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MedHelp Member's Question

Sleep Medications

by Frankinscense, Apr 01, 2001 12:00AM
I have had a insomnia my entire adult life. I have taken prescription meds to treat the insomnia. I have the best luck with temezapam.(restoril) I use restoril 30mgm's one night and alternate with alprazolam 1mg. the next night. This has fair results. My only problem is the meds from the beginning have only allowed 5-6 hours sleep. This results in some daytime sleepiness in the afternoon. I have a job that requires 100% of my concentration. My health is excellent otherwise. Blood test has proven this. I get some exercise. I walk 30-45 min. 3x a week before work.  My question is>> I would like to repeat the xanax 1mg when I awaken @ 2:30 am. My doctor has ok"d this method. But in your opinion Dr. Steve. Will this effect my concentration throughout the day? By the way I am an opiate addict seven years clean. Your opinion or comment will be greatly appreciated. Thank You.

Dan S.
Member Comments (23)

by Pixie, Apr 03, 2001 12:00AM
If you exercise vigorously even for 20 minutes sometime during the day, and then try a meditative routine at night that includes somthing like yoga or Tai Chi or even a visualization/relaxation tape, you may find that you don't need any meds at all.

I know this sounds very idealistic and not everybody can do these things, but they are tried and true methods.

I am sympathetic to your situation, believe me. I battle with insomnia at night and then complete grogginess during the day. I am certainly not abject to the use of medication either, as I take tons of it to relieve this or that.

It's just that using medicine may be a decent way to treat symptoms, but the underlying cause gets ignored and festers.

I have been accused of "drug seeking behavior" even by the doctor in this forum, and I have a very legitimate need for various controlled subtances. What I'm getting at is that if you can solve your problem without prescriptions, you will probably save yourself a tremendous amount of grief (on so many levels) in the long run.

That's my two cents-hope it helps.

Good Luck,

Pixie

by PS >>>>Annie, Apr 03, 2001 12:00AM
To: Pixie
.....I was wondering about you???  How have you been.  Has your little dilemma worked out??  I had a dreadful you know what....this week.  I thought about you. lol  

Just cking in on you.



Annie

by PS >>>>Annie, Apr 03, 2001 12:00AM
To: Pixie......pssssss
I have an article under the Hedhurtz thread and it continues under the vicodin fm44 thread.  Don't ask??



You may find this interesting, if you haven't seen or heard about it yet.  It is about what happens to doctors who don't have the heart to turn people (like yourself) away.

Annie

by Pixie, Apr 06, 2001 12:00AM
To: Annie
Thank you, Annie for showing concern for me. Ther are a few people on this board that I specifically look for thier comments, and you are one of them. Spook is also on that list.

I am okay. I have had some intense dental work this week, and the dentist didn't send me home with any meds. I was infuriated. I sat down with the man and had an ultra long talk with him about my situation. I laid all the cards out on the table. It didn't make a difference, if anything it scared him more. I told him that I stopped seeing my last dentist for this very reason. Didn't matter.

I called the doctor who treats my fibromyalgia, and he was pretty upset about the dentist. We speak twice a week, and I write down logs of my daily activities including pill taking, and he has determined that I can handle Narcotic pain relief responsibly. He knows that it is necessary right now. He knows that I am constantly seeking a better way to treat my pain-that I abhor drugs and chemicals as a whole. Being that we have such an honest relationship, and we meet and speak so frequently, I think he realizes that any potential "problem" can be quickly nipped in the bud early. Last time I began taking more than I was supposed to, I called him and said, "don't prescribe me any more Vicoprofen for a while. I'm building up a tolerance." He helped me through the withdrawals that followed cessasion, and I went for a long run without any. I'm back on it now, but I have to be. When I can make the time and funds available to start accupuncture and massage and other "alternative" treatments a regular thing for me, I will hopefully get the pain under control so I don't need meds. (please, oh please)

Funny-insurances and medicaid will pay for pills but not accupuncture or massage, but we are scorned for using the pills.

Ah, I better not get started.

Anyway, thanks again Annie.

Pixie

by PS >>>>Annie, Apr 06, 2001 12:00AM
To: Pixie
I can't tell you in words, what your post means to me.  I have had some serious issues about posting on an addiction forum about my chronic pain situation.  I don't want to give anyone a leg to continue abusing.  I feel you and I are in the same boat though.  I am so glad to hear about the relationship between you and the doctor.  I aggree w/ him.  Together you will be able to responsibly take the pain medication.

