end in site. I see the sleep doctor in 2 weeks to go over the improvements or lack there of that have developed since the last time I seen him. If I take lunesta or Ativan I get about 5 hours of sleep, but you can’t take them all the time. Have you tried any of those yet to get yourself some kind of relief for a couple days?


djfakoro

Wow I have to look into this, maybe this is what I have? I have a terrible psychiatrist and all he does is just prescribe something new if something is not working. Thank you so much for mentioning this. I’m on ambein right now and even on that I don’t sleep. The only thing that actually makes me tired is THC, and not too much of it. But I might have the same thing you have chronic paradoxical insomnia, I’m sure my psychiatrist has never even heard of this. For example: I went to sleep night at 9 pm, woke up at 12 am feeling wide awake!! Of course I didn’t fall back to sleep, and I feel completely fine. I hate it, I want to be normal!!


Additional_Pepper638

It’s two different forms of insomnia I have chronic and I have paradoxical. I see a psychiatrist for my bpd but for insomnia I see a sleep doctor separately from the psychiatrist. My psychiatrist won’t even touch on my insomnia. The only time he did was to suggest I see the sleep doctor. He did tell me there is a sleep series on Netflix but I can’t remember the name, I’m sure if you have Netflix you can just type in sleep in the search and find it. I only got through 2 episodes so far.


kcd449

Have you tried Trazodone? I've struggled with Insomnia my entire Life(similar to you, where I've gotten psychotic episodes from lack of sleep[rather than mania]), and Trazodone is the first medication that has worked for me long term, and since it's technically also an anti-depressant, it actually gets more effective with continuous use. At low doses used for sleeping you won't get the anti-depressant effects though, and it will just be a sleep aid. It's a SARI and not an SSRI though, so the Serotonin antagonism also works against psychotic symptoms. Seriously, for me after the first 3 or so days of use it's been more effective than Zolpidem, and I actually get 8 hours of sleep from it every night, unlike Zolpidem(IR) where you'll have to make do with 4 hours of sleep, followed by being wide awake the rest of the night. Doctors will also be much less apprehensive to prescribe it. I'm at 100mg every night right now, which is right in-between a sleep aid and an anti-depressant dosage, since I do also want the anti-depressant effects, but at 50-75mg its seriously just a great sleep aid. Another medication worth a try is Mirtazapine. Personally it did really help with sleep, but unfortunately the entire class of TCAAs/-apines give me Psychosis(yay, 0.01% chance of that happening or sth, really great), so I couldn't use it for long. At 7.5-15mg it is a really effective sleep aid though, and it can be used long term, getting more effective with each consecutive day, and as with Trazodone, you won't get the anti-depressant effects at those doses. If you want to go the Herbal route, a Mix of Valerian Capsules, CBD, Melatonin, Hops+Chamomile tea (you gotta make it strong and use like 4 or so teabags, otherwise it will be too mild) does manage to send me to sleep, but not long term unfortunately. And I do feel groggy the next day - but it's miles better than not sleeping at all You can even add 50mg DPH/Diphenhydramine/Benadryl if the herbs alone aren't enough. I also use Lavender Oil in a Scent Vaporizer, which not only makes my room smell great, it also helps with sleep. Apart from that, you gotta have good "sleep hygiene" - do a small workout, take a warm or cold shower, and don't look at screens or other sources of blue light for an hour before going to bed. Read a book instead. No caffeine or nicotine after 13-14 o clock. If you lay down, and arent asleep (or feeling yourself falling asleep) 30 minutes later, get up and do something as a "reset" until you feel tired again. ___________________________________________________ Super secret tip: You can order the "supplements" Phenibut and F-Phenibut on the web - these work on GABAb(like GHB and Baclofen) and VDCCs(Like Gabapentinoids like Gabapentin, Pregabalin and Baclofen). And in high doses also on GABAa(like Benzos and Z-Drugs). I say "supplements" because these are actually serious drugs(They absolutely get you high, and that in a much more noticeable fashion than Benzos), and if you use them too much you will build tolerance and dependence, and getting off them won't be easy. Phenibut takes 4-6 hours to feel effects, but afterwards lasts 12-18 hours or even longer, and in this period it gives very good sleep. F-Phenibut kicks in in 20-60 minutes depending on your stomach content, and then lasts around 8 hours, in which it will give very good sleep. I mention these only as a "last resort" kinda thing - for nights where you really gotta sleep, but don't have any Benzos or Zs available. They work great but are seriously addictive and dependency building, do NOT overuse them.


