![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Jed_G on July 30, 2007, at 18:22:02
Hi All,
My sleep quality is terrible, I have early awakenings and find myself feeling unrefreshed upon wakening. This is despite taking care of my diet and sleep hygiene.
Of all the meds I have tried, Neurontin has worked best for me in providing a goood nights sleep. It helps me fall asleep faster and improves the quality of the sleep too.
However, the Neurontin is losing its effectiveness. I have tried another GABA med called Gabitril but this made me feel wired and prevented me from falling alseep without the aid of other pills like ambien. Valerian works really well for a time but also lost its effectiveness.
I am lead to believe that something related to GABA in my system is all over the place, but if it was just GABA in isolation, wouldnt the Gabitril have worked better than what it did?
Do people have any suggestions regarding meds (prescription or other) that improve sleep architecture? Is it true that some herbs also affect GABA also, ie: picamilion, taurine etc?
Thanks in advance!
J
Posted by Phillipa on July 30, 2007, at 22:50:02
In reply to Sleep meds, posted by Jed_G on July 30, 2007, at 18:22:02
Yes I think you will find lunesta just what you're looking for it allows for at least six hours of quality sleep no hangover not like a benzo at all. Love Phillipa
Posted by Jed_G on July 31, 2007, at 17:57:29
In reply to Re: Sleep meds » Jed_G, posted by Phillipa on July 30, 2007, at 22:50:02
> Yes I think you will find lunesta just what you're looking for it allows for at least six hours of quality sleep no hangover not like a benzo at all. Love Phillipa
Hi Phillipa, tried Lunesta some time ago. Feelings of depression came about when I took it.
Are you aware of any herbs that increase Gaba?
Thanks!
Posted by Netch on August 3, 2007, at 5:46:41
In reply to Sleep meds, posted by Jed_G on July 30, 2007, at 18:22:02
> Hi All,
>
> My sleep quality is terrible, I have early awakenings and find myself feeling unrefreshed upon wakening. This is despite taking care of my diet and sleep hygiene.
>
> Of all the meds I have tried, Neurontin has worked best for me in providing a goood nights sleep. It helps me fall asleep faster and improves the quality of the sleep too.
>
> However, the Neurontin is losing its effectiveness. I have tried another GABA med called Gabitril but this made me feel wired and prevented me from falling alseep without the aid of other pills like ambien. Valerian works really well for a time but also lost its effectiveness.
>
> I am lead to believe that something related to GABA in my system is all over the place, but if it was just GABA in isolation, wouldnt the Gabitril have worked better than what it did?
>
> Do people have any suggestions regarding meds (prescription or other) that improve sleep architecture? Is it true that some herbs also affect GABA also, ie: picamilion, taurine etc?
>
> Thanks in advance!
>
> JJed, Remeron may help improve sleep
Netch
Posted by elanor roosevelt on August 4, 2007, at 22:50:40
In reply to Re: Sleep meds » Jed_G, posted by Netch on August 3, 2007, at 5:46:41
ambien
Posted by cumulative on August 6, 2007, at 13:28:42
In reply to Sleep meds, posted by Jed_G on July 30, 2007, at 18:22:02
Sleep hygiene aside, do you find yourself stressing out before sleep? Excitatory thought patterns?
It can't be simplified to just a dysfunction of the GABA system. A lot of anxiety is due to your amygdala going nuts from stress-linked memories. I mean, if you look at the effect of benzodiazepines on sleep quality/sleep "architecture": it's quite negative. So it's obviously not as simple as GABA. What we have here is a gigantic system that's evolved over quite some time ...
Effed-up to think about, I know, when we're trying to get a cure.
Now there are a lot of things that could go wrong, I guess. This is still an area I'm trying to work with.
CFS sufferers have very unrestful sleep -- the same I believe with other immune dysregulation issues. Fibromyalgia.
I just hooked down an ambien CR prescription personally. We'll see how it goes for sleep quality.
What about your electrolytes? Are your electrolytes in order sir?
Write back,
cumulative
Posted by Jed_G on August 6, 2007, at 18:35:23
In reply to Re: Sleep meds, posted by cumulative on August 6, 2007, at 13:28:42
At a macro level I have two sets of symptoms, lack of energy and poor sleep.
Poor sleep quality is definately compounded by stress & its origin is negative memories of bad experiences & their implications - ie: career failure etc. While meditation helps alot, I find that it only goes so far in de-programming thoughts and feelings where the underlying thoughts and feelings are so strong.
Ive had success with rotating Neurontin and most recently Lyrica for improving sleep quality (countering stress) but I like to mix meds around with herbs to increase the effectiveness of both. Anyone know which herbs are good for anxiety (Ive tried Valerian which isnt strong enough anymore).
Also, has anyone found it hard to fall alseep on Lyrica? Ive had to take with a smalll dose of ambbien to knock me out.
I had a massive round of blood tests recently after seeing an excellent wholistic doctor in Sydney who determined my zinc level was the lowest possible (1) and my pyrole (?) and hystmine levels were through the roof. Suupplements for that coming through soon.
He recommended I take better care of my digestion by chewing slowly and ttaking digestive enzymes. This has had a noticable impact on my energy and mood.
Other than that thinking of having a sleep study but Im cynical about outcomes - treating sleep disorders (escpecially for post viral cfs) sounds hit and miss.
Cheerio,
J
Posted by Phillipa on August 6, 2007, at 20:28:43
In reply to Re: Sleep meds, posted by cumulative on August 6, 2007, at 13:28:42
So is my hasimotos thyroidistis messing mine up too as it;s autoimmune? love Phillipa
Posted by cactus on August 8, 2007, at 18:27:23
In reply to Re: Sleep meds, posted by Jed_G on August 6, 2007, at 18:35:23
jed if you're an aussie like me, I have tried everything and the best by far is mogadon. You might feel a little groggy the next day but a hot shower and a cup of coffee will fix that. It also cover you for anxiety the next day too. Good luck, a lot of doctors won't prescribe it. Nothing else comes close except for zyprexa or seroquel with leave you feeling like a walking zombie all the next day
Posted by rina on August 11, 2007, at 19:12:46
In reply to Sleep meds, posted by Jed_G on July 30, 2007, at 18:22:02
I had problems with my sleep meds also until I tried Trazadone. It works wonderful and has antidepressant undertones as well. You wake up refreshed and without a hangover. Just my experience. Good Luck!
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.