It's ironic that you posted to me today, a fibromyalgia patient, because I am in the process of getting in to see a Rheumatologist to treat my arthritis long term(havent had any success finding info on degenerative arthritis on the web).  I have discovered something.  I will not be able to get an appt. till June.  This means they are very busy.  That's a good sign.  The "pain doctors" ofcs were always empty.  Sometimes I was the only patient in there.  

If you don't mind, could you elaborate on fibromyalgia...I have been having nerve pain of some sort down the "good" leg.  This is baffling to me, a bit.  Thanks for your post, it brightened my day.



Love,

Annie

by spook, Apr 07, 2001 12:00AM
To: what "id" or is sleep for?
I just took 6 mg of xanax and alot of alcohol and do not feel sleepy at all,actually abit exited and creative in a psychodelic sense.

I would recommend 0.5mg (4 x 0.125mg tablets) and pre-dose with serzone(antidepressant for a week or so in advance)_(synergistic),you will sleep like 2 babies.after stalking the street and causing havoc,good luck.

by spook, Apr 07, 2001 12:00AM
To: Sleep whats that?
FORGET xanax and get a real sleeping pill(these are called Halcion-Triazolam)TAKE:_ 0.5mg(4 x 0.125mg tablets) upon retiring as late as possible better when in actual bed(short half life),But get onto SERZONE first.and do not blame me when you are tolerant and have not sleept for 3 months,but it is excellent while it Blasts ,months to years in fact in fact.

by Frankinscense, Apr 08, 2001 12:00AM
To: Spook
What credentials do you have to give advice like you give? You claim to be a neuropyschopharmacologist. Give me a break man! It sounds like you are an individual with medium intelligence that knows drugs simply because you ingest them. It is my impression that you have a major drug problem. You give advice that could be dangerous to many people. I think you need to take your drug abuse and advice to a treatment facility. At times you may say something worthwhile. But recently your advice has been unintelligble and dangerous. You are welcome here. But try to refrain from coming here and giving advice while intoxicated. Dan...

by spook, Apr 08, 2001 12:00AM
To: 'doc' Dan
Sorry,you are right,I will TRY to post only while straught.

by spook, Apr 08, 2001 12:00AM
To: doc
Benzodiazepines are only useful for acute (short term) insomnia,any effect you are having after a month or so is either placebo OR sleep induced by alleviating the withdrawals you now experience daily from Benzodiazepine use,Typical symptoms include waking up in middle of night and wanting to take more sleeping pills.I initially suggested Halcion because of its very short half life and very potent effect,combining it with the antidepressant Serzone will prolong its half life and double plasma levels.So you should go out like a light bulb and stay asleep for 6 hours at least,and their will be no hang over in morning.(may some retrograde ammnesia and loss of REM sleep)

However if you use any benzodiazepine for more than 4 weeks (approx)it will lose its "hypnotic" effect and if half life is short,ie xanax/halcion/temazepam,mogadon/ativan/etc then withdrawals will occur during the day,causing anxiety,etc.

Benzodizepines should never be used long term as a Hypnotic as ever increasing doses are required,they can be used long term as antianxiety agents as tolerance to this effect generally does not occur within 8 months if at all.

I have read every peice off medical literature I can get my hands on and they all confirm this.

I think you must get off Benzo`s and try something else like see an Endocrinologist.Do lots of exercise ,give up caffeine,try meditation.Ask a Doctor,I only specialize in Drugs and their effects on the brain and (mind)

by PS >>>>Annie, Apr 09, 2001 12:00AM
To: "Dan"
.....Wait, wiping the tears of hysterical laughter away.  

All I can say is....That's Spook.  lol...no lmao

by cindi, Apr 09, 2001 12:00AM
To: Annie
ROFLMAO   glad you e-mailed me,  this is making my day.....Yep that's our boy spook!!!!!   love ya annie you along with brighty are my bright spots.   of course we can't leave out Spooky Lukey        Love cindi

by PS >>>>Annie, Apr 09, 2001 12:00AM
To: Cindi
I read it again......and still lol.  Get this, " you will sleep like 2 babies, after stalking the street and causing havoc." lol

Then, after Doc dan scolds him he says, "I will try to post only when straught." lmao

I was feeling so low today, and I stumbled onto this thread and pulled myself up.  I have been couped up so long.  I guess cabin fever or something.  I just really needed a good laugh.  Hey that's the best medicine......huh?



Love,



Annie

by PS >>>>Annie, Apr 09, 2001 12:00AM
.....Only Spook would get stoned, log on to an addiction forum, and start dispensing advice..........He is too funny.  

Laughter is the best medicine.     ...look for the humor in it!