ok i need a real sleep aid, not xanax nor otc aids. Just wondering what has worked or not work for others.
In good health, brian
Posted by groovy2 (Member # 6304) on :
Hi Brain
Amitriptyl HCL 25mg X 2 or 3 work OK for me
Sometimes it dings me out a little but not real bad- Jay-
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
vistaril-NOT the generic-helped me for many years
i only neede 25mg a night for a long time
helped with a.m. anxiety too.
didn't even need it every night
but the last year i have had to take more of it so doc is trying me on 5htp and melatonin...i dreamed the first night!!!
Posted by sunshinyday (Member # 14337) on :
I use Holy Basil to stop the cortisol reaction. I also use Enzymatic Therapy Revitalizing Sleep Formula and or melatonin.
This is not medical advice, just sharing experience.
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
Sonata knocks me out, but gives me headaches.
Ambien is good.
Lunesta is better.
Lunesta plus Lyrica and I'm sleeping a solid 8 hours and feeling refreshed in the morning for the first time in years.
Posted by feelfit (Member # 12770) on :
Brian,
Trazadone? It is an old anti-depressant but helps a lot w/ sleep. Remeron too. I would try these before ambien....but that's just me.
Klonopin works excellent for my sleep. Doesn't give me the rebound anxiety that xanax does.
Good Luck!
Feelfit Posted by kelmo (Member # 8797) on :
Rozerem is good.
Posted by Just Julie (Member # 1119) on :
Hi Brian, I have taken Restoril, 15mg, for years, off and on. It come's in 15 mg and 30mg strength, in capsule form.
My LLMD prescribed the higher dose (30mg) for me intially, and it made me too sleepy the next day. So, I took the capsule, opened it up, dumped half of it out, approximating 15mg dose, and it worked like a charm!
I have found in the years past, that the "newer" medications (not just sleep medications) come with their own nightmarish side effects (Ambien's common one - sleep eating, sleep driving, waking up and doing stuff you don't remember doing later in the day)so I tend to want to go with the older, more time honored drugs, which is what Restoril is.
I am a nurse, and when working in the 80's, I remember giving Restoril as a sleep medication. So, I always look for those older versions of whatever drug. They are still around for a reason!
Just recently, there was news about the newer anti-depressants drugs on the market---I can't remember the exact drugs (Xyprexa was one)but the findings/research was saying that these newer anti-depressant drugs were causing so many (even death? sorry, can't recall specifics) problems, either coming to market before the true side effects were made known, or just the prescription drug companies rushing them to market, that people were being seriously harmed. Not worth it to me.
Trazadone is an older anti-depressant, not without side effects, but I would trust that drug over the newer ones (Ambien, what a horrible drug) for sleep. Julie
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
julie right on. go for the older drugs is one of my "rules" thats why i stayed with the vistaril for so long. i often get into trouble when i give in to my primary's nagging to take something i HATE all those ads on tv...they have something for every lyme symptom-but nothing to cur e it
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
Lunesta is the only one that has helped me. Haven't noticed any side effects. Wake up more alert and refreshed not drugged out feeling.
Posted by Parisa (Member # 10526) on :
Lunesta worked better than Ambien for my husband. Insurance wouldn't pay for it but luckily our primary was willing to give us samples.
Posted by sweet pea (Member # 6495) on :
Ambien, but you're not supposed to take it long term.
I've been taking 1/2 pill of Klonopin + 6 mg melatonin every night, and it's worked better than anything besides Ambien. I am a bit groggy in the morning though. Also, at first, the Klonopin made me depressed, but that stopped after a couple of weeks.
Posted by sutherngrl (Member # 16270) on :
Lyrica 75mg and Xanax 1/2 to 1 mg.
Posted by Rianna (Member # 11038) on :
Zopiclone knocks me out cold for 8 hours with no hang over the next day
Rianna
Posted by lymeHerx001 (Member # 6215) on :
I take everything and I hate it. I think I just need a better mattress and that will help.