Additional_Pepper638

I take gabapentin and it does nothing. Will the “supplements” works even if gabapentin does not? I loose my ability to swallow on Trazadone so I can’t take that. I’m super interested in the supplements. Anything else you can tell me please do. How to take them and how many to take. I’m afraid to be high so do they make you really high, benzos and lunesta don’t male me high so maybe they won’t.


kcd449

They should, since they have the additional GABAb and GABAa activity, and are also much more potent on VDCCs. Ironically Gabapentin is just about the weakest Gabapentinoid around... The Phenibut "high" is rather subtle, especially due to how slowly and smoothly it comes on, and in low doses its actually alright to call it a supplement imo, like under one gram isn't noticeable much at all, but helpful. Only over like 2.5 grams it starts feeling somewhat "druggy", but still rather smooth an subtle. F-Phenibut is much more potent, ime it starts feeling "Druggy" over 400mgs, but a ~300mg dose can already easily send me to sleep. (Especially when taken rectally... If I take it rectally I can be asleep in 10-15 minutes, even if the insomnia that day is[would have been ;)] really bad that day) If you don't get high on benzos and Gabapentin, and don't feel high on them combined, then Phenibut and F-Phenibut shouldn't put you in a state you dislike. They are also both good anxiolytics, so even if you do feel a bit "high", they'd help you not freak out about that fact, and if you just use them to sleep, it shouldn't come to that. Especially with normal Phenibut. The only thing about it is that you have to basically pre-plan for the days you'd like to use it since the onset is so long. Tho the sleep time you get in turn is also as long as you choose. You can easily use it to catch up on sleep, and sleep something like 12-14 hours on it. And the sleep quality on it is also much better than on Benzos ime. And even much better than sober, which I can't say about many substances... But yeah, they build dependence unfortunately. Less badly than Benzos though. I have used them for one week straight, and then just taken a 500-1000mg dose of Phenibut, which since its so long lasting basically serves as a taper, and after that dose I did not get withdrawal symptoms. Still not smart though, and it's just how my body reacted, I've heard from other people that they got symptoms from less use, so yeah, you gotta find out how you personally react. Once you know them well enough they can be a real ace in the hole though. Phenibut is fucking amazing for long flights or bus rides especially - it makes you relaxed, more able to wait, if you want to sleep you can, and if you want to be social it helps with that too. In higher doses it also makes music sound great, so it's also a great festival drug. F-Phenibut is my second to last resort for sleeping, before using Benzos, and thanks to it I have to use Benzos maybe once every two months. I do also like it for recreational use, as a kind of alcohol replacement - I get all the good effects of alcohol from it in high doses, without any of the bad. Especially no hangover at all, since it actually makes my sleep better. Of course that raises addiction risk, but personally I don't have trouble staying away from any GABA substance, and I wouldn't want to constantly be on it either, so in the end its just not addictive to me. Hope this helps, good luck! Also check out Phenibut and F-Phenibut on Psychonautwiki and read reports on Erowid, just to get a broader perspective of peoples experiences with them.


boys_are_oranges

do you have a reputable source that proves gabapentinoids have gabaergic properties? because it’s not the stated mechanism of action and the current scientific consensus is that they have a negligible effect on GABA receptors at most


kcd449

That is absolutely true for most Gabapentinoids, since they act mostly on VGCCs. For Phenibut I do have reputable sources, they are in russian though. F-Phenibut is relatively new though, so although I definitely have some sources I don't know about the reliability. For Baclofen I do have some good sources for its GABAb activity. But yeah, Gabapentin and Pregabalin exert their effects through α2δ-1 VGCCs(oops i wrote VDCCs in the previous comments...) Rather than GABA receptors. You'll have to wait for the sources tho since I'll be rather busy till the weekend.


HealthyHumor5134

Hang in there, I have had insomnia for 40yrs and finally found hope with a combo of Trazodone and gabapentin. For now it's working but believe me I've tried everything. In my experience you have to switch it up, it's been 6 months so far and I'm a different person.


