Posted by Elroy on June 3, 2005, at 15:49:01
In reply to Defeated by insomnia, posted by Guy on May 21, 2005, at 18:14:43
Only thing that I could suggest would be that of the other poster who suggested similarly, and that would be to give Lyrica a try - if it is available whevever you are (Europe). It has been approved in US by FDA, but not released by Pfizer yet (was approved several months ago, so not sure what the hold up is).
Wish we would get more input on Lyrica from European reviewers of this site, but what input I have seen has been quite favorable.
Also, I wonder if possibly switching over from clonazepam to the extended release version of Xanax might be more beneficial? Pros and cons each way I guess. I don't know which would be easier to wean off of eventually. Maybe going from Klono to Xanax XR to something like BusPar and then a total wean?
Of course the unanswered question is that of whether the core problem causing the anxiety has been addressed, and, if not, that weaning might not be the thing to do at this time. Or does the anxiety just appear when the insomnia is present?
Let's see... have you had your cortisol levels checked? Elevated cortisol levels - especially if your daily cycle is off even a little bit - can cause some serious insomnia problems. That is what's going on in my case. I take Ambien and am lucky to sleep about 3 to 3 1/2 hours (Midnite to 3 - 3:30 AM). I instead I take Restoril then that time frame moves up to maybe five hours. Apparently my cortisol levels will go low enough in late evening to allow me (with some sleep aid assistance) to get to sleep but then levels start climbing too early in the early morning hours (and way too high) and it wakes me up.
Very frustrating.
My doc is prescribing me with Remeron in an effort to get around this as some recent studies have shown that Remeron is pretty effective in lowering cortisol levels (in NON Cushing's states - if you have Cushings, which should be automatically checked if you test out with elevated cortisol, then Remeron is not going to work effectively). What doses were you on? As I recall, my doc said that Remeron was more sedating at the lower doses (also created more hunger pang symptoms!) than at the medium and higher doses... she specifically mentioned taking the lower doses late at night because of that.
Elroy
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> I've been taking clonazepam and Remeron on and off for eight years, but my insomnia always creeps back, and I end up back on 10 mg Zyprexa, which lets me sleep but makes me feel like crap. I'm so fed up with this med merry-go-round and all I want is to be med free. The only problem is the insomnia...I just can't tolerate it (I get super agitated and suicidal), but it is my number one syptom whenever I try to wean off meds. Right now I want to get free of the benzo, and then get onto something that is easier to wean off of than the Zyprexa. My pdoc is totally against any plans to withdraw and says I should just keep increasing the clonazepam, to 4 mg and then to 6 mg if necessary. This, despite the fact that I tell him I develop tolerance to increased doses within a couple of weeks. I think I have to find a doctor who will help me out of this mess. In the past I've ended up in emergency after going ten days with no sleep...the only response from docs is meds and more meds. How can I taper when I have already developed tolerance to an existing dose??? It's so hard and seemingly hopeless!
poster:Elroy
thread:500897
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20050519/msgs/507384.html