Posted by tmhwrite on February 19, 2004, at 15:15:03
In reply to Ambien question » gracielexie, posted by LynneDa on February 19, 2004, at 13:53:48
Hi Lynne,
I'm currently using Clonazepam (.5mg) in addition to the Lex (10mg) but have used Ambien in the past. Ambien is more of a mild sleep aid. I used it for about a week and and then only occasionally after that and it helped my body get back into the correct ryhthm of sleeping. I didn't notice any side effects even when I stopped using it. Clonazepam is a stronger substance that is a better version of Xanax (less side effects). It is an anti-aniety medication as opposed to a sleep aid, though it has helped me sleep because it calmed the anxiety attacks that were keeping me up all night. After what I've been through over the past several weeks, I'm a huge fan of it. I didn't think I was ever going to be able to sleep through the night again!
Hope this helps. Good luck to you
Theresa> Hi & welcome to the Board, it's been a very helpful and encouraging place for me. I've been on Lex 4 months, went from 10 to 20 mg about 8 weeks ago. I take Lex at night now because of my insomnia and day-time sleepiness. It helped me feel more awake during the day, but I still have middle of the night awakenings - I am wired and awake for about an hour or so.
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> My anxiety and PMDD-related depression is not all the way gone, but much better after upping to 20mg. I hope after another few weeks your 20mg dosage will kick in and eliminate some of your anxiety, tears, etc. Those symptoms are oh-so-familiar to me!! The menopause and no-thyroid combo just makes all that worse, I feel for you! Good luck to you in your quest for a better doctor, sounds like that would be a step in the right direction.
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> Question for everyone: I started taking 5 mg of Ambien this week and I'm a little concerned because of its addictive properties. What will happen in a week when I have to go off of it? It's been so wonderful sleeping all night for the last 3 nights. I can see why people get hooked on it! If it's the Lex that makes me wake up feeling wired, how will the Ambien change that after a week? What is Clonazepin (sp?) and is it different than Ambien? Thank you for any advice or info.!
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> ~ Lynne
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> I have been on Lexapro for a little over a year...started with 10mg and was increased to 20mg about a month ago. I take it in the morning, but am wondering if it's better at night..sleep better? I do feel anxiety as well..I saw my doctor yesterday and he YELLED at me that I take homeopathic stuff to help me sleep, like "Quietude" or Bach's Rescue Remedy..also I told him I take calcium with magnesium and Gaba and he flipped out on me...obviously, nothing should be taken with Lexapro..also, I had my thyroid removed in 1999...AND in menopause without taking any HRT........HELP!!! Seems like any little thing makes me anxious or depressed..sometimes just blue..sometimes up and down...yesterday I wanted to just die..if I had to do it over, i'd NEVER have my thyroid taken out..just cold nodules on it..better to have biopsy every year..taking it out is the WORST thing..anyway, thanks for letting me vent..I would love to hear from somebody..anybody..
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poster:tmhwrite
thread:109458
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040218/msgs/315737.html