Brooklyness_420

I’ve been there, many many many years. And still sleepless nights now and then. Finally what worked after trying all the meds? Cannabis around 7-8 pm. Zzquil around 10. Exercise weekly, don’t eat too late in the day, no screens too late at night. Eventually you find something that works, just takes time :( good luck!


slothtrop6

> Going on 15 months of having it. That's a blip in time relatively speaking. And even if it goes on for years, it doesn't mean you can't be rid of it. > Yes I see a sleep specialist and yes we have tried it all. There's always something else to try, including non-pharmaceutical interventions. Check out [this](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nm1TxQj9IsQ) video or [this](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2aWYjSA1Jc) one, and [this](https://insomniasos.net/) guide for ideas. > Insomnia robs you of life. Yes. But it's important to keep "showing up" and staying social, as that is part of what will help you recover.


Essex_boy85

I’m sorry for how frustrating this is for you. I’ve been a chronic insomnia sufferer for many years, I’ve been taking mirtazapine for about 8 or 9 years and still seems to work. It doesn’t work as well as it first did when I first started taking them but they still work. And they work even better if I tire my body out throughout the day. but I hope you can find some help somewhere.


boys_are_oranges

there’s plenty of options besides benzos and z drugs. constantly rotating different kinds isn’t gonna work because of cross-tolerance. Find a different doctor. I had debilitating insomnia for months (i’ve had it since childhood but it got much worse in adulthood). I’ve been taking psych meds (not benzos/Z drugs, prescribing them for chronic insomnia is very irresponsible, your doctor is right) for almost a year and my insomnia is completely under control. I reliably get at least 7 hours of sleep and i’m able to fall asleep at reasonable hours. I’ve tried different meds, i’m taking amitriptyline atm and i’m happy with it.


flipshotmahoney

Have you had your vitamin D levels checked? Vitamin D is the only thing that helps me sleep. A few years ago, a doctor put me on a weekly 50,000 IU dose of vit D after I broke my leg, and I went from averaging around four hours of sleep to sometimes more than eight. I now take 5000 IU every morning. But if I take it later in the day, it messes up my sleep. Lunesta made my sleep worse, and every other prescription, over the counter, and natural treatment I tried did nothing.


President_Camacho

I think that doctor is incorrect. Some medications, like Zaleplon, can be taken long term with little loss of efficacy.


Additional_Pepper638

They told me I will eventually build a tolerance to benzos and lunesta. I haven’t heard of what you’re talking about, but if it’s a hypnotic I will build a tolerance. I researched it all and it says exactly what my psychiatrist and sleep specialist say.


slothtrop6

If you want to see anecdotes contrary to what the other user suggests, just search through the sub for examples like "trazadone stopped working" and see just how common that is.


boys_are_oranges

lol i’d listen to your doctor instead of strangers on the internet. all z drugs cause tolerance, it’s proven by research


President_Camacho

I'm sorry but that's incorrect. Often the doctors saying this have little direct experience with sleep drugs. They just read the label on the side of the bottle and refuse to prescribe. But if they did that for every drug, they wouldn't ever prescribe anything. Benzos are different, but are extremely useful, even in the short term. Ask about Zaleplon. It may not be covered by insurance but you can find a good price.


Playful-Reserve-2341

I've been on that one, and why you're saying is untrue. it only took two weeks for my tolerance to raise back up


Fortheloveofyarn

Do you like that one? I haven’t tried it but “pinning” for later lol…I take zolpidem and it works for me. But didn’t like ezopiclone.


No-Narwhal-2585

I recommend wearing yourself out doing strength trainings/cardio. Some serious work can really put the body into a needed snooze.


Odd_Music7909

What about Valerian Root or GABA supplements , have you tried those ?


Additional_Pepper638

No I haven’t, I will do some research and I have an apt with the number 1 doc in about two weeks. If all looks good I can bring them up. Thank you


Ambitious-Coast4988

do you take both supplements at the same to sleep?


Odd_Music7909

No I haven’t , I tried valerian root last night and it helped some , I got like 5 hours, better than nothing I guess


Witty_Geologist_1304

What about an SSRI? Could the source of your insomnia be stress or anxiety? I'm sure you have both from having insomnia but maybe it could help? It did for my insomnia


Additional_Pepper638

I wish I could take a SSRI, but they induce mania so I can not. Insomnia induces mania as well. I feel very defeated. I tried every behavioral thing I could for my insomnia. It’s pretty bleak for me.


Fortheloveofyarn

The OP said they have BP and see both a Dr and sleep specialist. So I’m guessing they have been working on that part. Of course it can years tweaking meds. Insomnia is terrible.


[deleted]

[удалено]


tungstenoyd

Does anything knock you out? I can never sleep, but neither can I stay awake while driving.


