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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by LegWarmers on February 22, 2006, at 0:38:59
1) on average, how long/or short does it take someone to become tolerant to their sleep medication from almost nightly use?
2) Do many people fear taking a medication to the point that weeks or more go by and the bottle still has not been opened?
thanks!
Posted by ed_uk on February 22, 2006, at 14:34:20
In reply to 2 med questions, posted by LegWarmers on February 22, 2006, at 0:38:59
Hi Leggy
Which sleep aid are you referring to?
Ed x
Posted by LegWarmers on February 22, 2006, at 15:12:54
In reply to Re: 2 med questions » LegWarmers, posted by ed_uk on February 22, 2006, at 14:34:20
Hi Eddy
Ativan, any ideas?
-Leggy
Posted by ed_uk on February 22, 2006, at 16:52:40
In reply to Re: 2 med questions » ed_uk, posted by LegWarmers on February 22, 2006, at 15:12:54
Hi Leggy
It depends really? The 'drowsy' effect of Ativan can wear off after a couple of weeks but if insomnia is due to anxiety, Ativan might continue to provide relief.
Ed
Posted by LegWarmers on February 22, 2006, at 19:17:11
In reply to Re: 2 med questions » LegWarmers, posted by ed_uk on February 22, 2006, at 16:52:40
> Hi Leggy
>
> It depends really? The 'drowsy' effect of Ativan can wear off after a couple of weeks but if insomnia is due to anxiety, Ativan might continue to provide relief.
>
> Ed
I had suspected that it had to do with anxiety, so you mean if it is no longer working then there is most likely somehting else happening?
Posted by Phillipa on February 22, 2006, at 19:34:47
In reply to Re: 2 med questions » ed_uk, posted by LegWarmers on February 22, 2006, at 19:17:11
If you're not used to a benzo it will work . The other options are ambien, or lunesta. Fondly, Phillipa. ps my Daughter tried lunesta it worked and no side effects just good sleep.
Posted by LegWarmers on February 22, 2006, at 21:55:26
In reply to Re: 2 med questions » LegWarmers, posted by Phillipa on February 22, 2006, at 19:34:47
> If you're not used to a benzo it will work . The other options are ambien, or lunesta. Fondly, Phillipa. ps my Daughter tried lunesta it worked and no side effects just good sleep.
ill look into lunesta, how long does it take someone to get used to a benzo where they have to raise their dose? could it happen in 3 weeks of almost nightly use?
Posted by Phillipa on February 22, 2006, at 22:16:18
In reply to Re: 2 med questions » Phillipa, posted by LegWarmers on February 22, 2006, at 21:55:26
It's not like an antidepressant you don't have to raise your dose. Lunesta come in 2 and 3mg. Two mg would probably be enough for you. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by ed_uk on February 23, 2006, at 13:28:47
In reply to Re: 2 med questions » ed_uk, posted by LegWarmers on February 22, 2006, at 19:17:11
Hi Leggy
So when you're suffering from insomnia, do you feel anxious when you're laying there in bed?
Eddy
Posted by LegWarmers on February 23, 2006, at 14:52:59
In reply to Re: 2 med questions » LegWarmers, posted by ed_uk on February 23, 2006, at 13:28:47
> Hi Leggy
>
> So when you're suffering from insomnia, do you feel anxious when you're laying there in bed?
>
> EddyHi Eddy!
I start out tired, and then I try to go to sleep... i lie there and I dont feel anxious or anything but something happens because I start to feel very awake again...then i lie there feeling rather alert and then eventually everything starts coming to mind that I have to do etc.
So it doesnt seem to start with anxiety.... it seems to stay that way becaaue the time lying there feeds into my busy mind.
What do you think?
Posted by ed_uk on February 23, 2006, at 16:00:47
In reply to Re: 2 med questions » ed_uk, posted by LegWarmers on February 23, 2006, at 14:52:59
Hi Leggy
>What do you think?
Benzos such as lorazepam (Ativan) are probably not a suitable treatment for your insomnia. Lorazepam is most appropriate for the treatment of insomnia associated with marked distress and anxiety.