I take
10mg ambien 50-75mg Lyrica 25mg benadryl
sometimes melatonin and xanax
Posted by 0624sm (Member # 15591) on :
My husband takes Lunesta. It works for him with no side effects.
Joyce/cypriane
Posted by Dahlia (Member # 17066) on :
Klonopin is the only thing that has helped me sleep that doesn't leave me with a groggy hangover the next day. It is a benzo like Xanax, but lasts longer so might help you sleep through the night.
Most people report success with Ambien. I get unbearable next day grogginess from it, but most people seem to metabolize it better.
Lunesta and Trazodone are also good options.
My advice is to keep trying different stuff until you find the one med or a combo of meds or meds/herbs that work best for you.
Good luck! I know chronic insomnia is possibly the most frustrating things to deal with.
Dahlia
Posted by dg0207 (Member # 15623) on :
stay away from benzos!!!
I was taking Ativan for sleep. Big mistake. Even short term use can bring on withdrawal symptoms. must taper off.
If needed try natural melantonin, valerian, rozerem then lunesta. They are probably safest alternatives in the order listed.
dg
Posted by sammy1 (Member # 12754) on :
salt/ c has given me MANY nights of restful sleep after suffering for many years with insomnia and unrefresfing sleep. i don't know how it works but is has allowed me to sleep VERY well.
Posted by Raymond (Member # 13980) on :
LUUUNEESSSTA only 3 mg but has you out quickly. If only had a 5 mg. First time I took it up 45 minutes later but now that's changed. Does put one into REM... That's the kicker and depending on what you read about sleep meds you want to make sure you have the benefit of REM.....
At first that was a problem. Now on ambiem and I'll pop a clonzepam (if needed). Just have to remember that you like most will wake up during the night on this stuff, but falling back shouldn't be a problem..that's an idea that REM I believe is a happening.
Ambiem comes in 5mg, 6.25mgCR 10mg and 12.5mgCR. If you have to start out on a higher dose you can cut down as time goes on. You'll notice it's time to cut down by length of time it takes you to fall asleep. Maybe some of it is in the head...
I was down to just taking clonzepam but new weird symptoms have popped up so 5mg on ambiem...
I remember when falling asleep on couch without any meds was as easy as talking to wife...She would get so mad especially after drinking a six or two, but no REM there...
Posted by Patti C. (Member # 14516) on :
Hi, I've taken everything, and the only thing that really works for me is Restoril, 30 mgs. I sleep a good 8 and wake up without feeling drowsy. I also take 10 mgs. of melatonin every night, even when I take the Restoril. LD messes with all of your hormones, and my doc says melatonin disturbances are now linked to depression as well as insomnia.
Since contracting LD I've experienced horrible insomnia and depression; the melatonin and Restoril have definitely helped me.
Patti
Posted by Raymond (Member # 13980) on :
Does the Restoril help with pain...It's says no bettee than a NASIAD pain reliver etc... Have you noticed any difference between we'll say motrin and restoril?
Posted by Pauline (Member # 10000) on :
Klonopin is excellent as a sleep aid. Lasts a lot longer than Xanax. This has knocked me out even with severe anxiety and I feel fine the next morning.
Posted by Patti C. (Member # 14516) on :
Hey Raymond,
The Restoril doesn't help with pain per se, but your pain seems to be a little less when you're relatively well rested.
Elavil, which is an older tricyclic antidepressant, works well for neuropathic pain and helps you sleep, but watch out for weight gain! I took this for 5 years and it worked well for sleep, but the constant weight gain made my Lyme arthritis worse. Double-edged sword.
If you can find something else to manage your pain, I still think Restoril is best for sleep, especially if you can start taking 5-10 mgs. of melatonin each night too.
Patti
Posted by MarlaSue (Member # 14601) on :
After trying many different things for my daughter we finally gave her a combo of Valium, Seroquel and Lyrica. It's potent, but it works.
I've been taking Valium and Soma for years. It works so-so. I just added Seroquel and am having better sleep.
P.S. If you are taking Rifampin, it will use up a lot of these kind of meds and you may need a higher dosage than someone not on Rifampin.
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