Acquired Brain Trauma and sleep dysfunction

[alanf05]

I am a nurse and my friend's wife has a long-standing acquired brain injury (OBS). She has initial insomnia, which has not been countered by behavioural techniques. She is a smoker, ergo drugs which inhibit breathing are a no-go. Modern sedatives are ineffective (Zopiclone) and she has now been prescribed amitriptylene. Any suggestions?

[alanf05]

Thanks, this confirms my experience in practice - think that it should be banned as it fosters dependence. Good to have 'user' feedback. Think that this is a drug of last resort!

[Rach822]

My mother went on Amitriptylene and I have never had such an awful experience with her! It made her twitch, she hallucinated and called for people she hadn't seen for years it did NOTHING to help her sleep and was constantly awoken by violent twitches. It was hard to cope with her along with my severly disabled teenage brother I don't think it is a helpful drug in the slightest!! Good luck on trying to find something that helps x