Posted by King Vultan on November 4, 2004, at 11:27:05
In reply to ambien, posted by shadowmon on November 4, 2004, at 8:02:24
> I dont think the ambien is working for my sleep, it's leaving me somewhat relaxed and rested, but no sleep. I find that during the times I am on ambien I have all these great thoughts of things that I wouuld like to do, I have contacted my ex husband (without any real reason to) but I feel like I havent really had any restful sleep to speak about. I take a pill and go lie in bed for 2,3,4 hours waiting for me to fall asleep, it doesnt come. It finally gets to the point inwhich I get up and take my daily dose of paxil,and that helps me get at least a nap. While I dont mind taking the ambien, I really would like to work.
>
> Since I have taken ambien, I've also taken remeron and trazodone for sleep. What others are there for me to try next?
I use Halcion/triazolam, which is a true benzodiazepine that seems to be viewed by some people as more powerful than Ambien. It has a short half life a little longer than that of Ambien, but isn't necessarily able to be taken every night, which is something many doctors will allow people on Ambien to do. My pdoc originally said I could use the triazolam 3-4 times a week, so I've been using it every other night and filling in with OTC antihistamines the other nights. They don't work nearly as well as the triazolam, and on my last appointment, he said that I could perhaps try the triazolam every night. In the anecdotes I've read, some people are able to get away with this, taking it every night for 15 years, while others develop tolerance using it every night. So I'm a bit reluctant to try that, given that I can get a good night's sleep at least every other night right now.Doxepin is an extremely powerful sedating TCA that might be worth trying, but you might have some hangover and/or increased appetite from it. The same is also true of Surmontil/trimipramine, but this probably has fewer negative effects than does Doxepin and is supposed to provide very high quality sleep. Some of the atypical antipsychotics are also prescribed for sleep, but they can be expensive and may also have some other side effects.
Todd
poster:King Vultan
thread:411520
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041103/msgs/411653.html