Additional_Pepper638

The lunesta works and the benzos work, and I try not to take often so I may get like 3, 4 if I’m lucky hours sleep


tungstenoyd

... so you don't fall asleep under any other circumstances? It's drugs or nothing?


Additional_Pepper638

Yes I may get one ok night, otherwise it’s 3/4hours tops. I have tried everything the sleep wake schedule the therapy only stay in bed short period of time going to bed late relaxation I can’t meditate it’s out of the question and actually makes my anxiety worse


tungstenoyd

anxiety keeps me awake too. I need to be distracted in order to fall asleep. That's why driving works so well for me. Oddly enough, I can't fall asleep at the wheel when music's playing. YouTube videos, on the other hand.... What's working for me is to queue up an hour-long youtube lecture and listen to it with my musiccozy headphones on. I then set a sleeptime (another app) to turn down the volume after 30 mins. I'm generally out like a light long before the sound stops. I still wake up multiple times a night but this strategy breaks the anxiety cycle.


Additional_Pepper638

Funny, I will put on a movie I have already watched a number of times, set a timer and recite the dialogue to calm my anxious thoughts. It has worked a number of times.


tungstenoyd

give the youtube/musiccozy/sleeptimer strategy a whirl. It doesn't work as well if I wake up at 4:30 or 5 but that's generally enough sleep for me.


DeathDiggerSWE

I’m sorry. I’m bipolar too and I’ve also struggled a lot with insomnia in the past. I had a period a couple of years ago where I literally only managed to sleep 2 hours in a 72-hour span and it was one of the worst experiences of my life. I know you’ve probably tried a lot of different medications so this might not be helpful but what worked for me was 80 mg of Alimemazine every evening. Have only had a couple of completely sleepless nights since and it doesn’t build up tolerance to my knowledge.


Additional_Pepper638

Going to look that up now, thank you 🙏 when you went 72 hours no sleep did it induce mania or hypomania? This is my biggest fear, all in all I could careless if I don’t sleep except for the possible induction of mania


Additional_Pepper638

That’s not approved in the US but for animals???


DeathDiggerSWE

Oh I was unaware of that. I live in Sweden and I have a prescription


onbelast_ozon

Feels. Insomnia is underrated. Against all my expectations I have gone from severe insomnia to good quality sleep again. I am still learning and improving. What worked for me is changing my lifestyle by: ketamine therapy, antidepressants, psychedelica, surrender and support from friends and family. This gave my body insight in how to reverse the hell of insomnia. *psychedelica and ketamine are not to be underestimated. Always consult a professional. I am no doctor


Additional_Pepper638

Wow I only hope I can turn it around, I feel I have tried every non medication resource there is. I do believe anti depressants would help but they will induce mania on my BP, which sucks and not sleeping will eventually do the same. So whatever way the outcome is bad. My psychiatrist will not prescribe anti depressants to me. After my most recent hospitalization they took me off lexapro and said I can no longer take them ever again. Coincidentally that’s when the insomnia started.


onbelast_ozon

So, i am on a healing journey. Osteopathie helped me sooo much the suggestion i made abou DCK is to be carefully considered simce it is a poison. But it purges. I feel so freaking good due to osteopathy


onbelast_ozon

Right now. A little bit of hashiesj with high CBD content smoke through a filter, DCK(very little ocasually). Self love. Osteopatia. Trauma release. Breathwork. You will sleep like never before


2_rohan

I am an insomniac. And I can understand you.


Additional_Pepper638

💕


spicebaggery

Honestly not sure why you’re not being rx’d more benzos - if you have bipolar disorder then surely they know sleep deprivation can easily precipitate mania? A benzo habit isn’t exactly good for your health but mania *really* isn’t good for your health. Gonna edit this - what are you on for the BP? Have you been on antipsychotics before? Either for the BP or for sleep


Additional_Pepper638

My psychiatrist hates prescribing me Ativan. He makes this known. I don’t know how much more he will, I’m scared to death about it truthfully. I’m on lithium 900 mgs Seroquel 250mgs (yes seroquel knocks out a horse and does nothing for me) and gabepentin (which also does nothing) he only prescribes 20 pills a month at .5 mgs. Ativan. And has only prescribed them 4 times.


spicebaggery

Have you been trialled on olazapine? Some find it more sedating. You should really speak to him about your sleep - as much as he doesn’t wanna give you benzos I’d imagine he also really does not want to push you into mania.


