Can not sleep!

[billstrong1969]

I can not sleep to save my life!  I have tried everything!  For the past year I was on Interferon treatment for my HEP-C and so far it's been successful and insomnia was one of the side effects for about the first 3 months but then it subsided; well now mysteriously it is back even though I've been off treatment now for about a month.  I have tried everything that's out there as well but nothing is working.  I was taking 10mg Valium, sometimes 2 at a time but not even a yawn.  Now my doctor has prescribed 1 mg Xanax and it's not really doing anything either.  I'm also weening off of the pain killers that I was on during treatment (Hydrocodone, Oxycodone) as I speak.  Could it be those that are keeping me awake?  Usually the sticker on the bottles will say "may cause drowsiness" but they never do with me; they more or less perk me up.  I do have a habit of drinking coffee as well when I get so frustrated from not being able to sleep and have been laying in bed for hours on end.  Any suggestions out there?  Should I take 2 of the 1mg Xanax next time?  Any advice would be great!  Thanks much...

billstrong1969

[billstrong1969]

Very informative!  Thank you so much!

billstrong1969

[KatEyes]

Your situtation is quite complex. I certainly don't have answers, but do have some suggestions. If you've already done them, just ignore please.

1. Talk with the specialist who had you on Interferon about how long you might expect the effects to linger, and what might counteract them.

2. Talk with your pharmacist about your meds and their possible effect on sleep. Some meds may make one drowsy but later interfere with sleep stages. That detailed of info is not usually on the literature that accompanies prescriptions. The warning about drowsiness is there due to safety (and liability) issues.You may even find some info with an online search. I personally would be hesitant to take any meds other than "by the book" since the possibility of interactions exists. And be diligent to follow the weaning schedule to avoid a withdrawal symptom of insomnia.

3. While it does seem likely that your sleep issues are med related, it wouldn't hurt to be sure there are no underlying sleep disorders causing symptoms that the meds are getting blamed for. Also, keep in mind that people with poor sleep sometimes have an increased sensitivity to pain, and people with pain can have resultant poor sleep. That may be a balancing act.

Hope you find answers and start getting some good sleep soon.