A Night's Sleep

[Sumanadevii]

Does anyone take Ambien?  Is there a reason a neurologist wouldn't prescribe it when it seems to be the only means of a good night's sleep?  I am on Rebif.  Is it the combination of the drugs?  I am not understanding why she doesn't want to prescribe it.  I guess go to alcohol?  No prescription needed there!

[Sumanadevii]

He didn't come.....lol

Just like a man to leave ya hanging.....

[twopack]

Sure thing.  So sorry to find you awake again but reassured to hear you are disguised in a cloak of empowerment.  I'm off to search for the sandman myself.  I'll leave a note for him to come your direction - just in case.

Mary

[Sumanadevii]

I will be approaching the neuro in the morning.  She was out Friday and one of the other doctors wouldn't prescribe the Ambien.  So, I am not sure if she agrees or not.  She can disagree but will need to explain to me why and to my satisfaction.

And while you may think wow!  what a powerhouse that Sumanadevii is...she ain't.  Maybe she comes here and acts all tough because she might wimp out ...like she has over eight years...lol

Thanks for the input.

[twopack]

You're trying to sleep without taking a drug that you've used regularly for eight years?  That's a huge piece of information missing from your original question.  Honestly, it leaves me wondering what happened to your former prescriber.  Perhaps it is also what has this doctor hesitating?

At the same time, it is completely unfair to you if the medical community has taken away a medication you have depended on for years without so much as an explanation or substitution or instruction.  If your present physician deems the drug no longer suitable, s(he) must have a plan for withdrawal that includes more than cold turkey insomnia.  You should also be prescribed enough medication to get you safely through to the plans start date.

Your anger is clearly visible Sumanadevii.  It is also clearly deserved judging by the little information you offer about it's origins.  No doubt it glows in the dark when fueled by sleepless nights.  However, I would respectfully suggest that it will work against you in your quest to obtain medical care of your liking.  Fair or not, most medical personal will class this as oppositional attitude and become hostile or defensive themselves.  This is certainly not helpful in the short term and probably won't serve the long term either.

There is no shortage of anger and frustration among the members of this forum.  Nor do we lack compassion when we see it's expression.  I am truly sorry you have gone undiagnosed or misdiagnosed for so long.  Unfortunately this is an all too common scenario here.  That doesn't make it right or good or hurt any less.  It doesn't help to realize you are part of a large club.  That knowledge sometimes only deepens resentment.

I think I get it.  I am sorry you are suffering the consequences of ineptitude.  I do wish all this had been (and can still become) easier for you.  I hope you find the medical help you need in the morning.  I also hope you are able to experience something good from your contact with people here who share similar yet unique journeys.  And I hope that enough good things will fill your future that anger loses it's power to add pain to your life.

I'll be sending all the positive energy I can toward your intentions.

Mary

[Sumanadevii]

Sarah, I still have only slept a total of seven hours over two days.  I am crabby!  Every time I try to lay down even a slight noise sends electric shocks up my back.  I will ask my doctor about it.  Something has to be done!!!

[Sparkysarah]

What about amitriptyline? I find this helps me to get a good night's sleep and it helps with the nerve pain also.

It can feel like torture not getting enough sleep and the knock on effect builds so it is really important that this is addressed for you.

Sarah x

[Sumanadevii]

I have taken Ambien for eight years.  It takes about forty minutes for it to kick.  I sleep like a baby for about six hours.  I feel refreshed when I wake.  

This neurologist hasn't had a chance to answer my questions.  Be assured Monday morning she will be answering!  Things were so rushed at my visit.  I have only seen her twice. I didn't have a chance to discuss it with her. It is pain that keeps me awake.  If she can address that and not prescribe Ambien, we will be happy little campers.  If not, doctor shopping!!!  

Frankly, I do know what I need and have little if any trust in the medical profession.  Either they can explain why to my satisfaction or I am out of there.  There is clearly no reason this MS wasn't caught and too many involved from emergency room visits, to my family physician then an internist and finally a board certified neuro..  I said then and will say again, "this ain't no backache". I have been patient enough over the eight years.  The ball is in their court.  

Thanks for your response.  You are right about the alcohol.  It didn't work!!!

