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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by saturn on May 10, 2007, at 15:19:28
I have my doubts, but don't want to rule it out either.
I've been taking Lunesta for a year. Initially 2 mg and more recently only 1 mg for the last few months (with no increased anxiety dropping down). I took ambien for a year prior to the lunesta, also.I realize theoretically how there could be interdosal (daytime) withdrawal. But this is such a low dose and it has absolutely zero anxiolytic effect.
So I realize that it *could* be causing anxiety, but my question is if this is likely, given the dosage and duration of use--if anyone may have any thoughts.
Thanks...Peace...Saturn.
Posted by madeline on May 10, 2007, at 17:43:33
In reply to What is the likelihood of Lunesta causing anxiety?, posted by saturn on May 10, 2007, at 15:19:28
Well, I would say not very likely
From RX list
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/lunesta_cp.htm
In a 6-month double-blind, placebo-controlled study of nightly administration of LUNESTA 3 mg, rates of anxiety reported as an adverse event were 2.1% in the placebo arm and 3.7% in the LUNESTA arm. In a 6-week adult study of nightly administration, anxiety was reported as an adverse event in 0%, 2.9%, and 1.0% of the placebo, 2 mg, and 3 mg treatment arms, respectively. In this study, single-blind placebo was administered on nights 45 and 46, the first and second days of withdrawal from study drug. New adverse events were recorded during the withdrawal period, beginning with day 45, up to 14 days after discontinuation. During this withdrawal period, 105 subjects previously taking nightly LUNESTA 3 mg for 44 nights spontaneously reported anxiety (1%), abnormal dreams (1.9%), hyperesthesia (1%), and neurosis (1%), while none of 99 subjects previously taking placebo reported any of these adverse events during the withdrawal period.
Posted by saturn on May 10, 2007, at 18:47:29
In reply to Re: What is the likelihood of Lunesta causing anxiety?, posted by madeline on May 10, 2007, at 17:43:33
That's kind of what I thought. Thanks Madeline...much appreciated.
Posted by johnnyj on May 10, 2007, at 20:20:37
In reply to What is the likelihood of Lunesta causing anxiety?, posted by saturn on May 10, 2007, at 15:19:28
I had a very odd occurence with Lunesta. I was on 3 mg I believe. I would wake up very abruptly after 6 hours and could never get back to sleep. I also had trouble when getting excited about something. For example, I would not be able to sit still when I was rooting for my football team. After quitting, this resolved as did the abrupt waking. I also didn't feel as depressed either. I should add that I metabolize meds very slow and have not had great success on meds. I know of other people that have had similiar problems but mine were more pronounced.
regardsjohnnyj
Posted by saturn on May 10, 2007, at 21:20:54
In reply to Re: What is the likelihood of Lunesta causing anxiety? » saturn, posted by johnnyj on May 10, 2007, at 20:20:37
> I had a very odd occurence with Lunesta. I was on 3 mg I believe. I would wake up very abruptly after 6 hours and could never get back to sleep. I also had trouble when getting excited about something. For example, I would not be able to sit still when I was rooting for my football team. After quitting, this resolved as did the abrupt waking. I also didn't feel as depressed either. I should add that I metabolize meds very slow and have not had great success on meds. I know of other people that have had similiar problems but mine were more pronounced.
Thanks Johnnyj,
May I ask how long you took the 3 mgs and if you tapered down? Any withdrawal symptoms? And how long did it take for the problems you mentioned above to resolve. Thanks...Peace...Saturn.
Posted by Phillipa on May 10, 2007, at 21:32:13
In reply to Re: What is the likelihood of Lunesta causing anxiety? » johnnyj, posted by saturn on May 10, 2007, at 21:20:54
What if you're taking 3mg of lunesta with 20mg valium, and .5 of xanax will you still get withdrawal effects? Thanks Phillipa
Posted by johnnyj on May 11, 2007, at 8:54:33
In reply to Re: What is the likelihood of Lunesta causing anxiety? » johnnyj, posted by saturn on May 10, 2007, at 21:20:54
I was on it for about 3 months. I just stopped one night and I had strange dreams for about 2 nights and woke up after every dream. The only thing it did was improve deep sleep but the side effects outweighted the benefits for me.
Posted by johnnyj on May 11, 2007, at 8:55:46
In reply to Re: What is the likelihood of Lunesta causing anxiety?, posted by Phillipa on May 10, 2007, at 21:32:13
I have no idea the only was is to unfortunately try it yourself. I guess it depends on how well you are sleeping now.
johnnyj
Posted by kaleidoscope on May 11, 2007, at 16:26:59
In reply to Re: What is the likelihood of Lunesta causing anxiety?, posted by Phillipa on May 10, 2007, at 21:32:13
Hi PJ
Daily use of three sedatives (Val, Lunesta and Xanax) is not a good idea. There's really no good reason to take more than two, and one is usually best. Given than you're on Valium, I would strongly recommend that you ditch the Xanax. Increased anxiety between doses can be an issue.......and this is precisely what you don't need. Taking 20mg Valium as a single dose in the evening should be sufficient to reduce anxiety and aid sleep. I'd taper off both the Xanax and the Lunesta if I were you, neither of them are likely to benefit you in the long term. They could easily do you more harm than good. If you like, you could continue to take the Xanax PRN, but daily use is not PRN! I wouldn't recommend taking it more than once or twice a week. The fluvoxamine (Luvox) could provide you with long-term anti-anxiety benefit, which I why I advocate a proper trial at a clinically proven dose.
Ed xx
Posted by kaleidoscope on May 11, 2007, at 16:28:55
In reply to What is the likelihood of Lunesta causing anxiety?, posted by saturn on May 10, 2007, at 15:19:28
>What is the likelihood of Lunesta causing anxiety?
It's possible. Interdose withdrawal symptoms (including anxiety) can occur with sedative drugs even when the drug is not relieving anxiety.
Posted by Phillipa on May 11, 2007, at 19:36:40
In reply to Re: What is the likelihood of Lunesta causing anxiety? » Phillipa, posted by kaleidoscope on May 11, 2007, at 16:26:59
ED tell that to my pdoc whose prescription I'm following. Evidently she likes this combo and the guy here did too. Love Phillipa
Posted by drugrep on May 12, 2007, at 7:59:32
In reply to Re: What is the likelihood of Lunesta causing anxiety? » saturn, posted by kaleidoscope on May 11, 2007, at 16:28:55
Lunesta has actually been studied in patients with comorbid Generalized Anxiety Disorder. In combination with Lexapro. While it did not do anything to lessen the anxiety of the patients it certainly didn't add to the feelings of anxiety either. What it did do was lessen the time it took for patients with GAD fall asleep faster and they woke up less often during the night. No other sedative/hypnotic has attempted a similar study, so while every patient is different and every drug can have unexpected adverse events In this case I doubt very much that your anxiety is related to Lunesta. Also the 2mg dose is recommended for FALLING ASLEEP the 3mg pill is the one proven to both help falling asleep and staying asleep 7-8 hrs per night in 70% of patients according to relevant studies. Good luck hope this helps.
Posted by Phillipa on May 12, 2007, at 20:05:44
In reply to Re: What is the likelihood of Lunesta causing anxi, posted by drugrep on May 12, 2007, at 7:59:32
Well I'm one of the 30% as the three mg plus.5 of xanax and 20mg of valium does not give me more than four hours of sleep been that way for years. Love Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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