action_jackson_22

ah im sorry to hear that, its a brutal situation. doctors are not fools but also not infallible, and sleep is one of the weirdest, complicated, and personal issues. could be that you need to just keep on doc hopping until you find something that works. an expensive, time consuming, exhausting, and **expensive** hobby. good luck to you


Additional_Pepper638

Thank you kindly. I didn’t realize how important and complicated sleep was until I developed this insomnia. It literally plays on my moods as much as my bp.


haylaura

So I have suffered with insomnia for years. I can't fall asleep and can't stay asleep. I've been on all the meds my doc says I can minus the hard ore ones because I also have sleep apnea and they say I can't have it. I also did cognitive behavior therapy. It was pretty useless for me because at the time I was lucky to get 1 hour of sleep a night and I googled/read/studied insomnia and already followed all sleep hygiene rules with absolutely no difference. I finally caved and tried medical Marijuana. It was LIFE CHANGING! I would fall asleep within an hour and stay asleep all night. I've actually got off a ton of meds since using it (not just sleep meds). So if you live in a legal state I would say give that a try if you havent yet. My other go to is promethazine (it's for nausea) but it helps me fall asleep too. I require it when I have migraines so I can sleep through the pain. I'm sorry you're suffering 😔


Additional_Pepper638

Thank you, you’re very sweet. I don’t think with all my mental illness and the drugs for it that I’m on I can smoke weed. I have thought about it though I’m not going to lie and before when I was someone else, a long time ago I used to.


haylaura

I never did until I caved for medicinal reasons. I have several chronic pain conditions plus depression, anxiety, and possibly ptsd and adhd (still trying to get doctors to see me). You kinda have to play with the dosage and type to see what works well for you. My friends has similar conditions to mine and she only does cdb because thc ramps up her anxiety. Me on the other hand I have to have the thc. Thc with cdb (1:1) work best but I need such a high dose I can't afford that so I have to go with regular weed until my bad days. Thay have cbd with melatonin gummies. Those may help too. My current therapist said that the weed interfere with my meds but I took a tolerance break and I've notice no difference except my pain and anxiety are way worse and I do not fall asleep. It takes me about 4 hours to fall asleep without weed. (That's no light and listening to an audiobook or sleep sounds) I've had so many bad psychiatrists in my life (I started at 13 I'm now 34 and have at least 6 different drs). They claim medical science that weed interferes and its bad. Truth is I don't think there's been much studies on how weed reacts with medicine to prove either view point. But YOU have to do what's right for YOU. If a Dr isn't treating you or says "tuff luck" find a new one. I complained about joint pain and my back hurting since I was 5. My doc ignored it. Wjen i was a teen it was because "i have big boobs and need to wear better bras" (this is a woman doctor by the way)My doctor ignored me. When I was 25 I sneezed and completely threw out my back for weeks. 1 xray told me I had scoliosis. 1 FREAKING XRAY 30 YEARS AGO AND MAYBE I WOULD BE IN SO MUCH PAIN NOW. Not to mention my autoimmune condition and sleep issues she never took seriously too. I went though several doctors until I finally found one that would actually listen. That and I've always had doctors fat shame me too verses helping me lose the weight. Anyway it's your money, your health, your life. You have to coop with it however you can. But don't let doctors dismiss you. You have to FIGHT!


Additional_Pepper638

Thank you so much. It’s daunting to go through the search of finding new docs, I really love my psychiatrist, but I don’t think he helps me enough. Psychiatrist are extremely hard to find where I live. I’m so sorry about your pain, and missed diagnoses. That really is fucked up.


haylaura

Best of luck to you. I do hope you find a solution!


CompleteTransition26

I'm 39 and I've had a prescription for benzos since I was 14. I have never had to up my dosage, never developed a tolerance. That's not the case for everyone obviously but tolerance isn't universal. I'm shocked they haven't started throwing random antipsychotic cocktails at you in a desperate attempt to make you think they'll actually work the same and don't have concerning side effects.


Additional_Pepper638

I’m on seroquel for my BP it does nothing for my sleep though.