[twopack]

Oh, I forgot.  I have taken Ambien CR myself.  I also am taking daily Copaxone.  Ambien puts me out alright but I'm not so sure it leaves me feeling like I had a good night's sleep.  I awake more hung over than refreshed.  On the rare occasion I've used it, I have to make sure I have a recovery day free of any obligations even though I probably still won't sleep late in the morning.  Other things work better for me.

Mary

[twopack]

I guess there are reasons to not prescribe Ambien, expecially to someone who is edging into the senior age spectrum.  Mature and knowledgable as you may be about what it is you want (sleep) the how to get it safely factor might need some assistance.  I doubt alcohol is your best second choice.  At any rate, you doctor must have some reason she thinks is valid.  The only way to know would be to ask her.

Ambien isn't your only alternative.  There are many other sleep medications.  None of them will continue to work well long term if you take them every night.  If it is pain keeping you awake, it may be that you need pain medication more than sleep medication.  

If the neuro treating your MS won't address this important question, ask your PCP to prescribe.  Or ask one of them for a consult to pain management or a sleep specialist (a neuro with a sleep speciality).  Insomnia is a sleep disorder just like sleep apnea is and sometimes requires the attention of a specialist.

Good night and good luck.
Mary

[starryeyes1]

I am on Ambien. I was only getting 2 hrs of sleep at a time and waiting for an hr for the gabapentin to work each time. I will say that I have literally fallen asleep while typing on the computer, had conversations that I didn't remember, disrupted my husbands sleep from randomly sitting straight up in bed. I haven't noticed any dizziness the next day, but definately need to stay in bed once I take the pill.

My neuro prescribed this for me. I was really wearing down from no sleep from this nerve pain. I really hope you push your doc for something to help you rest.

Sweet dreams, I hope!
Kristi

[Sumanadevii]

Knock, knock!!!  Still awake.  I am breaking open the long island iced tea.  Any to join me?

[Quixotic1]

As far as I know there is no contraindication to using Ambien and an interferon.  My neurologist was happy to keep me on Ambien while I was on Avonex.  While you can build us some dependency on Ambien, it is not strong and the sleep one gets, I believe can far outway the short time it takes to get off of it.

I no longer use it, because, for some reason it began giving me a morning headache.  But, I used it for more than a decade.

HVAC makes a good point, though Ambien never made me unsteady or dizzy.  I did in the very beginning have some amnesia for conversations I had on it in the beginning.  Those went away pretty quickly.

Tell your doc you can't sleep and ask them for help.  Be insistent.  Treatment of symptoms is just as important - if not more - than treating the MS.

Quix

[HVAC]

Ambien can make people unsteady if they get out of bed and many Doctors do not like to make MS patients anymore unsteady than possible. They will not give me muscle relaxers. I got out of bed on Ambien not knowing it, broke my cheek bone and had to have stitches. Lyrica helps me with pain so I can sleep.

Alex

[Sumanadevii]

No clue and I am angry!  I am 60 years old.  Ya think I am old enough to know what I need?  I too am in pain.  Without the damn sleep meds, I won't be sleeping!  She just diagnosed me.  Maybe she isn't sure if I am doctor/pill shopping?  My record shows I was with Dr.Stupidcan'tdignoanything for three and a half years.  It's clear it is MS with lesions in my brain (just a few) and more on my spine (she said near the brain stem?).  The o-bands?  Came back to confirm it.  

[RedFlame]

I know what you guys are talking about.  I have had sleep problems since I was a child.  After many years I was finally placed on Klonipin and now Ambien which really puts me to sleep.  

I do have interrupted sleep though.  Pain, spasms and nightmares wake me up though.  Why are they not giving you anything?  

Red

[VictoriaDouglas83]

I feel your pain!  I can NOT sleep at night very well.  I've complained to my PCP about this several times and emphasizing how tired I am throughout the day because I can NOT sleep at night.  She didn't prescribe me anything.  I'm hoping my neurologist will be better at dealing with my sleep issues and pain issues.  I've turned to Uni-Som and a few glasses of wine at night.  If I'm lucky I get 5 hours, when I'm not I get 1 or 2 and wake up drunk. haha

Good luck!!!

Victoria