sleep disorder

Posted , 5 users are following.

Would like advice on sleep disorders,what kinds are they and what medication has people used and have they worked! Insomnia for 18 years! Thanks

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5 Replies

  • Posted

    There are, unfortunately, no medications suitable for long term insomnia. But there is basically one treatment plan for it, and it does work but you have to stick at it. It is called sleep hygiene. If you have been to your doctors about the insomnia they should have given you information on this but doing a quick Google search will provide you with all the information you need.

    It is basically getting in to a good sleep routine. There is a reason it works so well with babies... but we sort of forget our sleep training the second we are allowed to make our own choices about going to bed and insomnia is typical of what happens as a reult.

    When I got my ex to do it, it worked for him in 1 week flat, however for lots of people you need to work at it for weeks, even months. And the important thing is that it is a change you need to make for life. You need to help your body know when it is time to fall asleep and when it is time to wake up.

    I would do some research into this and give it a go. Insomnia is awful and, particularly if you have had it this long, I am sure you are willing to try anything that might work... after all, what have you got to loose?

    I wish you the best of luck. This really is your best option since doctors are really unwilling to provide sleeping tablets for more than a few days at a time, and in reality long term use of sleeping aids will actually make insomnia worse, not better. xx

    • Posted

      It makes sense what ur saying! And no know doctors have told me about that sleep hygiene! I went to a mental health team and doctors today and they have put me on 1 10mg tamazies a day,4 1mg of lorazies a day and 2 3.75mg of zopiclone a day which is quite alot but they all keep saying I have to wait to c the phycatrist on the 24 August to c what's wrong and what rite meds to be on! These days one doctor says one thing and another says something else! Which makes u worse CUs u don't no what to believe! But hopefully I will get there in the end! X
    • Posted

      I am hoping you have been on sedatives for a while for them to put you on this sort of dosage???? I am not sure why they are mixing sedatives too?

      If you have been on these sorts of sedatives, particularly for a long time, it is no wonder you are having trouble falling asleep since your body is fighting to stay awake all day. Whilst sleep hygiene is still your best bet, being on this amount of sedatives may make things a bit harder.

      Do you know why they have put you on so many sedatives? Is it anxiety? If so, there are other medications available that may help and shouldn't cause the sleep issues.

      When you see the psychiatrist, let them know that you are on a large amount of heave duty sedatives and ask if there are any other alternative options that may be more suitable, like Pregabalin for example.

      Since I don't know your medical background I am not sure what your best treatment options are. And as for the sedatives I presume you are taking them throughout the day? Personally, I don't think long term use of sedatives is helpful to anyone, except when there is no other choice treatment wise. If you have tried other anxiety medications, and therapy has been unhelpful etc then sedatives may be your only option. But I would make sure you go down every other avenue you can first. Even Propranolol is an option for anxiety.

      I am also surprised no one has mentioned sleep hygiene to you, since there aren't really any other long term options for insomnia. However hopefully you can look it up and give it a go, as I said before you have nothing to lose by doing it.

      If you are happy taking what you have been prescribed, then that is fine, but if you aren't I would defnitely discuss it with your psychiatrist when you get the chance.

      And if, by some tiny chance, you have not been on sedatives longer term and they just handed you all these out of the blue please phone someone today and get a second opinion since taking this level of sedation when you aren't used to it could prove very dangerous.

      I hope things look up for you soon my dear xx

  • Posted

    I have had severe sleep issues since may 2005.....ten yrs....most of the meds I am allergic to.  Right now I am on Temazapan, Lunesta (3mg, 2 at night), Melatonin 20mg (2 melt under tongue at nite), and a few others......and I still get to bed about 3am, wake up at 7am......it is awful.  I am NEVER tired or groggy during the day.  And in fact have VERY high energy.....been to many doctors and they all agree I am a very unusual case.  I am highly allergic to most meds......hives, throat closing, etc.

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