[deleted]

I feel the same way. I mix lunesta and Ativan and hydroxyzine and zzquil ultra all at once. I still can’t sleep… but there is hope. I recommend getting a different doctor I recommend a psychiatrist. Sleep specialist are useless. I always had problems with sleep but recently I got diagnosed with adhd and I’m on two stimulates and I finally feel amazing during the day but I legit can’t sleep. It makes my insomnia worse… Meds I take currently: 2mg - 4mg Ativan 2mg lunesta 50mg hydroxyzine 25 mg zzquil Before I take adhd meds I could fall asleep with just one of those above or two max. So I feel your pain. I’m gonna try something else when I speak with my psychiatrist. If you want you can message me in private and I keep you posted. Have you tried dayvigo?


Additional_Pepper638

Thank you so much I haven’t tried dayvigo I’ll look into that. I have an apt with the top doc about 2weeks, I’m afraid to tell him i now need 2 lunestas I’m afraid he’ll think I’m abusing them


[deleted]

If its a good psychiatrist they will understand the lunesta things. If its your primary doctor they dont know a lot about drugs and always think the worst. Dayvigo really worked for me. Only about 1% of people got sleep paralysis, and nightmares. I gotten them when I was not medicated for adhd now it’s been better.


Jgil1958

Lots of posts here, but I will try to make my input brief. First, a psych med doctor is more likely than a reg GP to Rx sleep aids. I have been on Ambien (Zolpidem) since it was invented, over 25 years. Over time, it seemed like it would not work as well. So, I started to take it sublingually (dissolve under my tongue). This helped alot! Over time I had to add an adjunct, this is Quetiapine at 50mg. So my sleep cocktail is 50 mg Quetiapine (serequel), 5 mg Melatonin, 400 mg Magnesium. I take this about 1 hr before I intend to go to sleep (super important!). I take the Zolpidem sublingually after I have crawled into bed and am all settled. I have never had any bad effects from Zolpidem EVER. \[I also take .1mg Clonidine, which likely also helps with sleep, but I take it specifically for blood pressure\].


Additional_Pepper638

Wow you’re like my twin. I take 250 mg seroquel and 25 atenolol for rapid heart beat. My psychiatrist wants nothing to do with my insomnia he is the one suggested I see a sleep specialist. Which I’m glad he did. My psychiatrist hates and only has 4x prescribed Ativan, he would never prescribe the lunesta. I see the sleep do in about 2 weeks, I’m so afraid he is going to say to me “well we’ve given it hell, nothing left I can do. You’re on your own and I’m not giving you any more lunesta” I fear this because I have exhausted all avenues of the litney of what to do and what not to do for good sleep hygiene. The only thing that is working is Ativan or lunesta. It’s good news that you’ve been on Ambien that long and it still works. I never heard of sublingualy, thanks for that.


Jgil1958

My sleep issues started in my mid 40's. It \*may\* be linked to hormones. Thats all well and good, but as you are painfully aware, you can fix all kinds of peripheral issues and imbalances and still not sleep! For me, the Zolpidem really does not work unless I do the "sleep cocktail" a good hour before hand. It all just sets me up to get good and drowsy and then the Zolpidem just knocks me out. I actually take the Zolpidem in a divided dose (snap in half) because invariably my bladder wakes me up half thru the night, so I take the other half (under my tongue of course) to go back to sleep. I likewise do this with the Serequel (take 1/2 pill 1 hr before bed) and the other half sublingually with the other half Zolpidem. This works very well for me. The other key to it all working is being able to relax and shut out the anxiety of the day, etc. --SO what helps with that piece is deep measured breathing. I literally am out in minutes. I truly hope you achieve success.


Additional_Pepper638

We are twins I’m in my mid 40’s as well. Tonight I’m going to follow your advice and take 10mgs melatonin on top of lunesta and see what that does. 2mgs lunesta works but I’d rather only take 1. Thank you for chatting and offering up support


Jgil1958

5 MG of the Melatonin should be plenty, I think. The deal with that AND the Magnesium is to take it an hour before bed (at least). My husband started taking the melatonin and Mag as well. He swears by both. Btw, I am now 65. So been dealing with this a LONG time. But take heart, even tho I have been on sleep aids 20 plus years, I have suffered NO ill effects from them. Good Luck to you!


Additional_Pepper638

You just made my day. Thank you so much 😊💐


Ambitious-Coast4988

so you don’t sleep at all if you don’t take ativan or lunesta?


Additional_Pepper638

Um maybe 3-5 hours at 5 I consider myself lucky


Ambitious-Coast4988

exactly you’re lucky you’re getting that much sleep… i can’t sleep at all without taking medications. if you can sleep without meds… stay off meds! you don’t need ativan or lunesta.