What medication are you on at the moment? Any idea what might be causing your insomnia?
Eddy
Posted by LegWarmers on February 23, 2006, at 18:02:14
In reply to Re: 2 med questions » LegWarmers, posted by ed_uk on February 23, 2006, at 16:00:47
> Hi Leggy
>
> >What do you think?
>
> Benzos such as lorazepam (Ativan) are probably not a suitable treatment for your insomnia. Lorazepam is most appropriate for the treatment of insomnia associated with marked distress and anxiety.
>
> What medication are you on at the moment? Any idea what might be causing your insomnia?
>
> EddyI don't take anything right now. I wish I knew what was causing it. But thats really useful to know, about me and benzos. Im not in a distrssed state at all when I go to bed, lying there distrsses me ; )
hmm... maybe Im getting to stimulated by tv watching before bed, or the computer. I would prefer not to have to take anything if I don't have to. I have been drinking more coffee then usual, but that never usually affects me.
I don't know.
thanks for your help Eddy!Leggy
Posted by Phillipa on February 23, 2006, at 18:03:30
In reply to Re: 2 med questions » LegWarmers, posted by ed_uk on February 23, 2006, at 16:00:47
Just a guess having you , Link, and Matt as brothers. You're all adopted now. Love PJ O
Posted by LegWarmers on February 23, 2006, at 18:49:20
In reply to Re: 2 med questions » ed_uk, posted by Phillipa on February 23, 2006, at 18:03:30
> Just a guess having you , Link, and Matt as brothers. You're all adopted now. Love PJ O
HAHA : D
Posted by LegWarmers on February 23, 2006, at 20:21:48
In reply to Re: 2 med questions » LegWarmers, posted by ed_uk on February 23, 2006, at 16:00:47
Hi Eddy
>
> Benzos such as lorazepam (Ativan) are probably not a suitable treatment for your insomnia.I meant to ask... what kinds of reasons do people get insomnia, and/or is that what drugs like lunesta are for?
Leggy
Posted by yxibow on March 1, 2006, at 0:53:02
In reply to Re: 2 med questions » ed_uk, posted by LegWarmers on February 23, 2006, at 20:21:48
> Hi Eddy
>
> >
> > Benzos such as lorazepam (Ativan) are probably not a suitable treatment for your insomnia.
>
> I meant to ask... what kinds of reasons do people get insomnia, and/or is that what drugs like lunesta are for?
>
> LeggyInsomnia can be caused by a variety of reasons -- genetically predisposed to insomnia, which I think I am - I know my mother is. Transient insomnia can be caused by transient stressors in life, like worrying about an upcoming event or a tragedy. And insomnia can be caused by anxiety in general. Also, insomnia can be caused by the side effects of medicine, such as Wellbutrin or Prozac, in some people.
I never found Lunesta to be effective until I hit 3mg, but I am not benzodiazepine naive, and though Lunesta isnt a benzodiazepine it is quite similar. Nice metallic taste :) Some people claim the taste lasts beyond the night but I never sensed that.
Ambien can be used longterm though it isnt officially noted for that -- however Ambien CR was essentially a patent extender and has shown that it can be used longterm.
Benzodiazepines such as Ativan or Valium may help in small doses for some people, for sleep, provided they are not predisposed to dosage escalation -- that really depends on the person.
But personally I would go for one of the three (well if you're in the US) on the market -- Lunesta, Ambien/AmbienCR, and Sonata (which I didnt find as effective and some people get temporary wierd side visual effects, however it might be good for some others).
In general, if you dont want to take sleep agents in the long term, though they have been proven to be reasonably safe and effective -- good sleep hygiene is important. It means either taking your sleep medication, or not, and going to bed at the same time pretty much every day. It may also mean not doing stimulating things like computer games or watching some stimulating TV show, and especially avoiding caffeine in the last hours of the day. It also means using the bedroom for only what it is -- sleep -- and well, if you have a partner, you can fill in the details.
To better sleep
Cheers
-- Jay
This is the end of the thread.
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