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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Help with sleep--I am getting more depressed
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.
Help with sleep--I am getting more depressed
by Mandydlg, Mar 09, 2004 12:00AM
I have major depression and also treated recently for a heavy ambien addiction. I have been two months off ambien and know I can never use it again. But my sleep is getting worse and worse. It is mainly falling asleep that is the problem. if I get to sleep I am ok. I take Wellbutrin 300mgXl, Lexapro 20mg, Lamictal 100mg bid and Neurontin 800mg bid. I don't think they are causing the sleep problem since I have been on them for awhile. Is there anything I can take that would help this problem? Would sonata be safe or would it stimulate my addiction. I am really desperate. Thank you
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Mar 10, 2004 12:00AM
, Mar 10, 2004 12:00AM
Both Lexapro and Wellbutrin can have a stimulating effect which may contribute to the problem so be sure not to take them at night if you can avoid it.
Your trouble falling asleep now is probably more a psychological self consciousness than anything else, so any way you can divert yourself might be better than just adding one more medication to your already considerable cocktail.
Your trouble falling asleep now is probably more a psychological self consciousness than anything else, so any way you can divert yourself might be better than just adding one more medication to your already considerable cocktail.
Surprisingly, I was switched to Zolpidem.
And my doc told me to switch molecules once in a while to avoid addicition.
So basically I swiched between Zolpidem and Doxilamine Succinate (which is OTC) for a while.
Also tried valerian root. I didn't get addicted to those, but I feel that it was diminishing the effect of the anti-depressants.
Then I discovered melatonin ! It really helped a lot, because it does regulate your sleeping cycle without side-effect nor addictions: you take 3mg every night and after a few days you'll feel very sleepy approx 30mn after taking it.
These days, although I'm still treated for depression, I no longer have sleeping problems (or the problem has changed: I over-sleep) and no need at all for sleeping pills nor for melatonin.
Also note: you may want to check with an open-minded doctor if your difficulties falling asleep are really insomnia or whether it is anxiety. In the latter case, you should be given appropriate anxiolitic rather than sleeping pills, or switch one of the anti-depressants to one which helps you anxiety/sleep (E.g. Remeron did wonders for me).
And of course, the usual common-sense: exercise, go to bed at the same time, do not stay in bed awake etc.
Plus other helpful tricks: use an eye mask/plugs, put a bit of lavender oil on a tissue next to your bed ? Perhaps try guided-meditation tapes (e.g. google Kelly Howell) ?
Good luck !
I have lost all interest in life. I think it would help if I had a "buddy" so to speak to talk to and encourage each other to not use. Please don't write and tell me to go to AA or NA or something of that nature. It's not going to happen. It's all I can do to muster the strength to move from one end of the house to the other. If you would be interested in sponsoring me so to speak please write back. Thank you. Again please no nonsense about AA.
Also, telling someone with addiction potential that they should even consider an anxiolytic is crazy. Those meds are far more addicting than Ambien is b/c of the way they work on your body.
Georgie, good luck with your problems. Somehow I think that Ambien is the least of your addiction problems.
Mandy, if you had problems with Ambien, you will have them with Sonata. They work on the body the same way and you would have to escalate your dosage of Sonata much quicker b/c of its short half life. Try to steer clear of any pills, try putting a tic-tac by your bed and taking that if you need to take a pill, like the doctor said it is probably mental at this point.
Good Luck all.